Ken-Zen Institute

Tue. May 5th will be “Kodomo No Hi” – Children’s Day – in Japan. This celebration is always a Ken-Zen Kids favorite; we celebrate by creating origami samurai helmets! (Learn how here: https://youtu.be/3hm1bKd9-aQ?si=5mouqDdqcLTRaPTz)

Last Sunday we were honored to be joined by Stevie Roquelaure Sensei from Kendo Guadeloupe for both our regular and Shiai-focused practices – “Enchanté!

Congratulations to our Members who passed their AEUSKF Promotion Exams on Sunday! Left to Right: Ken-Zen’s Bishu Tang, 1-Dan; Enshinkan Kendo Dojo’s Raymond Sun,1-Kyu, and Joshua Hanson, 2-Kyu.

Please join us in congratulating Nava-sensei on passing his 6 Dan exam as well as Hyun-sensei and Takagi-sensei on passing their 5 Dan exam.

Congratulations to Ken-Zen Naginata on their success at the 9th Annual Yamauchi Memorial Taikai (held in honor of Sachiko Yamauchi-Prough Sensei, co-founder of the Greater New York Naginata Federation) and thanks to all who made this event possible!
RESULTS:
Youth Girls Individual Shiai: 1st Pl., Lynnz Fukuda; 2nd Pl., Caroline Powers; 3rd Pl., Serena St. John
Yudansha Engi-Kyogi: 2nd Pl., Emiko Kranz × Timothy Su (St. Louis Naginata Club)
Yudansha Women’s Individual Shiai: 3rd Pl., Emiko Kranz
Yudansha Men’s Individual Shiai: 1st Pl., Otto Herman
Open Yudansha Individual Shiai:1st Pl., Otto Herman; 2nd Pl., Emiko Kranz
Shukunshō (Outstanding Performance): 1st Pl., Emiko Kranz
John Prough Award of Outstanding Community Service: 1st Pl., Emiko Kranz

Thank you NYU Kendo for joining our practice and best of luck at this weekend’s Harvard University Invitational Shoryuhai Intercollegiate Kendo Tournament!

Congratulations to Andres Cabrera Sensei on his official selection as a Member of the All Eastern US Kendo Federation’s Senior Men’s Team at the 2026 All US Kendo Federation Championships!

Please note: SUN 22, our 10:30AM Ken-Zen Kids class will run *as scheduled* while our 12:30PM Regular Kendo practice is cancelled in anticipation of afternoon safety and transit issues from the impending winter storm. Enjoy the “Snow Day” and take care.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/45085

Ken-Zen Dojo will be CLOSED tomorrow, SUN 25 due to the forecasted New York Area snowstorm and in anticipation of safety issues and transit difficulties. Enjoy the “Snow Day”!
(Photo: Ben Hui)

Tuesday we ended Ken-Zen’s last Kendo practice of the year with our traditional Osouji (“Grand Cleaning”) in preparation for our “Kagami Biraki” / First Practice Celebration JAN 4!

Sunday we were fortunate to welcome back “Ken-Zen Family” Member – and newly-minted 5-Dan – Yoshihiro Yonekawa Sensei (and his clan!) as well as guest Dan Carney of Oakland Kendo Dojo. Thanks for making the practice special!