Detroit Kendo Dojo

The Detroit Kendo Dojo will be hosting our 27th annual Detroit Open Kendo Tournament at Wylie E. Groves High School in Beverly Hills Michigan on Sunday February 16th 2025.

We are looking for volunteers and would love it if you can participate! We also offer volunteer credits for students with community outreach quotas. The credits apply for the day of the tournament and any training sessions attended.

The application form is located at this link (click here!)

More information is also available in the flyers below.

Please keep an eye on this site for more information about the tournament, including our special guests and how to register!

Tagawa-sensei was featured in the front page of the Japan News’ October edition! Click the pic to access the paper and read the article.

Thank you to the audience, all of the volunteers and the participants at the 2024 JBSD Japan Festival for their support this year. We had a great time!

The video of the demonstration is below from our YouTube channel. Please check it out and make sure to subscribe!

On May 14, 2024, Mr. Yoshiteru Tagawa, the President and Founder of Detroit Kendo Dojo, received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette Commendation at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then had an audience with His Majesty the Emperor at the Spring and Autumn Room of the Imperial Palace (Tokyo, Japan). This award recognized his long-term contributions to cross-cultural understanding through the practice of Kendo in the United States.

Mr. Tagawa was sent to the United States as a Kendo instructor by the All Japan Kendo Dojo Federation in 1976. Since then, he has contributed to cross-cultural understanding by training himself and teaching the Japanese martial art of Kendo to people in the United States. In 2005, he received the highest rank in Kendo, 8th Dan, and in 2016, he received the title of Kendo Hanshi. This was the first Kendo Hanshi title held outside of Japan. Mr. Tagawa is currently the Chief Executive Advisor for the All United States Kendo Federation and the Vice President of the International Kendo Federation. Prior to this conferment of decoration, Mr. Tagawa received the Consul General of Japan Award in Detroit in 2013 and the 2016 Japanese Foreign Affair Minister’s Award for his contributions. We, the members of the Detroit Kendo Dojo, are proud of Mr. Tagawa’s honor and hope for his continued guidance in the future!

The Order of the Rising Sun is a Japanese government honor which was established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji.

Dear AUSKF Federation Presidents and Kenshis

AUSKF Education would like to inform you regarding  2024  AUSKF Summer Camp to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday August 16th to Sunday, August 18th. We will have an exciting program scheduled and our two guest senseis will be (Hanshi 8 Dan) and (Kyoshi 8 Dan). The registration form will be sent soon. We expect a great turnout and look forward to having many US kenshi participate.

Regards,

AUSKF Education

Tentative schedule

DATE:

Friday, August 16th

3:00-5:00 PM : Registration at YMCA

3:00-4:30 PM: Free Keiko

Saturday, August 17th

8:30-9:00 AM: Registration

9:00AM-4:00 PM: Seminar

Sunday, August 18th

8:30-9:00 AM: Registration

9:00-11:45 PM: Seminar

12:30-1 PM: Promotion Exam Registration

1-4PM: Promotion Exam (announced by promotion committee)

LOCATION:

Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA

4141 Meadows Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89107

Free Parking

INSTRUCTORS:

TBD

ELIGIBILITY:

All AUSKF Members 18 years of age or older at the time of the event.

18 and under may also participate, provided they are accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian AND prior notice is provided to the AUSKF Education Committee.

Headquarter : Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

129 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

We have NO hotel recommendation.

You will stay at your favorite hotel.

Regards,

Hayato Okawa

To All Kendo Dojos and Kenshi

We are pleased to inform you that the 26th Annual Detroit Open Kendo Tournament and Kendo Seminar will be held on Saturday, February 17th and Sunday, February 18th, 2024 so mark your calendars!

The venue for both days is Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan. (Map link below)

After the Kendo seminar on Saturday there will be a Kyu/Dan examination.

Kyu/Dan examination is for all Kyu levels and Kendo 1-Dan through 4-Dan.

Seaholm High School

https://maps.google.com/?cid=17674327666501385252

In mid-December, we will send you detailed information about the testing/tournament registration website and our special guest instructor for the Kendo seminar.

We are looking forward to seeing you in February!

Best regards,

Detroit Kendo Dojo

Tournament/Seminar Committee