San Mateo Kendo Dojo

Kendo, or Japanese fencing, is rooted in the sword-fighting techniques of ancient samurai. This martial art conditions the body and spirit through exhilarating and demanding exercises.

San Mateo Kendo Dojo was founded in 1981 in San Mateo, California. It is one of twelve member schools of non profit Northern California Kendo Federation (NCKF).

In 2019 we changed the name to San Mateo Kendo Dojo, Inc. and we were registered as a non-profit 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code organization. Our Dojo instructors teach on a purely voluntary basis, and also we practice kendo as a part of City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department and Foster City Parks and Recreation Department activities.
Therefore, San Mateo Kendo Dojo Inc. charges much less for instruction than comparable commercial martial arts studios.

We consistently place individuals to Team NCKF for All US Kendo Championship Tournament which is held every three years.
As a member school of NCKF, our dojo members can attend various activities which are organized by NCKF or it's member schools including tournaments such as NCKF Championships, monthly NCKF mass practices (Godo Keiko), two annual NCKF rank testings, an annual NCKF summer camp, and special NCKF seminars.

Before starting kendo, we strongly advice to observe our practice and tryout the one for beginners. Please check the brochure/fee schedule and feel free to drop in to observe it. No prior registration required and free of charge for the tryout. Our instructors have a time before and after the practice to answer your questions and accept the applications. All you need to try is gym clothes. You can borrow a shinai (bamboo sword) until you get your own.

New students and instructors are always welcome.

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News / Announcement

NCKF Championship Tournament 2024

Wonderful job at the NCKF Championship tournament which was held on October 27th in San Jose, CA.

Congratulations!

Kaiser Lai won 3rd place in 2-Dan Division

New Class in Burlingame

San Mateo Kendo Dojo's Saturday class in this summer will start most likely at Burlingame Rec Center on June 15.

Due to the Foster City Rec Center's rebuid project which will start in this summer, no more summer class in Foster City is available. The last day of Saturday class in Foster City will be on June 8.
We will announce more updates about Burlingame class later.

The projected Burlingame Saturday class time will be:
Beginners: 2:00-3:00pm Advanced: 3:00-4:30pm

Address: 850 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame, CA 94010 (Corrected)

The construction of the Foster City's Rec Center will take for two years.

New Year's Oshiruko Party

Happy New Year!

To cerebrate new year, we had oshiruko party in Jan. 9, 2024. It was held after 4 years due to Covid pandemic. We enjoyed oshiruko and ozoni which are new year's traditional meals of the first practice of martial arts. We prayed our improvement of kendo skills without injuries at the event.

Two New Sensei!!

Two San Mateo Kenshi have become sensei by being accepted 4 dan at NCKF promotion test which was held in Nov. 5, 2023. It was the first time that two kenshi were accepted 4 dan at the same time in our dojo. Congraturations!

Many other kenshi of San Mateo dojo have passed the ranks which they challenged. Let's try hard at the practice and challenge the next promotion test which will be held in May.

New sensei: Carolyne Ikeda and Akia Vongdara

NCKF Championship Tournament

Great job at NCKF 2023 Championship tournament which was held in Oct. 29.

Congratulations !!!

Sarafina Cabatic won 3rd place 11-13 years Div.
Catherine Ikeda won 3rd place Women Div.
Carolyne Ikeda won 3rd place Women Div.

Two Medals At Oakland Tournament

San Mateo kenshi obtained two medals at the 70th anniversary Tournament of Oakland Kendo Dojo which was held in July 30.

Congratulations!

Konopka Sensei: 1st Place of 5 dan and above Div.
Catherine: 3rd Place of Womens Div.

Konopka Sensei Participates Into National Kendo Championship Tournament

Great news! Konopka sensei will participate into National Tournament representing NCKF. The championships will be held from June 30 to July 2 in Detroit, Michigan.

We pray for his success!!

Updated Season Schedule

>smkd2021-1.pdf

Please find the updated Season Schedule. Please mark your calendar for your record.

Summer Season of San Mateo class has starated on Tuesday, 6/6 and Foster City class will start on Saturday, 6/17. Sign up now for the classes!

Mask Policy Is Now Option

Because of better environment regarding Covid cases, we will start Keiko with a mask option policy next Tuesday on 5/16/2023.
The plastic mouth shield inside Men stays until further notice.

Catherine Placed 3rd At The UCLA Collegiate Tournament

Cathrine UCLA

Catherine placed 3rd at the UCLA collegiate tournament. We are thrilled.

Congratulations, Catherine!

News in 2022 was moved to the Gallery page