This page focuses on timeline photos and data prior to 1990, but also includes a few later items.

• 1964-1975
• 1976-1985
• 1986-1995
• 1996-2005
• 2006-2015

notes:

• captions in italics
• side notes (not for inclusion in booklet) look like this:
  // side note
• click on thumbnails below for image

1964

Jul'64 Hara Akio sensei put on a kendo demonstration at the SEJSCC carnival

Oct'64 Hara sensei established Norwalk Kendo Dojo with two junior instructors (Yamaguchi brothers Takeshi and Makoto) and 8 kenshi (Hara family, Imada family, Uwate family) Practices were held in the main hall of the Japanese school.

School grounds, left to right: main hall and classrooms (built 1930), groundskeeper house, and structure used for classes (later used for aikido).

 

1965

Jan'65 Norwalk Kendo Dojo officially joined Southern California Kendo Federation (SCKF), also known as Nanka Kendo Renmei

The first Norwalk Dojo team included Imada Ron, Hara Akemi, and Uwate Jean.

Oct'65 Yamaguchi Takeshi and Yamaguchi Makoto received 3 dan

1967

8/20/67 Nisei Week Tournament

First place team! Members included Imada Stanley, Uwate Jean, Nakagawa Takeshi, and Kuba Henry.

1969

Three-Dojo Portrait

Hara sensei was head instructor at Pasadena Bukkyokai (Buddhist Church), Norwalk, and Covina Dojo

1970

Apr'70 1st World Kendo Championships
1WKC was held in Tokyo, Japan. The American team included Yamaguchi Makoto.
// photos TBD (1 head shot from program + cover)

10/4/70 Norwalk Dojo 5th Anniversary Tournament
Our first anniversary tournament was held at Excelsior High School in Norwalk. The tournament program included kendo kata by Yamaguchi Takeshi and Yamaguchi Makoto, sportsmanship pledge by Imada Hisashi, koten shiai for 4 dan and below, and kodansha shiai.
// no photos?

Nov'70 Yamaguchi Takeshi and Yamaguchi Makoto received 4 dan

1971

Mar'71 Hara Akio received 7 dan

1972

10/1/72 Gardena Dojo 20th Anniversary Tournament

Norwalk participants included Nakagawa Takeshi, Uwate Jiro, Fukawa Raymond, Nakagawa Satoshi, Fujinami John.

1973

Apr'73 2nd World Kendo Championships
2WKC was held 4/8 in Los Angeles (team) and 4/15 in San Francisco (individual). Hara Akio sensei was a referee. The American team included Yamaguchi Takeshi and Yamaguchi Makoto. Uwate Jean competed in the women's goodwill championships.
// photos TBD (3 head shots from program + cover)

1974

A typical Norwalk keiko, including visitors from our sister dojo Covina

Nov'74 Yamaguchi Takeshi and Yamaguchi Makoto received 5 dan

mid 70's

Head Instructor Yamaguchi Takeshi

1975

Jan'75 Torao Mori Memorial Tournament

Hara sensei with Nakatani Glenn, winner of 5-4kyu perpetual trophy. Glenn went on to become a Team USA member for 5WKC in Brazil.

10/5/75 Norwalk Dojo 10th Anniversary Kendo Tournament
Our second anniversary tournament was again held at Excelsior High School. The tournament program included kendo kata by Simmons Robert and Simmons Elise, sportsmanship pledge by Fujinami John, koten shiai for kyu, yudansha shiai, and team tournament.

Colorguards Yamaguchi Hiro, Yoshihara Scott, Izumi Karl

Past dojo presidents Fukawa Koji, Uwate Tomio, Nakagawa Fred, and Fujinami Yoshiaki are honored

First place team! Pictured: Tsukamoto Kozen, Yamaguchi Makoto, Nakatani Glenn, Nakagawa Kiyoshi, Fujinami John, Henmi Mike, Yamaguchi Takeshi, Hara Akio.

1976

More photos of keiko inside the original dojo

Photos include Henmi Nancy, Henmi Morihei, Oba Rory; Yamaguchi Hiro, Fukawa Laurie; Fukawa Dean

1977

Dojo moves from the old school building to the new gymnasium

1978

5/14/78 SCKF Spring Kendo Tournament

First place team! Pictured: Nakagawa Satoshi, Uchida Mark, Nakagawa Kiyoshi, Fujinami John, Saito Masanori, Yamaguchi Makoto, Hara Akio, Yamaguchi Takeshi. Mark was a member of Norwalk Dojo from 1977 through 1979 before returning to Colorado.

9/2-3/78 1st US Championships, Los Angeles
The SCKF team included Nakagawa Kiyoshi and Uwate Jean, who placed 3rd in the women's division.

Nov'78 Yamaguchi Takeshi and Yamaguchi Makoto received renshi

1980

Aug'80 Nisei Week Tournament

Pictured: Yoshihara Scott, Yamaguchi Takeshi, Kuramoto Tsuyoshi, Akio Hara, Izumu Karl, Perez John, Yamaguchi Hiro

9/7/80 Norwalk Dojo 15th Anniversary Kendo Tournament
Starting from this year, our anniversary tournaments have been held at Norwalk Dojo. The tournament program included kendo kata by Nakagawa Kiyoshi and Fujinami John, sportsmanship pledge by Yamaguchi Hiro, iaido by Henmi Morihei, tournament shiai for kyu and dan, and team tournament.

Oct'80 Henmi Morihei received 4 dan

1981

5/3/81 Hana Matsuri Kendo Tournament Hana Matsuri tournaments were sponsored by the Los Angeles Buddhist Church Foundation through the early 1980's. At the 1981 tournament, special kendo ink brush and water color paintings were presented to the winners.

Norwalk winners included Nakagawa Hisashi, Yamaguchi Hiro, Imoto Eric, Yoshihara Scott, Kodama Jean, Kuramoto Tsuyoshi, Perez John, Nakagawa Kiyoshi.

8/16/81 Nisei Week Tournament

Winners included Yoshihara Scott, Kuramoto Mari, Imoto Eric, Yoshimura Mike, Maejima Shinya

9/6/81 2nd US Championships, Chicago
The SCKF team included Saito Masanori and Kodama Jean, who placed 1st in the women's division.

Oct'81 Saito Masanori received 4 dan

Nov'81 Hara Akio received 8 dan

1982

6/8/82 Hara Akio 8 Dan Party
Norwalk Dojo and Covina Dojo hosted a huge party to celebrate Hara sensei's 8 dan and presented him with a new set of bogu, which he donned to demonstrate nito-ryu (2-sword technique).

7/29-3/82 5th World Kendo Championships, Sao Paulo Brazil
Hara Akio sensei was a referee. Kodama Jean competed in the women's goodwill matches. Fukawa Koji and Kazumi joined the tour, arranged by Eto sensei. In addition to the main event in Sao Paulo, the trip included visits to Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Lima Peru, and Machu Picchu.
// photos TBD (2 head shots from program + cover)

Aug'82 Nisei Week

Nov'82 Yamaguchi Takeshi and Yamaguchi Makoto received 6 dan

1984

Head Instructor Saito Masanori

9/1-2/84 3rd US Kendo Championships, Seattle
Kodama Jean competed in the women's division.

Nov'84 Henmi Morihei received 5 dan

1985

6th World Kendo Championships, Paris
Saito Masanori competed in the goodwill men's division. Kodama Jean competed in the goodwill women's division and won first place.
// photos TBD (2 head shots from program + cover)

9/8/85 Norwalk Dojo 20th Anniversary Kendo Tournament
The tournament program included kendo kata by Yamaguchi Takeshi and Henmi Morihei, sportsmanship pledge by Kodama Jean, iaido by Kodama Jean, individual and team tournament.
// no photos?

Nov'85 Yamaguchi Takeshi and Yamaguchi Makoto received kyoshi;
Saito Masanori received 5 dan

1980's

// many photos, but not sure what tournaments
// below is a small sampling of the best group shots
// 1981? img
// 1982? img img
// 1983? img
// 1984? img
// 3/29/85 img
// 3/10/86 img
// 4/13/86 img
// 3/5/87 img

1986

Head Instructor Morihei Henmi

3/23/86 North South Tournament Torrance, (photo)

10/19/86 1st All California Championships
Central California Kendo Federation proposed holding an All California Championships among SCKF, NCKF, and CCKF during the off year between the triennial U.S. and World kendo championships.

Kodama Jean won 1st place in the women's division. Other Norwalk kenshi also did well (locating records).

// find other pictures and results? TBD

Oct'86 Kodama Jean received 4 dan

1987

8/21/87 Saito Sensei Wedding Shower
Norwalk Dojo hosted a party for the happy couple.

// wife's name?

9/5-6/87 4th US Championships, New York
The SCKF team included Kodama Jean, who placed 2nd in the women's division. This was also the first time women's team matches were included in the USKC. Kodama Jean was the captain, and the team won 1st place.

Nov'87 Henmi Morihei received renshi

1988

5/28-28/88 7th World Kendo Championships, Seoul Kodama Jean competed in the women's goodwill matches. Fukawa Koji and Kazumi joined the tour, arranged by Eto sensei. In addition to the main event in Seoul, the trip included visits to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Xian, Shanghai, Beijing, and the Great Wall.

Nov'88 Yamaguchi Takeshi received 7 dan and Saito Masanori received renshi

1989

2/18/89 Party for sensei
Norwalk Dojo hosted a party to celebrate Yamagauchi sensei's 7 dan kyoshi, Henmi sensei's 5 dan renshi, and Saito sensei's 5 dan renshi.

10/22/89 2nd All California Championships
This was the second and final All California championships. Several more events were held, but they were open tournaments, with no federation team selection process. Kodama Jean competed in the women's division and won first place. Still locating other records.

Nov'89 Henmi Morihei and Saito Masanori received 6 dan

---

1990

9/1-2/90 5th US Kendo Championships, Fort Worth
Henmi Morihei competed in the senior division and won 1st place. Kodama Jean competed in the women's division and won 1st place. Yoshimura Mike competed in the goodwill matches and won 2nd place.

10/21/90 Norwalk 25th Anniversary Kendo Tournament
The tournament program included kendo kata by Yoshimura Mike and Hotchi Toshifumi, sportsmanship pledge by Tauchi Satoshi, iaido by Yamaguchi Makoto, individual and team tournament.

1992

Aug'92 All Japan Kendo Federation Summer Camp
Fukawa Koji and Kodama Jean attended the foreign leaders' kendo camp held annually in Kitamoto, Saitama-ken, on the Gedatsu Kai compound. They were among the first kenshi to practice in the brand new kendo hall. Training occurred before breakfast, in the morning, and in the afternoon, and included kendo, kata, and iaido.

1993

9/4-5/93 6th US Championships, Santa Clara
Henmi Morihei competed in the senior division and won 2nd place. Kodama Jean competed in the women's division and won 2nd place. Shibutani Shigenori competed in the youth division and won 3rd place. Yoshimura Steve competed in the goodwill matches and won 1st place. SCKF women's and youth teams took first place, with Norwalk members Kodama Jean and Shibutani Shigenori, respectively.

1994

7/30/94 SEJSCC new building annex ribbon cutting and open house

Oct'94 Yoshimura Mike received 4 dan

Nov'94 Kodama Jean received 5 dan

1995

6/4/95 Nakamura family visit from Japan
Nakamura Tokichi, Hara sensei's original teacher, is credited with spreading kendo in California, Oregon, and Washington in the 1930's. Nakamura sensei's son, daughter, and grandddaughter visited from Japan. A special keiko was held for them at OCB Dojo. Several Norwalk members were present. This was Hara sensei's last attendance at a kendo event.

6/7/95 Hara Akio sensei passed away

9/10/95 Norwalk 30th Anniversary Kendo Tournament
The tournament was dedicated to the memory of Hara Akio sensei, our founder. The tournament program included kendo kata by Yoshimura Mike and Yoshimura Steve, sportsmanship pledge by Shibutani Naganori, iaido by Kodama Jean.

Oct'95 Henmi Morihei received 7 dan

1996

8/31-1/96 7th US Championships, Cleveland
Men's Division | Fighting Spirit | Yoshimura Mike; Goodwill Division | 3rd | Yoshimura Steve; Women's Team | 1st | member Kodama Jean Men's Team | 1st | member Yoshimura Mike; Senior Division competitors Henmi Morihei and Fukawa Koji

1997

Oct'97 Yoshimura Steve received 4 dan

Nov'97 Henmi Morihei received kyoshi

1998

2/27/98 Norwalk Dojo hosted a practice for sensei from Japan
The group, led by Matsunaga sensei (8 dan hanshi), included Okuzono, Kobayashi, Ishida, Ide, Higashi, Ito, and Rikitake sensei.

Nov'98 Yoshimura Mike received 5 dan

1999

8/7-8/99 8th US Championships, Las Vegas
Men's Division, Fighting Spirit, Yoshimura Mike; Junior Youth Division, 3rd, Omura Masahiro; Men's Team, 2nd, member Yoshimura Mike; Women's Team, 1st, member Kodama Jean; Senior Division competitor Fukawa Koji

2000

11th World Kendo Championships, Santa Clara
Kodama Jean was on the women's team, which won 3rd place. Yoshimura Mike was on the men's team.

11/19/00 Norwalk 35th Anniversary Kendo Tournament
The tournament program included kendo kata by Yoshimura Mike and Yoshimura Steve, sportsmanship pledge by Chiang Jerry, iaido by Southern California Iaido Association.

2001

Nov'01 Kodama Jean received 6 dan

2002

Jul'02 Yoshimura Steve received 5 dan

9/5-6/02 9th US Championships, Los Angeles
Men's Division, 2nd, Yoshimura Mike; Men's Team, 1st, members Yoshimura Mike and Takanashi Takeo; Women's Team, 2nd, member Kodama Jean; Senior Youth Team, 3rd, Takumi Kato, Masahiro Omura; Junior Youth Team, 1st, Hamamura Yu, Kawagishi Takayuki, Omura Yuri

2003

12th World Kendo Championships, Glasgow
Kodama Jean was the women's coach and Team USA manager. Yoshimura Mike and Yoshimura Steve were on the men's team.

2004

Nov'04 Kodama Jean received renshi

2005

7/2-3/05 10th US Championships, Ann Arbor
Senior Division, Fighting Spirit, Kodama Jean; Junior Youth Team, 1st, member Amano Shotaro; Women's Team, 1st, member Omura Yuli; Under coach Mike Yoshimura, SCKF won all the gold medals for individual and team divisions, as well as three silver, two bronze, and five fighting spirit awards.

Nov'05 Yoshimura Mike received 6 dan

2012

10/5/12 Yamaguchi Takeshi sensei passed away

Nov'12 Koh sensei returned to Taiwan

2013

Dec'13 Henmi sensei retired from kendo