Tag: Kendo in America

Interview with San Diego Kendo Bu Head Instructor Henry Kikunaga: Kendo in Universities – UCSD Recreational Class for Kendo

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Henry Kikunaga began his kendo training as a boy, starting with his father and older brother. Once in college, he enrolled in San Diego Kendo Bu under the joint tutelage of John Yamamoto and Kikuo Uyeji. In 2014, Kikunaga assumed the role of Head Instructor. Today, Kikunaga took some time to talk about his kendo … Continue reading Interview with San Diego Kendo Bu Head Instructor Henry Kikunaga: Kendo in Universities – UCSD Recreational Class for Kendo

Interview with Studio City Kendo Dojo Cofounder Shigeshi Takei: His Journey in Kendo

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Shigeshi Takei began training kendo while in middle school, later meeting Michihiro Nakashima through the late Atsushi Hori, and the two founded Studio City Kendo Dojo. Today, Takei spent some time today discussing his kendo journey. Special thanks to Carolyn Yatomi for proctoring this interview. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Hello and welcome … Continue reading Interview with Studio City Kendo Dojo Cofounder Shigeshi Takei: His Journey in Kendo

Interview with West Los Angeles Kendo Dojo President Koichi Suyama: Torataro Nakabara

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Koichi Suyama enrolled himself into West Los Angeles Kendo Dojo in 1983 at the invitation of the late Torataro Nakabara. Under Atsushi Hori, Suyama helped establish the bylaws of the Southern California Kendo Organization (SCKO). Today, Suyama, the current president of West Los Angeles Kendo Dojo, took some time to discuss the impact of Torataro … Continue reading Interview with West Los Angeles Kendo Dojo President Koichi Suyama: Torataro Nakabara

Interview with Kenshi Jim Nakabara: His Father and Kendo

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Jim Nakabara began training kendo at the age of ten under his father, Torataro Nakabara, later earning a yondan in 1977. Today, Nakabara took some time to discuss his father’s contribution to kendo in Southern California. We thank Akira Banchi for his assistance as mediator and Jim Nakabara for providing the images. Martial Arts of … Continue reading Interview with Kenshi Jim Nakabara: His Father and Kendo

Interview with Kendo Renshi David Yotsuuye: Influential Kenshi in the Pacific Northwest

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David Yotsuuye began kendo training while he was a Boy Scout under the tutelage of Rod Omoto, Mas Tanabe, and Yosh Tanabe. Picking the art back up while attending the University of Washington, he has not stopped training since. Today, he currently teaches with Jeff Marsten at Bellevue Kendo Dojo. All images provided by David … Continue reading Interview with Kendo Renshi David Yotsuuye: Influential Kenshi in the Pacific Northwest

Interview with Longtime Kenshi Howard Babus: Santa Barbara Kendo Dojo

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After training aikido for eight years, Howard Babus was immediately hooked when he saw his first kendo session in 1983. He spent many individualized lessons with Mikio Hattanda at the Santa Barbara Kendo Dojo. Babus inherited the school in 2012. Today, Babus talks a little about his kendo journey, Hattanda, and the art in Southern … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Howard Babus: Santa Barbara Kendo Dojo

Interview with Las Vegas Kenshi Stefan Locklair: A Kendo Journey from Coast to Coast

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Stefan Locklair began kendo at the age of seventeen, gaining multiple perspectives from training in different schools throughout the United States and Japan. He is currently the chief instructor of the Las Vegas Kendo Club and has joined us to discuss his kendo journey. All images provided by Stefan Locklair. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, … Continue reading Interview with Las Vegas Kenshi Stefan Locklair: A Kendo Journey from Coast to Coast

Interview with Longtime Kenshi Cary Mizobe: Kendo and Life, Part II

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Cary Mizobe began kendo training later than most, however, his love for the art has remained strong. Starting out at the Torrance Kendo Dojo, he later established his Westside Kendo Dojo in 1987. Today, Mizobe talks about his time training under Chris Mori, Torao Mori’s son, the philosophical side of kendo, and some personal experiences … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Cary Mizobe: Kendo and Life, Part II

Interview with Longtime Kenshi Cary Mizobe: Kendo and Life, Part I

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Cary Mizobe began kendo training later than most, however, his love for the art has remained strong. Starting out at the Torrance Kendo Dojo, he later established his Westside Kendo Dojo in 1987. Today, Mizobe talks about his time training under Chris Mori, Torao Mori’s son, the philosophical side of kendo, and some personal experiences … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Cary Mizobe: Kendo and Life, Part I

Interview with Longtime Kenshi Bryan Imanishi: Kendo Training and Cascade Kendo Kai

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Bryan Imanishi of Cascade Kendo Kai feels like he was born into kendo, starting his training at the age of eight. With most of his family participating in the art, to him, it felt like the right thing to do. Today, Imanishi discusses his kendo journey, from childhood to adulthood, some history of the Cascade … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Bryan Imanishi: Kendo Training and Cascade Kendo Kai