San Diego Kendo Bu

We are a member of SCKF and AUSKF and the largest Kendo Dojo in the County. Dedicated to the study an Kikuo Uyeji Sensei joined SDKB early on.

San Diego Kendo Bu (SDKB) was founded in February 1972 by Shigeo Yamanishi Sensei and practiced at the San Diego Buddhist Temple. At the foundation of SDKB, Yamanishi sensei and Uyeji sensei were 1-Dan and not qualified to teach at the time. Therefore, Maki Miyahara Sensei stepped in and became the first Sensei of SDKB. Miyahara sensei was from the Pasadena Cultural institute and the highest ranki

ng sensei in the country at 8-Dan. Eventually, Yamanishi sensei obtained 5-Dan and was a member of the US Kendo team in the 3rd World Kendo Championships in Great Britain in 1976. Kikuo Uyeji Sensei eventually obtained Renshi 6-Dan. In the same year, 1972, John Yamamoto Sensei (at the time in his 30's) was helping rehabilitate young Asian American drug parolees. As he had heard that Yamanishi Sensei was starting a new kendo club, Yamamoto Sensei brought ten of them to the dojo to have them learn kendo as part of their Japanese heritage. Victor Uyeji (at that time, 19 years old) joined in the same year. Initial members included Carl Yamamoto (Yamamoto Sensei's brother), Kichi Hayashi (brother in law to Yamamoto Sensei), David Uda, Ronnie Morinaka, Barry Morinaka and Frank Endo. After Yamanishi Sensei passed away, SDKB practices were led by Uyeji sensei and Yamamoto sensei. In summer of 2014, Henry Kikunaga Sensei, 5-Dan, took over as Head Instructor of SDKB from John Yamamoto Sensei. Kikunaga sensei started kendo when he was 7 years old with San Jose Dojo under Charlie Tanaka Sensei. After competing and contributing to the Northern California Kendo Federation's successes at the US Kendo Championships a handful of times both as member of the youth team and Men's teams over the years, he began practicing at SDKB while attending the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). In 1998, Kikunaga sensei wanted to start a "University" Kendo class to teach kendo to college students. However, he needed the assistance from a local sensei and advisor at the time according to the university. Yamamoto sensei and Alfonso Gomez Sensei (Karate instructor and martial arts department advisor at UCSD) stepped in to help advise and help set up the UCSD Recreational Class for Kendo. The UCSD Recreational class has been going strong since then with it being the most popular recreational class on the campus for a number of years. From the UCSD Recreational Kendo class has sprouted about a handful of young sensei in its short time of existence and even had a member represented on the Women's National Team that competed at the World Kendo Championships. In addition, the UCSD Kendo Team was formed which competed in collegiate tournaments since 2005 with much success. Also in August 2012, SDKB member, Francisco Villa (2-Dan) moved to Yuma, Arizona to be on faculty at Arizona Western College. There he started Yuma Kendo Club, which is now officially a branch and overseen by San Diego Kendo Bu. Together, the UCSD Recreational Kendo class, Yuma Kendo Club, and San Diego Kendo Bu have coexisted to contribute to the Kendo Community in the Southwestern United States and continue to uphold the kendo teachings and traditions set forth by its founders of San Diego Kendo Bu.

06/13/2026

We had the honor and pleasure to host the JMSDF (Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force) once again and many of Japanese Navy joined us for goodwill keiko to enjoy kendo together.

We also were lucky to have some guest kenshi and sensei join us from SCKF, SCKO, and WKF.
Guest Senseis included
- Ariga Sensei (8-Dan & SCKO President - Butokuden) along with many of the Butokuden members as they cancelled their usual Wednesday practice to come to San Diego and practice with us! Now that’s sacrifice and dedication to a special event!
- Kodama Sensei (7-Dan - Norwalk)
- Tew Sensei (6-Dan and SCKF President - ISKD)
- Reed Sensei (6-Dan - Tustin)

As for the Japanese navy, we were honored with the presence and chance to keiko with their crew as well as the CO (Commanding Officer) and Captain of the JS KASHIMA - Miura Sensei (6-Dan)

We are grateful to be able to continue to host the JMSDF every year as this long standing tradition stays strong with the Japanese Navy and San Diego Kendo Bu

After practice we also had a joint party with Migoto Judo since they hosted a joint practice as well! So nice to be able to make new friendships!

📸: Guadalupe Mark Wayne Pumphrey

SCKF Kendo Butokuden Dojo

06/10/2026

The JMSDF (Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force) is in town again! Several of our dojo members had the opportunity to go onto the JS KASHIMA for an invite only welcome reception!

Tomorrow night is goodwill joint keiko with the Japanese Navy and the Captain of the JS KASHIMA is a Renshi 6-Dan kendo sensei and will be honored by his presence as well as keiko with him!

We expect many other from out of town to join us for this opportunity to keiko with our special guests!

06/08/2026

Kendo demo at the San Diego Buddhist Temple!

05/19/2026

WKF (Western Kendo Federation) Spring Championships Results!

1st place - Adult Kyu
- L. EinDar ()

1st Place - 1-2 Dan
- D. Lee ()

2nd Place - Adult kyu
- M. Fukunaga-Taylor (.mori)

Honorable Mention - Adult Kyu
- R. Tokumoto ()

Great showing by again! Thank you to for the invitation and hosting of tournament!

📸: .ed &

05/16/2026

Celebration & Appreciation party for (UCSD Kendo) for their epic performance during the year and UCLA Yuhihai tournament! It was also a celebration of ‘s performance at the annual Nisei Week Tournament!

With great happiness, full stomachs, and lots of laughs, we all enjoyed a great night at the SDKB Party house! As the great philosopher Kendrick Lamar would say…. “They not like us”

05/04/2026

2026 NISEI WEEK TOURNAMENT RESULTS!:

-10 yrs & under-
3rd Place- Y. Baba

-Women’s Kyu-
3rd place - A. Wong
Kantosho - M. Hatanaka

- Adult kyu 3-1 kyu-
1st place - L. EinDar
3rd place - M. Fukunaga-Taylor
3rd place - R. Tokumoto
Kantosho - M. Yang

Team championship
2ND PLACE!!!
Y. Baba
K. Mochimatsu
M. Hatanaka
R. Tokumoto
M. Fukunaga-Taylor

Congratulations to everyone from and all the competitors of this tournament! Hope yall had fun! We know we did! Thank you to Francis Lee sensei and for the organization and running of this taikai.

*ta

05/01/2026

We celebrated our new sensei, Jazel Sambo Sensei!!! ()

She deserved the new rank as well as the recognition! Jazel has served as a dojo representative, has been the Director of Internal Affairs for SDKB for several years and the New member and visiting kenshi/sensei liaison for the dojo. She also brings the laughs, fun, smiles and partying that embodies the core of SDKB.

Congratulations Jazel Sensei!

Training for 5-Dan starts yesterday. Gambare!!!!

In SDKB and Jazel fashion, we presented her with a BEER cake!

04/28/2026

Tiffany, Kikunaga sensei and Zau sensei at the SD Padre game on Japanese Heritage Night!

04/22/2026

Last night, celebrated (Zau Sensei!!!) ‘s 60th BIRTHDAY with everything she loves!…… the presence of the dojo members, sharing food, drinks, karaoke, kendo, and seeing everyone enjoy each others presence and having fun!!!

Zau Sensei has truly been the QUEEN of the dojo and we wouldn’t be the same without her, both as a group but also the development and strength of kendo in the dojo.

As we celebrate her, please take the time to send her your well wishes for the QUEEN OF KENDO!!!

We love you Susan Sensei!!!!

04/11/2026

Good luck to our kids competing in the AUSKF Junior Open Nationals!!!!

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Location

San Diego

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Website

http://www.sdkendo.com/

Address

8810 Judicial Drive
San Diego, CA
92122

Opening Hours

Tuesday	7pm - 10pm
Thursday	7pm - 10pm