December 2003
Columbia University Kendo Club is founded by Michinari Hokazono
and officially approved by Club Sports Department of Columbia University.
January 2004
The club registers Ms. Madoka Ishibashi as an instructor and receives
Aerobics 4 of Dodge Fitness Center as a practice space.
January 26, 2004
The first practice is held with 35 participants under the guidance of Master
Ken Kishino and instructor Ishibashi.
April 10, 2004
In alliance with Columbia University Japan Club, CU Kendo Club holds
its first on-campus demonstration in the Low Plaza.
April 17, 2004
CU Kendo participates in the first annual Martial Arts Expo held at Levien Gym.
May 15, 2004
The club gives demonstration for a party hosted by SIPA’s Japan Society aimed
at building awareness of Japanese culture.
September 4, 2004
The club makes its first trip to Yale University to join in the Goodwill Keiko
against kendo delegates from Japanese universities.
November 6, 2004
Columbia sends four students to the Cornell Tournament where 12 teams
participate and Columbia is eliminated in the first round.
April 2, 2005
Columbia captures its first title at the West Point Tournament where
10 schools participate.
April 12, 2005
Columbia team takes home the second trophy from Yale Tournament, where it
defeats the West Point team in the final round for the second time in two weeks.
11 schools participate.
April 24, 2005
The 9th annual Shoryuhai, currently the biggest intercollegiate kendo
tournament in the U.S., is held at Harvard University, where Columbia reaches
the quarterfinal but loses to UCLA team A
September 2005
David Spina joins the Kendo Club as an instructor.
November 12, 2005
Columbia participates in the 2005 Annual Cornell tournament but does not
break out of its preliminary bracket.
April 9, 2006
Columbia participates in the 2006 Annual Yale tournament, but does not
advance to the quarterfinals.
April 28, 2006
The Kendo Club gives another performance at Low Plaza during the 2006
CJS Matsuri Festival.
March 24, 2007
The Kendo Club holds a joint practice in Dodge Gym with the newly
formed NYU Kendo club
March 31, 2007
Yale Kendo Tournament, Columbia is undefeated in its bracket and advances
to the quarterfinals, but falls to GWU.
April 27, 2007
The Kendo club gives another demonstration at the annual CJS Matsuri
festival held in Lerner Party Space.
September 22, 2007
Columbia participates in the 2007 Annual Cornell tournament, winning
the Spirit Award.
November 3, 2007
Columbia captures 3rd place at the 2007 Annual West Point tournament.
Columbia University Kendo Club