KAMINARIKAN News Digest — Q4 2020

From October 2020, we introduced changes to our training structure for beginners. Due to high demand and varying attendance patterns, we replaced the free trial week with a single trial session following joining the begginers' group.

The Central Federal District Championships proved a valuable learning experience for us. Having only resumed training six weeks earlier, our preparation was far from ideal. Both individual and team contests offered useful lessons and highlighted areas for improvement. We thank all our members and regular guests for their support. Our team achieved a silver medal, but more importantly, the experience while wearing masks.

We produced a second batch of club tenugui with the help of Nippon Craft, this time featuring Fujin — the second patron deity of our dojo. While Raijin (the God of Thunder) symbolises kendo as the loud and powerful budo, Fujin (the God of Wind) came to represent naginata — something light, subtle, yet no less formidable. This concept had been in development for about a year, originating from our club's founding.

Production was completed in Japan as the first Raijin tenugui a year before, and thereafter was shipped to Russia.

We hosted an open women's keiko at the Bauman MSTU sports complex, led by Anna. The two-hour session, conducted in the style of Jochi Daigaku, was attended by female kendo practitioners from Moscow and the region. Despite the pandemic and its restrictions, the level of skill on display was high. We thank the organisers for making the event possible, and hope that more such gatherings will follow, enriching kendo with greater diversity and beauty.

Due to the renovation of the Luzhniki Arena, we moved our dojo to a new location at Dubininskaya 69, effective from 21 December.

We extend warm seasonal greetings to all our members and friends. Despite the year's difficulties, our community persevered. The importance of finding joy in practice and in the fleeting moments of life was clear. We are grateful for the year behind us and hopeful for the year ahead.