Kendo Weekend, Columbus OH in October

The ECUSKF will have a big Kendo weekend October 27th and 28th at the Ohio State University in columbus Ohio. Saturday the 27th will be testing for rank, Sunday the 28th will be the Johnson Cup Tournament

Please be sure to register online, then hand over all of your paperwork and fees to Jim to be mailed in all at one time. Deadline for testing paperwork is October 13, for the Johnson Cup Tournament it is October 12 for e-registration. Get the details at the region's website ecuskf.com

Kendo Kata Practice

You can find all of the necessary details and paperwork at ecuskf.com

NKY Hosting Regional Joint Practice 09/23/12

We'll be the hosts for another Joint Practice at the Corryville Recreation Center located at 2823 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45219. Practice starts with a beginner's No Bogu (no armor) practice from 12:00 until 1:30. A Kendo Kata practice follows from 1:30 - 2:15. Advanced practice is from 2:15 until 4:00. There will be an after practice get-together at Buffalo Wild Wings in the Rookwood Commons located at 2692 Madison Road A7, Cincinnati OH

The Corryville Rec Center is where we hold our Wednesday evening practices. Iaido begins at 6:00, Kendo class starts at 7:00

Shaun Yoshida Leaving for Japan

We just got word that Shaun will be leaving for Japan at the end of the month. Shaun won the ECUSKF Johnson Cup in 2010, and his guidance will be missed.

Shaun and his son Yuto outside the Corryville Rec Center after last month's Joint Practice

Shaun's last practice will likely be Wednesday September 26 at the Corryville Rec Center.

Corryville Rec Center Director is On The Move

We are losing the director for the Corryville Recreation Center. Bryan Servizzi is being transferred out and will be taking another position within the City of Cincinnati’s recreation system. He has been serving double duty as the director of both the Corryville Rec Center and the Mt Auburn Rec Center. Mt Auburn has one of the premier boxing programs in the country, producing world champions and Olympic medalists.

A thumbs up from Bryan Servizzi as he receives a certificate from Jim 

The club presented Bryan with a certificate to say thanks for his efforts in keeping our club at Corryville. Since he will continue working in the system, we’ll run into him in the future no doubt!

Photos from ECUSKF Joint Practice

Joint practices are an opportunity to meet and practice with top-ranked Kendo instructors from the East Central US Kendo Federation. It's also a time to make new friends and renew contact with old Kendo friends.

Striking drills at the Corryville Recreation Center

Lots of young Kendoists hard at work

Final comments after the Beginner's practice

Here are some potos of the ECUSKF Joint Practice. We had participants from around our region of the country meeting at the Corryville Recreation Center for a Beginner’s and an Advanced practice on Sunday Aug 19. It was great to see the large number of beginners and a large number of young people who were with us.

After-practice gathering

After practice everyone got together at the Rookwood Center for refreshments and relaxation!

Aug 19 Kendo and Iaido Practice changes

Iaido practice is cancelled for Sunday August 19. Kendo practice is moved for Sunday the 19th only to the Corryville Recreation Center located at 2823 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati 45219. Beginner’s practice (no armor) will be from 12:00 until 1:45pm. Advanced practice willl be from  2:00pm until 3:30pm. The Corryville Rec Center is where we hold our regular Wednesday evening Kendo and Iaido practices. Kendoists from around our region are expected to attend; Louisville, Lexington, Indianapolis, Dayton, Pittsburgh, and Columbus. We will be back at the Step ‘N Out Dance studio on August 26th at our regular times.

For Beginners practice, wear your uniform and bring your shinai (bamboo sword). Be sure that you know the kirigaeshi drill, as well as kote, men, and do strikes with a run-through. It’s an opportunity to get some training in with the highest ranking instructors in our region.

"Bob" the "practice partner" will join us for practice Aug 19

After practice we’ll meet for a get together with everyone for an after practice meal. We’ll meet at 5:00pm at the Buffalo Wild Wings located in the Rookwood Center less than a 10 minute drive from Corryville. The address is 2692 Madison Rd. Cincinnati OH 45208

Awards and certificates will be given out at the after-practice dinner. It’s been a little while since we had our last get-together for awards, and some of the awards are long overdue. Hopefully we can see some of our long lost members who have been missing in action for a while (Shaun, Gerald, Seira, Carmel, Rey, Andrew, Bill, and others (you know who you are!)). 

Bring your friends, introduce them to Kendo! Admission is free.

NKY to Host Regional Kendo Practice

It’s been announced that we will host a ECUSKF Joint Kendo Practice on August 19 from 12:00 until 4:00pm. It will be at the Corryville Recreation Center located at 2823 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati 45219. The Corryville Rec Center is where we hold our regular Wednesday evening Kendo and Iaido practices. Kendoists from around our region are expected to attend; Louisville, Lexington, Indianapolis, Dayton, Pittsburgh, and Columbus. 

Members who do not have armor will be able to participate. Beginner practice will be from 12:15pm to 1:45pm. Wear your uniform and bring your shinai (bamboo sword) to practice. Be sure that you know the kirigaeshi drill, as well as kote, men, and do strikes with a run-through. It’s an opportunity to get some training with the highest ranking instructors in our region.

ECUSKF Region Practice Held at Corryville Recreation Center last year

After practice we’ll meet for a get together with everyone for an after practice meal at Buffalo Wild Wings located at 2692 Madison Rd, Cincinnati OH 45208. It's only about a 10 min drive from the Corryville Center to Rookwood Commons.

Awards and certificates will be given out at the after-practice dinner. It’s been a little while since we had our last get-together for awards, and some of the awards are long overdue. Hopefully we can see some of our long lost members who have been missing in action for a while (Shaun, Gerald, Justas, Seira, Carmel, Rey, Andrew, Bill, Jimmy and others (you know who you are!)). 

Bring your friends, introduce them to Kendo! Admission is free.

Benefit for CURE

Instructors at the Warrior's Realm Traditional Martial Arts and Media Festival
(Jim is the tall guy in the middle)

    

This past weekend Jim was invited to be a guest instructor to demonstrate swordsmanship for the Warrior’s Realm Traditional Martial Arts and Media Festival for the benefit of CURE (Citizen’s United for Research in Epilepsy). It was held August 3-5 at the Nagel Middle School. Headliners for the event included Grandmaster Rick Moneymaker, Grandmaster Woodrow Fairbanks, Grandmaster Jorge Pennefiel, Grandmaster Calvin Campbell, Grandmaster Tom Muncy, and Pro Wrestler Al Snow. 

Seminar was to benefit CURE (Citizens United to Research in Epilepsy)

                                                                                                          

                             

A new uniform patch for the Northern Kentucky Kendo Club is on the way. Our familiar Kendo Tiger will highlight the new patch along with the NKY that we have on our  zekken.

The patch wil be primarily worn on the beginner’s uniform. They should be available in about two or three weeks. 

It’s been announced that we will host a ECUSKF Joint Kendo Practice on August 19 from 12:00 until 4:00pm. It will be at the Corryville Recreation Center located at 2823 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati 45219. The Corryville Rec Center is where we hold our regular Wednesday evening Kendo and Iaido practices. Kendoists from around our region are expected to attend; Louisville, Lexington, Indianapolis, Dayton, Pittsburgh, and Columbus. 

Members who do not have armor will be able to participate. Bring your shinai (bamboo sword) to practice. Be sure that you know the kirigaeshi drill, as well as kote, men, and do strikes with a run-through. It’s an opportunity to get some training in with the highest ranking instructors in our region.

After practice we’ll meet for a get together with everyone for a meal. We’ll have an announcement about the location once it’s set. 

Awards and certificates will be given out at the after-practice dinner. It’s been a little while since we had our last get-together for awards, and some of the awards are long overdue.

Bring your friends and introduce them to Kendo! Admission is free. If you have questions, phone 859-912-0520

More Photos from Sumo! Event 2012

Opening Ceremony with  Chris G, Mark, Jimmy

Rachel attacks!  Basic head strike

Chris Z and basic body technique

A great crowd was on hand for the action

Sumo!: Photos

Autographs and photos with young fans

Turning back time. The culture and martial arts of Japan

April 22 we joined with Sumo Wrestlers, Aikido and Taiko Drummers at a demonstration of Japanese culture for the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati. The demonstration was held at Northern Kentucky University's Regents Hall. There was a nice crowd of all ages on hand. They were really enthusiastic to see blending of martial arts and culture under one roof.

UC & NKY Demo Team: Rachel, Chris G,
Jimmy, Mark, Chris Z

Ready for action!

Moving for position

Even "Bob" our striking dummy has fans!

Sumo! Demonstration For JASGC

On Sunday April 22 we are invited along with UC Kendo to give a Kendo demonstration for the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati. We’ll be in Regents Hall located next to the Albright Health Center on the Northern Kentucky University campus. 

Featured with us will be Sumo Wrestling! There will be 2 Sumo wrestlers from Japan participating in the demonstration. To round things out an Aikido gruop will perform and interludes will be performed by Taiko Drummers. 

Doors will be open at 1:00pm. The demonstrations will start at 1:45. We’ll have a table where we can talk with audience members about Kendo. Call 859-912-0520 if you have questions.

The Kentucky Tournament and Promotion Test April 2012

The first annual Kentucky Kendo Tournament was held in Georgetown Kentucky at the Toyota Motors Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) Fitness Center on Sunday March 11 2012 to round out a busy weekend of Kendo. The yearly Student Kendo Tournament was expanded this year to include students and adults. The division were as follows:

Divisions:
1. Kids No Bogu
2. Kids 12 years old and under
3. Youth 13 - 18 years old
4. Mudansha (No Dan rank, 13 years old and up)
5. Shodan (1Dan)/ Nidan (2Dan)
6. Sandan (3Dan) and higher rank
7. Women
8. Team - Kids 12 years old and under
9. Team - Youth and Adult 13 years old and up. Special “Kachi-nuki-ho” format - Winner Stays.

The 13 years and older Team division used a special “Kachi-nuki-ho” format which is called “The Last Man Standing”. Basically a Kendo Player fights match after match until he/she looses. It tests your endurance as well as your ability to win matches without rest. You can check the Regional website (ECUSKF.com) for results of this year’s Kentucky Tournament.

Judges in position for the Kid's No-Bogu match

The day before on Saturday March 10 a Regional promotion test was given in Lexington KY.  Congratulations to everyone who passed! The next Regional promotion and tournament (Johnson Cup) will be this Fall. 

Satomi-sensei and Danessa manage the tournament brackets

NKY Kendo Hosts New Year Practice 2012

Koizumi-san serving up for New Year's 

 This year we hosted the Regional New Years Day practice in Covington. After the early practice, we all sat down for New Year rice cake soup and other goodies. The purpose of the practice is to start the new year off right with a good sweat and  vigorous exercise and commitment to the new year. One of the big challenges is to get up and make it to practice  especially if you celebrated a little to strenuously on New Years Eve!

Relaxing after the first practice of 2012

2011 in Review

The year 2011 was busy for the club. We had members participating in the ECUSKF regional tournaments, the Iaido Nationals in San Antonio, and the Kendo tournament, promotion and Iaido seminar in Cleveland with the GNEUSKF.  We had Kendo and Iaido demonstrations at a number of places; Northern Kentucky University’s International Week, The Torakan Dojo  in Florence KY, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Hwa Rang Do, the Masters vs Grandmasters Challenge in Dayton OH, UPMAC Regional Tournament in Mansfield OH, The Society of American Fight Directors regional stage combat seminar at NKU, and Grandmaster Fairbanks annual birthday celebration and practice. We hosted a practice for the ECUSKF Kendo Team that participated in the Kendo Nationals in Atlanta. We are looking forward to our activities and travels in 2012!