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Since the 1930s, the Japanese Cultural Institute of Sawtelle taught kendo until the cultural animosity of World War II forced Japanese-Americans to shut down all practice of the art. After nearly a decade of inactivity, the West Los Angeles Kendo Dojo was officially founded on October 19th, 1952 . At its birth the dojo had only four kenshi, but membership grew rapidly. The first tournament was held only seven months later, and West LA Dojo became a prominent host for tournaments until the mid 70s.
Torataro Nakabara 8 dan Hanshi was leading person of WLA kendo dojo and remembered as one of the most prominet figure in helping Kendo thrive in America. Nakabara Sensei was the president of both the Southern California Kendo Federation (SCKF) as well as the USKF. In 1985 he even received an honorable decoration from Emperor Hirohito of Japan for his devotion to the kendo community. Nakabara Sensei passed away in March 2008. Many distinguished guest instructors have been received at the dojo over the years, including Nakamura Sensei, Ota Sensei, Ishida Sensei, Ishizuka Sensei, Haga Sensei, and Miyazaki Sensei. Currently, Koichi Suyama 7dan Kyoshi is the Master Sensei of the dojo, while the day-to-day duties of Head Instructor have recently been passed down from Scott Fujimoto Sensei to Atsushi Kajioka sensei . 
On joining the dojo, two months of tuition, the registration fee, and the annual membership fee are required. For example, if you're under seventeen years old, you pay $155.00 to start. As a beginning adult, you pay $180. After the initial two month, you will pay $80.00 per every two months.
West LA Dojo is a non-profit organization, all of the sensei/instructors are volunteers. Dues go toward maintenance of the dojo, renting the Japanese Institute of Sawtelle facilities, and paying for each students membership in both the AUSKF and SCKO (members' advantages include free admission to many tournaments). Enrollment period: *We accept beginner students quarterly, January, April, July and October only* -You need to visit our dojo in the first 2 weeks of above months for registration during regular practice hours. -- -Kendo experienced can join at anytime under instructor's consideration. 
One Time Registration Fee: $30.00
Monthly Tuition Fee: $40.00 Per Month *Familly member discount available. Annual Membership Fees (See Chart Below): All United States Kendo Federation(AUSKF) Southern California Kendo Organization(SCKO)
For new member to start, you have to pay: If you're 18 & older----$180.00 ( includes, Registration fee $30.00, Annual Membership fee$70.00, Tuitionx 2months $80.00) If you're 17 & younger-$155.00 ( includes, Registration fee $30.00, Annual Membership fee$45.00, Tuitionx 2months $80.00) * write a check to "WLA kendo Dojo" Family discount: if you join as family, 2nd( or more) person would get half price of monthly tuition, $20.00 per month. enrollment fee will be discounted accordingly. **If you would like to see our practice before you join, please feel free to come and visit our dojo, " No appointment is necessary!" Our dojo door is always open for people to sit down and observe. ** |
  Koichi Suyama (陶山晃一) 7th Dan - Kyoshi Head Instructor(主任教師)  Atsushi Kajioka (梶岡 敦） 5th Dan  Naohisa Nakata(中田直尚) 5th Dan  Scott Fujimoto 4th Dan  Sang Hoon Lee 4th Dan  Akira Banchi ( 番地 章） 4th Dan  Hayato Mitsuishi (三石勇人） 4th Dan
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