Mark Uchida first saw Chūshingura when he was a child and was immediately hooked on Japanese swordsmanship. Unfortunately, he never really found a place to train until 1973. From there, he dived deeply into both kendo and iaido, which he started learning a year after kendo. He would later become the first head of the … Continue reading Interview with Mushinkan Dojo Founder Mark Uchida: Training with Giants, Part II
This history is based on the Hawaiian kenshi interviews published through this chronicle, while using a handful of outside sources to provide historical or social context. This history, unfortunately, is not a complete one, however, it is one step closer to achieving a clearer picture of how the art evolved and changed on the Hawaiian … Continue reading Kendo in Hawaii: Abridged
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
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
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
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
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
Like many American Japanese in Hawaii – as Michael Sone terms many like him – Sone began his kendo training at an early age under his grandfather, Tetsunosuke Sone. Under him, he learned traditional kendo, emphasizing on the virtues one’s character through the use of the sword. Now leading the Mitsune Dojo, Sone took some … Continue reading Interview with Hawaiian Kenshi Michael Sone: A Sone Kendo History in Hawaii Part I
Kenneth Strawn found kendo while he was in college, training under the American pioneer Benjamin Hazard. Between 1984 and 1986, he helped grow the Obukan Kendo Club. He returned to his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, quickly establishing his Charlotte Kendo Club and helped form the Southeastern United States Kendo Federation in 1988. Today, we … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Kenneth Strawn: Starting From Scratch
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 