March Visit by Nakajima Sensei

On March 4th, the Omaha Kendo and Iaido Kyokai was honored by a visit from Fumiko Nakajima, sensei, of Japan.  Nakajima sensei and two of her students participated in a goodwill keiko at our Wednesday evening class at Benson Community Center. Nakajima sensei is a 6th dan in kendo and an Assistant Professor with the Department of Health and Sports at Niigata University of Health and Welfare.  Nakajima sensei is conducting research in the United States regarding attitudes of western kendo practitioners to kendo. Part of her research involved surveys of American kenshi to ascertain whether their motivations and approaches to kendo are as more sport or competition, as a martial art aimed at personal development, or a combination of those and other motivations and approaches. Our members completed surveys and other activities that will be used for her study.  Our members had a lively and enjoyable goodwill keiko with Nakajima sensei and her students.  Nakajima sensei's beautiful kendo was a treat to experience, and the highlight of the keiko was an exciting match between Nakajima sensei and our teacher, Yamaoka sensei.  We look forward to seeing and having keiko again with these kenshi, here or in Japan, and we look forward to reading the result of Nakajima sensei's study.  Many thanks to Mariko Anderson, Japanese language teacher at Elkhorn High School and Steve Bills for making this great evening possible.

Nakajima and Yamaoka senseis keiko.

The post-keiko glow. Nakajima sensei (Front, second from left) next to her two accompanying students from Niigata, Japan.

A beautiful tengui from Nakajima sensei. "To Make Action With Bravery In An Energetic Way"

Maeyama san of Niigata, strikes.