Kenshinkan Dojo

Through the years

Nakamura sensei at 72 years of age. All Japan High-ranked Seniors Budo Competition: Alternate Grand Champion.

 

 

 

 

Nakamura sensei teaching.

 

 

 

 

Nakamura sensei performing tameshigiri at Meiji Shrine during the Japan Ancient Martial Arts Preservation Society's annual event on Culture Day. (Photo courtesy D. Skoss, copyright 1996 Koryu Books.)

 

 

 

1994. Nakamura Sensei shows a gift from Power Sensei. The calligraphy-brush holder is engraved by an artisan with Araki Sadao Sensei's calligraphy "Shin Ken Hyaku Ja Futsu".

 

 

Nakamura sensei during a visit to Los Angeles, Ca. (1993). (Photo courtesy Dragon Associates.)

 

 

 

Sensei cutting makiwara at the Noma Dojo, also known as the Kodansha Dojo. This dojo is run by the Kodansha book publishing company and only the top martial artists give lessons or demonstrations. This photo is from sensei's book, "Nihon-to Tameshigiri no Shinzui" The Essence of Japanese Sword Testcutting (Tokyo: Kodansha, 1980). (Photo courtesy Nakamura Taizaburo)

1932. Nakamura sensei as a kendo 3rd degree black belt, age 20. (right >)

(above ^ )Nakamura sensei, 25 years old. Kyudo 4th dan.


(< left) Manchuria, 1934. Guarding
Battalion Headquarters.

January 1934, on Nakamura sensei's 21st birthday (1 Jan). (right >)

 

 

 

 

Nakamura sensei(center) at 28 years of age. Regimental Sumo Grand
Champion, 32nd Yamagata Infantry Regiment (in Manchuria).


Bottom row far right (kneeling), Nakamura sensei. North China
1945. Regimental "special fencing instructor" (tokubetsu kenjutsu
kyokan). Under sensei's guidance the Yamagata Regiment won the Division
Kenjutsu Championship three times.


At Camp Jinmu on the North China-Soviet border 1944. Conducting a special
performance of sword versus bayonet forms during a military festival.
Bayonet, Sergeant Major Yoshii; Sword, Sergeant Nakamura Taizaburo. (Photo courtesy Nakamura Taizaburo)


Nakamura sensei teaching in Manchuria ca 1944. (Photos courtesy Nakamura Taizaburo.)

Daughter and training partner Kyoko


In April 1954 Nakamura sensei devised a series of Sword v. Spear techniques based on his experience with bayonet training. At that time Nakamura sensei was the All Japan Champion in bayonet fencing. His daughter Kyoko was sensei's training partner and was skilled with the spear. The Japanese equivalent of "Life" magazine did a cover story on the father-daughter martial arts team.


NHK television program "That's Me." With daughter Kyoko (jukendo 4th dan) using the spear. Later she was promoted to 5th dan by the All Japan Jukendo Federation.


The writing on the tent states "Yoshida Middle School, 1958." Ms. Kyoko Nakamura died in the 1960s at which time Nakamura sensei stopped performing and teaching these techniques.


This memorial stone was erected by senior political leaders and students. The front provides a brief curriculm vitae, and the back is inscribed with the names of contributors who include Prime Ministers Tanaka and Nakasone, some members of the Japanese Diet, and senior students Sato Shimeo and Suzuki Kunio sensei-gata.