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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, 1954 by Torao Mori, an 8th Dan Hanshi (Grandmaster). 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.
Mori Sensei is remembered as a prominent figure in helping Kendo thrive in America. He was the first president of the United States Kendo Federation (USKF) from 1955 until his death and helped form the International Kendo Organization. Torao Mori was also a prominent European fencer, and coached the Japanese Olympic fencing team for the Tokyo Olympic Games. After Mori Sensei’s death in 1969, Torataro Nakabara took over as head instructor of West LA Dojo. Nakabara Sensei has a long list of achievements to his name, including holding the rank of 8th Dan Hanshi, being 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 has since retired from active teaching at West LA, but remains the Senior Advisor of the dojo to this day. 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 is the Master Sensei of the dojo, while the day-to-day duties of Head Instructor have recently been passed down from Naohisa Nakata Sensei to Scott Fujimoto 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 $130.00 to start. As a beginning adult, you pay $155. After the initial two month, you will pay $60.00 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). 
One Time Registration Fee: $30.00
Monthly Tuition Fee: $30.00 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 & ollder----$160.00 ( includes, Registration fee $30.00, Annual Membership fee$70, Tuitionx 2months $60.00) If you're 17 & younger-$135.00 ( includes, Registration fee $30.00, Annual Membership fee$45, Tuitionx 2months $60.00) * write a check to "WLA kendo Dojo" *We now accept beginner students quarterly, January, April, July and October only* |
  Koichi Suyama (陶山晃一) 7th Dan - Kyoshi Head Instructor(主任教師)  Scott Fujimoto 4th Dan  Naohisa Nakata(中田直尚) 5th Dan Atsushi Kajioka (梶岡 敦） 5th Dan  Sang Hoon Lee 4th Dan  Akira Banchi ( 番地 章） 4th Dan 
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