Steveston Kendo tournament celebrates 60th anniversary

More than 300 people took over Richmond's McMath secondary last month for one of Canada's largest kendo tournaments.

The Steveston Kendo Club celebrated its 60th annual kendo tournament on Feb. 24, drawing 370 participants from 39 different clubs from across North America, including representatives from Hawaii and California.

Kendo, translated as "the way of the sword," is a modern Japanese martial art of sword fighting and is based on traditional samurai swordsmanship.

The Steveston club, known as a dojo, is recognized as one of Canada's oldest kendo clubs, founded in 1914 by Kenta Tsuzuki.

When the dojo started, it was named Yokikan up until just before the war when it shut down. The club restarted around 1952 when the Japanese returned to Steveston.

The first Steveston kendo tournament was held in 1962 when it brought together two Vancouver clubs and some from Seattle. But it has since grown and attracts clubs from across North America.

Ray Murao sensei is the head instructor of the Steveston Kendo Club.

Tournament winners

10 and under division - S. Chen (Butokuden Martial Arts Dojo)

11-13 years - M. Yang (Torrance Kendo Club)

14-15 years - D. Buckham (University of Victoria)

0-4 Kyu - E. Sartiga (Sacramento Kendo Dojo)

1-3 Kyu - K. Soetamin (University of Waterloo)

Womens 2 Dan and Above - A. Fukushima (Vancouver) first place and L. Murao (Steveston) in second

Womens 1 Dan and under - E. Chui (Steveston) winning first place and A. Awai (Steveston) in second

1-2 Dan H. Mizuhashi (Torrance)

3 Dan – T. Ariga (Butokuden Martial Arts Dojo)  in first and D. Yao (Steveston) placed third

4 Dan and above – H. Yano (Whistler Renbu Kendo Club)

Junior team – Torrance winning first with Steveston (M. Chong, R. Kao, M. Lin, E, Lee, A. Chen) in second

Senior team - Butokuden Martial Arts Dojo won first place

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