About Camas Kendo

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About Our Dojo

Instructors

Ai Nakayama, 7 Dan
Camas Kendo Dojo

George Nakayama, 5 Dan
Camas Kendo Dojo

History

The Camas Kendo Dojo (non profit 501c3 status) started after a child of two long-time kendoist parents indicated an interest to learn kendo in the Camas community and spread to interested school classmates. Kendo, a Japanese martial art, is literally translated as “the way of the sword” and originated from the swordmanship of the samurai: fearless warriors of feudal age Japan. Through the sword, the samurai not only trained to become skilled but learned to respect for one’s opponents and live a life of discipline and honor. In modern-day kendo, it was developed alongside the Japanese education system with the goal of helping children to learn and practice perseverance, focus, etiquette, and respect. Kendo has become an international martial art enjoyed by many practitioners of all ages. The Camas Kendo Dojo was founded in July 2022.

Our classes are unique as we not only teach kendo, but we try to incorporate things that we feel are important in a child’s development. Some examples include:

  • Manners: Importance of greeting others
  • Culture: Learn Japanese language and cultural background from Japan
  • Respect: To each other, dojo, parents, sword and sensei
  • Confidence: Eye contact, hands out of pocket, posture
  • Perseverance: Kendo is hard. Life is hard. Kendo is not about winning or losing but how to improve one self and never give up when things get tough.

In the beginner class, members will learn:

  • The etiquette of kendo: how to bow, when to bow, greeting your teachers, responding loudly to questions, and more.
  • Basic terminology: Counting, kendo vocabulary, Japanese commands
  • How to hold the shinai (practice sword): Basic (chuudan) stance and  resting stances.
  • How to swing the shinai (practice sword): How to cut the three basic targets.
  • Basic footwork: Slide step, fumikomi (stomping) step.
  • Basic attacking: Combining cutting and footwork to complete a full attack.
  • Receiving strikes for a partner: Hitting a partner and receiving for a partner with your shinai. This will not be part of this curriculum at this time.

In September 2022, an adult / youth beginner class was offered to the community.  Since then, we have had a beginner class in April 2023 and another in November 2023.  We have had interest from SW Washington and Portland OR.

Location and Contact Info

We currently hold classes at Camas Community Center at 1718 SE 7th Ave in Camas, WA.

For class-related inquires, please contact Ai and George Nakayama through our contact form.

For Board of Directors inquries, please reach out to camaskendo@gmail.com.

Camas Kendo Dojo is a registered 509 (a) (2) organization under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501 (c)(3). Donors can deduct contributions they make under IRC Section 170. Contact camaskendo@gmail.com for more information.

What Is Kendo?

The Concept and Purpose of Kendo

The Concept and Purpose of Kendo was established by the All Japan Kendo Federation in 1975.

The Concept of Kendo

The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana (sword).

The Purpose of Practicing Kendo

The purpose of practicing Kendo is:

To mold the mind and body,

To cultivate a vigorous spirit,

And through correct and rigid training,

To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo, To hold in esteem human courtesy and honour, To associate with others with sincerity,

And forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

This will make one be able:

To love his/her country and society,

To contribute to the development of culture,

and to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.

Additional Resources

Class Curriculum

  • Footwork
  • Swing
  • Footwork and Swing
  • Reigi – bow
  • Japanese commands/terminology – Rei, counting 1-8,
  • Fitness exercises, kendo games that improve focus and attention
  • No bogu, no hitting between students

Sample 45-minute class for kids

  • A) Name game, jog, warm up,
  • B) half start at cone/ladder, other side jump over the pool noodle (circle format). Grab shinai.
  • C) line up and mokuso (meditation) – Ask kids to cite “be safe, respectful, responsible, and kind”
  • Break off into groups
    • a) 足さばき (foot work) – push with a tip of shinai and move forward (slow) forward, back, turn around and forward, turn and forward (quick)
    • b) kamae (defensive and offensive kendo stance) – check for proper posture, foot, hand, eye, balance etc.
    • b) variation of hits i.e. men, men, men continuously – two single form lines, who is louder, pace variation. Must be same time
  • Form pairs and do kirikaeshi (set form of sayu men)
  • Water break (sensei wear men)
  • Hitting target (men, kote, do, kote men)
  • Preview challenge item for next class (i.e. sayumen)
  • Q + A: i.e. how do you score a proper hit during a tournament?
  • Line up and mokuso / bow / finals words
  • Ask kids to cite “be safe, respectful, responsible, and kind”
  • Check to make sure shoes were lined up