VALLEY KENDO CLUB
Instructors
Noriko Towata Sensei
Head Instructor
Kendo 5-Dan
Background:
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Started practicing kendo in middle school, achieved 2-dan by high school in Japan.
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Participated in the 2023 U.S. Nationals Tournament.
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Appointed as the Head Instructor of VKC starting from 2024.
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Participated in the 2026 U.S. Nationals Tournament as a member of the SCKF Team. Received the Fighting Spirit Award
Teaching Philosophy:
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Strives to provide tailored instruction according to each member's level.
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Aims for members to acquire etiquette and cultivate mental fortitude through kendo.
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Teaching motto: "Kendo is fun!"
Bill Kaneshiro Sensei
Founder & Senior Instructor
Kendo 5-Dan. 50+ years experience. Traditional martial arts/culture training.
Studied under, among many others, Mr Masaru Akutagawa (7-Dan) Venice Kendo Club;
Mr Kazuto Miura/Mr Hideharu Meguro/Mr Don Trent (Kyoshi, 7-Dan) Tokyo; Mr Mark Uchida (Kyoshi, 7-Dan) Mushinkan Denver; and under the gracious encouragement, guidance, and inspiration of Mr Tadanori Ota and Mr Takeshi Nakamura (Hanshi, 8-Dan) Tokyo.
Former head instructor—Venice, AMEMB Tokyo, and Valley Kendo Clubs.
Teaching rank certifications from All US Kendo Federation and All Japan Kendo Federation.
