Abe Sensei
Kyoshi 7 Dan
In 1979, Kevin Tadasu Abe started kendo at the age of 6 at Monterey Park Kendo Dojo under Masashi Shikai Sensei (7 Dan). For the first couple years, Kevin could not win a single match but won the best attendance award both years. Later, Shikai Sensei took Kevin to Chuo Kendo Dojo, where many strong and mean senseis from Japan practiced including his future sensei, Kazuharu Arima Sensei (7 Dan). Before the next practice, Kevin locked himself in the bathroom at home and told his mother, “I’m not going!”……but somehow his mother forced him to keep practicing kendo and always encouraged him to get better. When he finally won his first trophy, he slept with it all night. Around this time, Kevin won 1st place at his Japanese school’s speech contest with the title, “Daisuki na Kendo”. In his speech he stated that he would win the U.S. Championship someday and in 1987, he fulfilled the dream by winning the Youth National Championship at the U.S. Nationals in New York City.
In 1992, after a four year hiatus, Kevin returned to kendo at Sho Tokyo Kendo Dojo founded by Arima Sensei. He won 1stplace in his first tournament after returning to practice, and in 1993 went on to place in the top eight at the U.S. Nationals in Santa Clara. Abe Sensei failed to make the team for the U.S. Nationals in 1996, but at the Nisei Week Tournament, a week before the nationals, he beat the captain and co-captain in the semi-final and final. In 1999, Abe Sensei participated at the U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas….and the following year made it on Team USA, the first ever representative from Sho Tokyo to make it to the World Championship.
In 2004, Abe Sensei became the head instructor of Sho Tokyo. During his tenure, Sho Tokyo has had three different members win the SCKF Championship. In addition, Sho Tokyo had 5 different members win the U.S. Championship including the men’s, women’s, girls’ and boys’ divisions. Furthermore, 8 different members represented Sho Tokyo at the World Championship returning with a number of medals.
In 2017, Abe Sensei obtained the rank of 7 Dan. In September 2017, he along with his sister Judy Honda (6 Dan) and brother-in-law William Honda (4 Dan) decided to start a new dojo to carry on what he has learned and practiced. He believes in a rigorous practice focusing on basics and a commitment to excellence.
Honda Sensei
6 Dan
Judy Honda started kendo in 1981 at the age of six and a half at Chuo Dojo in Los Angeles. In 1991 when Chuo Dojo split, Judy joined the newly formed Sho-Tokyo Dojo but ultimately returned to Chuo Dojo the following year.
In 1993 at the age of 18, Judy entered her first U.S. Championships in Santa Clara, CA as a member of the SCKF Team where she placed 3rd in the Women’s Individual and 1st in the Women’s Team competition. Three years later she represented Team SCKF in the 1996 U.S. Championships in Cleveland, OH where the Women’s Team again took 1st place. In 1997 Judy had the privilege to be selected for the USA Team to compete in the World Kendo Championships held in Kyoto, Japan, the first time a Women’s Individual Division and Women’s Team were added. Judy fought her way to make top 8 and won herself a fighting spirit award. In 1999 she would compete in the U.S. Championships in Las Vegas, NV. She took 3rd in the Woman’s Individual Division and helped to clinch 1st place in the Women’s Team by winning the tiebreaker match in the finals. In 2003 at age 33, Judy had the opportunity to represent USA once more and compete in the World Kendo Championships held in Glasgow, Scotland. However, halfway through training she had torn her Achilles tendon and was forced to leave the team. It was an unfortunate blow for Judy since that would have been her final Championships at the National/World level.
Following her recovery Judy returned to practice and by 2007 obtained the rank of 5 Dan. In 2010 she married William Honda (4 Dan), who also did kendo at Venice Kendo Dojo. They had their first son, Kurt, in 2011 followed by their second son, John, in 2014. In 2017 Judy and her husband together with her brother, Kevin Abe (7 Dan), opened LOS Kendo Dojo in Los Angeles.
In 2023, a new Senior Women’s Individual Division was added to the U.S. Championships held in Detroit, Michigan. Judy represented Team SCKF once more, making it to the finals and winning 2nd place. In August following the U.S. Championships she obtained the rank of 6 Dan. Judy continues to teach and practice regularly at LOS Kendo Dojo with her husband and her two children.
Honda Sensei
4 Dan
William Honda started kendo in 1977 at the age of 17 at Honolulu Young Buddhist Association in Nuuanu, Oahu, Hawaii. He was under head sensei Shigeo Yoshinaga. William then was accepted into Architecture school and took a hiatus from Kendo.
Work took him to California in 1985 and William tried to return to kendo by joining Costa Mesa Kendo Dojo under head sensei Takeshi Yamaguchi in 1986 but establishing a career meant long hours and he was able to practice for about a year before taking another long break from kendo.
In 2001 William joined Venice Kendo Dojo in West Los Angeles under head sensei Henry Asai. Over the years William reached the rank of 3 Dan. William stayed at Venice Dojo until 2017 when his wife and brother-in-law opened a new dojo, LOS Kendo Dojo.
In April 2018, William earned his 4 Dan after dedicating himself to pass this milestone examination.
Takanashi Sensei
4 Dan
Robert Takeo Takanashi started kendo in 1981 at Norwalk Dojo under Walter Takeshi Yamaguchi Sensei (Kyoshi 7 Dan). Robert started the basic fundamental training with Akio Bob Hara Sensei (8 Dan) and immediately loved the way it was taught. From 1989-1994, Robert joined the U.S. Army and took a break from kendo.
In 2000, Robert obtained the rank of 4 Dan. In 2002 Robert qualified to compete in the U.S. Nationals in Los Angeles and finished in the top 8 for the Individual Men’s Tournament.
From 2013-2023 Robert took a break from kendo to focus on his children’s extracurricular activities.
In July of 2023 Robert joined LOS Kendo Dojo after coming in contact with Kevin Abe Sensei.