San Mateo Kendo Dojo

サンマテオ剣道道場

Learn the art of Japanese swordsmanship in the heart of the Bay Area

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September 13, 2026

SMKD 36th Anniversary Taikai

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Photo credits: Akia Vongdara, Sachiko Gaton

On August 16th, San Mateo Kendo Dojo hosted our 36th Anniversary Taikai at Burlingame High School. It has been about ten years since we last hosted a tournament—longer than our usual five-year cycle, after the COVID pandemic made it impossible to hold one when the time came. We were grateful to welcome back friends from across Northern California for a full day of competition.

Putting on a tournament takes a village. Members of our dojo, friends from other dojos, and community volunteers came together to prepare brackets, tape courts, staff tables, and keep everything running smoothly. We were especially moved that former members who once practiced with us, but stepped away as life took them elsewhere, came back to lend a hand. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible.

Congratulations to all of the division winners:


10 & Under	HSSK	A. Yu
11–13	HSSK	A. Yu
14–17	Oakland	L. Chen
Adult Kyu	Sacramento	H. Chu
Open Women	Oakland	A. Arai
Women Over 40	Sacramento	S. Hashimoto
1–2 Dan	San Jose	A. Chien
3+ Dan	Salinas	M. Uto
Seniors	Palo Alto	D. Shimizu
Kantosho Youth	Sacramento	G. Ishida
Kantosho Adult	HSSK	D. Hoyt

And congratulations to our own Catherine, who placed 3rd in Open Women! Tournaments are a great way to test your skill. Practitioners of all levels are encouraged to compete—it is one of the best ways to see where you stand and what to work on next.

Akia

Web Admin

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About Kendo

First practice, July 2, 1981 at Bayside Jr. High School

Kendo traces its roots to Japan’s samurai era, evolving from centuries-old swordsmanship traditions into a modern martial art and a sport that emphasizes discipline, respect, and personal growth. Through rigorous training with a bamboo sword (shinai) and protective armor, practitioners build both physical and mental strength.

Founded in 1981, San Mateo Kendo Dojo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run by volunteer instructors, offering affordable training as part of the Northern California Kendo Federation (NCKF) and All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF).

Our Program

Beginner Class

Our beginner class introduces students of ages 9 and up to Kendo fundamentals such as striking basics, footwork and terminology. Moving on to advanced classes is determined by our sensei, who evaluates mastery of these essential skills, which can take 3-6 months.

Advanced Class

In our advanced class, students wearing bogu (armor) engage in a comprehensive curriculum that begins with warm-ups, advances through basic and then complex striking techniques, culminates in sparring to refine their skills, and prepare them for rank progression. Promotion exams are held every six months, offering students the opportunity to ascend through the ranks based on their mastery and skill development.

Community & Tournaments

Our Community

Kendo at San Mateo is more than practice. Each January we open the year with our annual ozoni tradition, where we share sweet and savory homemade soup. Throughout the year we bring kendo to the public at the San Mateo County Fair, the Millbrae Japanese Culture Festival, and city cultural events.

Our dojo is part of the Northern California Kendo Federation, a community of dojos that looks out for one another. When we hosted our 36th Anniversary Taikai, members from dojos across the region came out to help with setup and running the tournament. Being an NCKF member also means you are welcome to practice at other NCKF dojos at no charge (with your sensei's permission first), so the friends you make at a tournament are also people you can train with.

San Mateo Kendo Dojo members performing kirikaeshi at the San Mateo County Fair

Two students sparring at the Millbrae Japanese Cultural Festival

Two students demonstrating kata at the Millbrae Japanese Cultural Festival

Volunteers preparing tournament brackets before the taikai

Kenshi and volunteers organizing name strips at a setup table

Volunteers measuring and taping a court on the gym floor

Tournament setup underway at Burlingame High School

Placing competitor name tags onto a tournament bracket

San Mateo Kendo Dojo members at the annual ozoni party

Sweet and savory ozoni soup made by Mrs. Konopka

Tournaments

San Mateo Kendo Dojo hosts an anniversary tournament every five years, and our members compete each year in NCKF regional tournaments and events hosted by other dojos. Tournaments are a great way to test your skills against people you do not practice with every week. We encourage practitioners of all levels to compete, since it advances your growth much faster than regular practice alone.

That said, many people train for the art itself, for physical health, or simply for fun. Competing is one option among many, and every reason to be on the floor is equally welcome.