October 2019
Russian Kendo Championship 2019
Our women's team — Anna, Ashkhen, Masha and Sveta — secured a well-deserved bronze at the Russian Kendo Championship, held in Kazan. The tournament was an unforgettable experience, filled with sweat, tears, courage and the stunning backdrop of the city. While gold eluded us this time, we left with our heads held high and a determination to return stronger. We are grateful to all participants, referees and opponents for the spirit of competition.
First Club Tenugui
We finally brought a small dream to life: our first batch of club tenugui, featuring the image of our dojo's patron deity — Raijin-sama. The design represents kendo as the thunderous and powerful budo that first set Andrew and Ann on their martial journey. The drums of Raijin are adorned with the hidari mitsudomoe symbol, akin to yin and yang. We arranged to collect the tenugui from the manufacturer, NipponCraft, Tokyo.
November 2019
Japan '19
Ann, Andrew, Maxim and Alex embarked on their annual pilgrimage to Japan, this time with the added mission of collecting the new club tenugui from Tokyo Central Post Office. After a Shinkansen journey to Osaka, we headed straight for keiko with their dear friend Fukumochi sensei — weary but exhilarated.
The All Japan Kendo Championships at the Osaka Stadium kept everyone on edge, with unexpected upsets and a dramatic final. Days of sightseeing in Kyoto and a visit to Himeji Castle — one of the few surviving original castles in Japan — offered moments of reflection. Keiko in Osaka with old friends revealed visible progress, proof that the hard work at home was paying off.
In Saitama, Ito sensei's boundless hospitality included keiko at the Aibukan dojo with children, students and 7th/8th dan sensei, followed by a lavish dinner and a night in her traditional Japanese home. A final keiko at Sophia University tested the team against the current students. The shy Alex, unsure how to stop kakari-geiko, inadvertently pushed the students to attack for ten minutes straight — a memorable and amusing highlight. Before departure, we met Ko and Koizumi in Asakusa for gifts and good conversation.
It was the most unforgettable trip of the year. Kendo breaks barriers and unites. And we will return — with the entire dojo.
December 2019
Two New Shodan
A proud moment for our young club: Maxim Ryzhov and Yury Nesterov successfully graded to shodan — our very first fully fledged dan ranks. We congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition of their dedication. The door to deeper kendo has only just opened.
Belgium '19
KAMINARIKAN returned to the winter seminar of the All Belgian Kendo Federation in Brussels. Hirakawa Nobuo sensei was in particularly fierce form, delivering a memorable new phrase: a simple strike will only wound an opponent, leaving them to suffer a long death. Instead, one must strike so that the opponent's death is swift and painless, allowing them to depart happily to heaven. A grim but profound reminder of the kendo spirit.
Our shodan colleagues reflected on the value of the experience. Yura noted the importance of both mental and physical commitment. Maxim spoke of meeting kenshi from around the world — a refreshing reset from the familiar rhythms of regular training. A trip to medieval Bruges, with its Gothic architecture and canals, provided a perfect break from kendo. We hope to return in even greater numbers for the anniversary seminar.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020
We extended warm seasonal wishes to all our friends and members, thanking everyone for the unforgettable moments shared throughout 2019. Eat well, sleep well, party hard — and stay tuned for the year ahead.
Stay tuned for more news from KAMINARIKAN — and if you're in Moscow, come and say hello!
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