Kendo Begins at 18 Months

We hosted a Joint practice in June 2014.  It was for our regional team which was getting ready for the US Kendo Championships. Along with the joint practice, there was a special practice session for the youngest Kendoka in the region. Sai Lane is the son of Jay and Satomi Lane. Sai is 18 months old and has terrific form for a beginner of his age. Practice started in the lobby of the College Hill Rec Center with Koizumi-san while team practice was conducted in the main gym.

Begin with sankyo

Head strikes and run-thru 

Patiently waiting for his turn on the floor

Practicing on the main floor with Mom

Practicing with Mom while Dad looks on

 At the end of the team practice, Sai had a chance to show what he could do on the main floor. Without a doubt, we can say Kendo is for all ages 18 months old through 90 something years old!

Yamamoto, Masaaki's Last Practice at NKY

Yamamoto-sensei returned to Japan and attended his last practice with Northern Kentucky Dojo Dec of 2013. He had a good send off with a spirited practice and brunch afterwards at Chez Nora Restaurant.

Meditation before class

Vigorous action!

Practice with the gang!!!

Watch Out When Kendoka Get a Sword

At the end of Yamamoto Sensei's last practice, "sword experts" grabbed an Iaito and the drama began. Kendo uses a bamboo sword. Iaido practice uses a metal sword.

What mischief can we get into?

Under the sword

Catching a sword like you see in the movies

A good death by the sword!

As you can see Iaido practice can add a new dimension to Kendo knowledge, however these expressions of swordsmanship are what happens when you watch too many movies and television shows (Ha!!!).