Detroit Kendo Dojo

Announcement dated March 13th, 2020

Last night we cancelled keiko, considering that many local school systems decided to cancel classes. Here is what we have decided with Tagawa sensei’s approval:

1. We are cancelling keiko for the rest of March. The dojo will announce about April onward as soon as decisions are made.
2. Each DKD member needs to refrain from any Kendo keiko in groups and participation to seminars or tournaments.
3. We highly encourage each individual to wait to take any promotion test, until our normal keiko resumes.

It is a very unfortunate time, but we should not panic. We need to stay calm and help each other whenever any one of us needs help. Please do not hesitate to contact the dojo or any instructor, if you have any questions or concerns or need any support.

Regards,

Detroit Kendo

Hello everyone,

We’re glad to announce that the team roster for the upcoming 2020 Detroit Open Taikai is complete. You can download it from the link below:

2020_Detroit_Open_Taikai_Team_Roster

Take a look and see who your teammates will be in February!

On February 15^th and 16^th, 2020, the Detroit Kendo Dojo will host the 22^nd Annual Detroit Open Kendo Seminar and Tournament.

These events are our flagship endeavor and are open to all members under the International Kendo Federation and they have, since its inception, drawn thousands of kenshi from across the United States, Canada and Japan to southeastern Michigan.   We hope to use this event to advance our mission of creating learning opportunities for all generations in the art of kendo, as well as enhancing cross-cultural understanding and relationships.

Special Guest Sensei

The special guest for Tournament and Seminar Instructor is Takumi Chikamoto Sensei, Kendo Kyoshi 8 Dan from Aichi Prefecture Police Department.  He is the winner of the Emperor Cup in the 51^st All Japan Kendo Championship in 2003.

Important Notice – Participant requirement to furnish own “Mejirushi” / “Tasuki”

Following practice of FIK and AUSKF, all participants need to bring their own (or their own dojo’s) “Mejirushi” (a pair of red and white strips used during matches, another name is “Tasuki”).  The host organization will not prepare nor put on “Mejirushi” for participants.

Not having Mejirushi at the time of a match will result in disqualification. We have notified Mazkiya USA and Maruyama, two scheduled on-site bogu venders, of the anticipated needs for Mejirushi, however please order well in advance, as needed.

1. Schedule

Sat Feb 15^th    

8:30 AM           Doors Open

9:30 AM          Seminar Begins

2:30 PM           Midwest Kendo Federation Promotion Tests Begin

Sun Feb 16^th      

6:30 AM           Doors Open

7:30 AM           Opening Ceremony, Tournament Begins

2. Venue is the same for all events

Seaholm High School

2436 West Lincoln, Birmingham, MI 48009

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

Parking entrance is on Cranbrook Rd, north of the school building.

3. Seminar and Tournament Registration

Due Date: Saturday, January 18^th, 2020

https://detroitkendodojo.com/2020-detroit-open-taikai-registration-form/

For individual divisions, registration is per individual, not per dojo.  Please refer to the appendix at the bottom of this page and register yourself.  The chart and entry rules in the appendix take precedence, however the on-line registration system may allow different entries.   For team registration, Detroit Kendo Dojo highly recommends appointment of team representative as soon as possible.   The representative needs to submit on-line team roster(s) before the registration due date, Sat January 18th.

4. Midwest Federation Kendo Promotion Test

Tests are for Kendo 4-Dan rank and below.   For applications, please use the link below:

https://midwestkendofederation.com/promotions/

5. Hotel

A special group rate is available at the Detroit Marriott Southfield, which is close to the event venue. The group rate is $104/night for a two-bed room and this rate includes a $32 value 2 complimentary breakfast passes per room per night stayed.  This is a significant discount to the other hotels in the area and we encourage you to take advantage of it.  A special arrangement was made with the hotel that breakfast will be served starting at 6 am on the tournament Sunday.

Click here to use the special registration link

APPENDIX

1. Those who can participate in multiple divisions (i.e. Senior + 5-Dan+) can choose to only participate in one division. Participating in multiple divisions is not mandatory.
2. Qualifications for “Sr. Youth” division

①     “Mudan” status is required. A Youth with Dan status cannot participate Sr. Youth, and he or she must participate in one of the Adult Ranking divisions (1 and 2 Dan).

②     Female Youth players with Dan status can attend both the Women’s division and one of the Adult Ranking divisions (1 and 2 Dan).

③     The above requirement is not the same for Team divisions.  Youth with Dan rank can choose either Sr. Youth Team or Adult Team.

3. Qualifications for “Women’s division”

Dan status is required.  Mudan is not allowed.

4. Qualifications for “Senior” division

A)    Men – 50 years old or up

B)    Women – 45 years old or up for women

①     Senior females with Dan rank must participate in the Women’s division and they can choose to either participate in either the “Senior” division or one of the Adult Ranking divisions (1 Dan through 5 Dan+).  If they choose the Senior division, they cannot participate in any of the Adult Ranking divisions, and vice versa.

②     Senior females with Dan cannot participate in both the Senior and Dan divisions, opting out women.

Individual Registration – 2020 Detroit Open Taikai Registration Form – Individual Registration is now closed.

Team Registration – Dojo Representatives Only – 2020 Detroit Open Taikai Team Registration Form

Thank you to the Japanese Cultural Center of Saginaw for hosting our dojo members and letting us do a presentation on the history and practice of Kendo for this year’s Saginaw Japan Festival. The weather was excellent and we enjoyed showing our practice to the audience. We even had some audience participation!

Hello everyone,

Tonight’s practice at the Hillside Middle School / Northville Parks and Rec office is still going to take place; it has NOT been cancelled.

Kendo Practice (Thursdays)

With the sub-zero temperatures in Michigan the most important thing for everyone is to stay safe and stay warm.

Hello everyone,

This is a reminder that there will be no practice on 11/22 (THU) and 11/24 (SAT) for Thanksgiving vacation.

No Practice – Thanksgiving Holiday
No Practice – Saturday 11/24

Photo By Jean-Pol GRANDMONT - Own work, CC BY 3.0, Link

Have a great holiday and we will see you on 11/29 (THU) !