About Us

• Early 1990s

  Toshiki Kishi arrives in New York City and joins the NYC Kendo Club.
  
  Keiko Umemura arrives in New York City.

• March 1996

  Umemura-sensei joins NYC Kendo Club through Kishi-sensei.

• 1999

  Ken Kishino visits US to further his research for his Masters thesis on American Kendo history and meets with Kishi-sensei and Umemura-sensei. Kishi-sensei asked Kishino-sensei for his help in building the foundation for a new dojo.

• 2000

  Kishino-sensei moves to New York City and joins the NYC Kendo Club.

• 2001

  Umemura-sensei is also recruited to plan for the new dojo.

• February 21st, 2002

  Kishi-sensei proposes “Kenshinkai” for the name of the new dojo and Kenshinkai, Inc. is formed.

• February 2002

  The first unofficial practice of Kenshinkai is held at Dance New York (237 W 54th Street, NYC) as a Midtown dojo of the NYC Kendo Club. The people involved with this practice are Kishi-sensei, Kishino-sensei, and Umemura-sensei.

• March 2002

  Opening ceremony for Kenshinkai. There are no members at the other time other than the original three members. However, many sensei and senpai from other dojos come to show their support.

• July 2002

  All United States Kendo Championships in Los Angeles. Three of KSK (Kenshinkai) members are selected to represent the AEUSKF on its men’s & women’s teams.

• October 7, 2002

  Kishi-sensei passes away.

• October 2002

  Kishino-sensei and Umemura-sensei met at a Japanese restaurant and decided to continue Kenshinkai.

• June 2003

  KSK debut at the All Eastern U.S. Kendo Federation tournament.

• June 2004

  Unofficial Tuesday practices are held at Dance Space Center.

• June 2005

  Gregory Tucker passes away.

• July 2005

  All United States Kendo Championships in Detroit. Four of KSK members are selected to represent the AEUSKF on its men’s & women’s teams.

• April 25, 2006

  KSK officially starts its Tuesday Kendo class.

• May 20, 2007

  New York Kenshinkai Fifth Anniversary Event Friendship & Good-will Keiko is held at YMCA (176 W 105th St, NYC), and Party is held at Dojo.

• February 2008

  KSK moves to Chelsea Studios (151 W 26th Street, NYC) due to redevelopment of the building where Dance New York is located.

• April 28, 2008

  John O’Connor passes away.

• July 2008

  All United States Kendo Championships in Las Vegas. Two of KSK members are selected to represent the AEUSKF on its women’s team.

• April 8, 2010

  The first KSK member-couple, Shiho Michishita & Jan Versoza get married.

• August 2011

  All United States Kendo Championships in Atlanta. Four of KSK members are selected to represent the AEUSKF on its men’s & women’s teams.

• September 23, 2011

  The second KSK member-couple, Junko Inoue & Paul Winters get married.

• December 23, 2011

  The first baby girl, Suzuha Noelle Winters is born between KSK members, Junko Inoue-Winters and Paul Winters.

• May 11, 2012

  The third KSK member-couple, Kathryn Son & Kevin Cheng get married.

• July 21, 2012 - July 22, 2012

  New York Kenshinkai Tenth Anniversary & Kishino-sensei’s Farewell Event.

• July 21, 2012

  Godo Keiko at Chelsea Studios, Party at El Cantinero Restaurant.

• July 22, 2012

  Picnic, BBQ at Prospect Park.