January 14, 2012, Saturday, 12 noon-5pm
Rain City Fencing Center
1776 136th Place NE
Bellevue, WA 98005
Location about 1/2 mile west of the Bellevue Dojo between NE 20th Street and Bel-Red Road on 136th Place NE. 136th does not go all the way through to Bel-Red, so the easiest access is turning South onto 136th Place NE from NE 20th Street, which would make the Fencing Center on your left.
The Kata portion of the seminar will be from Noon to about 4pm, with Keiko from 4 to 5 pm.
All dojos need to have each individual fill out and sign the form / waiver of liability (it is a two page form), and return the appropriate fees for all members along with completed forms to Brian Blomquist by February 24th 2012. Membership fees must be received by this deadline in order to participate in the February 25th PNKF Shinsa.
Dues are $70 for anyone who was 18 or older before 1/1/2012 and $40 for anyone who was 17 or under on that date.
Need the form? Click here.
Volume 25, number 12
December 2011
PNKF DATEBOOK
- Jan 14, PNKF Kata Seminar, Sat, 12noon-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Rain City Fencing, 1776
136th Place NE, Bellevue, WA 98005.
- Jan 28, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- Feb 25, PNKF Shinsa, Sat, Iaido 9am-12noon; Kendo 12:30-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Tyee
Educational Complex, 4424 S. 188th Street, SeaTac, located right off I-5 at S. 188th Street.
- Mar 3, Highline Taikai, Sat, 10am, White Center Community Center.
- Mar 17, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- Mar 31, PNKF Shinpan Seminar, Sat, 9am-1pm, open keiko 1-1:45pm. Seminar 9am for
those judging; 10am start for those participating in matches. South Park Community
Center, 8319 8th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108. The South Park 14th Avenue S. Bridge is now
closed. You cannot come from the North through South Park to get to the Center. You must
use the 1st Avenue South Bridge. There is limited parking in the lot. Lots of
on-street parking.
- Apr 7, UW Taikai, Sat, 10am, IMA (tentative).
- Apr 14/15, Cherry Blossom Festival, PNKF demo, Seattle Center.
- May 5, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- May 12, PNKF Iaido Shinpan Seminar and Taikai, Sat, 9am-3pm, Spartan Recreation Center,
202 N.E. 185th Street, Shoreline.
- May 19, Bellevue Junior Taikai, Sat, 9:30am-3pm.
- Jun 2, Rose City Taikai, Sat, 10am (tentative).
- Jul 14, PNKF Junior Seminar (tentative).
- Jul 14, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- Aug 11, PNKF Shinsa, Sat, Iaido 9am-12noon; Kendo 12:30-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Kent.
- Aug 18 or 25, Spokane Seminar and Taikai (tentative).
- Sep 15, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- Oct 6, PNKF Shinpan Seminar, 12noon-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Kent.
- Oct 20, Tacoma Taikai, Sat, 10am-4pm, Washington High School, 12420 Ainsworth Avenue
South, Tacoma, WA (tentative).
- Nov 3, PNKF Taikai, Sat, 9:30am, Kent.
- Nov 10, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- Nov 17, Kent Taikai, Sat, report time 9am, start 9:30am, Kent.
OTHER DATES
- Jan 22, Mori Hai Memorial Tournament, Sun, 8am-5pm, Wilson Park Gym, Torrance,
California.
- Jan 28/29, FIK Referee Seminar for the American Zone, Sat/Sun, McGill
University Athletic Center, Montreal, Canada.
- Feb 11, Steveston Taikai, Sat, 9:30am, McMath High School, 4251 Garry Street,
Richmond BC.
- Feb 18/19, 14th Annual Detroit Open Kendo Tournament, Sat/Sun; Seminar and Godo
Keiko Saturday 6pm with Kendo Hanshi 8th Dan Futagoishi Takashi; Tournament Sunday 8am,
Novi, Michigan.
- Mar 24/25, 16th Annual Harvard/Radcliffe Shoryuhai Kendo Tournament, Malkin
Athletic Center, Cambridge.
- Mar 30/Apr 1, 24th Annual Cleveland Kendo Tournament/GNEUSKF Championships,
Fri/Sun, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland.
- Apr 14, AUSKF Board meeting.
- May 25-27, 2012, 15WKC, Novara, Italy.
http://www.15wkc-italy.org/.
- Jun 20-23, AUSKF Iaido Seminar (tentative).
2nd LATIN AMERICAN KENDO CHAMPIONSHIP – November 10-12, 2011, Mexico City
125 competitors, from 16 countries within the Latin American region, participated.
Brazil lead in total medal count with 12 medals in all, 5 Gold, 4 Silver and 3 Bronze,
out of the 21 awarded to the competitors in the 7 divisions. Participating Countries 1.
Argentina 2. Peru 3. Guatemala 4. El Salvador 5. Aruba 6. Republica Dominicana 7.
Uruguay 8. Colombia 9. Honduras 10. Costa Rica 11. Venezuela 12. Panama 13. Brasil
14.Chile 15. Ecuador 16. Hosted by Mexico. The host country Mexico had the second most
visits to the winners' podium, with 5 medals in all, 1 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze. They
were followed by the Chilean team with a 1st Place in the Women's Team, and a 2nd in the
Men's Team divisions. Ecuador obtained a 2nd Place, and the head of the Aruba delegation
placed 3rd, in the Masters division.
Men's Team Women's Team
1st place - Brasil 1st place - Chile
2nd place - Chile 2nd place - Mexico
3rd place - Mexico 3rd place - Brasil
Men's Individuals Women's Individuals
1st place - Julio Kenji Toida, Brasil 1st place - Lilian Natsumi Miyazawa, Brasil
2nd place - Paulo de Tarso Leite, Brasil 2nd place - Tabita Saez Tayakama, Brasil
3rd place - Carlos Flores, Mexico 3rd place - Mariana Hernandez, Mexico
Junior Boys Division Junior Girls Division
1st place - Hector Toshio Ueda, Brasil 1st place - Karen Mejumi Anraku, Brasil
2nd place - Victor Kenzo Fujikura, Brasil 2nd place - Amanda Miyuki Nakao, Brasil
3rd place - Rodrigo Ryuiti Hayashi, Brasil 3rd place - Caroline Naomi Ueda, Brasil
Masters Division
1st place - Vidal Briones, Mexico
2nd place - Fernando Benavides, Ecuador
3rd place - Sergio Velazquez, Aruba
ANNUAL JCCC KENDO TOURNAMENT – November 26, 2001, Toronto
Women Mudansha and Shodan
1st place - Hanaka Yamada, Vancouver 1st place - Justin Lee, U Waterloo
2nd place - Tania Delage, McGill U 2nd place - Ryan Lee, Etobicoke
3rd place - Ayaka Sugiyama, Etobicoke 3rd place - Steven Park, Etobicoke
3rd place - Man Sa Ma, U Guelph 3rd place - Vincent Lai, Etobicoke
Nidan and Sandan Yondan and Up
1st place - Kunhee Kim, McGill U 1st place - Eddie Yamashita, Etobicoke
2nd place - Kevin Lee, York U 2nd place - Elliot Altilia, JCCC
3rd place - Simon Choe, York U 3rd place - Shigematsu Kamata, Etobicoke
3rd place - Tim Samios, Mississauga 3rd place - Hyun Jun Choi, Jungko
Teams Best Match
1st place - Men's Team Canada Bree Yang, Jungko vs. Yoshimi Matsuzaki, Etobicoke
2nd place - Jungko
3rd place - Toronto "A" Fighting Spirit
3rd place - U Toronto "A" Bora Choi, Jungko
PASSAGE
Dick Okaji
The Hawaii Kendo Federation lost an immensely kind and friendly senior sensei on
May 31, 2011 with the passing of Kendo 5th Dan Dick Okaji following a long and painful
illness. Born February 13, 1922 in Hakalau, Island of Hawaii, Okaji Sensei practiced
Kendo as a young child and continued on in high school, achieving 2nd Dan before moving
to Honolulu to attend the University of Hawaii. He then went on to the University of
Missouri where in 1957 he wrote a master’s thesis, “The Legislature of the Territory of
Hawaii: Its Organization, Structure, Procedure, Powers and Functions.” Returning to
Oahu, he had a long, proud, and distinguished career as Administrator, Professional and
Vocational Licensing Division, State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer
Affairs. He loved this work and his interactions with many politicians.
He had put Kendo on hold when he went to college and while he worked. He returned
to Kendo at the age of 68. He was with the YBA Kendo Club. Some years back he told the
Kenyu Editor he was retiring from Kendo, but in fact he continued to be very active, and
in 1995 opened his own Dojo, the Ken Yu Kai. Okaji Sensei and the Editor were both
immensely relieved when the beautiful facilities at the new Japanese Cultural Center
were saved. On December 10, 2000, at Kaimuki Honbu, Okaji Sensei was among those honored
at a special Senior Sensei Taikai recognition day.
Okaji Sensei loved his lofty retreat with his wife Lenora high in the tradewinds up
on Round Top, where many birds, fish, and kitties found refuge with him. An accomplished
musician, his house was crowded with beautiful musical instruments. An avid
historian, he gathered many fascinating artifacts. In this retreat he trained himself
diligently in both Kendo and Iaido kihon. Okaji Sensei was an exceptionally generous
person who truly loved all of his students, frequently helping them purchase their bogu,
and endlessly encouraging them in their training. An exemplary kenshi has gone to his
reward.
Bob Takagaki
We were profoundly stunned and devastated to learn of the horrifying last illness
and death of our dear friend Kendo 5th Dan Bob Takagaki. Less than a year ago, he had
learned of the sudden onset of a terrifying disease, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). MDS
is a bone marrow disorder which results in abnormal blood cells, and the only cure is a
bone marrow transplant. A match with a donor was actually found, however in April the
MDS progressed to an aggressive form of leukemia, and although he underwent a few of
rounds of chemotherapy, he was never in remission long enough to receive the bone marrow
transplant. He was given intense supportive care, but slowly declined as his immune
system was deeply compromised. He understood his fate with great clarity, and calmly
wrote a simple but extremely moving farewell message to be sent to friends upon his
death. On December 4, 2011 he passed away surrounded by his grieving family.
Takagaki Sensei was born in Kamloops in July 1951. He grew up in Toronto, moved to
Japan in the mid-70s, and returned to Vancouver after about five years, where he
started his own company shortly after. He studied at the University of British Columbia
where received his master’s degree in 1985 with his thesis on “The Acquisition of the
English System of Pronominalization by Adult Second Language Learners.”
Takagaki Sensei was a loyal member of the Steveston Kendo Club. He was also
instrumental in the establishment and ongoing support of the UBC Kendo Club. He was
well-known throughout the Canadian Kendo Federation, often traveling to help out
generously with Kendo training in the Canadian prairies many times, seldom missing
seminars held in Saskatoon, Winnipeg or Edmonton.
Takagaki Sensei had a very casual and unpretentious manner, never pushed himself
forward or imposed on anyone. He had a very observant but kindly sense of humor and
could always see the easy-going fun in everything. At the same time he had very high
ethical standards. His business, Van Rice Products Ltd., was committed to healthy,
wholesome, environmentally-friendly food, and he often shared the very delicious organic
rice cakes with friends.
There is no doubt that Kendo was his greatest extracurricular passion. He never
married but was very close to his brother Ken’s three sons and his sister Cathy’s two
daughters. He also has a younger brother, Cary. Takagaki Sensei’s life, and especially
the way he faced and bore his death, embodied the very noblest ideals of Kendo.
THE LAST WORD
Tesshu started his training in the way of the sword when he was nine years old. From
an early age he was known as ‘Boro-Tetsu’ (Tetsu the scrapper) and ‘Oni-Tetsu’ (Tetsu
the demon) for the crazed way in which he trained. On March 30, 1880, he was enlightened
to the notion ‘Because I exist, my enemy also exists. If there is no self, then there is
no enemy.’ His epiphany was reminiscent of the wise old cat’s wisdom in Issai Chozan’s
famous book on swordsmanship and the mind – Neko-no-Myojutsu (The Cat’s
Eerie Skill). This realization is abstract, and difficult to comprehend. Nevertheless,
it is by no means empty theory, and represents a profound awareness of the higher
secrets of swordsmanship, gleaned through relentless training and dedication.
Tesshu created the Muto-ryu – the school of the ‘sword of no sword’. This alludes
to the idea that there is no sword other than that of the heart (shingai-muto). He later
built a Dojo called the Shunpukan where he taught his disciples with almost unimaginable
harshness. One of his famous training methods was tachikiri-shiai, in which one person
fought challenger after challenger with no rest. This meant engaging in two-hundred
matches in a single day. As a part of his training syllabus, advanced disciples
participated in six-hundred matches over three days, or 1,400 in seven days. –Sakai
Toshinobu, A Bilingual Guide to the History of Kendo, Alexander Bennett,
trans., Kendo Nippon Books, Heisei 22 [2010], p. 205-207.
- Kenyu – Monthly Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation
- Kenyu Online – http://pnkf.org/
- Tom Bolling,
Editor – 7318 23rd Avenue N.E., Seattle, WA 98115
Volume 25, number 11
November 2011
PNKF DATEBOOK
Jan 14, PNKF Kata Seminar, Sat, 12noon-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Rain City Fencing, 1776 136th Place NE, Bellevue, WA 98005.
Jan 28, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
Feb 25, PNKF Shinsa, Sat, Iaido 9am-12noon; Kendo 12:30-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Tyee Educational Complex, 4424 S. 188th Street, SeaTac, located right off I-5 at S. 188th Street.
Mar 3, Highline Taikai, Sat, 10am, White Center Community Center.
Mar 17, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
Mar 31, PNKF Shinpan Seminar, Sat, 12noon-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Kent.
Apr 7, UW Taikai, Sat, 10am, IMA (tentative).
Apr 14/15, Cherry Blossom Festival, PNKF demo, Seattle Center.
May 5, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
May 12, PNKF Iaido Shinpan Seminar and Taikai, Sat, 9am-3pm, Spartan Recreation Center, 202 N.E. 185th Street, Shoreline.
May 19, Bellevue Junior Taikai, Sat, 9:30am-3pm.
Jun 2, Rose City Taikai, Sat, 10am (tentative).
Jul 14, PNKF Junior Seminar (tentative).
Jul 14, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
Aug 11, PNKF Shinsa, Sat, Iaido 9am-12noon; Kendo 12:30-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Kent.
Aug 18 or 25, Spokane Seminar and Taikai (tentative).
Sep 15, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
Oct 6, PNKF Shinpan Seminar, 12noon-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Kent.
Oct 20, Tacoma Taikai, Sat, 10am-4pm, Washington High School, 12420 Ainsworth Avenue South, Tacoma, WA (tentative).
Nov 3, PNKF Taikai, Sat, 9:30am, Kent.
Nov 10, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
Nov 17, Kent Taikai, Sat, report time 9am, start 9:30am, Kent.
OTHER DATES
- Feb 11, Steveston Taikai, Sat, 9:30am, McMath High School, 4251 Garry Street, Richmond BC.
- Mar 24/25, 16th Annual Harvard/Radcliffe Shoryuhai Kendo Tournament, Malkin Athletic Center, Cambridge.
- Mar 30/Apr 1, 24th Annual Cleveland Kendo Tournament/GNEUSKF Championships, Fri/Sun, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland.
- Apr 14, AUSKF Board meeting.
- May 25-27, 2012, 15WKC, Novara, Italy.
http://www.15wkc-italy.org/.
- Jun 20-23, AUSKF Iaido Seminar (tentative).
PNKF BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 2011/2012
At their November 12, 2011 meeting, the PNKF Board elected officers. President – C. Marsten; Vice
President – D. Yotsuuye; Treasurer – B. Blomquist; Recording Secretary – T. Bolling; and Secretary
of Internal Affairs – D. Ichinaga. The other Board members are: Tom Antush (Federal Way), Amy Arsenault (Highline),
Jonathan Bannister (AiShinKai), Jared Burns (Obukan), Shinichi Koike (Northwest), Charles Kwon (Cascade), Iraj
Mohebalian (Seattle), Mike Rigler (Sno-King), Jon Scherer (Highline), Russ Sinclair (Spokane), Glenn Walker (Ren Ma),
Frank Wessbecher (UW), and Moki Yoshikawa (Tacoma). Jeff Marsten (Bellevue/ Highline/Sno-King) and Kiyoshi Yasui
(Seattle) continue as PNKF Advisors. Jeff Marsten is Executive Vice President and Shinichi Koike is a
member of the AUSKF Board of Directors. Elizabeth Marsten (Highline) was re-elected as UW Advisor.
AUSKF 2011/2014 OFFICERS
At the November 12, 2011 meeting, the AUSKF Board elected officers. President – Arthur Murakami;
Executive Vice President – Jeff Marsten; VP Promotion – Yoshiteru Tagawa;
VP Education – Shozo Kato; VP Competition – Tim Yuge; Treasurer – Tsuyoshi Inoshita.
37th ANNUAL PNKF KENDO TOURNAMENT – November 5, 2011, Kent
10 Years and Under 11-12 Years
1st place - H. Kim, Bellevue 1st place - S. Nichols, U Victoria
2nd place - B. Park, Bellevue 2nd place - M. Blechschmidt, Bellevue
3rd place - P. Saltzman, Bellevue 3rd place - K. McManus, Kent
3rd place - T. Gould, Federal Way 3rd place - D. Lin, Bellevue
15 Years and Under High School Boys
1st place - C. Lam, Steveston 1st place - S. Cresse, Kent
2nd place - A. Lee, Vancouver 2nd place - C. Marsten, Kent
3rd place - T. Ito, Seattle 3rd place - S. Denardi, Spokane
3rd place - T. Marsten, Kent 3rd place - J. Tubajon, Steveston
High School Girls
1st place - M. DeJong, Highline
2nd place - E. DeJong, Highline
3rd place - M. Abe, Bellevue
3rd place - B. Lin, Bellevue
Junior Team
1st place - Steveston (B.Kato,C.Lam,D.Lin,J.Tubajon,K.Matsushita)
2nd place - Bellevue (B.Lin,O.Saltzman,W.Wee,M.Blechschmidt,T.Yamada)
3rd place - Kent (A.Kanemasu,M.Remmu,K.McManus,T.Marsten,J.Mills)
3rd place - U Victoria (A.Hayashi,S.Nichols,M.Hayashi,C.Tesar,M.Nichols)
0-4 Kyu 1-3 Kyu
1st place - J. Croes, Portland 1st place - H. Christianson, UW
2nd place - D. Yao, Steveston 2nd place - T. Patana, SnoKing
3rd place - L. Leung, Steveston 3rd place - B. Iu, UBC
3rd place - R. Ma, Simon Fraser U 3rd place - M. Wolf, Spokane
Women's Kyu Women's Dan
1st place - D. Spinrad, SnoKing 1st place - W. Robillard, Steveston
2nd place - S. Hwang, Portland 2nd place - M. Hamanaka, UBC
3rd place - J. Lee, Portland 3rd place - A. Fukushima, Vancouver
3rd place - Y. Takemoto, U Victoria 3rd place - J. Chen, SnoKing
1-2 Dan
1st place - T. Uchida, Oakland 4th place - G. Phancenek, Seattle
2nd place - W. Kuster, Spokane 4th place - F. Wessbecher, UW
3rd place - J. Higo, Steveston 4th place - R. Murao, Steveston
3rd place - I. Miki, Steveston 4th place - I. Takagaki, Steveston
3 Dan 4 Dan and Above
1st place - Y. Suzuki, Hawaii 1st place - S. Asaoka, Youshinkan
2nd place - T. Hamanaka, UBC 2nd place - T. Yamada, Vancouver
3rd place - J. Okada, Hawaii 3rd place - S. Harris, Hawaii
3rd place - B. Fukutomi, Hawaii 3rd place - G. Suzaka, Seattle
Senior Team
1st place - Vancouver (T.Yamada,H.Yamada,A.Fukushima,S.June,S.Ueno)
2nd place - Hawaii (Y.Suzuki,B.Fukutomi,A.Fujimoto,S.Harris,K.Sato)
3rd place - Steveston (I.Miki,R.Murao,N.Nakano,J.Higo,I.Takagaki)
3rd place - Kent (S.Cresse,C.Marsten,I.Morgan,S.Day,J.Frazier-Day)
Shoji Trophy - Dan Sinclair, Spokane
Sportsmanship Pledge - Erica DeJong, Highline
Shinpan Cho - Jeffrey Marsten
15th ANNUAL KENT KENDO CLUB INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT – November 19, 2011, Kent Commons
Women 10 Years and Under
1st place - N. Grimes, UW 1st place - P. Saltzman, Bellevue
2nd place - E. DeJong, Highline 2nd place - H. Kim, Bellevue
3rd place - H. Lee, Highline 3rd place - H. Allen, Bellevue
3rd place - W. Sinclair, Spokane 3rd place - S. Kelly, Federal Way
11-12 Years 13-15 Years
1st place - K. McManus, Kent 1st place - A. Sinclair, Spokane
2nd place - M. Remmu, Kent 2nd place - J. DeJong, Highline
3rd place - D. Lin, Bellevue 3rd place - M. DeJong, Highline
3rd place - T. Kuida, Seattle 3rd place - B. Lin, Bellevue
Junior Team
1st place - Bellevue Red (C.Nagasawa,O.Saltzman,J.DeJong,M.DeJong,B.Lin)
2nd place - Kent (M.Remmu,K.McManus,T.Marsten,J.Mills,A.Kanemasu)
3rd place - Federal Way (D.Lee,S.Kelly,T.Kuida,E.Wheaton,R.Tetzloff)
3rd place - Bellevue White (D.Lin,A.Nagasawa,B.Liao,P.Saltzman,T.Yamada)
4 Kyu and Under 3-1 Kyu
1st place - N. McRae, Spokane 1st place - C. Ruiz, Spokane
2nd place - D. Peterson, Spokane 2nd place - M. Wolf, Spokane
3rd place - C. Marshall, UW 3rd place - H. Christianson, UW
3rd place - A. Saltzman, Bellevue 3rd place - B. Smith, Bellevue
1-3 Dan 1-3 Dan Seniors
1st place - S. McNally, UW 1st place - B. Nelson, Bellevue
2nd place - W. Kuster, Spokane 2nd place - S. Shilov, Bellevue
3rd place - S. Day, Kent 3rd place - S. Blechschmidt, Bellevue
3rd place - Y. Shim, UW 3rd place - B. Blomquist, Everett
Senior Team
1st place - Kent A (S.Cresse,C.Marsten,I.Morgan,J.Frazier-Day,S.Day)
2nd place - Spokane A (J.Duplain,S.Denardi,C.Ruiz,M.Nelson,W.Kuster)
3rd place - Bellevue A (S.Blechschmidt,Y.Shinoda,L.Tsybert,D.Kim,D.Lew)
3rd place - UW (Y.Shim,H.Christianson,F.Wessbecher,N.Grimes,S.Stern)
Sportsmanship Pledge - J. Frazier-Day Junior Spirit of the Day - T. Yamada, Bellevue
Senior Spirit of the Day - I. Morgan, Kent Kent Most Improved - J. Frazier-Day
Youth Trophies Hand Carried from Japan - T. McManus
Shinpan Cho - D. Yotsuuye
SHINKYU SHINSA
AUSKF KENDO KODANSHA SHINSA, November 13, 2011, Dallas
5TH DAN: Elizabeth Marsten (Highline).
Kenyu – Monthly Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation
Kenyu Online – http://pnkf.org/
Volume 25, number 9/10
September/October 2011
PNKF DATEBOOK
- Nov 5, PNKF Taikai, Sat, 9:30am, Kent.
- Nov 12, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- Nov 14-15, All-Japan Champion Takanabe Susumu Sensei visit to Portland, Mon-Tue.
We in the Portland area are looking forward to Takanabe Sensei's visit to the Northwest region.
This will be a Portland Area Kendo event. As such, Obukan Kendo Club, Portland Kendo Club, and
Ren Ma Dojo will be contributing to its success.
We hope that many of our Kendo friends from the region will be able to join us.
Here are the seminar locations and times as scheduled (confirmed as of November 1)
Monday, November 14, 2011 7:40pm - 9:15pm
Conestoga Recreation Center
9985 SW 125th Ave.
Beaverton, Oregon 97008
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Hillside Community Center
653 NW Culpepper Ter.
Portland, OR 97210
- Nov 19, Kent Taikai, Sat, report time 9am, start 9:30am, Kent.
- Jan 14, PNKF Kata Seminar, Sat, 12noon-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Rain City Fencing, 1776
136th Place NE, Bellevue, WA 98005.
- Jan 28, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- Feb 25, PNKF Shinsa, Sat, Iaido 9am-12noon; Kendo 12:30-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Tyee
Educational Complex, 4424 S. 188th Street, SeaTac, located right off I-5 at S. 188th Street.
- Mar 3, Highline Taikai, Sat, 10am, White Center Community Center.
- Mar 17, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- Mar 31, PNKF Shinpan Seminar, Sat, 12noon-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Kent.
- Apr 7, UW Taikai, Sat, 10am, IMA (tentative).
- Apr 14/15, Cherry Blossom Festival, PNKF demo, Seattle Center.
- May 5, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- May 12, PNKF Iaido Shinpan Seminar and Taikai, Sat, 9am-3pm, Spartan Recreation Center,
202 N.E. 185th Street, Shoreline.
- May 19, Bellevue Junior Taikai, Sat, 9:30am-3pm.
- Jun 2, Rose City Taikai, Sat, 10am (tentative).
- Jul 14, PNKF Junior Seminar (tentative).
- Jul 14, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- Aug 11, PNKF Shinsa, Sat, Iaido 9am-12noon; Kendo 12:30-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Kent.
- Aug 18 or 25, Spokane Seminar and Taikai (tentative).
- Sep 15, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- Oct 6, PNKF Shinpan Seminar, 12noon-4pm, open keiko 4-5pm, Kent.
- Oct 20, Tacoma Taikai, Sat, 10am-4pm, Washington High School, 12420 Ainsworth Avenue
South, Tacoma, WA (tentative).
- Nov 3, PNKF Taikai, Sat, 9:30am, Kent.
- Nov 10, PNKF Board, Sat, 3-5pm, Renton.
- Nov 17, Kent Taikai, Sat, report time 9am, start 9:30am, Kent.
OTHER DATES
- Nov 10-12, Latin American Kendo Championship, Thu-Sat, Mexico City, Mexico.
- Nov 12, AUSKF Board.
- Nov 19/20, 4th US Nito Kendo Seminar, NoVA Budokai Kendo Club, Alexandria, VA.
- Feb 11, Steveston Taikai, Sat, 9:30am, McMath High School, 4251 Garry Street, Richmond BC.
- Apr 14, AUSKF Board meeting.
- May 25-27, 2012, 15WKC, Novara, Italy.
http://www.15wkc-italy.org/.
- Jun 20-23, AUSKF Iaido Seminar (tentative).
PNKF BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2011/2012
This year the number of candidates for the PNKF Board of Directors did not exceed the number of positions
available so all candidates are seated on the Board. At their November 10, 2011 meeting, the officers will be
elected. The Board members are: Tom Antush (Federal Way), Amy Arsenault (Highline), Jonathan Bannister (AiShinKai),
Brian Blomquist (Everett), Thomas Bolling (Bellevue), Jared Burns (Obukan), Brian Edwards (Everett), Daniel Ichinaga
(Seattle), Shinichi Koike (Northwest), Charles Kwon (Cascade), Curtis Marsten (Kent), Iraj Mohebalian (Seattle),
Mike Rigler (Sno-King), Jon Scherer (Highline), Russ Sinclair (Spokane), Glenn Walker (Ren Ma), Frank Wessbecher
(UW), Moki Yoshikawa (Tacoma), and David Yotsuuye (Bellevue). Jeff Marsten (Bellevue/Highline/Sno-King) and Kiyoshi
Yasui (Seattle) continue as Advisors. Shinichi Koike and Jeff Marsten are members of the AUSKF Board.
WELCOME TO PORTLAND KENDO/KUMDO and REN MA
At their September 17 meeting, the PNKF Board accepted two new Dojo with probationary status.
Portland Kendo/Kumdo Club is practicing at the Sunnyside Grange, 13289 S.E. 132nd Avenue, Clackamas, Oregon, on
Tuesdays from 8-10pm. They are looking for a location to practice on Thursdays. Head Instructor is Kendo 4th Dan
Steve Choi, and Advisor Instructor is Kendo 4th Dan Scott Fujimoto.
http://www.Portlandkendo.com
Ren Ma Kendo and Iaido Dojo is practicing at Fulton Park Community Center, 68 SW Miles Street, Portland. Iaido
is Wednesdays 7-9pm, and Kendo is Fridays 7-9pm. Head Instructor is Kendo 3rd Dan Steve Uchida, Iaido Instructor is
Kendo and Iaido 3rd Dan Glenn Walker, and Advisor is Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan and Iaido 6th Dan Robert Stroud.
http://www.oregonkendo.com
NORTHWEST KENDO CLUB NOW PERMANENTLY LOCATED AT NORTHGATE COMMUNITY CENTER
Northwest Kendo Club will continue to practice Fridays, 7-9pm at the Northgate Community Center, 10510 5th
Avenue N.E., Seattle, WA 98125-7202. This venue is working out well for them, and they will not be returning to the
Magnolia Community Center.
IDAHO KENDO SEMINAR – September 9/10/11, 2011, Boise, Kuna, and Nampa, Idaho
Successful and fun Idaho Kendo Seminar was enjoyed by a great group from Pocatello, University of Washington,
Salt Lake, Portland, Ontario, Nampa, and Boise Clubs. Thanks to all the kenshi who came to support this event, and
make it such a success.
IDAHO KENDO TAIKAI – September 11, 2011, Kuna, Idaho
Juniors Women
1st place - Jake Wilson, Ore-Ida 1st place - Masako Wright, Zen Bu Kan
2nd place - Kat Plummer, Ore-Ida 2nd place - Kat Plummer, Ore-Ida
3rd place - Mick Lannigan, Ore-Ida
3rd place - Noelle Bruce, Idaho
Mudansha Yudansha Umemura Hai Trophy
1st place - Steven Le, Idaho 1st place - Frank Wessbecher, UW
2nd place - Ken Tawara, Idaho 2nd place - Adam Hogan, Ren Ma
12th INVITATIONAL TACOMA KENDO TAIKAI – October 22, 2011, Washington High School, Tacoma
9 Years and Under 10-12 Years
1st place - H. Allen, Bellevue 1st place - M. Blechschmidt, Bellevue
2nd place - H. Kuida, Seattle 2nd place - W. Wee, Bellevue
3rd place - T. Gould, Federal Way 3rd place - K. Toyokawa, Tacoma
4th place - S. Bishop, Cascade
13-15 Years 16-18 Years
1st place - A. Sinclair, Spokane 1st place - D. Sinclair, Spokane
2nd place - Y. Sandberg, Spokane 2nd place - S. DeNardi, Spokane
3rd place - M. DeJong, Highline 3rd place - J. Duplain, Spokane
Adult Kyu
1st place - T. Patana, Sno-King
2nd place - H. Christianson, UW
Junior Youth Team
1st place - Spokane (A.Sinclair,T.Kuida,Y.Sandberg)
2nd place - Kent (K.McManus,T.Marsten,J.Mills)
Senior Youth Team
1st place - Spokane (S.DeNardi,J.Duplain,D.Sinclair)
2nd place - Kent (A.Melton,S.Cresse)
Adult Kyu Team
1st place - UW A (H.Christianson,S.Stern,H.Kim)
2nd place - Kent (Y.Shinoda,T.Patana,T.McManus)
National Anthem Singer - Alisa Yoshikawa
Sportsmanship Pledge - Anna Neshyba
Shinpan Cho - Shinichi Koike
SHINKYU SHINSA
IAIDO KODANSHA SHINSA, September 19, 2011, Ayase, Tokyo Budokan
5TH DAN: Jonathan Bannister (AiShinKai).
KENDO SHINSA, October 2011, Omiya Budokan
3RD DAN: Nancy Ton (Seattle/Yadokari Kenseikai).
THE LAST WORD
Naganuma Shirozaemon Kunisato and ‘Shinai Uchikomi-geiko’
Naganuma Shirozaemon Kunisato of the Jikishin Kage-ryu was instrumental in popularising shinai-sparring with
bogu. His name is so well-known that some people are apt to think it was entirely his creation, but in actuality
there were a number of precluding factors. Kunisato’s father, Yamada Heizaemon Mitsunori, was injured in his youth
while fencing with a bokuto. At the age of thirty-two, he entered the tutelage of Takahashi Danjozaemon who employed
the use of protective facemasks and gauntlets for training. The Jikishin Kage-ryu was created by Matsumoto
Bizen-no-Kami who was an expert of Kashima kenjutsu, and was succeeded by the founder of Shinkage-ryu, Kamiizumi
Ise-no-Kami. This tradition of swordsmanship continued with a number of name changes through the generations.
Takahashi Danjozaemon studied the techniques of the school and called it the Jikishin Seito-ryu. Yamada Heizaemon
then inherited the ryuha. He established training methods with protective equipment, and renamed the style the
Jikishin Kage-ryu. After taking over the ryuha from his father Yamada Heizaemon, Naganuma Shirozaemon Kunisato
further refined the various items of training equipment, and is attributed with completing the set of men, kote, do,
and tare between 1711 and 1716.
Nakanishi Chuzo Tsugutake’s Contribution
Approximately fifty years after shinai uchikomi-geiko was introduced into the Jikishin Kage-ryu, Nakanishi
Chuzo Tsugutake of the Itto-ryu made some more improvements, and introduced full-contact sparring into his school
around 1751-1772 to accompany kata training. There were conflicting opinions on the validity of fencing with shinai,
and some within the Itto-ryu (including the headmaster) were openly opposed to the innovation. Still, many saw this
method of competitive fencing with bamboo swords as an interesting way of overcoming the shortcomings of engaging
only in kata training. The Itto-ryu was one of the most important fencing schools of the Tokugawa period, and the
full-contact approach spread far and wide via Nakanishi Chuzo’s dojo. Kenjutsu continued to evolve rapidly
thereafter.
The Rise of New Schools and the ‘Three Great Dojo of Edo’ The Success of Shinai-uchikomi Kenjutsu
The invention of shinai-uchikomi kenjutsu was epochal. It developed in the Tokugawa period, and formed the
prototype of kendo practiced today. It has remained virtually unchanged, making it an undeniably revolutionary
occurrence in the course of budo history. Warriors could learn about the principles of swordwork with combat
realism, but without hurting or killing training partners, or being injured or killed themselves. With elements of
competition, full-contact sparring was exhilarating, and also served as an efficient way to increase and maintain
physical fitness. The transition from kata-centric training to sparring with shinai was not instantaneous.
Initially, it was included as supplementary training, but gradually became the principal method over time. Shinai
kenjutsu revitalized the art of swordsmanship which had fallen into a state of decline after kata had become
increasingly flamboyant.
The Rise of New Schools
As shinai kenjutsu became progressively popular from the middle to the end of the Tokugawa period, new schools
that excelled technically began to emerge. The pioneers of shinai kenjutsu such as Naganuma Shirozaemon Kunisato of
the Jikishin Kage-ryu, and the Nakanishi-ha Itto-ryu are good examples.
The Jikishin Kage-ryu evolved from the swordsmanship of Matsumoto Bizen-no-Kami and Kamiizumi Ise-no-Kami.
Kunisato’s father, Yamada Heizaemon Mitsunori, was the progenitor of the ryuha. The Jikishin Kage-ryu boasted many
renowned swordsmen such as Odani Seiichiro, Shimada Toranosuke, and Sakakibara Kenkichi. The Nakanishi-ha Itto-ryu,
created by Nakanishi Chuta Tanesada has its roots in the Ono-ha Itto-ryu. Tanesada’s son, Chuzo Tsugutake, inherited
the school, and it rapidly grew in size when he incorporated shinai training. Famous students from this style of
swordsmanship include Asari Matashichiro and Shirai Toru.
Of the Itto-ryu stream schools, Chiba Shusaku’s Hokushin Itto-ryu is particularly well-known. Other notable
schools include: Henmi Tashiro Yoshitoshi’s Kogen Itto-ryu; Iba Zesuiken Hideaki’s Shingyoto-ryu; Fukui Hyoemon
Kahei’s Shinto Munen-ryu; and Momonoi Hachirozaemon Naoyoshi’s Kyoshin Meichi-ryu. Another prominent school was the
Tennen Rishin-ryu studied by the Shinsen-gumi leader Kondo Isami, and his lieutenant Hijikata Toshizo during the
Bakumatsu period.
–Sakai Toshinobu, A Bilingual Guide to the History of Kendo, Alexander Bennett, trans., Kendo
Nippon Books, Heisei 22 [2010], p. 161-171.
- Kenyu – Monthly Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation
- Kenyu Online – http://pnkf.org/
- Tom Bolling,
Editor – 7318 23rd Avenue N.E., Seattle, WA 98115
Tom Bolling’s home page
|
|
