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 eleven 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

John Moon Was Promoted To 4 Dan! Shiomi Sensei Was Promoted To 5 Dan, too.

Moon sensei 4 dan

John Moon was promoted to 4 dan at the NCKF promotion test which was held in Nov. 6. in San Jose.
Moon sensei, congratulations upon the success on 4 dan Shinsa !!! It's a great news for San Mateo Dojo, too.

Many other San Mateo memebers were promoted to upper classes. Congratulations!

We've also received one more good news from our former instructor, Shiomi sensei, that he was promoted to 5 dan. Congratulations.

Good News From Our Former Instructor

We have good news from our former instructor, Kurashima sensei. He is continuing to practice kendo in Japan after 5 years at San Mateo kendo dojo and obtained 7 dan last year. He was one of the members of Team NCKF and contributed their success at the AUSKF Championships. The kendo club, Koyo-dai Kendo-kai, which he belongs to now is located in Inagi-shi, Tokyo and the city became the sister city of Foster City in this year. Congratulations and thank you for letting us to know! We are looking forward to practicing with you again.

Koyo-dai Kendo-kai: website

Other former instructors such as Harada sensei and Komuro sensei have also obtained 7 dan after going back to Japan. They were members of Team NCKF and achieved successes at the AUSKF Championships.

Ueno-dai Kenyu-kai which Komuro sensei organizes: website

Medals At NCKF Championship Tournament

Great job in the individual and team matches at NCKF 2022 Championshilp tournament which was held in Oct. 23 at Branham High School.

Konopka Sensei: Silver medal in the 3 dan up division
Lamberson: Bronze medal in the Adult Kyu division

Congratulations !!!

These photos were taken by Daniel and Victor. Thank you for the nice pictures!

Konopka Sensei Was Promoted To 5 Dan

Konopka sensei was promoted to 5 dan at the AUSKF promotion test which was held in Aug. 28 in Las Vegas. Congratulations upon the success on 5 dan Shinsa !!! It's a great news for San Mateo Dojo, too. 5

5 dan promotion test video of Konopka sensei (left)

A Medal At Salinas Tournament

San Mateo dojo members did a great job at Salinas Tournament which was held in July 31.
Konopka Sensei won third place medal in 3 dan and up div.

Congratulations!

News From Our Former Instructors

We were informed two good news from our former instructors. They are keeping practicing kendo in Japan and won their tournaments. Congratulations and thank you for letting us to know! We are looking for practicing with you again soon.

Harada sensei: 1st place of senior individual div. of Kanagawa pref. Senior kendo tournament

https://kanagawa-kenren.com/archives/6803.html

Shiomi sensei: 2nd place of 40 yrs.+ individual div. of Takarazuka City kendo tournament

Good Start For The 2022 Tournament Season At San Jose Tournament

San Mateo Kenshi made a good start for the 2022 tournament season at San Jose Tournament in May 22 at Leigh High School.

Sarafina: 2nd at non-bogu, 12 yrs. and under
Isabella: 2nd at non-bogu, 13 yrs. and over
Ota sensei: 2nd at Senior
Yuki: 2nd at at 11-13 yrs.
Leo: 2nd at 1D-2D

Congratulations! Keep practicing and match with other dojo's kenshi again at the next trounament.

San Mateo Kendo Dojo Re-opened!

San Mateo Kendo Dojo re-opened in Sep. 14, 2021 after the long dark Covid19 pandemics has occured. We didn't practice kendo for more than 550 days after March 10, 2020 when the lockdown has started. We did start the practice slowly at the first day but everyone were happy to see the practice pals and practiced kendo again.

We take Covid 19 prevention measure very carefully so that currently only the fully vaccinated students allow to join our practice.

The Requirement Of The Registrations

The requirement of the registration has updated for both San Mateo and Foster City. It will be applied to the 2022 seasons.

Fully vaccinated is recommended.
Age limit : 9 years and above.

Bogu wearing students should signup for Advanced.
Non-Bogu wearing students should signup for Beginners.
In early September we will announce provisions against Covid19 pandemic.
New Students need to pay the Dojo's annual fees which are additional to the sign-up fee. (See the brochure.)

Even if you are all fully vaccinated, you should read carefully the following instructions against Covid19 Pandemic. Here is what you need to do :

Bring the AUSKF Covid Questionaire sheet.
Bring a couple of large sized face masks, bottled water, a plexi mouth guard if you wear Bogu.
Wear your Kendo gi and Hakama at home because the space of the restroom is very limited.
Keep social distance and lower your Kiai voice.
Be careful: Dehydration, Heatstroke, Injury.

News in 2021 was moved to the Gallery page