Sunrise Kendo Club was established in 1981 and our chief instructor is Takuo Uegaki Sensei (Renshi 7th Dan). We are a dedicated non-profit club that aspires to a lifelong practice of traditional kendo. We are also committed to observing the values and virtues of kendo as delineated by the All Japan Kendo Federation (1975):

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 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 honor;
To associate with others with sincerity;
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

This will enable one to love his/her country and society, contribute to the development of culture and promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.

Kendo is an inclusive martial art and we welcome people from all walks of life, genders and all generations to join us in the pursuit of the traditions of kendo. As a smaller club, we offer interested students the benefit of more individualized instruction, non-conventional training exercises (e.g., techniques from the Kashima Jikishinkage Ryu) as well as practice with some students with more than 20 to 30 years of kendo experience.

In addition, if you are particularly interested in starting a vigorous, full body, exercise regime and/or losing weight, then kendo might be a good match for you. You will likely notice significant benefits after only a few months of practice.

Affiliations / Partner Dojo

The Sunrise Dojo is also the North American representative of the Sekai Kendo Butoku Washin Kai (World Amateur Kendo Goodwill & Exchange Association) based in Kyoto, Japan. The SKBWK is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the virtues of traditional "budo" kendo to amateur kendoka worldwide and in so doing fostering friendship and peace amongst people and across cultures and borders. View our Links page to view pictures and videos from our 2010 summer seminars with Sensei from the SKBWK. As a member of this organization, Sunrise members are able to visit and practice at many of the SKBWK-affiliated dojo located throughout Japan.

The Sunrise Dojo also has a very strong relationship with the main branch of the Hokushin Itto Ryu in Japan, one of the most well known and influential kenjutsu schools (koryu) of the late Edo era in Japanese history. Established in the early 1800s by the renowned swordsman, Chiba Shusaku Shigemasa, this koryu counted many well-known and influential samurai among its ranks, including Sakamoto Ryoma, one of the key architects of the Meiji Restoration and Japan's transformation into a modern nation state.