April 2024
Budo Taikai
We performed at the Budo Taikai organised by the International Union of Martial Arts, representing our dojo in three disciplines: Tendo-ryu (Ann and Andrew), Zen Nihon Naginata no Kata (Dasha and Maxim), and Gogyo no Kata (Masha and Sasha). Despite minor imperfections, the kata-geiko was cohesive. The Tendo-ryu waza, with its diverse weaponry, demonstrated the richness of koryu compared to gendai budo. A fine opportunity to introduce the audience to traditional styles.
Competitions in Cherepovets and Moscow
Our members travelled to Cherepovets for the Sever Challenge tournament. Dasha took bronze in individual competition, while Sasha received the Fighting Spirit award. Meanwhile, in Moscow, Maria Poberezhnaya secured silver in the kyū-cup, bronze in the kyū+dan-cup, and a Fighting Spirit award in the dan-cup — three podium finishes from three categories. Congratulations to all.
April–May 2024
Japan Spring Pilgrimage (Detailed)
After nearly four years, our dojo returned to Japan — represented by Andrew. The journey began with a comfortable flight via Shanghai to Haneda, a reminder of how much the world had changed since his last visit. The first stop was Osaka, where he reunited with Fukumochi Yoshihiko sensei (nanadan renshi) and trained at his dojo. He also met Sugio Hitoshi sensei, his tameshigiri teacher, to discuss future seminars in Moscow and review his technique. A visit to Nichibu, a local budo shop, yielded a bulk purchase of quality shinai, and the shop owner proved invaluable for future equipment needs.
From Osaka, Andrew travelled to Nagoya for two training sessions at the Aichi Prefectural Budokan. The first was a five-hour Tendo-ryu session, where he quickly advanced to the senior group after demonstrating his proficiency. The second was an atarashi naginata session led by Kon sensei (naginata renshi), who helped him correct numerous technical errors. Andrew acquired a DVD of the late Mitamura soke's Tendo-ryu teachings — a rare find.
Back in Osaka, he trained at Otemae High School under George McCall sensei (nanadan kyoshi), whose blog is well-known internationally. The students impressed him with powerful kakari-geiko and solid kihon. Afterwards, he returned to Fukumochi sensei's dojo for an evening of intense jigeiko with elderly nanadan sensei. One encounter, with a jodoka who took exception to Andrew's jodan stance, ended in mutual dissatisfaction — a reminder that even within kendo, not every interaction is harmonious. The day concluded as many do in Japan: at the second dojo.
In Saitama, Andrew visited the Aibukan dojo, home to Kurihara sensei (hachidan hanshi) and Ito Yumiko sensei, who welcomed him warmly. Though Kurihara sensei was away, he joined Ito sensei and other nanadan for kata-geiko and a relaxed jigeiko. Ito sensei then treated the group to soba and yakiniku. When she and the others jokingly asked if he could use chopsticks, he responded by picking them up left-handed and devouring his noodles at speed. They were delighted. This is how the dojo's jodan player was born.
In Tokyo, Andrew trained four times at Sophia University's kendo club, a place he knows intimately. The routine was classic Jochi Daigaku: intense taisho, endless kirikaeshi, oikomi, kakari, skina-waza and jigeiko. He caught up with Osima Akio sensei (hachidan kyoshi), who now leads the club, and reconnected with friends from his many previous visits. He also spent time with his old friend Tomoyuki Ishio in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district, sharing memories over yakiniku and beer.
On his rest day, Andrew visited the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, where he admired the collection of nihonto. He also made a pilgrimage to Senso-ji in Asakusa, passing through the Kaminarimon — the Thunder Gate guarded by Raijin and Fujin, the very deities who protect our dojo.
He purchased souvenirs and had a tsuba fitted at Mori Budogu, a small shop where the elderly owner refused payment for her work. This was the kind of Japan he had missed — the personal touch that is increasingly rare. The trip was not without its challenges — lost luggage, navigational mishaps and linguistic hurdles — but it was a reminder of why he continues to return. Kendo has given him lifelong friendships, and they are worth the effort.
May 2024
XIII Open Keiko
We hosted the XIII Open Keiko at our dojo. While the turnout was modest, the format was a success: kirikaeshi, kakari, and a full hour and a half of jigeiko — first motodachi-geiko, then free jigeiko. Previous open keiko had often been structured like regular training sessions. This time, we finally achieved the goal of free exchange between kenshi, the very purpose of an open keiko.
Leningrad Challenge
We travelled to St Petersburg for the Leningrad Challenge, a kachi-nuki tournament — a format popular in Japanese schools and universities, where winners remain on the shiaijo until they lose or draw. Our members fought many spirited matches, and despite some bruises, the experience was invaluable. Thanks to the St Petersburg Kendo Federation and Alexander Myasoedov for the invitation.
June 2024
Shodan Grading
We successfully organised a kendo grading to 1st dan, held on 1 June at our dojo. The examining commission, led by V. Petrov (godan), assessed approximately twenty candidates. Five of our members successfully graded to shodan, with two more achieving 1st kyū. Special congratulations to the Shiten club on their new shodan. This was the first grading of this level since the political upheaval, and a testament to our community's commitment to the kendo path.
High-Level Camp in Uzbekistan
Ann attended the High-Level Kendo Camp in Uzbekistan, led by our friend Pavel Volodarsky (rokudan renshi). The camp was held in the searing heat of the Uzbek summer — daytime temperatures reaching 40°C and above. Despite the conditions, the training was intense and the atmosphere inspiring. The camp brought together kendoka from Uzbekistan and Israel, with the Israeli team preparing for the World Kendo Championships in Milan. Ann also reunited with a long-lost friend, Naoki Date, who saw her photos in a local kendo group and came to the event. This is the kendo world: a place where you can meet old friends in any corner of the globe. Thanks to the Uzbekistan Kendo Federation for their hospitality and warm reception.
Budo Taikai
We performed at the Budo Taikai organised by the International Union of Martial Arts, representing our dojo in three disciplines: Tendo-ryu (Ann and Andrew), Zen Nihon Naginata no Kata (Dasha and Maxim), and Gogyo no Kata (Masha and Sasha). Despite minor imperfections, the kata-geiko was cohesive. The Tendo-ryu waza, with its diverse weaponry, demonstrated the richness of koryu compared to gendai budo. A fine opportunity to introduce the audience to traditional styles.
Competitions in Cherepovets and Moscow
Our members travelled to Cherepovets for the Sever Challenge tournament. Dasha took bronze in individual competition, while Sasha received the Fighting Spirit award. Meanwhile, in Moscow, Maria Poberezhnaya secured silver in the kyū-cup, bronze in the kyū+dan-cup, and a Fighting Spirit award in the dan-cup — three podium finishes from three categories. Congratulations to all.
April–May 2024
Japan Spring Pilgrimage (Detailed)
After nearly four years, our dojo returned to Japan — represented by Andrew. The journey began with a comfortable flight via Shanghai to Haneda, a reminder of how much the world had changed since his last visit. The first stop was Osaka, where he reunited with Fukumochi Yoshihiko sensei (nanadan renshi) and trained at his dojo. He also met Sugio Hitoshi sensei, his tameshigiri teacher, to discuss future seminars in Moscow and review his technique. A visit to Nichibu, a local budo shop, yielded a bulk purchase of quality shinai, and the shop owner proved invaluable for future equipment needs.
From Osaka, Andrew travelled to Nagoya for two training sessions at the Aichi Prefectural Budokan. The first was a five-hour Tendo-ryu session, where he quickly advanced to the senior group after demonstrating his proficiency. The second was an atarashi naginata session led by Kon sensei (naginata renshi), who helped him correct numerous technical errors. Andrew acquired a DVD of the late Mitamura soke's Tendo-ryu teachings — a rare find.
Back in Osaka, he trained at Otemae High School under George McCall sensei (nanadan kyoshi), whose blog is well-known internationally. The students impressed him with powerful kakari-geiko and solid kihon. Afterwards, he returned to Fukumochi sensei's dojo for an evening of intense jigeiko with elderly nanadan sensei. One encounter, with a jodoka who took exception to Andrew's jodan stance, ended in mutual dissatisfaction — a reminder that even within kendo, not every interaction is harmonious. The day concluded as many do in Japan: at the second dojo.
In Saitama, Andrew visited the Aibukan dojo, home to Kurihara sensei (hachidan hanshi) and Ito Yumiko sensei, who welcomed him warmly. Though Kurihara sensei was away, he joined Ito sensei and other nanadan for kata-geiko and a relaxed jigeiko. Ito sensei then treated the group to soba and yakiniku. When she and the others jokingly asked if he could use chopsticks, he responded by picking them up left-handed and devouring his noodles at speed. They were delighted. This is how the dojo's jodan player was born.
In Tokyo, Andrew trained four times at Sophia University's kendo club, a place he knows intimately. The routine was classic Jochi Daigaku: intense taisho, endless kirikaeshi, oikomi, kakari, skina-waza and jigeiko. He caught up with Osima Akio sensei (hachidan kyoshi), who now leads the club, and reconnected with friends from his many previous visits. He also spent time with his old friend Tomoyuki Ishio in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district, sharing memories over yakiniku and beer.
On his rest day, Andrew visited the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, where he admired the collection of nihonto. He also made a pilgrimage to Senso-ji in Asakusa, passing through the Kaminarimon — the Thunder Gate guarded by Raijin and Fujin, the very deities who protect our dojo.
He purchased souvenirs and had a tsuba fitted at Mori Budogu, a small shop where the elderly owner refused payment for her work. This was the kind of Japan he had missed — the personal touch that is increasingly rare. The trip was not without its challenges — lost luggage, navigational mishaps and linguistic hurdles — but it was a reminder of why he continues to return. Kendo has given him lifelong friendships, and they are worth the effort.
May 2024
XIII Open Keiko
We hosted the XIII Open Keiko at our dojo. While the turnout was modest, the format was a success: kirikaeshi, kakari, and a full hour and a half of jigeiko — first motodachi-geiko, then free jigeiko. Previous open keiko had often been structured like regular training sessions. This time, we finally achieved the goal of free exchange between kenshi, the very purpose of an open keiko.
Leningrad Challenge
We travelled to St Petersburg for the Leningrad Challenge, a kachi-nuki tournament — a format popular in Japanese schools and universities, where winners remain on the shiaijo until they lose or draw. Our members fought many spirited matches, and despite some bruises, the experience was invaluable. Thanks to the St Petersburg Kendo Federation and Alexander Myasoedov for the invitation.
June 2024
Shodan Grading
We successfully organised a kendo grading to 1st dan, held on 1 June at our dojo. The examining commission, led by V. Petrov (godan), assessed approximately twenty candidates. Five of our members successfully graded to shodan, with two more achieving 1st kyū. Special congratulations to the Shiten club on their new shodan. This was the first grading of this level since the political upheaval, and a testament to our community's commitment to the kendo path.
High-Level Camp in Uzbekistan
Ann attended the High-Level Kendo Camp in Uzbekistan, led by our friend Pavel Volodarsky (rokudan renshi). The camp was held in the searing heat of the Uzbek summer — daytime temperatures reaching 40°C and above. Despite the conditions, the training was intense and the atmosphere inspiring. The camp brought together kendoka from Uzbekistan and Israel, with the Israeli team preparing for the World Kendo Championships in Milan. Ann also reunited with a long-lost friend, Naoki Date, who saw her photos in a local kendo group and came to the event. This is the kendo world: a place where you can meet old friends in any corner of the globe. Thanks to the Uzbekistan Kendo Federation for their hospitality and warm reception.