7/6-7/13: North American Women’s Kendo Tournament and Seminar, led by Kendo Renshi 7th Dan Chinatsu
Maruyama, five time All Japan Champion, Seminar 7/6-7/11 Sat-Thu. Championship 7/13 Sat, 9:30am-5pm, Renton
Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Hwy, Renton. https://womenskendo.com/ or Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/WomensKendo/ for full schedule.
7/14: Western Kendo Federation(WKF) 2019 ENGO Scholarship Junior Kendo Championship, Sat, John
Burroughs High
School Gymnasium Building 5, 1920 W. Clark Ave, Burbank, California. Registration deadline June 20,
2019.
7/20: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
7/28-7/29: Hoshu Dojo Jodo Mini-Camp, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 9am-12noon, Rain City Fencing Center, 1776 136th
Place NE, Bellevue.
August 2019
8/9-11: PNKF Summer Camp, Fri, Sat, Sun, Highland Community Center, Steve Cox Memorial Park.
8/9: Friday, 8-9:30pm, Highland Community Center (Bellevue Kendo Club). Content: kodansha shinsa – we will
have a mock exam with feedback from sensei that sit on the AUSKF Kodansha Board. This mock exam is for 4D
and above only.
8/10: Saturday, 9:30-11:30am, Kent Community Center (Kent Kendo Club). Content: 3 stations – bokuto kata,
kendo kata and shinsa prep for 4D and below. This content will be flexible based on attendance.
Saturday, 12:30pm-3pm – PNKF Shinkyu Shinsa
3-4:30pm -Open keiko
8/11: Sunday, 10am-3pm, Steve Cox Memorial Park (Highline Kendo Kai). Content: shimpan and shiai for jodan
and nito – we will have matches to improve our shimpan experience with jodan and nito players, as well
as shiai techniques for countering them.
12pm-1pm -Lunch break – you will need to provide your own.
1pm-3pm – Junior matches – shimpan practice for adults and coaching pointers from PNKF 2020 team
coaches.
Please note, you need to be a PNKF member to participate in all events.
Brandon Harada sensei, 7D, former Team USA member, is coming to lead our seminar, participate in the
shinsa, and keiko with us as part of the AUSKF/Team USA Giving Back program.
8/16-8/18: AUSKF Summer Camp, Fri/Sat/Sun, George S. Eccles Student Life Center, University of Utah
Campus, Salt Lake City. Event hotel is University Guest House and Conference Center, 110 S. Fort
Douglas Blvd, Salt Lake City, Utah 84113. For info please contact Steven Sasaki phone 402-968-0615
stevensasaki@comcast.net
September 2019
9/7-9/8: Team USA Gasshuku, required to be considered for participation in 18WKC, Sat 8am-4pm; Sun
8am-12noon, Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA. Attendance Fee: $50 (checks payable to
“AUSKF Team USA”). Send all checks to: Spencer Hosokawa, 17 Amelia Aliso Viejo, Ca 92656.
9/14: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
9/27-9/29: PNKF Iaido Seminar, Tournament, and Shinsa.
October 2019
10/5: PNKF Shinpan Seminar, Sat, 12noon-5pm, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
10/26: Tacoma Taikai, Sat, venue and time TBD.
November 2019
11/2: PNKF Taikai, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
11/2-11/3: AUSKF Second Team USA Gasshuku, Sat/Sun, venue and times TBD.
11/9-10: AUSKF Board meeting.
11/10: AUSKF Kodansha Shinsa.
11/16: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
December 2019
12/7: Kent Taikai, Sat, TBD, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
May 2021
5/27-30: 18WKC, Thu-Sun, Paris, France.
TEAM PNKF HEAD COACH IS ELIZABETH MARSTEN
At their May 4, 2019 meeting the PNKF Board elected Kendo Renshi 6th Dan Elizabeth Marsten Head Coach of Team PNKF for the 2020 AUSKF Championships. The PNKF Head Coach oversees the assistant coaches of the men’s, women’s, and juniors’ Teams. For years she was the PNKF Advisor to UW, and has competed in many events, including at the World Kendo Championships in 2000, and in 2003, when her Team won the bronze medal in Glasgow, Scotland. She captained the PNKF Womens’ Team which won second place at the 2017 AUSKF Championships in San Jose, California.
TOUBUKAN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP KENDO SUMMER PRACTICE
In the early Meiji Era, Toubukan Dojo inherited Hokushin Ittouryu, the origin of the modern Kendo. Takaharu Naito Sensei, who was sent to Kyoto Budo Senmon Gakko (Busen) from Toubukan, later produced many Kendo instructors. Through them, Kendo was introduced to the rest of the world. Gordon Warner Sensei, who taught Kendo in the USA, and with Junzo Sasamori Sensei wrote This Is Kendo, also spent time at Toubukan, which appears in his book. Practicing Kendo at this historical Dojo in Japan would be an unforgettable experience.
Purpose: To nurture friendship through Kendo (Kou Ken Chi Ai).
They are keen to hold a friendship Kendo match/keiko inviting Kendoists from overseas. Our friend Katsunori Osuga Sensei has practiced extensively overseas, including here in the PNKF, so they asked him to check if anyone is interested to come. The cost for the trip and stay in Japan will have to be borne by the participants. It will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2019, in Mito City, which is a two-hour bus ride from Narita. Practicing Kendo in this famous traditional Dojo will be an unforgettable experience. toubukan.or.jp
Since time is pressed for planning, please let Osuga Sensei know if anyone is interested to come. The number of participants is not limited. Osuga Sensei’s address is: katsunoriosuga@hotmail.com
29th ANNUAL BELLEVUE JUNIOR KENDO CHAMPIONSHIPS – May 18, 2019
10 and Under 11 and 12 Years
1st place – S. Johnson, Seattle 1st place – J. Yu, Northwest
2nd place – V. Chen, Oakland 2nd place – N. Chu, Bellevue
3rd place – E. Cocoro Marx, Federal Way 3rd place – I. DeBlieck, Sno-King
3rd place – O. Kaufman, Portland 3rd place – D. Chung, Cascade
13 and 14 Years High School Girls
1st place – J. Paik, Tacoma 1st place – B. Park, Bellevue
2nd place – A. Mabale, Seattle 2nd place – A. Fukuda, Cascade
3rd place – M. Ayers, Sno-King 3rd place – S. Kojima, Cascade
3rd place – E. Kim, Seattle 3rd place – H. Son, Federal Way
High School Boys
1st place – Keiji Underhill, Northwest
2nd place – Kengo Underhill, Northwest
3rd place – K. Takamatsu, Bellevue
3rd place – A. Yuen, Seattle
Junior Teams
1st place - Bellevue (M. Tawara, H. Koob, K. Takamatsu, J. Chu, L. Ohata)
2nd place - Seattle (A. Mabale, S. Kim, A. Fung, E. Kim, N. Orita)
High School Teams
1st place – Cascade (Da. Chung, K. Fukuda, A. Garr)
2nd place – Seattle (K. Hale, M. Hsu, A. Yuen)
Awesome Spirit Award – Kyle Fukuda, Cascade
Centurion Bellevue Highline Sno-King Youth Leadership Award – Issei DeBlieck, Sno-King
Head Shinpan - David Yotsuuye; Taikai Chair – Michi Ohata; Sportsmanship Pledge – Michi Ohata
4th ANNUAL VANCOUVER KENDO TOURNAMENT – June 1, 2019, Byrne Secondary School
9 Years and Under 10 to 12 Years
1st place – Y. Asaoka, Youshinkan 1st place – N. Son, Renbu
2nd place – A. Kobayashi, Youshinkan 2nd place – C. Liao, Renbu
3rd place – M. Ishizuka, Youshinkan 3rd place – B. Buckham, UVic
3rd place – M. Tanimura, Seattle 3rd place – Ke Yoshimura, Renbu
13 to 15 Years 16 to 20 Years
1st place – K. Underhill, Northwest 1st place – K. Muramatsu, Renfrew
2nd place – B. Miki, Steveston 2nd place – H. Shim, Renbu
3rd place – K. Squance, Renbu 3rd place – G. Kitamura, Tozenji
3rd place – R. Nakano, Steveston 3rd place – D. Imanishi, Seattle
21 to 30 Years 31 to 40 Years
1st place – K. Unzei, Aoi Budogu 1st place – K. Kobayashi, Yushinkan
2nd place – R. Asato, Vancouver 2nd place – G. Suzaka, Seattle
3rd place – T. Hamanaka, Tozenji 3rd place – J. Magaling, SFU
3rd place – A. Xie, Youshinkan 3rd place – A. Yen, Seattle
41 Years and Over Women
1st place – M. Rose, Renfrew 1st place – C. Takeuchi, Youshinkan
2nd place – HK Park, Century 2nd place – A. Fukushima, Vancouver
3rd place – F. Yoshimura, Renbu 3rd place – K. Darbyshire, Vancouver
3rd place – J. Schmidt, Youshinkan 3rd place – N. Fukushima, Vancouver
Junior Team
1st place – Renbu A (N. Son, K. Squance, H. Tominaga, A. Son, Y. Lee)
2nd place – Steveston A (A. Iwai, C. Robillard, D. Chui, B. Miki, R. Nakano)
Senior Team
1st place - Youshinkan (K. Takeuchi, A. Xie, K. Kobayashi, J. Chien, C. Takeuchi)
2nd place – Bellevue/Highline/Sno-King (E. Park, Y. Shim, F. Wessbecher, K. Unzei, L. Tsybert)
Fighting Spirit - M. Shirai, Youshinkan and M. Underhill, Northwest
Shinpan-Cho – Motoki Asaoka; Master of Ceremonies - Bill McMichael; Sportsmanship Pledge – John Leung
3rd TADAO TODA HAI MEMORIAL KENDO TOURNAMENT – June 16, 2019, Caldwell, Idaho
Lower Division (2 Dan and Below) Upper Division (3 Dan and Above)
1st place – Jordy Davis, Zenbukan 1st place – Fumihide Itokazu, Covina
2nd place – Tyler Peterson, Idaho 2nd place – Jason Steick, Edmonton
3rd place – Yumon Wei, NYC 3rd place – Ryan Atagi, Idaho
3rd place – Blake Sprenger, Obukan 3rd place – Paul Winters, New York Kenshinkai
2019 ROSE CITY TAIKAI – June 22, 2019, Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Center, Beaverton, Oregon
Women’s Open Juniors 12 and Under
1st place – A. Nakayama, Portland 1st place – J. Paik, Tacoma
2nd place – K. Croes, Portland 2nd place – J. Kabeshita, Obukan
3rd place – A. Epilepsia, Bellevue
3rd place – K. McIntosh, Federal Way
Juniors 13-15 0-3 Kyu
1st place – J. Paik, Tacoma 1st place – L. Bobadilla, OSU
2nd place – T. Ting, Northwest 2nd place – A. Kim, Bellevue
3rd place – T. Kabeshita, Obukan
3rd place – D. Wildman, Portland
2-1 Kyu 1-2 Dan
1st place – A. Rossi, Spokane 1st place – Y. Paik, Tacoma
2nd place – M. Rea, Spokane 2nd place – Shun Wetlesen, Obukan
3rd place – T. Jaybush, Bellevue 3rd place – A. Law, Sno-King
3rd place – K. McIntosh, Federal Way 3rd place – G. Vielhaber, Portland
3 Dan 4 Dan and Above
1st place – K. Nakaya, Portland 1st place – I. Morgan, Kent
2nd place – D. Anzai, Obukan 2nd place – A. Nakayama, Portland
3rd place – N. Cook, Portland 3rd place – C. Ruiz, Spokane
3rd place – M. Price, Seattle 3rd place – E. Wain, Portland
Junior Teams
1st place - Tacoma (S. Johnson, Juah Paik, Joshua Paik)
2nd place - Obukan (I. Ohayashi, J. Kabeshita, L. Jesequel)
Senior Teams
1st place - Obukan (Shun Wetlesen, Shota Wetlesen, B. Sprenger, D. Anzai, M. Nakamura)
2nd place - Spokane (A. Rossi, I. Morgan, M. Nelson, M. Rea, C. Ruiz)
3rd place – Portland A (K. Nakaya, G. Nakayama, A. Nakayama, E. Waln, T. Toshima)
3rd place – Portland B (N. Cook, G. Vielhaber, J. Kaufman, A. Chervin, K. Croes)
Head Shinpan - Doug Imanishi; Competitors’ Pledge – Joe Kabeshita; Master of Ceremonies – Kenneth Gordon
LEEWARD OAHU KENDO TOURNAMENT – June 23, 2019, Mililani District Park Gym
Yonenbu 8-11 Years Shonenbu 12-15 Years
1st place – Leland Hara 1st place – Devin Chung
2nd place – Takeshi Saito 2nd place – Abigail Mejia
3rd place – Zachary Yamamoto
3rd place – Ken Foltz
Seinenbu Open Women’s Open
1st place – Ai Fukuda 1st place – Zidi Hiromoto
2nd place – Tom Fukuda 2nd place – Aki Stachiewiez
3rd place – N. Shimabukuro 3rd place – Tina Kaku
3rd place – Gina Kishimoto
Yudansha 1-2 Dan Yudansha 3-4 Dan
1st place – Y. Park 1st place – James Okada
2nd place – Kyle Fukuda 2nd place – Keith Hui
3rd place – Jake Yamauchi 3rd place – Lonny Hancock
3rd place – Keone Rivers 3rd place – Koyo Yancey
Yudansha 5-6 Dan Yudansha Masters 3 Dan and Over 50 Years
1st place – Chris Goodin 1st place – Garrett Matsumoto
2nd place – Bryan Imanishi 2nd place – David Kikau
3rd place – Jack Yamada 3rd place – Ken Sugano
3rd place – Grant Matsubayashi
Team Match Parents/Kids Team Match
1st place – Mililani (Mark Miyamoto, Wesley Fujimoto, Lonnie Hancock, Gina Kishimoto, Andy Fujimoto)
2nd place – Kenshikan (Jack Yamada, Nicklas Matsumoto, Kevin Chun, Zidi Hiromoto, Yuichi Miura)
Parents/Kids Team Match
Parents – 2
Kids - 4
James Oka Fighting Spirit Award – Abigail Mejia
THE LAST WORD
My final order was to return to Kochi to gather the supplies we had saved by scattering them in the hills in farmers’ warehouses. The roads were narrow, the drivers inexperienced and the trucks easily slid into the rice paddies. We had no towing tools so when a truck was stuck, everyone would work together to heave the truck upright and attempt to get it back on the road. But that was easy compared to rescuing our own men who would often become trapped inside the truck when it rolled. One time a truck rolled over and pinned a soldier. Gasoline spilled from the truck and covered his body. We finally rolled the truck off him, but he was in no shape to continue his duties. Due to the gasoline burns, his skin was peeling from his entire body. He suffered horribly, especially when he moved. I sent him back to Hiroshima. Then came the Atomic Bomb that released his pain completely! How perfunctory and cold my attitude now seems – he burned then died. No description of his unrelenting screams of agony, the calls to his mother, the terror in his eyes. But that is what happens in war. Too much suffering and death can drive a man insane unless the senses of pity and horror are numbed. Anger is acceptable. Soldiers are taught not to look in the eyes of an enemy if killing in close combat. Looking into the eyes creates a relationship. We are taught about relationship in Kendo. But there is no time in boot camp to learn how to create a life as well as take a life. In modern warfare, killing is, when possible, more distant. That is probably good for the mental health of soldiers, even though it avoids confronting the reality of death on a bloody battlefield.
–Rod Nobuto Omoto, Autobiography, edited by Charlotte Omoto, 2014, p. 38-39. Available as free download at lulu.com.
Kenyu – Monthly Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation PLEASE NOTE: Kenyu Online IS THE EDITION OF RECORD FOR THIS NEWSLETTER – https://www.pnkf.org/ Tom Bolling, Editor – 7318 23rd Avenue N.E., Seattle, WA 98115
5/18: Bellevue Junior Taikai, Sat, 9:30am start time, Highland Park Community Center, 14224 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue.
6/1: Vancouver Taikai, Sat, gym open 9am, opening ceremonies 10am, Byrne Creek Secondary School, 7777 18th Street, Burnaby, BC. Registration is due by May 13, at https://www.learnkendo.org/vancouver-taikai/
Please note, registration fees and bento fee are now separate this year (Vancouver club will not sell
bento on tournament day). $12 per Bento (Donburi style lunch + water). Registered shinpan will get a free
bento (both competing and non-competing shinpan). The entry fees for competitors are as follows: $16 per
Junior Participants (15 and under), $20 per Senior Participants (16 and over). Tournament Categories: 9 Years
& Under (modified based on number of participants), 10-12 Years, 13-15 Years, 16-20 Years, 21-30 Years, 31-40
Years, 41 & Over, Womens (16+), Junior Team, Senior Team.
6/14-6/15-6/16: 12th Annual US Nito Kendo Summer Camp, Fri/Sat/Sun, College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho.
We are pleased to have the following sensei attend this year's camp:
Ryoichi FUJII, Kyoshi 8 dan, Yamaguchi Japan
Yoshihiro UGAJIN,Kyoshi 7 dan, Tokyo Japan
Futoshi SATO, Kyoshi 7 dan, Chiba Japan
Mitsuyoshi WADA, Renshi 7 dan, Tokyo Japan
Hisashi NAGASAKI, Renshi 7 dan, Oita Japan
Ako FUJII, Renshi 7 dan, Yamaguchi Japan
6/22: Rose City Taikai, Sat, Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Center, 9985 S.W. 125th Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon 97008.
7/6-7/13: North American Women’s Kendo Tournament and Seminar, led by Kendo Renshi 7th Dan Chinatsu Maruyama, five time All Japan Champion, Seminar 7/6-7/11 Sat-Thu, Championship 7/13 Sat, https://womenskendo.com/
7/20: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
9/14: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
9/27-9/29: PNKF Iaido Seminar, Tournament, and Shinsa.
10/5: PNKF Shinpan Seminar, Sat, 12noon-5pm, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
10/19: Tacoma Taikai.
11/2: PNKF Taikai, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
11/9-10: AUSKF Board meeting.
11/10: AUSKF Kodansha Shinsa.
11/16: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
12/7: Kent Taikai, Sat, TBD, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
TEAM PNKF HEAD COACH IS ELIZABETH MARSTEN
At their May 4, 2019 meeting the PNKF Board elected Kendo Renshi 6th Dan Elizabeth Marsten Head Coach of Team
PNKF for the 2020 AUSKF Championships. The PNKF Head Coach oversees the assistant coaches of the men’s, women’s,
and juniors’ Teams. For years she was the PNKF Advisor to UW, and has competed in many events, including at the
World Kendo Championships in 2000, and in 2003, when her Team won the bronze medal in Glasgow, Scotland. She
captained the PNKF Womens’ Team which won second place at the 2017 AUSKF Championships in San Jose, California.
TOUBUKAN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP KENDO SUMMER PRACTICE
In the early Meiji Era, Toubukan Dojo inherited Hokushin Ittouryu, the origin of the modern Kendo. Takaharu
Naito Sensei, who was sent to Kyoto Budo Senmon Gakko (Busen) from Toubukan, later produced many Kendo instructors.
Through them, Kendo was introduced to the rest of the world. Gordon Warner Sensei, who taught Kendo in the USA,
and with Junzo Sasamori Sensei wrote This Is Kendo, also spent time at Toubukan, which appears in his book.
Practicing Kendo at this historical Dojo in Japan would be an unforgettable experience.
Program:
Opening
Demonstration – Iai
Hokushin Ittouryu
Shin Tamiyaryu
Naginata
Kodansha Tachiai
Keiko
Purpose: To nurture friendship through Kendo (Kou Ken Chi Ai).
They are keen to hold a friendship Kendo match/keiko inviting Kendoists from overseas. Our friend Katsunori
Osuga Sensei has practiced extensively overseas, including here in the PNKF, so they asked him to check if anyone
is interested to come. The cost for the trip and stay in Japan will have to be borne by the participants. It will
be held on Sunday, July 28, 2019, in Mito City, which is a two-hour bus ride from Narita. Practicing Kendo in this
famous traditional Dojo will be an unforgettable experience. toubukan.or.jp
Since time is pressed for planning, please let Osuga Sensei know if anyone is interested to come. The number of
participants is not limited. Osuga Sensei’s address is: katsunoriosuga@hotmail.com
PASSAGE
Four people related to our Kendo community have left us in recent days.
Ruby Ayako Yasui, the widow of the late head sensei of Seattle Kendo Kai, Kiyoshi Yasui, passed away peacefully on
April 3, 2019. Born February 17, 1921 in Lingle, Wyoming, she moved to Seattle with her family, where she lived
for over 70 years. Yasui Sensei predeceased her in 2012, and she is survived by sons Kenneth (Joann), Ronald,
daughter Alice, and grandchildren Shawn and Timmy.
Lorraine Kathleen Sako Pai lost a protracted battle with glioblastoma, including surgery, and following that a
devastating massive stroke. When we were encouraged by Peter Mizuki to begin Kendo in early 1979, a key person
Peter introduced us to was Lorraine, and for our 50th birthday in June 1981, she presented us with a professional
landscape drawing of the pond which is still gracing the southeast corner of the garden. At UW Lorraine studied
Landscape Architecture under Kenichi Nakano, and went on to study landscaping and garden building in Kyoto. With a
profound sense of social justice and advocacy, her life became deeply centered and involved in the Chinatown
International District and the intense programs of the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience.
Her friends and allies included Cathy Honda Inouye, Mari Watanabe, Susie Kozawa, Manuel Cawaling, Frank Abe, Corky
Lee, Alan Chong Lau, Kazuko Nakane, Mayumi Oda, Stuart and Renko Dempster, Trisha Tsutakawa, Lori Matsukawa, Yoko
Murao, Sharon Maeda, Andy Mizuki, Dean Wong, Ken Mochizuki, Sharon Tomiko Santos, the late Donny Chin and Bob
Santos, to name but a few. A contributing author to the International Examiner, an organizer in the Pride movement,
an actor who played the mother in the film International House of Feet, and helped design, lead, and build the
Danny Woo Community Garden, she was introduced to artist John Pai by Ron Chew, who also officiated at their
marriage November 17, 1996. She died at home in the presence of her husband and daughters April 4, 2019. She is
survived by her beloved husband John, daughters Mirabai and Naima, sisters Elaine Posey and Melanie Sako, and
parents Saburo and Lillian Sako.
Ray Murao Sensei’s mother Kimiyo Murao, born in Steveston, BC, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2019, at the age
of 93, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by parents Yasutaro and Miwa, daughter Toshimi, sister
Miwako and daughter-in-law Anne, and is survived by and will be dearly missed by her husband of 72 years, Toshio;
children, Kay (Kelvin), Ray, Louise (Peter), Ken (Janet), Joyce (Randy) and Dick (Debbie); 13 grandchildren and 6
great-grandchildren; sisters Chiyoko, Yachiyo, and Sazare; and many nieces and nephews.
As reported in a courtesy note from his sister Mrs. Mildred James, Highline member from the 1980s and continuing
Kenyu reader Jack Glen-don Nuckolls had died at age 84 on November 3, 2018. Jack was born November 29, 1933 in
Colusa County, California. He was a retired police officer, remembered for his quiet, unassuming steadiness.
43rd ANNIVERSARY HIGHLINE CHALLENGE CUP – March 16, 2019, White Center
Yudansha Mudansha
1st place – K. Underhill, Northwest 1st place – B. Wong, UW
2nd place – B. Park, Bellevue 2nd place – L. Gao, UW
3rd place – S. Enomoto, Kent 3rd place – T. Miyamoto, Northwest
3rd place – C. Chan, Highline 3rd place – A. Rossi, Spokane
Teams
1st place - UW, 39 points 2nd place – Bellevue, 26 points
Shinpan Sho - Jeffrey Marsten, Highline
Sportsmanship Pledge – Nancy Harris, Highline
23rd HARVARD/RADCLIFFE SHORYUHAI INTERCOLLEGIATE KENDO TOURNAMENT – March 23/24, 2019
Individuals
1st place – Akira Fujii, UW
2nd place – Sungha Park, Columbia
3rd place – Victor Peng, NYU
3rd place – Gen Takahashi, UCLA
Teams
1st place - UW (Jason Nguyen, Leo Gao, Akira Fujii, Jane Higa, Brian Wong)
2nd place – UCSD (Angel Sambo, Kimi Sugino, Richard Garcia, Stephen Chang, Takashi Yubata)
3rd place – Stony Brook U A (Kyle Madison, J. Bolusi, Joshua Cho, Jirou Takahashi Duffy, Shay Hohokabe)
3rd place – UC Riverside A (Stanley Zhao, Noah Kim, Reid Watanabe, Robert Leevarinpanich, Andrew Gruhn)
Also 1st place in the round robin – Mixed A (Andrew Hamilton from Drexel, Jason Kuo, Elysia Midorikawa, Abby Tan, Keeley McManus)
9th AUSKF JUNIOR OPEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – April 6, 2019, Cumming, Georgia
9 Years and Under 10-11 Years
1st place – Luke Ido, SCKO 1st place – Kaiyu Sugiyama, SCKO
2nd place – Yamato Kongo, SCKF 2nd place – Kento Seto, ECUSKF
3rd place – So Otsuru, ECUSKF 3rd place – Issey Lancelot, NCKF
3rd place – Lei Tomatsu, SCKF 3rd place – Koki Mori, SCKO
Kantosho – Masahiro Otani, SCKO Kantosho – Akimasa Hotta, ECUSKF
Kantosho – Bailey Shinada SCKF Kantosho – Jioh Yun, AEUSKF
Kantosho – Jorge Rincon-Hayashi, GNEUSKF Kantosho – Masamune Seki, ECUSKF
Kantosho – Takuma Sakuno, MWKF Kantosho – Yoshihiko Shimada, SCKO
12-13 Years 14-15 Years
1st place – Taro Ariga, SCKO 1st place – Tomohide Katayama, ECUSKF
2nd place – Eisuki Koike, ECUSKF 2nd place – Keita Tanabe, NCKF
3rd place – Keigo Ishida, MWKF 3rd place – Jonathan Huang, NCKF
3rd place – Jonathan Yu, Northwest 3rd place – Dave Nam, SCKF
Kantosho – Hugo Mizuhashi, SCKF Kantosho – Jeffrey Choi, SCKF
Kantosho – Shosuke Arai, MWKF Kantosho – Danny Chang, Cascade
Kantosho – Taisho Shiono, SCKF Kantosho – Josh Kim, Federal Way
Kantosho – Alec Yuen, Seattle Kantosho – Fumihiko Shimada, SCKO
16-18 Years 13 Years and Under Girls
1st place – Tylor Wang, WKF 1st place – Sarang “Rachael” Yoon, AEUSKF
2nd place - Riki Okawa, SCKO 2nd place – Juah Paik, Tacoma
3rd place – Tyler Chao, WKF 3rd place – Shion Okawa, SEUSKF
3rd place – Elden Chao, WKF 3rd place – Miori Kino, AEUSKF
Kantosho – Changhao Hou Kantosho – Stephanie Tada, SCKF
Kantosho – Tomoki Horiuchi, ECUSKF Kantosho – Mai Sakamoto, SCKO
Kantosho – Musashi Clark, SEUSKF Kantosho – Kanon Saito, SCKF
Kantosho – Daichi Sakuma, MKF Kantosho – Kirsten Choi, MKF
14-18 Years Girls
1st place – Daphne Chen, SCKF
2nd place – Manami Hayashi, SCKF
3rd place – Sochiko Jinnaka, GNEUKF
3rd place – Hinako Yokohagi, AEUSKF
Kantosho – Catherine Ikeda, NCKF
Kantosho – Aika Onitsuka, NCKF
Kantosho – Emi Ichimura, NCKF
Kantosho – Carolyne Ikeda, NCKF
Youth Team Boys Team Girls Team
1st place – ECUSKF A 1st place – SCKF A 1st place - SCKF A
2nd place – SCKO A 2nd place – SCKO A 2nd place - PNKF A (Maya Blechschmidt, Isabella Lee, Betty Park)
3rd place – SCKF B 3rd place – GNEUSKF B 3rd place – NCKF B
3rd place – SCKF A 3rd place – WKF B 3rd place – SCKO
43rd ANNUAL UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON INVITATIONAL KENDO TOURNAMENT – April 6, 2019
Women's 0-4 Kyu
1st place – W. Robillard, Steveston 1st place – S. Dang, UW
2nd place – K. Darbyshire, Vancouver 2nd place – R. Wang, UW
3rd place – M. Suzuki, Sno-King 3rd place – X. Liang, UW
3rd place – N. Grimes, Sno-King 3rd place – R. Long, UBC
3-1 Kyu 1-2 Dan
1st place – T. Miyamoto, Northwest 1st place – D. Yao, Steveston
2nd place – C. Slater, UW 2nd place – S. O’Sullivan, Steveston
3rd place – L. Gao, UW 3rd place – E. Chui, Steveston
3rd place – A. Yorita, UW 3rd place – P. Lee, Steveston
3 Dan 4 Dan and Above
1st place – K. Nakaya, Portland 1st place – K. Unzei, UBC
2nd place – J. Ocada, Cascade 2nd place – T. Hamanaka, UBC
3rd place – B. Lin, Highline 3rd place – R. Asato, Vancouver
3rd place – F. Wessbecher, Highline 3rd place – SH Jung, Vancouver
Teams
1st place - UBC (E. Cheng, Y. Chen, C. Chiang, K. Unzei, T. Hamanaka)
2nd place - Kent (I. Morgan, K. McManus, J. Frazier-Day, T. McManus, S. Day)
Head Shinpan - David Yotsuuye
Taikai Chair – Jason Nguyen
Sportsmanship Pledge – Jane Higa
UW Most Improved – Abby Tan
Kazuo and Tomo Shoji Inspirational Award – Jane Higa
2019 WKF CHAMPIONSHIP – April 28, 2019, John Burroughs High School, Burbank
10 and Under 11-12 Years
1st place – Luke Ido, Gardena 1st place – Taiyo Ariga, Butokuden
2nd place – Masahiro Otani, Butokuden 2nd place – Yoshihiko Shimada, Gardena
3rd place – Jonathan Lee, Jungnoo 3rd place – Euvene Kae, Ildo
3rd place – Christian Kawano, Torrance 3rd place – Nathan Park, Jungmoo
13-15 Years 16-18 Years
1st place – Eugene Kae, Ildo 1st place – Riki Okawa, Long Beach
2nd place – Brandon Cho, Jo-Chun 2nd place – Shinnosuke Mizutamari, Gardena
3rd place – Han Yi, Las Vegas 3rd place – Nathan Lee, Ildo
3rd place – Haru Sakamoto, OSULA 3rd place – Elden Chao, Ildo
Girls 18 and Under Adult Kyu
1st place – Kotone Ariga, Butokuden 1st place – Fei Ou, Butokuden
2nd place – Seowoo Hong, La Canada 2nd place – Abraham Ruiz, Torrance
3rd place – Seo Young Hong, La Canada 3rd place – Jai Park, Las Vegas
3rd place – Cassie Kim, Jo-Chun 3rd place – Ki Wan Kim, UCLA
Women's Senior
1st place – Sunmi Lim, Jungmoo 1st place – George Lee, Jo-Chun
2nd place – Ryoko Sato, Gardena 2nd place – Atsushi Kajioka, West LA
3rd place – Isabel Lorimer, Butokuden 3rd place – Michael Yoon, Tustin
3rd place – Haruna Ariga, Butokuden 3rd place – Dongsuk Park, Tustin
1-3 Dan 4th Dan and Up
1st place – Daniel Lee, Ildo 1st place – Munik Zo, Las Vegas
2nd place – Brendan Wang, Ildo 2nd place – Kenneth Song, Las Vegas
3rd place – Tylor Wang, Ildo 3rd place – Julian Williams, Torrance
3rd place – Jonathan Han, Las Vegas 3rd place – Arashi Steele, Torrance
Women’s Team Best 3
1st place – Butokuden A (Isabelle Lorimer, Filipa Ab Borges, Haruna Ariga)
2nd place – La Canada (SW Hong, S. Hong, HS Kim)
3rd place – Gardena (Shiori Segawa, Yumi Nagakashi, Ryoko Sato)
3rd place – Jo-Chun
Team Best 5
1st place – Torrance
2nd place – Ildo A
3rd place – La Canada
3rd place – Butokuden A (Steve Hsueh, Sean Park, Howard Kim, Justin Park, Taiyo Ariga)
SHINKYU SHINSA
AUSKF KODANSHA SHINSA, April 14, 2019, Tyee Educational Complex, 4424 S. 188th Street, SeaTac
5TH DAN: An Giang (PNKF), Noelle Elizabeth Grimes (PNKF), Bryan Yoshio Imanishi (PNKF), Nozomu Ishimori SEUSKF),
Jason Kim (SCKO), Suhyun Kim (AEUSKF), Younhwa Ko (AEUSKF), Sayaka Masuko (AEUSKF), Motoya Nakamura (PNKF), Ryo
Nameshida (AEUSKF), Hiromi Akaya Robinson (SEUSKF), Victor Shin (SCKO).
6TH DAN: Tomohiko Hayashi (MWKF), Robert Gene Peterson (MWKF).
7TH DAN: Shuntaro Shinada (SCKF), Kotaro Yoshida (MWKF).
RENSHI: Agustin Dionicio Martinez (NCKF), Elizabeth A. Marsten (PNKF), Naoaki Tanimura (PNKF).
PNKF IAIDO SHINSA, April 13, 2019, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Seattle
3RD KYU: Maurice E. Benas III (Tonbo).
2ND KYU: Shamina Chang (SUSKIF), Derek Reynolds (Alaska), James Thorne (AiShinKai).
1ST KYU: Abigail Benoit (Tonbo), Brian Burton (AiShinKai), Michi Kaifu (San Mateo/Palo Alto), Teran Manuel
(AiShinKai).
1ST DAN: Adam Clark (AiShinKai).
2ND DAN: Mikako Burton (Musokai), Khoi Duong (Musokai), Sean Horita (Musokai).
3RD DAN: Ahmed Gaballa El Sayed (Shidogakuin Miami), Steven Touchi (Palo Alto).
SCKO KENDO SHINSA, April 21, 2019, Butokuden, Irvine
3RD KYU: Insiya Bambot (UCLA), Heng Chen (UCLA).
1ST KYU: Kiwan Kim (UCLA), Akira Suzuki (UCLA).
1ST DAN: Steven Yang (UCLA).
3RD DAN: Hana Luciana Ariga (Butokuden), Isabelle Lorimer (Butokuden), Kimi Wang (UCLA).
4TH DAN: Daisuke Furukawa (UCLA).
THE LAST WORD
Once an intake sergeant came to me with a picture of a lady. He said one of the old soldiers who had just been
inducted a couple of days before had the photograph in his wallet. It was typical that the old soldiers were
harassed for trivial things. To try to “shape them up,” they were given a “Binta,” a hard whack on both sides of
the face. But taking the picture was psychological cruelty. I called for the old man and asked him to identify the
lady. “My wife,” he answered softly, shaking because he thought I would give him another Binta. “Okay.” I said.
“Put this back in your wallet and go back to your bunk.” Then I called the soldier who had taken the picture from
the old man. I reprimanded him, and came close to calling him a bully. “Don’t do that to the soldiers. They have
the right to carry their wives’ pictures in their wallets,” I barked. “And before you give Binta to any of them,
see me first. I want to know why, and it better be a good reason!” Long after the War when I was living in Matsue,
this nameless old soldier found me and came to thank me.
Early spring, 1945, I had full responsibility for the welfare of my troops; all were novices, the very young and
the elderly. My troop consisted of four six-cylinder Toyota trucks, and four squads, a total of eighteen soldiers
including two sergeants, a driver, an assistant, and two flaggers. We were assigned to serve in Kochi City in Kochi
Prefecture on Shikoku Island. We rarely stayed in the city, however, and usually camped in scattered places on the
hillside surrounding the city.
Our mission was tough, beginning before dawn and ending late at night; some days we worked around the clock. Our
rations were minimal, and we were always hungry, but we kept on moving and rested only when we were completely
exhausted. We cut and loaded logs from the mountains with no towing tools of any kind, and then hauled them to the
Kochi shoreline to furnish barricade materials for the infantry soldiers protecting the Japanese Mainland from
invasion. The Allies were at our borders. On the return trip, we hauled food and supplies from the Kochi warehouse
for redistribution to the farmers’ warehouses located throughout the hills. Food was critical and in this way we
tried to avoid losing all our supplies to bombs and create more access points.
We kept moving through the dark one night, long after we all wanted and severely needed to rest. One of the
sergeants asked me to allow the soldiers to sleep in the shoreline warehouse, where we had stopped for a few
minutes after loading for the return trip. The warehouse was now half empty and seemed luxurious compared to our
usual sleeping conditions. I rejected the request and after a rest of only a few minutes, started up the hill with
very unhappy soldiers. About midway, we heard B-52 bombers flying over very high, but they didn’t drop any bombs.
“Turn off the lights,” I ordered, “and sleep right where you are!” Shortly thereafter, from way out in the Pacific,
a swarm of P-151’s sprayed some kind of liquid flame accelerant on the Kochi warehouse. Then the second line
dropped flare bombs. In seconds the entire warehouse exploded, lighting the shoreline of Kochi. They ignored our
little convoy, or perhaps never spotted us. No one complained about lack of sleep that night! Once again, luck was
with us.
–Rod Nobuto Omoto, Autobiography, edited by Charlotte Omoto, 2014, p. 37-38. Available as free download at
lulu.com.
Kenyu – Monthly Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation PLEASE NOTE: Kenyu Online IS THE EDITION OF
RECORD FOR THIS NEWSLETTER – https://www.pnkf.org/ Tom Bolling, Editor – 7318 23rd Avenue N.E., Seattle, WA 98115
3/9: PNKF Jodan Seminar, Sat, 12noon-5pm, featuring Kendo Renshi 6th Dan Harry Samkange, Bitter Lake Community Center (small gym), Sno-King Kendo Club, 3052 Greenwood Ave N., Seattle, WA 98133.
3/16: Highline Taikai, Sat, doors open 8:30am, opening ceremonies 9:30am, White Center Community Center, 1321 SW 102nd Street, Seattle.
3/23: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
4/6: AUSKF Junior Open National Championships, Sat, South Forsyth High School, 585 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming, Georgia 30041 http://auskf-jrnationals.com/.
4/6: UW Taikai, Sat, 10am, Intramural Activities Building (IMA), UW campus, Montlake Boulevard NE.
4/13: PNKF Iaido Seminar and Shinsa, Sat, 9am-4pm, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Gym (Seattle Kendo Kai), 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
4/13-14: AUSKF Board meeting, Sat-Sun. Hotel is Radisson, 18118 International Blvd, Seatac, WA 98188. Gym for Saturday evening Godo Keiko 5-7pm, is Tyee Educational Complex, 4424 S. 188th Street, SeaTac, located right off I-5 at S. 188th Street
4/14: AUSKF Kodansha Shinsa, Sun, 11am-5pm, Tyee Educational Complex, 4424 S. 188th Street, SeaTac, located right off I-5 at S. 188th Street.
4/20: UW Taikai, Sat, 10am, Intramural Activities Building (IMA), UW campus, Montlake Boulevard NE.
5/4: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
5/18: Bellevue Junior Taikai, Sat, Highland Park Community Center.
June 2019
6/14-6/15-6/16: 12th Annual US Nito Kendo Summer Camp, Fri/Sat/Sun, College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho.
We are pleased to have the following sensei attend this year’s camp:
Ryoichi FUJII, Kyoshi 8 dan, Yamaguchi Japan
Yoshihiro UGAJIN,Kyoshi 7 dan, Tokyo Japan
Futoshi SATO, Kyoshi 7 dan, Chiba Japan
Mitsuyoshi WADA, Renshi 7 dan, Tokyo Japan
Hisashi NAGASAKI, Renshi 7 dan, Oita Japan
Ako FUJII, Renshi 7 dan, Yamaguchi Japan
6/22: Rose City Taikai, Sat, location TBD, Portland.
7/6-7/13: North American Women’s Kendo Tournament and Seminar, led by Kendo Renshi 7th Dan Chinatsu Maruyama, five time All Japan Champion, Seminar 7/6-7/11 Sat-Thu, Championship 7/13 Sat, https://womenskendo.com/
7/20: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
9/14: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
9/27-9/29: PNKF Iaido Seminar, Tournament, and Shinsa.
October 2019
10/5: PNKF Shinpan Seminar, Sat, 12noon-5pm, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
10/19: Tacoma Taikai.
November 2019
11/2: PNKF Taikai, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
11/9-10: AUSKF Board meeting.
11/10: AUSKF Kodansha Shinsa.
11/16: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
December 2019
12/7: Kent Taikai, Sat, TBD, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
TOUBUKAN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP KENDO SUMMER PRACTICE.
In the early Meiji Era, Toubukan Dojo inherited Hokushin Ittouryu, the origin of the modern Kendo. Takaharu Naito Sensei, who was sent to Kyoto Budo Semmon Gakko (Busen) from Toubukan, later produced many Kendo instructors. Through them, Kendo was introduced to the rest of the world. Gordon Warner Sensei, who taught Kendo in the USA, and with Junzo Sasamori Sensei wrote This Is Kendo, also spent time at Toubukan, which appears in his book. Practicing Kendo at this historical Dojo in Japan would be an unforgettable experience.
Purpose: To nurture friendship through Kendo (Kou Ken Chi Ai).
They are keen to hold a friendship Kendo match/keiko inviting Kendoists from overseas. Our friend Katsunori Osuga Sensei has practiced extensively overseas, including here in the PNKF, so they asked him to check if anyone is interested to come. The cost for the trip and stay in Japan will have to be borne by the participants. It will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2019, in Mito City, which is a two-hour bus ride from Narita. Practicing Kendo in this famous traditional Dojo will be an unforgettable experience. toubukan.or.jp
Since time is pressed for planning, please let Osuga Sensei know if anyone is interested to come. The number of participants is not limited. Osuga Sensei’s address is: katsunoriosuga@hotmail.com
14th ANNUAL PACIFIC INTERCOLLEGIATE TOURNAMENT – January 19, 2019, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
Non-Bogu 2nd Kyu and Below
1st place – Daniel Vera, UBC 1st place – Brian Wong, UW
2nd place – Jiho Kim, SFU 2nd place – Espen Hellevik, UW
3rd place – Lily Zhang, UBC 3rd place – Abby Tan, UW
1st Kyu Shodan and Above
1st place – Tyas Kinati, UBC 1st place – Akira Fujii, UW
2nd place – David Wu, Langara 2nd place – Jane Higa, UW
3rd place – Jason Tang, Langara 3rd place – Michael Hong, SFU
Seniors 2nd Dan and Above
1st place – Ryota Kuki, Langara
2nd place – Tsuyoshi Hamanaka, UBC
3rd place – Kentaro Komoto, UBC
University Team
1st place – UW1 (Jason Nguyen, Jane Higa, Akira Fujii, Elysia Midorikawa, Leo Gao)
2nd place - SFU (Sean Lu, Will Wu, Gina Gu, Gene Ju, Michael Hong)
3rd place – UBC (Tyas Kinanti, Kanami Suzuki, Rory Long, Lily Ruan, Sara Lowes)
3rd place – UW2 (Brian Wong, Espen Hellevik, Abby Tan, Esther Law, Connor Mulcahey)
Senior Team
1st place – UBC (Ellis Cheng, Andrew Chen, Kentaro Komoto, Joon Young Suk, Tsuyoshi Hamanaka)
2nd place – Langara (David Wu, Jason Tang, Noel Gardiner, Anthony Lee, Ryuta Kuki)
Fighting Spirit Award
Rory Long, UBC and Lily Ruan, UBC
Ted Davis Fighting Spirit Award
Gina Gu, SFU
2019 EAST COAST OPEN IAIDO TAIKAI – February 17,2019, CERC (Community Education and Recreation Center), Jersey City, NJ
Mudansha A Mudansha B
1st place – A. Zheng, Ken-Zen 1st place – P. Markunas, Ken-Zen
2nd place – S. Hess, Ken-Zen 2nd place – L. Thauvin, Ken-Zen
3rd place – P. Kim, Cherry Hill 3rd place – S. Stadtlander-Miller, Ken-Zen
3rd place – K. Ng, SeiZan 3rd place – C. Colbert, Ittokai
Kantosho – Y. Seong, Cherry Hill Kantosho – D. Darlington, Shidogakuin
Shodan Nidan
1st place – D. Song, Ken-Zen 1st place – M. Buonadonna, Shidogakuin
2nd place – R. Higham, Ken-Zen 2nd place – H. Cousin, SeiZan
3rd place – J. Chen, Nichibukan 3rd place – F. Domingo, MuMonKai CKF
3rd place – P. Kim, Doshikai 3rd place – A. Milton, Ken-Zen
Kantosho – C. Merizalde, Shidokan CKF Kantosho – K. Kolodij, RaiUnKai CKF
Sandan Yondan
1st place – W. Wagler, Kenshokan CKF 1st place – K. Miyamori, Ken-Zen
2nd place – W. Gallo, SeiZan 2nd place – D. Yang, Cherry Hill
3rd place – M. Botey, Doshikai 3rd place – J. Ni, Hichibukan
3rd place – S. Lee Goyne, Shidokan CKF 3rd place – S. Corchado, Nichibukan
Kantosho – C. Matchuk, MuMonKai CKF Kantosho – T. Furuta, Ittokai
Godan
1st place – P. Suen, MuMonKaiCKF
2nd place – P. Shin, Shidogakuin
3rd place – G. Hall, Zen-Ken
3rd place – M. Hodge, MuMonKai CKF
Kantosho – S. Naji, Shidogakuin
57th ANNUAL STEVESTON KENDO TOURNAMENT – February 23, 2019, Hugh McRoberts Secondary School, Richmond, BC
10 Years and Under 11 to 13 Years 14 to 15 Years
1st place – L. Ido, Butokuden 1st place – J. Yu, Northwest 1st place – K. Underhill, Northwest
2nd place – Y. Onitsuka,NCKF 2nd place – R. Ido, Butokuden 2nd place – A. Son, Renbu
3rd place – K. Yoshimura, Renbu 3rd place – F. Benson, Youshinkan 3rd place – J. Kim, Federal Way
3rd place – D. Buckham, UVic 3rd place – N. Son, Renbu 3rd place – C. Robillard, Steveston
0-4 Kyu 1-3 Kyu Women 1 Dan and Under
1st place – B. Wong, UW 1st place – L. Gao, UW 1st place – T. Huang, UVic
2nd place – S. Dan, UW 2nd place – A. Yorita, UW 2nd place – A. Tan, UW
3rd place – J. Kuo, UW 3rd place – A. Rose, Renfrew 3rd place – N. Harris, Highline
3rd place – J. Lee, UW 3rd place – J. Peters, Edmonds 3rd place – K. Onosato, Calgary
Women 2 Dan and Over 1-2 Dan 3 Dan
1st place – M. Kitamura, Butokuden 1st place – S. O’Sullivan, Steveston 1st place – A. Fujii, UW
2nd place – B. Park, Bellevue 2nd place – D. Yao, Steveston 2nd place – I. Miki, Steveston
3rd place – C. Takeuchi, Youshinkan 3rd place – S. Suda, Renbu 3rd place – H. Shim, Renbu
3rd place – H. Yamada, Vancouver 3rd place – R. Koyama, Vancouver 3rd place – M. Uto, NCKF
4 Dan and Above
1st place – K. Lee, Chinook
2nd place – K. Unzei, Aoi
3rd place – D. Ara, Renbu
3rd place – R. Asato, Vancouver
Junior Team Senior Team
1st place - Butokuden (L.Edo,T.Miyamoto, 1st place - Hawaii (B.Fukutomi,C.Goodin,
S.Imura,R.Ido,T.Ariga) D.Miura,G.Matsubayashi,G.Matsumoto)
2nd place – Steveston A (R.Nakano,C.Robillard, 2nd place - Youshinkan (K.Takeuchi,A.Xie,
J.Hung,A.Chang,B.Miki) K.Kobayashi,J.Chien,C.Takeuchi)
3rd place - Northwest (N.Underhill,J.Yu, 3rd place - NCKF (K.Fukumoto,M.Uto,
K.Underhill,J.Kim,T.Ting) K.Hamayama,M.Jao,S.Choi)
3rd place – Renbu B (N.Son,K.Yoshimura, 3rd place - Butokuden (R.Okawa,H.Ariga,
Y.Kawabe,L.Cheung,I.Son) M.Kitamura,K.Ariga,T.Ariga)
Sportsmanship Pledge - Elliott Chui
16TH KENSHIKAN KENDO CLUB TOURNAMENT IN MEMORY OF SHIGEO YOSHINAGA AND KATSUMI YAMADA, March 3, 2019, Manoa District Park Gym, Oahu, Hawaii
Novice Yonenbu Shonenbu Seinenbu
1st place – Jesse Jong 1st place – Maiki Uda 1st place – Caden Matsumoto 1st place – Joshua Simpkins
2nd place – Andrew Kim 2nd place – Kosuke Toeda 2nd place – Zachary Yamamoto 2nd place – Neil Shimabukuro
3rd place – Kanon Park 3rd place – Andrew Tomas 3rd place – Brandyn Matsumoto 3rd place – Gariel Hart
1-2 Dan Women’s Open 3 Dan 4 Dan and Above
1st place – Yunsang Park 1st place – Mari Shiveley 1st place – Daiki Miura 1st place – Hyun Kim
2nd place – Andy Cheng 2nd place – Malia Stachiewicz 2nd place – Taiyo Kanemitsu 2nd place – Jack Yamada
3rd place – Kai Kikishita 3rd place – Tina Kaku 3rd place – Nicklas Matsumoto 3rd place – Billy Kang
Masters 5 Man Team
1st place – David Kikau 1st place – Kenshikan A
2nd place – Bert Shibuya 2nd place – Aiea Taiheji
3rd place – Carl Nakamura
Katsumi Yamada Kantosho Award – Malia Stachiewicz
SHINKYU SHINSA
AUSKF KODANSHA SHINSA, November 11, 2018, Dallas, Texas
5TH DAN: Hiroki Fukui (ECUSKF).
7TH DAN: Brandon Harada (SCKF), Yutaro Matsuura (MWKF), Song Choi Yang (SCKF).
RENSHI: Nathan Makino (SCKO), Song Choi Yang (SCKF).
KYOSHI: Brandon Harada (SCKF), Christopher Yang (SCKF).
PNKF KENDO SHINSA, February 16, 2019, Tyee Educational Complex, 4424 S. 188th Street, SeaTac, Washington
6TH KYU: Hideaki Ito (Bellevue), Owen Kaufman (Portland), Emerson Lau (Bellevue).
5TH KYU: Keegan Hirata (Federal Way) Truman Lau (Bellevue), DongYun Ryu (Cascade), Jonathan Yu (Northwest), Rina Yuan (Bellevue).
4TH KYU: Issei DeBlieck (Sno-King), Seohee Jeon (Bellevue), Anthony Kelsey (Edmonds), Timothy Kim (Northwest), Tory Kim (Northwest),
Juah Paik (Tacoma), DongHyun Ryu (Cascade), Shiori Tano (Obukan), Daniel Theophanes (Obukan).
3RD KYU: Thabit Ahmed (Edmonds), Lucas Bobadilla (OSU), Jeremy Chu (Bellevue), Devin Chung (Cascade), Aaron Fung (Seattle),
Ashley Garr (Cascade), Lucian Jesequel (Obukan), Alex Kim (Bellevue), Yeoun Hee Kim (Bellevue), Jason Kuo (UW), Alexander Lam (Bellevue),
Ethan Law (Portland), Juno Lee (UW), Maoyang Li (Bellevue), Dorrit Lin (UW), Emily McCracken (Bellevue), Mara Poor (Tacoma), Sung Won Ryu (Cascade),
Daniel Shilov (Highline), Conrad Slater (UW), Hoeun Son (Federal Way), Dan Terao (Cascade), Brian Wong (UW).
2ND KYU: Matheus (Kai) Bandur (Honda) (Cascade), Danny Chung (Cascade), Espen Hellevik (UW), Esther Law (UW), Taiki Miyamoto (Northwest),
Connor Mulcahy (UW), Kate Rice (Portland), Neo Smith (Bellevue), Willard Wiseman (OSU), Derek Woodward (Everett), Zhaoyuan Xu (UW), Brandon Yorker (Kent).
1ST KYU: Robin Allen (Portland), Yue Chen (Seattle), Justin Davis (Northwest), Helen Fukuda (Cascade), Tom Fukuda (Cascade),
Leo Gao (UW), Yuning Gao (OSU), Kyle Hale (Seattle), Noah Larson (Federal Way), Isabella Lee (Federal Way), Gen Li (OSU),
Krystal McIntosh (Federal Way), Matt Miyamoto (Northwest), Nagato Orita (Seattle), Jin Pak (Northwest) Emilio Peralta (Obukan),
Jonah Redaja (Edmonds), Dan Rosanova (Seattle), Michele Soleimani (Portland), Suepapone Vanasouk (Cascade), Anthony Yorita (UW).
1ST DAN: Kamia Acoba (Everett), James Faulkner (Edmonds), Jin Ho Jeon (Bellevue), Josh Kim (Federal Way), Daniel Lee (Tacoma),
Simon Lee (Federal Way).
2ND DAN: John Kliem (Tacoma), Yuriko Lee (Obukan), Hien Nguyen (Edmonds), Bryant Pae (Northwest), Young-ki Paik (Tacoma),
Edward Park (Sno-King), Shun Wetlesen (Obukan).
3RD DAN: Nicholas Cook (Portland), Trinh Ho (Northwest), Van Le (Obukan), Mahya Okita (Seattle), Jason Yu (Northwest).
4TH DAN: Taryn Imanishi (Cascade), BumSoo Lee (Bellevue), Richard Lei (Seattle), Takao Yamashita (Seattle).
2019 EAST COAST IAIDO SHINSA, February 17, 2019, CERC (Community Education and Recreation Center), Jersey City, NJ
4TH KYU: E. Kwak (Cherry Hill), J. Kwak (Cherry Hill), S. Kwak (Cherry Hill).
3RD KYU: J. Burton (Wahsinkan), A. Fromqel (Shidogakui), J. Kwak Jr (Cherry Hill), D. Lin (Cherry Hill), Zhuoran Long (Ken-Zen),
C. Lu (Cherry Hill), S. Scherr (Agassiz), Y. Seong (Cherry Hill), Tom Wendling (Ken-Zen), A. Zheng (Ken-Zen).
2ND KYU: P. Kim (Cherry Hill), I. Kuznetsova (Shidogakui), J. Kwak Sr (Cherry Hill), D. Ovsyannikov (Nichibukan), E. Seong (Cherry Hill).
1ST KYU: Sean Hess (Ken-Zen), K. Ng (SeiZan), J. Xie (Cherry Hill).
1ST DAN: SC Bang (Cherry Hill), C. Colbert (Ittokai), D. Darlington (Shidogakuin), K Ding (Cherry Hill), Nathalie Jaspar (Ken-Zen),
C. Kim (Cherry Hill), Philip Markunas (Ken-Zen), Joshua Stadtlander-Miller (Ken-Zen), Louis Thauvin (Ken-Zen).
2ND DAN: D. Abrams (Cherry Hill), J. Chen (Nichibukan), Richard Higham (Ken-Zen), P. Kim (Doshikai), H. Maeda (Idaho).
3RD DAN: M. Buonadonna (Shidogakuin), David Ducek (Ken-Zen), Alec Milton (Ken-Zen).
THE LAST WORD
When I returned, I trained more new recruits. But this time, they were old, feeble men, often disabled and sick. All the men, college students and young men had already been drafted, leaving only the “Han” squad, these sad old men. The Japanese army was obviously in poor condition, and it was becoming apparent that Japan was losing the war. These old soldiers were throwaway men. I thought that training these old people to fight, some of whom actually belonged in a nursing home, was absurd, a waste of energy, and cruel. So I gave them time to rest and recuperate. I would lead them out of the barracks with great gusto for training, but as we approached the training field, we just lay down and rested. If I had been caught doing this, I would have been court-martialed. But I guess the happy-go-lucky Hawaiian boy had emerged, and I thought, “What the heck! These old people can’t fight. They need rest more than anything else to merely survive.” I felt very sorry for the old soldiers.
–Rod Nobuto Omoto, Autobiography, edited by Charlotte Omoto, 2014, p. 37. Available as free download at lulu.com.
Kenyu – Monthly Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation PLEASE NOTE: Kenyu Online IS THE EDITION OF RECORD FOR THIS NEWSLETTER – https://www.pnkf.org/ Tom Bolling, Editor – 7318 23rd Avenue N.E., Seattle, WA 98115
12/15: PNKF Juniors practice, Sat, 5-8pm, cost $5, Seattle Buddhist
Temple, 1427 S Main Street Seattle 98144.
January 2019
1/12: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
1/26-1/27: FIK Shinpan Seminar, Sat/Sun, Dallas, TX.
February 2019
2/2: PNKF Kata Seminar, Sat, CANCELLED.
2/9-10: Boise State University 5th Annual Iaido Seminar, with Iaido
Kyoshi 8th Dan Kazuhiza Kaneda, from Tokyo, Japan. BSU Kinesiology
Gym, 1404 Bronco Lane, Boise, Idaho 83706.
Schedule: Saturday, Feb 9; 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday, Feb 10; 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
2/16: PNKF Kendo Shinsa, Sat, 12noon-5pm, including godo keiko at the end of the Shinsa, Tyee Educational Complex, 4424 S. 188th Street, SeaTac, located right off I-5 at S. 188th Street.
2/23: Steveston Taikai, Sat, 9am, Hugh McRoberts Secondary School, 8980 Williams Road, Richmond BC. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE
March 2019
3/3: UW Kendo Prom, Sun, 6:30-9:30pm, UW Waterfront Activities Center Great Room, 3710 Montlake Blvd, Seattle, Washington 98195. Prom Tickets will be $20 per person and $35 per couple. For students (high school or college) tickets will be $10 per person and $15 per couple. They will also be having a raffle ticket drawing with AMAZING prizes! PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE
3/9: PNKF Jodan Seminar, Sat, 12noon-5pm, featuring Kendo Renshi 6th Dan Harry Samkange, Broadview Elementary School (small gym), Sno-King Kendo Club, 13040 Greenwood Ave N., Seattle, WA 98133.
3/16: Highline Taikai, Sat, doors open 8:30am, opening ceremonies 9:30am, White Center Community Center,
1321 SW 102nd Street, Seattle..
3/23: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S.
King Street, Seattle.
3/30: PNKF Shinpan Seminar, Sat, TBD.
April 2019
4/6: AUSKF Junior Open National Championships, Sat, South Forsyth High School, 585 Peachtree Parkway,
Cumming, Georgia 30041 http://auskf-jrnationals.com/.
4/6: UW Taikai, Sat, 10am, Intramural Activities Building (IMA), UW campus, Montlake Boulevard NE.
4/13: PNKF Iaido Seminar and Shinsa, Sat, 9am-4pm, St. Peter’s
Episcopal Church Gym (Seattle Kendo Kai), 1610 S. King Street, Seattle.
4/13-14: AUSKF Board meeting, Sat-Sun. Hotel is Radisson, 18118 International Blvd, Seatac, WA 98188. Gym
for Saturday evening Godo Keiko 5-7pm, is Tyee Educational Complex, 4424 S. 188th Street, SeaTac, located
right off I-5 at S. 188th Street
4/14: AUSKF Kodansha Shinsa, Sun, 11am-5pm, Tyee Educational Complex, 4424 S. 188th Street, SeaTac, located
right off I-5 at S. 188th Street.
5/4: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S.
King Street, Seattle.
5/18: Bellevue Junior Taikai, Sat, Highland Park Community Center.
June 2019
6/14-6/15-6/16: 12th Annual US Nito Kendo Summer Camp, Fri/Sat/Sun, College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho.
We are pleased to have the following sensei attend this year’s camp:
Ryoichi FUJII, Kyoshi 8 dan, Yamaguchi Japan
Yoshihiro UGAJIN,Kyoshi 7 dan, Tokyo Japan
Futoshi SATO, Kyoshi 7 dan, Chiba Japan
Mitsuyoshi WADA, Renshi 7 dan, Tokyo Japan
Hisashi NAGASAKI, Renshi 7 dan, Oita Japan
Ako FUJII, Renshi 7 dan, Yamaguchi Japan
6/22: Rose City Taikai, Sat, location TBD, Portland.
7/6-7/13: North American Women’s Kendo Tournament and Seminar, led by Kendo Renshi 7th Dan Chinatsu Maruyama, five time All Japan Champion, Seminar 7/6-7/11 Sat-Thu, Championship 7/13 Sat. https://womenskendo.com/
7/20: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S.
King Street, Seattle.
August 2019
8/10: PNKF Kendo Shinsa, Sat, TBD.
September 2019
9/14: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S.
King Street, Seattle.
9/27-9/29: PNKF Iaido Seminar, Tournament, and Shinsa.
October 2019
10/5: PNKF Shinpan Seminar, Sat, 12noon-5pm, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
10/19: Tacoma Taikai.
November 2019
11/2: PNKF Taikai, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
11/9-10: AUSKF Board meeting.
11/10: AUSKF Kodansha Shinsa.
11/16: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S.
King Street, Seattle.
December 2019
12/7: Kent Taikai, Sat, TBD, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent.
PNKF BOARD NEWS
At their November 17, 2018 meeting, the 2018/2019 Board was seated, and Officers were elected.
President – CJ Chaney (SnoKing), Vice President – Doug Imanishi (Seattle), Treasurer – Mary DeJong (Highline), Secretary – Tom Bolling (Bellevue), UW Advisor – CJ Chaney.
Other Board members are: Masa Ando (Alaska), Jonathan Bannister (AiShinKai), Sean Blechschmidt (Bellevue), Steve Choi (Portland), Sean DeBlieck (SnoKing), Mary DeJong (Highline), Rory Elliott (Everett), Karin Fedderson (Tacoma), Mark Frederick (Northwest), Jane Higa (UW), Michael Mabale (Seattle), Curtis Marsten (Kent), Tiarnan Marsten (Kent), Vicki Marsten (Federal Way), George Nakayama (Portland), Ed Olson (Tonbo), Chris Ruiz (Spokane), Russ Sinclair (Spokane), Blake Sprenger (Portland), Stephen Ting (Northwest), Frank Wessbecher (Highline).
2018 NORTH AMERICAN IAIDO PARTNERSHIP EVENT – December 2, 2018, Canadian Kendo Federation, Etobicoke, Toronto
Pan-American Iaido - National Team Taikai
1st place - USA
Senpo - Thane Mittelstaedt (AiShinKai Fudo Myoo-Ji Dojo)
Chuken - John Mullin (Ken Zen Institute)
Taisho - Paul Shin (Shidogakuin)
2nd place - Canada
Senpo - Greg Fenton (Mu Mon Kai)
Chuken - Warren Wagler (Kenshokan)
Taisho - Juan Vasquez (Shidokan)
3rd place - Chile
Senpo - Cristian Zumelzu (Asociacion Metropolitana de Kendo)
Chuken - N/A
Taisho - Julio Villareol (Asociacion Metropolitana de Kendo)
3rd place - Mexico
Senpo - Ireneo Rodriguez (Asociacion de Kendo de Nuevo León)
Chuken - Saul Rocha (Asociacion de Kendo de Nuevo León)
Taisho - Oscar Mendez (Asociacion de Iaido y Kendo del Instituto Politecnico Nacional)
Pan-American Iaido – Goodwill Taikai
1st place - Atsuki’s Fantasico
Senpo - Oscar Mendez (Mexico)
Chuken - Flavia Silva (Chile)
Taisho - Hanna Ikeda-Suen (Canada)
2nd place - Senshin
Senpo - Jennifer Mayo (USA)
Chuken - Ignacio Lorca (Chile)
Taisho - David Cheng (Canada)
3rd place - Olivia’s Fantasico
Senpo - Saul Rocha (Mexico)
Chuken - Sandy Lee-Gonye (Canada)
Taisho - Gordon Hall (USA)
3rd place - Espados Hermanos
Senpo - Ireneo Rodriguez (Mexico)
Chuken - Edward Vierk (USA)
Taisho - Guillermo Vargas (Chile)
Pan-American Iaido – Embu Taikai
3rd Dan - Darwin Chan (Mu Mon Kai, Canada)
4th Dan - Tak Furuta (Ittokai, USA)
5th Dan - Patrick Suen (Mu Mon Kai, Canada)
6th Dan - Carole Galligan (Mu Mon Kai, Canada)
KENT TAIKAI – December 8, 2018, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent
10 Years and Under 11-12 Years
1st place – K. Maxfield-Matsumoto, Highline 1st place – A. Mabale, Seattle
2nd place – Y. Ryu, Cascade 2nd place – J. Yu, Northwest
3rd place – K. Ayers, SnoKing 3rd place – J. Paik, Tacoma
3rd place – O. Kaufman, Portland 3rd place – S. Kim, Seattle
13-15 Years 0-4 Kyu
1st place – J. Kim, Federal Way 1st place – A. Kim, Bellevue
2nd place – K. Underhill, Northwest 2nd place – YI Sun, Bellevue
3rd place – D. Chung, Cascade 3rd place – J. Lee, UW
3rd place – L. Ohata, Bellevue 3rd place – A. Lam, Bellevue
3-1 Kyu 1-2 Dan
1st place – T. Miyamoto, Northwest 1st place – KE Underhill, Northwest
2nd place – N. Smith, Bellevue 2nd place – D. Imanishi, Seattle
3rd place – E. Midorikawa, UW 3rd place – K. Fukuda, Cascade
3rd place – H. Su, Bellevue 3rd place – A. Yuen, Seattle
3-4 Dan Women’s
1st place – I. Morgan, Kent 1st place – T. Imanishi, Cascade
2nd place – Y. Shim, Highline 2nd place – B. Park, Bellevue
3rd place – R. Ono, Cascade 3rd place – R. Ono, Cascade
3rd place – M. Yoneda, Kent 3rd place – M. Blechschmidt, Bellevue
4th place – T. Marsten, Kent
4th place – T. Patana, SnoKing
4th place – F. Wessbecher, Highline
4th place – B. Shieh, Cascade
Junior Teams
1st place – Bellevue (H. Koob, K. Takamatsu, L. Ohata, J. Chu, C. Park)
2nd place – Northwest (Ju. Paik, N. Underhill, J. Yu, Jo. Paik, K. Underhill)
3rd place – Seattle (A. Yuen, E. Kim, A. Mabale, S. Kim, K. Hale)
3rd place – Mixed (S. Johnson, M. Day, O. Kaufman, L. Jesequel, F. Mabale)
Senior Teams
1st place – Northwest (K. Underhill, T. Miyamoto, B. Pae, X. Wang, V. Vulfson)
2nd place – Bellevue (B. Park, M. Blechschmidt, L. Tsybert, M. Ohata, H. Su)
3rd place – SnoKing (D. Lew, M. Suzuki, A. Zee, T. Patana, N. Grimes)
3rd place – Kent (S. Day, J. Orwig, M. Yoneda, I. Morgan, T. Marsten)
Shinpan Sho – Curtis Marsten
Sportsmanship Pledge – Terry McManus
SHINKYU SHINSA
AUSKF KODANSHA SHINSA, November 11, 2018, Dallas, Texas
5TH DAN: Satoko Boettcher (ECUSKF), Hiroki Fukui (ECUSKF), Eui Rae Ro (SEUSKF), Mark Masakuni Sasaki (MWKF), Mitsukuni Yoshida (MWKF).
6TH DAN: Masanao Fukuno (SCKO), Pau H. Shin (GNEUSKF).
7TH DAN: Yutaro Matsuura (MWKF).
RENSHI: Russell M. Ichimura (SWKIF), Nathan Makino (SCKO), Song Yi Yang (SCKF).
KYOSHI: Brandon Harada (SCKF).
MWKF FALL SHINSA, October 21, 2018, Oveland Park, Kansas
2ND KYU: Nick Karstens (Moline).
1ST DAN: Kate Classy Duffus (Moline).
4TH DAN: Seong Kim (Moline).
2018 NORTH AMERICAN IAIDO PARTNERSHIP SHINSA, December 2, 2018, Canadian Kendo Federation, Etobicoke, Toronto
6TH DAN: Jonathan Bannister (PNKF).
CKF WEST SHINSA, December 8, 2018, Steveston
5TH DAN: Jakob Schmidt (Vancouver).
THE LAST WORD
When I returned, I trained more new recruits. But this time, they were old, feeble men, often disabled and sick. All the men, college students and young men had already been drafted, leaving only the “Han” squad, these sad old men. The Japanese army was obviously in poor condition, and it was becoming apparent that Japan was losing the war. These old soldiers were throwaway men.
I thought that training these old people to fight, some of whom actually belonged in a nursing home, was absurd, a waste of energy, and cruel. So I gave them time to rest and recuperate. I would lead them out of the barracks with great gusto for training, but as we approached the training field, we just lay down and rested. If I had been caught doing this, I would have been court-martialed. But I guess the happy-go-lucky Hawaiian boy had emerged, and I thought, “What the heck! These old people can’t fight. They need rest more than anything else to merely survive.”
I felt very sorry for the old soldiers. Once an intake sergeant came to me with a picture of a lady. He said one of the old soldiers who had just been inducted a couple of days before had the photograph in his wallet. It was typical that the old soldiers were harassed for trivial things. To try to “shape them up,” they were given a “Binta,” a hard whack on both sides of the face. But taking the picture was psychological cruelty. I called for the old man and asked him to identify the lady. “My wife,” he answered softly, shaking because he thought I would give him another Binta. “Okay.” I said. “Put this back in your wallet and go back to your bunk.” Then I called the soldier who had taken the picture from the old man. I reprimanded him, and came close to calling him a bully. “Don’t do that to the soldiers. They have the right to carry their wives’ pictures in their wallets,” I barked. “And before you give Binta to any of them, see me first. I want to know why, and it better be a good reason!” Long after the War when I was living in Matsue, this nameless old soldier found me and came to thank me.
Early spring, 1945, I had full responsibility for the welfare of my troops; all were novices, the very young and the elderly. My troop consisted of four six-cylinder Toyota trucks, and four squads, a total of eighteen soldiers including two sergeants, a driver, an assistant, and two flaggers. We were assigned to serve in Kochi City in Kochi Prefecture on Shikoku Island. We rarely stayed in the city, however, and usually camped in scattered places on the hillside surrounding the city.
Our mission was tough, beginning before dawn and ending late at night; some days we worked around the clock. Our rations were minimal, and we were always hungry, but we kept on moving and rested only when we were completely exhausted. We cut and loaded logs from the mountains with no towing tools of any kind, and then hauled them to the Kochi shoreline to furnish barricade materials for the infantry soldiers protecting the Japanese Mainland from invasion. The Allies were at our borders. On the return trip, we hauled food and supplies from the Kochi warehouse for redistribution to the farmers’ warehouses located throughout the hills. Food was critical and in this way we tried to avoid losing all our supplies to bombs and create more access points.
We kept moving through the dark one night, long after we all wanted and severely needed to rest. One of the sergeants asked me to allow the soldiers to sleep in the shoreline warehouse, where we had stopped for a few minutes after loading for the return trip. The warehouse was now half empty and seemed luxurious compared to our usual sleeping conditions. I rejected the request and after a rest of only a few minutes, started up the hill with very unhappy soldiers. About midway, we heard B-52 bombers flying over very high, but they didn’t drop any bombs. “Turn off the lights,” I ordered, “and sleep right where you are!” Shortly thereafter, from way out in the Pacific, a swarm of P-151’s sprayed some kind of liquid flame accelerant on the Kochi warehouse. Then the second line dropped flare bombs. In seconds the entire warehouse exploded, lighting the shoreline of Kochi. They ignored our little convoy, or perhaps never spotted us. No one complained about lack of sleep that night! Once again, luck was with us.
My final order was to return to Kochi to gather the supplies we had saved by scattering them in the hills in farmers’ warehouses. The roads were narrow, the drivers inexperienced and the trucks easily slid into the rice paddies. We had no towing tools so when a truck was stuck, everyone would work together to heave the truck upright and attempt to get it back on the road. But that was easy compared to rescuing our own men who would often become trapped inside the truck when it rolled. One time a truck rolled over and pinned a soldier. Gasoline spilled from the truck and covered his body. We finally rolled the truck off him, but he was in no shape to continue his duties. Due to the gasoline burns, his skin was peeling from his entire body. He suffered horribly, especially when he moved. I sent him back to Hiroshima. Then came the Atomic Bomb that released his pain completely!
How perfunctory and cold my attitude now seems – he burned then died. No description of his unrelenting screams of agony, the calls to his mother, the terror in his eyes. But that is what happens in war. Too much suffering and death can drive a man insane unless the senses of pity and horror are numbed. Anger is acceptable. Soldiers are taught not to look in the eyes of an enemy if killing in close combat. Looking into the eyes creates a relationship. We are taught about relationship in Kendo. But there is no time in boot camp to learn how to create a life as well as take a life. In modern warfare, killing is, when possible, more distant. That is probably good for the mental health of soldiers, even though it avoids confronting the reality of death on a bloody battlefield.
Hiroshima, 1945
We were so isolated in Kochi that we had lost communications with our base in Hiroshima. We didn’t know about the Bomb or the end of the War until few weeks after Japan surrendered. But we weren’t surprised. The old soldiers were tired and already felt defeated, and most of us had known for some months that the war was lost. We just didn’t know the form that loss would take.
–Rod Nobuto Omoto, Autobiography, edited by Charlotte Omoto, 2014, p. 36-37. Available as free download at lulu.com.
Kenyu – Monthly Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation PLEASE NOTE: Kenyu Online IS THE EDITION OF RECORD FOR THIS NEWSLETTER – https://www.pnkf.org/ Tom Bolling, Editor – 7318 23rd Avenue N.E., Seattle, WA 98115
4/6: AUSKF Junior Open National Championships, Sat, South Forsyth High School, 585 Peachtree Parkway,
Cumming, Georgia 30041 http://auskf-jrnationals.com/.
June 2019
6/14-6/15-6/16: 12th Annual US Nito Kendo Summer Camp, Fri/Sat/Sun, College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho.
July 2019
7/6-7/13: 7th North American Women’s Kendo Tournament and Seminar, with Chinatsu Murayama Sensei, Renshi 7th Dan, 5-time All Japan Women’s Kendo Champion. Seminar: 7/6-7/11 Sat-Thu; Godo Keiko: 7/12; Taikai: 7/13, Sat, Bitterlake Community Center Annex, Sno-King Kendo Club, 13052 Greenwood Ave N., Seattle, WA 98133
CANADIAN KENDO FEDERATION 2018 MCGILL KENDO TAIKAI – July 17, 2018, Montreal, Quebec
Mudansha-Shodan Women
1st place - Kathy La, Mississauga 1st place - Hanaca Yamada, Vancouver
2nd place - Etienne Matieu, Granby 2nd place - Bora Choi, Jung Ko Kendo
3rd place - Ryan Evans, York U 3rd place - Noriko Imaizumi, Granby
3rd place - Luke Pham, U Toronto 3rd place - Alysha Hum, Shidokan
Nidan-Sandan Yondan and Up
1st place - Rahmil Mustafa, U Toronto 1st place - Kyle Eunseob Lee, Chinook
2nd place - Yun Bao, JCCC 2nd place - Inseo Park, Jung Ko Kendo
3rd place - Daniel Lau, Carleton 3rd place - Tuan Anh Hoang, McGill U
3rd place - Patrick Kim, GSK 3rd place - Julio Kenji Toida, Montreal
Team Division
1st place - Team Canada Kendo Men
2nd place - Garden State Kendo Alliance
3rd place - McGill University 1
3rd place - Jung Ko Kendo
Fighting Spirit Women - Joanna Asare, JCCC
Fighting Spirit Men - Matthew Ricci, Hamilton Kendo Club
44th PNKF TAIKAI – November 3, 2018, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent
10 Years and Under 11-12 Years
1st place – N. Son, Renbu 1st place – A. Mabale, Seattle
2nd place – I. Hwang, Renbu 2nd place – DV Chung, Cascade
3rd place – T. Okurano, Youshinkan 3rd place – A. Yuen, Seattle
3rd place – A. Kobayashi, Youshinkan 3rd place – S. Kim, Seattle
13-15 Years 0-4 Kyu
1st place – C. Robillard, Steveston 1st place – L. Bobadilla, Oregon State U
2nd place – A. Son, Renbu 2nd place – A. Kim, Bellevue
3rd place – L. Ohata, Bellevue 3rd place – B. Wong, UW
3rd place – O. Benson, Youshinkan 3rd place – T. Elliott, Spokane
Women’s Kyu Women’s Dan
1st place – S. Lowes, UBC 1st place – B. Park, Bellevue
2nd place – E. Midorikawa, UW 2nd place – R. Ono, Hawaii
3rd place – R. Allen, Portland 3rd place – M. Oya, Palouse
3rd place – Y. Gao, Oregon State U 3rd place – W. Robillard, Steveson
1-3 Kyu 1-2 Dan
1st place – J. Jeon, Bellevue 1st place – YA Chen, UBC
2nd place – M. Miyamoto, Northwest 2nd place – P. Kim, Garden State
3rd place – T. Miyamoto, Northwest 3rd place – H. Shim, Renbu
3rd place – J. Tang, Langara 3rd place – J. Jeong, Youshinkan
3 Dan 4 Dan and Above
1st place – T. Marsten, Kent 1st place – S. Harris, Hawaii
2nd place – I. Miki, Steveston 2nd place – N. Tanimura, Seattle
3rd place – A. Fujii, UW 3rd place – G. Suzaka, Seattle
3rd place – D. Miura, Hawaii 3rd place – L. Hancock, Hawaii
Junior Teams
1st place – Seattle (S. Kim, A. Yueh, A. Mabale, E. Kim, KY Hale)
2nd place – Renbu A (N. Son, E. Cho, A. Son, H. Homma, K. Squance)
3rd place – Bellevue A (H. Koob, T. Chu, L. Ohata, T. Koob, K. Takamatsu)
3rd place – Youshinkan (M. Shirai, F. Benson, T. Okurano, O. Benson, H. Asaoka)
Senior Teams
1st place – Hawaii (D. Miura, R. Ono, L. Hancock, S. Harris, A. Fujimoto)
2nd place – Renbu (H. Shim, Y. Hayashi, J. Kurahashi, E. Lee, O. Young)
3rd place – Youshinkan (J. Jeong, J. Schmidt, K. Kobayashi, J. Chien, T. Nakamura)
3rd place – Sno-King (M. Scott, M. Suzuki, N. Grimes, T. Tagami, T. Patana)
Shinpan Sho – Shinichi Koike
Sportsmanship Pledge – Keigo Underhill, Northwest
Shoji Award – Josh Kim, Kent
Presidential Service Award – Mary DeJong, Highline
SHINKYU SHINSA
AUSKF KODANSHA SHINSA, August 19, 2018, Las Vegas, Nevada
5TH DAN: Wayne Kikuo Abe (PNKF), Hoon Chang (AEUSKF), Sean Choi (NCKF), So Young Choi (SCKO), Tiana Cirkovic (SEUSKF),
Kenichi G. Kamimoto (SCKO), Won Kim (AEUSKF), George Lee (SCKO), Jaeyeon Lee (AEUSKF), Lewis Franklin Murphy (GNEUSKF),
Sara Tominaga (GNEUSKF).
6TH DAN: Steve Sang Hyun Choi (PNKF), Yoshiyuki Goya (SCKF), Zia Uddin (MWKF).
7TH DAN: Sandip Ghodgaonkar Maruyama (SCKO), Yuji Hosokawa (SCKF), Sang Hwan Huh (SCKF).
RENSHI: Ken Ikeda (SCKO), Yukiko Miura (SCKO), Youn-soo Shin (SCKO).
THE LAST WORD
I was put in charge, as an officer, of training new troops. They were young, too young in fact. Teenagers were called to fill the need for more soldiers. And because they were young, they were not only vigorous but also cocky. One day I was running in the lead during our morning exercises. One of the sergeants informed me that some recruits were complaining that it wasn’t fair that Omoto Minari Shikan carried only a light sword, but the recruits had to carry heavy rifles and machine guns. The next day, immediately after leaving the barracks, I yelled “Kake Ashi! (run!). Give me your machine gun and follow me.” We ran full speed. I left one soldier sergeant to follow at the rear and pick up all those who dropped out. At the end of the training run, many of the young kids had dropped out. I was never criticized again. And they had learned a lesson. There is a Japanese doll, the “daruma.” Knock it down and comes back up. There is an old Japanese saying, “Nan Na Korobi Ya Oki.” It means seven times knocked down, get up on the eighth! This is the way of the soldier, but when soldiers are still children, it is a difficult requirement. My Kendo training helped me to endure. I learned about “intent” to firmly focus only upon the present task, to firmly commit with absolute resolve, and thereby to win. And with meditation, I knew how to refresh my body, to relax and recuperate.
My training now was to learn to operate and repair Toyota 6- cylinder trucks. This was easy, for just as my father had been a blacksmith, so he had also repaired all parts of the Model T Ford and modified other sedans to use as cooler trucks for fruit, vegetable and fresh fish peddlers, I was familiar with mechanical repairs. After basic learning, I was sent on a winter convoy (Jidosha Taikan Kogun) for more truck experience. After traveling for three days on the long convoy route through the remote countryside of Hiroshima, we stopped near a large brewery with huge tubs of sake. This became a great celebration. Our spirits were lifted by a party; that cold evening we were warmed by sake in a brief respite from the harshness of life as soldiers. Our rations provided basic nutrition and did not include sake and no parties or R & R leave. The next morning, after filling our canteens with sake instead of water, we continued our travel. It was my turn to be flag man, moving between the trucks and to communicate to the truck in the rear distances and road conditions. I didn’t think I was very lucky to pull this duty because it was cold, and all the other soldiers were under the canvas, taking it easy with sake filled canteens. The trucks were loaded with three 50-gallon drums filled with fuel alcohol because Japan had almost completely run out of gasoline. Certainly none could be spared for military exercises.
As we were slowly moving on a narrow snow covered road, my truck started to skid toward the left side. All of a sudden the left front wheel ran off the road and started tipping over the cliff. Instinctively, I put my hands on the rail on the right side and somersaulted onto the road. I desperately tried to hang onto the edge of the road but failed and started sliding down a steep cliff until I caught a branch of a small tree about midway from the road and the rice paddy at least thirty feet below. I suffered scratches and bruises. Everyone inside was crushed by the truck and the 50-gallon fuel drums. Many hours later the ambulance came with stretchers. Not only did I survive the plunge, but as a bonus, I got a ride on the stretcher to the ambulance and safety.
Sometimes I wonder whether this reflexive response was due to Kendo training. Kendo is all offensive resolute action. Training hones the reflexes so that action is instantaneous, without thought. The greatest risk come with hesitation, when nerve is briefly lost. Survival depends on boldness. I had, of course, learned the strategy of examining my environment and was ready for the cliff, and I was in good physical shape, but without Kendo training, I’m not sure my response would have been quick enough to save my life.
But sometimes action is not the best approach. When I returned to Hiroshima, I was assigned to a look-out on top of a roof for air raid watch. As always, I considered my surroundings; our base was darkened to avoid being identified as a target. A group of American bombers flew over my head almost close enough to touch. I didn’t shoot. Had I done so, the entire barracks area would have been discovered and bombed. But it may have been destroyed anyway if we had already been noted as the target. In that case, by not alerting our defenses, if I had survived, I would have been held responsible and likely executed, certainly I would have been utterly disgraced. I was very lucky, because there was another, completely unacceptable reason I didn’t shoot. Walter was my childhood friend in Wahiawa and I knew he, and other friends I had grown up with, were all fighting on the American side. If I had shot, would I kill Walter? I couldn’t shoot. I would rather have been shamed and executed. I could never have lived knowing I had killed one of my friends, even if from the distance of modern warfare. To have killed Walter would have destroyed my spirit and made life unbearable. Boot camp training does not teach how to deal with such regret.
–Rod Nobuto Omoto, Autobiography, edited by Charlotte Omoto, 2014, p. 36-37. Available as free download at lulu.com.
Kenyu – Monthly Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation PLEASE NOTE: Kenyu Online IS THE EDITION OF RECORD FOR THIS NEWSLETTER – https://www.pnkf.org/ Tom Bolling, Editor – 7318 23rd Avenue N.E., Seattle, WA 98115
