Instructors
Masaru Ogihara
7 Dan Kyoshi
Chief Instructor (Retired)
San Mateo Kendo Dojo is honored to have our retired chief instructor, Masaru Ogihara Sensei (7 Dan Kyoshi), among our leadership. Originally from Japan, Ogihara Sensei began practicing kendo in junior high school and continued through university under the guidance of Shichiro Honma Sensei (8 Dan Hanshi).
After moving to the United States in 1976 for a company assignment, he helped establish our dojo in 1981 alongside dedicated parents and friends. Since then, he has shared his passion for kendo with unwavering enthusiasm, instilling its spirit in every student.
Ogihara Sensei received his 7 Dan in 1991 and attained the esteemed Kyoshi rank in 1994.
John Satoru Konopka
5 Dan
Chief Instructor (Shihan)
John Satoru Konopka connection to the martial arts began with judo, and later transitioned to kendo at ten years old in the Isezaki Police Kendo Dojo in Yokohama, Japan—a place renowned for producing disciplined and skilled martial artists. After moving to the United States in 2002 and joining San Mateo Kendo Dojo, his passion and competitive drive quickly set him apart, leading to standout achievements such as third place in the junior youth division of the 2005 National Kendo Championship, and third place in the senior youth division at the 2008 AUSKF Nationals.
Though he took a brief hiatus from kendo, he still took first place in the 1–3 dan division at the 2016 San Mateo Kendo Taikai, then later earning his 4-dan in that year, then 5-dan in 2022, before succeeding his longtime mentor, Ogihara Sensei, as the head (shihan) of the San Mateo Kendo Dojo on June 1, 2024.
Today, Konopka sensei remains dedicated to guiding practitioners of all levels, and continues to contribute to the local kendo community through the Northern California Kendo Federation, helping organize practices, tournaments, and other events.
Jean Tessier
4 Dan
San Mateo Point of Contact
Greg Ota
4 Dan
Instructor
John Moon
4 Dan
Burlingame Point of Contact
Akia Vongdara
4 Dan
Web Admin
Carolyn Ikeda
4 Dan
Instructor
Daniel Ying
4 Dan
Instructor