Past WKA Events

[ 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | WKA home ]

1994

9/3/94: Meeting @Yaohan Plaza LA
Yuriko Shikai asks the two other female sensei, Jean Kodama and Rika Uto, to dinner to discuss the idea of forming of a women's support group, as strongly encouraged by Yamamoto Sensei, 5 Dan from Japan.

[ 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | WKA home ]

1995

6/24/95: Meeting @Jean's house
Jean, Yuriko, Rika, and new sensei Michi Takeda brainstorm about forming the support group. See minutes.
7/1/95: SCKF Board Meeting
Jean presents the idea of a women's support group to the Board, which is very supportive. Each dojo agrees to provide a roster of its female kenshi for contact about the first meeting.
7/20/95: Meeting and Dojo Visit @Chuo Dojo
Female yudansha Jean, Yuriko, Rika, and Judy Abe meet to further brainstorm. See minutes.
9/8/95: Meeting and Dojo Visit @Norwalk Dojo
The first general meeting, good turnout. Discussed interests, goals, possible projects. See minutes.
10/6/95: Meeting and Dojo Visit @Torrance Dojo
Further discussion of goals and projects, also shinkyu shiai points. See minutes.
11/24/95: Meeting and Dojo Visit @Norwalk Dojo
The group chooses the name "Women's Kendo Association" over other choices including "Women's Support Group" (sounds disfunctional), "Women's Association of Kendo" (contrived, could lead to being called "WAK-ohs"), "Women of Kendo" (WOK too reminiscent of the kitchen). See minutes.
12/22/95: Christmas Party @Norwalk Dojo
Norwalk Dojo invites WKA to join their Christmas Party

[ 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | WKA home ]

1996

1/7/96: Meeting @Jean's house
The first standalone meeting (meetings coupled with dojo visits tended to be too rushed). Committee sub-meetings to discuss parties, fundraising, and seminars. Afterwards pizza and videos.
1/19/96: Meeting and Dojo Visit @Norwalk Dojo
Reviewed 1/7 meeting, seminar plans See minutes.
2/25/96: Meeting @Jean's house
The whole group participates in planning the upcoming seminar (project leader Jean). See minutes.
3/17/96: Seminar and Dinner Party @Norwalk Dojo
Seminar consisting of three sessions: basics, waza, and shiai. Potluck dinner mostly prepared by Mrs. Chiang and other moms.
4/12/96: Dojo Visit @Gardena JCI Dojo
Keiko at Gardena JCI Dojo
5/18/96: Meeting @Jean's house
Begin work on AUSKC fundraising booklet biographies (project leader Yuriko). See minutes.
5/19/96: Group Photo @SCKF Championships
Photo of all female participants, for inclusion in the AUSKC fundraising booklet.
6/23/96: Meeting @Miwa's house
Discuss upcoming parties: summer barbecue and fall dance
7/21/96: Meeting @Linda's house
Planning for the August barbecue (project leader Linda)
8/19/96: Dojo Visit @Chuo Dojo
More barbecue planning
8/25/96: Barbecue @Tiberon Rec Center
Barbecue and games, with enough food to feed 3 times the attendance
10/6/96: Meeting @Jean's house
Planning for the November dance (project leader Annie). See minutes.
10/20/96: Meeting @Annie's house
More planning for the November dance.
11/10/96: Meeting @Jean's house
Still more planning for the November dance. See minutes.
11/30/96: Dance with DJ Aftermath
The big event. Approximately 150 people came, including WKA members and chaperones.

[ 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | WKA home ]

1997

01/20/97: Meeting and Dojo Visit @Chuo Dojo
Survey results, logo part 2, start 1997 projects. See minutes.
02/22-23/97: San Diego keiko and climbing
Keiko, slumber party, and indoor climbing. See pre-trip notes and images (94KB)
04/27/97: Meeting @Jean's
Meeting and curry rice/videos. See minutes.
05/21/97: Meeting @Nice Cafe
Meeting followed the Monterey Park Dojo visit. Discussed dance plans, calendar, and other items were discussed. See minutes.
05/31/97: Meeting @Norwalk Dojo
Kawasaki-san gave a demonstration and talk. Also discussed the dance, calendar, and eliminations for the 11WKC. See minutes.
05/31/97: Kawasaki-San Keiko @Norwalk Dojo
See write-up and images (122KB)
07/21/97 Kanto university students @Norwalk
Norwalk Dojo hosted a special keiko for a group of university students from the Kanto (greater Tokyo) area. The group included 10 women.
See write-up and images (137KB)
08/03/97: Meeting @Jean's
Meeting to discuss Taniyama's visit and fundraising. See minutes.
08/10/97: Candy sales and group photo @Nisei Week Tournament
Fundraising and group photo.
09/12/97: Meeting @NOR
Meeting and dojo visit to Norwalk Dojo. Special guest Judith Mack from PNKF. See minutes.
10/05/97: Meeting @Linda Fu's house
Plan bowling fundraiser and details Taniyama san's visit See minutes.
10/18/97: Bowlathon @Friendly Hills Lanes
Great turnout and successful fundraiser.
11/02/97: Meeting @Lisa Tauchi's house
Continue planning Taniyama san's visit
11/17-23/97: Taniyama-san's visit
Only a lucky few were able to witness Taniyama-sensei's skill, as she injured her calf just minutes into the first night's keiko. But she was a real trooper as she finished out the week's activities, minus kendo, in a cast. Her companions, Yamamoto-san and Kinoto-san, did an admirable job filling in for her. See the detailed write-up (images tbd).
11/28/97: Dojo visit @Norwalk Dojo
After turkey keiko to burn off those Thanksgiving calories.
11/29/97: Menjo printing @Jean's
Judy Abe, Yumi Nakabayashi, and Miwa Nagano printed 110 SCKF English menjo.

[ 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | WKA home ]
Send comments to jkodama@alumni.caltech.edu.