HISTORIAN'S LOG

Ever wonder about what has been happening in the
Dojo, or just wanna relive some memories?

If any WKD members would like to submit an article or photo,
send the webmaster an email.

8/12/01 : Nisei Week

Westside went to this year's Nisei Week tournament in force. Our turnout was once again pretty good, and once again Joel Inden brought home a trophy, winning third place in the Adult Kyu Division. For full tournament results check out the SCKF website.

7/15/01 : Lotus Festival

Today Westside performed a demonstration at the Lotus Festival at Echo Park in LA. Thabks to Mizobe Sensei, Frank Uto, Chris Seals, George Black from West LA Dojo, Danny Leyva, Naris Pinyowattayakorn, Tillman Reisfelder, and Anna Marshall for showing up and putting on a good show!

7/08/01 : Chuo's 50th anniversary

Chuo held it's 50th anniversary goodwill practice today. It was held at the Los Angeles Police Academy Gym. Although the practice officially started at 11:30am, Several Westside members showed up at 8 am to help set up.

At 11:30 the party got going. over one hundred people including several high ranking sensei from Japan practiced with high spirits till 2 O'Clock. Next a goodwill shiai. Finally a wonderfull dinner durring which awards were presented.

7/06/01 : GOODBYE KANESHIRO SENSEI

Sensei Bill Kaneshiro Came by Westside for practice one last time on June 25. The US Air Force has transfered Keneshiro Sensei to Japan, where he will serve for the next 3 to 4 years. His duty station will be the American Embassy in Tokyo.

We'd like to thank him for supporting Westside since the first day. I, for one, feel that we are lucky to have had him stop by the dojo whenever he had the chance. He is definitely a "tough" and demanding instructor, but not many sensei can make you want to do your best in the same way he could.

We wish Kaneshiro Sensei and his family the best of luck!

6/24/01 :

Today we competed in the 25th annual Southern California Kendo Championships. This year it was held at the new Wilson Park gymnasium in Torrance California. This new facility was great, with plenty of seating, excellent AC, and a wonderfully springy floor.

This tournament was a great success for Westside on many levels. First, this was our largest turnout for tournament- we had around 12 competitors. Next, the majority of these won at least their first match, wich a couple going even further. Finally, our very own Joel Inden made it to the finals and came home with a second place trophy! Congratulations Joel!!!!! Full tournament results are here (pdf format- get adobe acrobat).

Dan Oulette	Naris Pinyowattayakorn	Chris Seals
Joel Inden	Joel Inden and Mizobe Sensei	Wendel New

 

5/12/01 :

Today Westside hosted the monthly SCKF godo-geiko at Chuo Dojo. Godo-geiko is basically an open practice for everyone in the federation. Thanks to everyone who showed up.

5/07/01 :

We'd like to thank our new dojo friend, andre from Germany for practicing with uf the past few weeks. Tomight, after geiko, he presented Mizobe Sensei with a T-shirt and Tenegui from his dojo in Munich. "DANKE!"

1/2/01 :

Happy New Year! So, are your ready to get back in the dojo? Westside will resume regular practices on January 8, be there or be square! On December 22nd we held our 2nd annual Holiday Extravaganza at Cherrystone's in Gardena. Our dinner included the following:

Hawaiian Chicken Salad
Potato/Macaroni Crab Salad
Kim Chi (spicy Korean Picked Cabbage)
Broccili Salad
BBQ Chicken Wings
Kalua Pork (Hawaiian Roast Pork)
Teriyaki Chicken
Kalbi (Korean Style Shortribs)
Orange Roughy in Black Bean Sause
Rolls and Butter
Rice

After dinner, "menjo" (rank certificates) were handed out. Awards were given for attendance to Frank Uto and Chris Roda.

Next was the entertainment. KAREOKE MADDNESS!!! To the faint of heart who slunk out before the singing...Shame on you! One the first up was Shikai Sensei from Chuo Dojo. Shikai Sensei even brought a couple of his own laser disks of Japanese songs to the party. One of those songs featured footage of Kendo and Iaido in the video. Eventually everyone got their chance on the microphone.If you made, thanks for celebrating the holidays with us.

November 19, 2000 :

On November 19, 2000 Westside competed in the Norwalk Kendo Dojo 35th Anniversary Tournament. Read a report by our very own Chris Roda. Check it out.

November 2, 2000 :

November 2. 2000 marked the one year anniversary of Westside Kendo Dojo! We would like to thank the following people for all their help and hard work over the past year:Wendell New (Treasurer), Joel Inden (Vice President), Danny Leyva (Webmaster), and Frank Uto for helping out with the teaching duties.
Also thanks to Higuchi Sensei, Asai Sensei, Smith Sensei, Uto Sensei, Kaneshiro Sensei, and other who have stopped by to help.

Finally, thanks to all the members for their continued support.

October 22, 2000 :

The annual SCKF Shinkyu Shinsa (Promotional Exam) was held today at Covina Kendo Dojo. Everyone from Westside who took the test passed! Even more impressive is that everyone going for kyu ranks skipped at least two ranks! The results are as follows:

Wendell New 2 Dan
Joel Inden 1 Kyu
Daniel Leyva 2+ Kyu
Naris Pinyowattayakorn 3 Kyu
Miguel Sepulveda 4- Kyu
Brian Dolan 4 Kyu
Keith Nakamura 4- Kyu

September 25, 2000 :

Joel Inden, Frank Uto, and James Takishita (Venice Dojo) represented Westside in the Gardena Team Tournament.
Read a full report submitted by Frank Uto here.

September 15, 2000 :

Today, two dojo events took place. First of all Westside Kendo Dojo performed a demonstration for an event held by the Mar Vista Rec Center where we practice. Assisting Mizobe Sensei were Frank Uto and James Takishita from Venice Dojo. I heard it went well despite the fact that Frank and James had to do kendo barefoot on a black topped stage under a sun that was particularly fierce that week. Thanks guys!

Next bit of news: We had our first annual "End of Summer" Barbeque. This year it was held at Mark "Agent Mulder" Loren's house. It was a blast!  In adition to various pasta dishes and similar staple pot luck dishes, Mark got the grill out and we had Barbequed Kalbi (Korean short ribs) and a delicious London Broil (Mizobe Sensei's own recipe). We even had an appearance by Lisa from Eguchi, along with a cooler packed with Asahi! Thanks to everyone who who came and helped out, especially Mrs. Loren for allowing us barbarians to take over her home for the day.

August 6, 2000 :

On Sunday, August 6 Westside Kendo Dojo Competed in the Niesei Week Tournament in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. Mizobe Sensei and Mr. Okamoto from Gardena JCI perfomed the Opening Kata Demonstration. They did an excellent job! We'd like to thank everyone who came out and did their best, including Frank Uto, Wendel New, Joel Inden, Dan Leyva, Miguel Sepulveda, Brian Dolan, Naris Pinyawatayakorn, and Keith Nakamura ( if I left anyone out, let me know). We made a good showing and had lots of fun!

July 9, 2000 :

On Sunday, July 9th Westside Kendo Dojo performed a demonstration at the Lotus Festival. The Lotus Festival is held at Echo Park, near downtown LA every year. Thanks to Mizobe Sensei, Frank Uto, Wendel New, Dan Leyva, and James Takishita (Venice Dojo) for participating.

June 11, 2000 :

On Sunday, June 11 We participated in the Southern California Championship Tournament at South Torrance High in Torrance, CA. Thanks to Joel Inden, Daniel Leyva, Miguel Sepulveda, and Dan Altruz for representing Westside Kendo Dojo there! Once again Dan Altruz Took home an Honorable Mention trophy!

April 16, 2000 :

On Sunday, April 16 We paricipated in the North/South Tournament at South Torrance High in Torrance, CA. It was a fun tournament with participants from all over California. Thanks to everyone who participated including Wendell New, Joel Inden, Dan Leyva, Naris Pinyawatayakorn, Dan Altruz, and Miguel Sepulveda. Congratulations to Dan Altruz who took honorable mention (4th place) in the Adult kyu division.

March 1, 2000 :

Mizobe Sensei published the first issue of the Westside Warrior, WKD's official newsletter. This newsletter was published for communication and information, two essential ingredients in a well run organization.

Westside Warrior Issue No. 1 March 2000

February 7, 2000 :

At the Southern California Kendo Federation Board of Dirtectors meeting held on Saturday 2/5/00 our Dojo's application for membership was unanimously approved!!! This is a very big thing for our Dojo. We'd like to give a big thanks to the SCKF for accepting us.

January 25, 2000 :

Hey, wow, its the year 2000!!! Lets do what we can to insure the growth and preservation of the martial arts for another thousand years! Whether you take Kendo, Hapkido,Kung Fu, or Boxing, these arts are an important part of our heritage and we owe it to our children to leave them this great legacy. It is our duty.

...I have an announcement from Mizobe Sensei. He recently checked the guestbook on this site and read some of the emails you've sent, and it seems that alot of people don't have access to good information on Kendo. So, he has decided to make available to the public some of the the information he has compiled over the years.

As a fairly recent Kendo practitioner, I would say that this has been very useful to me, especially the how to's involving the care of your equipment. Mizobe Sensei also says that if you have questions, you can contact him directly by phone or mail.

Write to the above address, or call (310) 532-2196 hm, or (310)538-9405 wk.

December 24, 1999 :

Last night we had our 1st annual Christmas Party at Cherrystones Restaurant in Gardena. It was certainly a festive night. We ate ribs and chicken till we were all about to POP! The rest of the night was devoted to karaoke.
    Thanks to all the members and guests who celebrated the holidays with us!!! If you weren't there, we wish you and your family all the best for the holidays.

Check here for more pictures!!!

Karaoke!!!	Time to eat!!

November 8, 1999 :

Congratulations to everyone who competed Torrance Dojo's 25th anniversary tournament on November 7!!! Win or lose, you should all get gold medals for showing up and trying your best!!!

November 2, 1999 :

November 1st we had our BIG Grand Opening!!!There were over 25 people in attendance!!! After a spirited inaugural keiko we shared a beautiful cake provided by Mizobe Sensei.

To everyone who attended our grand opening, we thank you.	Oh yes, its a cake. Mmm . . .Chocolate! :-)

We'd like to thank all those who came to support our new dojo, especially Higuchi Sensei and Amemiya Sensei from Gardena, Uto Sensei from Chuo, as well as Kaneshiro Sensei.

C o m e   C h e c k   O u t   t h e   D o j o

Penmar Recreation Center
1341 Lake St.
Venice, CA 90291
M A P