The Salinas Kendo Dojo was founded by Takuma Bunden (Hanshi 7-Dan) and Tomio Kurano in 1970 with the encouragement of the San Jose Kendo Dojo, where the pair had been traveling to practice. Current head instructor, Jimmy Eitoku (7-Dan), was the first student but many others including Jimmy Uchida, Glen Kyutoku, Richard Uto, Henry Uchida and others soon joined to form a large club of almost 40 members. Among those were two other current sensei including brothers Yuji Onitsuka (7-Dan) and Shinji Onitsuka (6-Dan). Acknowledged among their peers for their accomplishments and dedication to kendo, these sensei continue to carry on a tradition of kendo excellence in Salinas and now also in Monterey.

Jimmy Eitoku, Yuji Onitsuka, Shinji Onitsuka, Bunden Sensei (1977)

International Goodwill, Nakakura Ki, World Kendo Championships:

1974: First International Youth Goodwill Kendo Tournament (Tokyo, Japan): Jimmy Eitoku, Jimmy Uchida and Glen Kyutoku.

1977: Second International Youth Goodwill Tournament (Tokyo, Japan): Jimmy Eitoku.

1982: 5th World Kendo Championships (Brazil): John Tashiro, Richard Uto (3rd Place Mens Team) and Kenny Dairokuno (Youth).

1985: 6th World Kendo Championships (France): John Tashiro, Richard Uto, and Yuji Onitsuka (Youth).

1988: 7th World Kendo Championships (Korea): John Tashiro.

1990: United States representative to Nakakura Ki (Tokyo, Japan): Jimmy Eitoku.

1991: 8th World Kendo Championships in (Toronto, Canada): Yuji Onitsuka and Shinji Onitsuka.

1994: 9th World Kendo Championships (Paris, France): Yuji Onitsuka.

1997: 10th World Kendo Championships (Kyoto, Japan): Yuji Onitsuka and Mike Minami.

1999: United States representative to Nakakura Ki in Tokyo, Japan: Mike Minami

2000: 11th World Kendo Championships (Santa Clara, USA): Yuji Onitsuka and Mike Minami.

2003: 12th World Kendo Championships (Glasgow, Scotland): Mike Minami.

2006: 13th World Kendo Championships (Taipei, Taiwan): Yuji Onitsuka, Coach.

2009: 14th World Kendo Championships (Sao Paolo, Brazil): Yuji Onitsuka, Coach.

2012: 15th World Kendo Championships (Novara, Italy): Yuji Onitsuka, Manager (Womens Team).

2015: 16th World Kendo Championships (Tokyo, Japan): Yuji Onitsuka, Delegation Leader.

All United States Kendo Championships:

1978: First National Championships: Jimmy Eitoku 2nd Place (NCKF Men's Team), Toku Kamimura

          - 3rd Place Glen Kyutoku (Youth Individuals)

1981: Second National Championships: Jimmy Eitoku - 1st Place (Men's Team), Kenny Dairokuno - 3rd Place (Youth), Yuji Onitsuka - 2nd Place (Youth Goodwill), Mike Minami - 3rd Place (Youth Goodwill), Denise Onitsuka - 3rd Place (Womens Individuals), and others from Salinas: John Tashiro, Ricky Kyutoku, Janet Uto and Henry Uchida.

1984: 3rd National Championships: Jimmy Eitoku, Yuji Onitsuka and Shinji Onitsuka - 2nd Place (Men's Team), also from Salinas: Janet Uto and Denise Onitsuka.

1987: 4th National Championships: Jimmy Eitoku, Yuji Onitsuka, Shinji Onitsuka and John Tashiro - 3rd Place (Men's Team), Denise Onitsuka - 1st Place Womens Individual, also from Salinas Janet Uto.

1990: 5th National Championships: Jimmy Eitoku, Mike Minami, Yuji Onitsuka and Shinji Onitsuka - 1st Place (Men's Team), Ken Matsuyama - 1st Place (Youth Individuals).

1993: 6th National Championships: Jimmy Eitoku, Yuji Onitsuka and Shinji Onitsuka - 1st Place (Men's Team).

1996: 7th National Championships: Jimmy Eitoku (NCKF Player & Coach), Yuji Onitsuka and Mike Minami - 2nd Place (Men's Team).

1999: 8th National Championships: Yuji Onitsuka (Captain), Jimmy Eitoku, and Mike Minami - 1st Place (Men's Team) and 3rd Place (Men's Individual)

2002: 9th National Championships: Mike Minami (Captain), Yuji Onitsuka - 2nd Place (Men's Team) and 3rd Place (Men's Individuals), Kenny Michioka - 1st Place (Senior Youth), Scott Dyer, Ken Yoshida, Kenny Michioka (Captain) - 2nd Place (Senior Youth Team), Nick Dyer - 3rd Place (Youth Individuals) also from Salinas Kent Mori, Kevin Kuramura, Daisuke Yoshida, Eddie Hurt, Brendan Hurt, Mitsugu Mori.

2005: 10th National Championships: 3rd Place (NCKF Men’s Team) Jimmy Eitoku, Yuji Onitsuka, Kent Mori

2008: 11th National Championships: 2nd Place (NCKF Men’s Team) Jimmy Eitoku

2011: 12th National Championships: 3rd Place (NCKF Men’s Team) Jimmy Eitoku, Adam Eitoku

          - 1st Place Douglas Inoue ( Junior Youth) - 1st Place Ryo Eguchi (Senior Youth)

2014: 13th National Championships: 1st Place (NCKF Men’s Team) Ryo Eguchi - 1st Place (Senior Youth) Manabu Uto

          - NCKF Team Coach Yuji Onitsuka

Page updated MAY 4, 2023