Announcements / News
San Jose Kendo Tournament — SMKD Women's Team Takes First Place!
This past Sunday we competed in the San Jose Kendo Tournament. Huge congratulations to our women's team, who brought home first place! The lineup was Carolyne Ikeda and Catherine Ikeda alongside Wang-san from Mt. View Kendo Dojo. We were also thrilled to have a few members who competed for the very first time. Stepping into tournament armor takes courage; we're proud of everyone who went out there and gave it their all. On to the next one!
Cultural Event Kendo Demonstration at the San Mateo Main Library
On Saturday, March 28, the City of San Mateo held a cultural event at the Main Library for youth ambassadors from Toyonaka, Japan. San Mateo and Toyonaka have been sister cities since 1963. Mayor Adam Loraine and Councilmember Lisa Diaz Nash joined in welcoming the group. Yamaguchi-san gave a kendo demonstration as part of the cultural program.
First San Mateo Location Practice of 2026 and Annual Ozoni Tradition
Happy New Year! Today was our first practice of the year at our San Mateo location. As per tradition, Mrs. Konopka prepared her delicious sweet and savory ozoni soups for everyone. Thank you again, Mrs. Konopka, for your continued effort and generosity in keeping this wonderful tradition alive. We also had the pleasure of welcoming a special guest, Andy Lee sensei (5 Dan), who was once a member of San Mateo Kendo Dojo from as long as 25 years ago. After more than 10 years away, he returned to visit us. Thank you for paying us a visit, Lee sensei. It was a pleasure to do keiko with you and learn a bit more about the dojo's history.