|
San Fernando Valley Kendo Dojo
Location
 We practice at the San Fernando Valley Japanese Cultural Center at 8850 Lankershim Blvd., in Sun Valley, California.
To find us, take I-5 and exit onto Lankershim, then go north for approximately one quarter mile. We are on the east side of the street behind the Far East Market. You can contact us at info@sfvkendo.com.
Guests are welcome to come and watch a practice session at any time if you are interested in kendo, or in joining our dojo.
How to Join
In order to maintain a productive environment for our existing members, we only accept new students during the first week of the months of January and July. Usually, new students practice from 6pm - 7:30 pm for the first 8-10 weeks, unless it is a very small class. This is so that the sensei doesn't have to give up time with existing members, and everybody has enough room for practice. You should plan to arrive early for the first practice of January or July in order to sign up, sometimes we have more people show up than we can handle in one beginners class. I would also suggest that you come watch a practice a couple of weeks prior to joining to meet the sensei and see how class is run.
Students are required to pay dues quarterly, biannually, or yearly and are due at the first practice of the month in your payment schedule (e.g. January, April, July, etc.). Students will not be allowed to train if they are behind in their dues.
| DOJO DUES |
| INDIVIDUAL |
QUARTERLY |
BIANNUALLY |
ANNUALLY |
 |
| Adult |
$50 |
$90 |
$175 |
|
| Minor |
$40 |
$75 |
$140 |
|
| FAMILY |
QUARTERLY |
BIANNUALLY |
ANNUALLY |
|
| First Adult or Minor |
same as above |
same as above |
same as above |
|
| Second Adult |
$40 |
$75 |
$140 |
|
| Second Minor |
$30 |
$50 |
$90 |
|
| Each Additional Minor |
$20 |
$30 |
$50 |
|
The dojo is part of a community center, and the dues go directly to our rent for this facility, and to maintain these low fees, all members of the dojo must also join the Valley Japanese Community Center.
| ANNUAL COMMUNITY CENTER MEMBERSHIP |
| Per Family |
$30 |
|
We are part of the Southern California Kendo Federation, who are under the All U.S. Kendo Federation, who are then part of the International Kendo Federation. These organizations govern every aspect of kendo, from ranking to tournaments, and so you will need to join the SCKF and AUSKF.
| ANNUAL FEDERATION DUES |
| SCKF |
|
| Adult |
$26 |
|
| Minor |
$14 |
|
| AUSKF |
|
| Kyu, Adult |
$40 |
|
| Kyu, Minor |
$25 |
|
| Dan, Adult or Minor |
$40 |
|
The above information is available as a PDF for your convenience.
Practice Schedule
 We practice on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30, with a quick warm-up starting around 7:15. It is best to arrive at the dojo a little early so that you will have time to change clothes and be ready. After practice we usually relax and have refreshments, and some students take the opportunity to practice kata. We welcome all kendoka to join us for practice.
Sensei
We are honored to be practicing under the guidance of Maki Miyahara sensei Hanshi Hachidan. Our head instructor is Dennis Bailey sensei Yondan, and our other instructor is Kim sensei Godan.
 |
|
Miyahara sensei
|
At 87 years old, Miyahara sensei has an incredible depth of knowledge and experience, and he is a generous teacher. In 1971, he was inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame, and is on record as winning tournaments as early as 1934 at the age of 12. He was a student of his father Hiroji Miyahara Hachidan, who was among the first to bring kendo to the United States, as well as Mori Torao Hanshi Hachidan, an accomplished kendo sensei and European fencer who coached the 1964 United States Olympic team.
|
Support the dojo and show your spirit with an SFV Kendo Dojo patch. Only $5, see Kelly to get yours.
