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Meet Our Senseis

Meet your awesome seneis who teaches at Covina Kendo Dojo.

Click on a photo to learn more about them! Click outside to collapse all sections.

Kato Tomoji

Tomoji Kato Sensei

加藤 知二 Sensei

Kyoshi (教士) 7-Dan

When started kendo: Started at 33 in San Fernando Valley Dojo with Miyahara (宮原) Sensei

Special technique/waza: "Perhaps Kote waza is my best, and I like Men waza."

Favorite words for kendo / Important advice for Kenshi members: 一心 (Isshin); To concentrate the mind on one thing.

Sakaue Masataka

Masataka Sakaue Sensei

坂上 正隆 Sensei

Renshi (錬士) 7-Dan

WWhen started kendo: Started at 22

Special technique/waza: "Men waza is my favorite."

Favorite words for kendo / Important advice for Kenshi members: 礼儀 (Reigi); Courtesy / 剣道は、礼に始まり、礼に終わる。(Kendo wa, rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru.); "Kendo begins and ends with rei."

Tew Saeko

Saeko Tew Sensei

トウー龍見冴子 Sensei

7-Dan

When started kendo: Started at 13

Special technique/waza: "Keep it secret."

Favorite words for kendo / Important advice for Kenshi members:"Do your best."

Steven Kim

Steven Kim Sensei

Head Instructor

金 正釩 Sensei

Renshi (錬士) 6-Dan

When started kendo: Started in 1997

Special technique/waza: None

Favorite words for kendo / Important advice for Kenshi members: “I develop my kendo today, kendo develops me tomorrow.”

Katsuhide Kinjo

Katsuhide Kinjo Sensei

金城 勝秀 Sensei

5-Dan

When started kendo: Started at 35

Special technique/waza: "It was Men waza, and now is Kote waza."

Favorite words for kendo / Important advice for Kenshi members: Continue / "Keiko (稽古; Practice) is important."

George Owaki

George Owaki Sensei

大脇 丈二 Sensei

4-Dan

When started kendo: Started at 5 in Covina Kendo Dojo.

Special technique/waza: Unknown yet.

Favorite words for kendo / Important advice for Kenshi members:"There is a phrase 'Practice never lies', but if you do not use your head during practice it will lie easily." - Yu Darvish

Mariko Kato

Mariko Kato Sensei

加藤 満里子 Sensei

4-Dan

When started kendo: Jan 1999 at San Fernando Vally Dojo

Special technique/waza: Nuki-men

Favorite words for kendo / Important advice for Kenshi members:"Step-by-step."

Francis Lee

Francis Lee Sensei

Chief Instructor

李 俊鎬 Sensei

4-Dan

When started kendo: 2008

Special technique/waza: "work-in-progress..."

Favorite words for kendo / Important advice for Kenshi members:"Just have fun!"

Tae Hyuk Kang

Tae Hyuk Kang Sensei

姜 泰赫 Sensei

4-Dan

When started kendo: 2003, Daejeon, South Korea

Special technique/waza: Favorite one is Debane Men/Kote

Favorite words for kendo / Important advice for Kenshi members: 一招一投 (Ichizoi Itto). This phrase translates to "All in on one move", emphasizing the importance of committing fully to every strike in Kendo.

Evan Ware

Evan Ware

エヴァン ウェア Sensei

4-Dan

When started kendo: 2010 at the University of Michigan Kendo Club

Special technique/waza: Kote Nuki Men

Favorite words for kendo / Important advice for Kenshi members: 七転び八起き(Shichi Korobi Ya Oki) Fall Seven Times, stand up eight.

Yosiaki Watanabe

Yoshiaki Watanabe

渡辺 Sensei

4-Dan

Past Sensei

The following Senseis have spent time and have influenced Covina Kendo Dojo

Scott Chang

Scott Chang Sensei

6-Dan

Yu Mike

Hsu C. Yu, aka Mike Yu Sensei

余 旭正 Sensei

5-Dan