“Kenyu” represents the theme of Torrance Kendo Dojo.

This word is composed of two characters: “Ken” (sword), the first character in “Kendo,” and “Yu,” derived from the word “Tomo” (friend). Combined, the two characters form the word “Kenyu,” or “Friendship through Kendo.” We believe Kendo is a pursuit in which one will naturally develop deep camaraderie, trust, and loyalty through rigorous training and diligent study. These relationships form not only between Sensei (teachers) and Kenshi (students) within one’s own Dojo, but between fellow Kendo practitioners throughout the world. Over the years, Torrance Dojo and its members have had the privilege to practice and develop “Kenyu” with Sensei and Kenshi from the United States, Japan, Korea, and many other countries throughout the world. These relationships are something that we will continue to cherish for many years to come.

Torrance Dojo is the only dojo in the United States with over 21 active sensei – including 4 U.S. National Champions and 13 sensei who have represented their country in the World Kendo Championships.

DOJO

Place to learn

Torrance Kendo Dojo provides a place for ”KENYU” to meet, train, and grow together. Since its founding in 1974, countless members have honed their skills through rigorous practice, strengthening both body and spirit. The dojo has consistently produced top competitors at the U.S. National Championships, and in the 2024 World Kendo Championships, eight members were selected to represent Team USA. With the support of 3 dedicated coaches from our dojo , both the men’s and women’s teams achieved an impressive bronze medal finish.

SENSEI

Instructors

Head Instructor
Christopher Yang

Song Yi Yang

Daniel Yang

Jason Brown

KEIKO

Practice

Beginner Keiko
Tuesday 7:30pm ~ 8:40pm

Wear active clothes; we provide shinai for your first lesson (bamboo sword), and bogu (protective armor) is purchased upon promotion.

Advanced Keiko
Tuesday 7:30pm ~ 9:30pm
Friday 7:30pm ~ 10:00pm

Our Advanced Keiko sessions prioritize extensive practice of complex waza, ensuring ample time for refining the techniques taught by our Sensei.

Beginner Keiko
Tuesday 7:30pm ~ 8:40pm

Wear active clothes; we provide shinai for your first lesson (bamboo sword), and bogu (protective armor) is purchased upon promotion.

Advanced Keiko
Tuesday 7:30pm ~9:30pm
Friday 7:30pm ~ 10:00pm

Our Advanced Keiko sessions prioritize extensive practice of complex waza, ensuring ample time for refining the techniques taught by our Sensei.

On October 10–11, 2026, a total of 10 members of Torrance Kendo Dojo, including 7 competitors and 3 coaches, represented the U.S. National Kendo Team at the 1st Pan-American Kendo Championships in Suzano, Brazil! 🇺🇸🇧🇷

We are proud to celebrate 3 individual champions from Torrance Kendo Dojo: Musashi Yang (Junior Boys), Ethan Choo (Senior Boys), and Damian Williams Sensei (Men’s Individual), who became the first-ever Pan-American Men’s Individual Kendo Champion!! 🏆

Our dojo members also played a key role in all 3 gold medal-winning team finals! 
All 3 Torrance juniors competed in the Junior Team final, while 3 out of 5 competitors in the Men’s Team final and 1 in the Women’s Team final represented our dojo.

【 TORRANCE KENDO DOJO RESULTS 】

▪️ Junior Boys’ Individual
🥇 1st Place – Musashi Yang

▪️ Senior Boys’ Individual
🥇 1st Place – Ethan Choo
🥈 2nd Place – Shawn Yang

▪️ Men’s Individual
🥇 1st Place – Damian Williams
🏅 Best 8 – Arashi Steele

▪️ Junior Team
🥇 1st Place – Musashi Yang, Shawn Yang, Ethan Choo

▪️ Men’s Team
🥇 1st Place – Julian Williams, Arashi Steele, Damian Williams

▪️ Women’s Team
🥇 1st Place – Zidi Allison

【 COACHES 】
Christopher Yang Sensei
Song Yi Yang Sensei
Daniel Yang Sensei

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Congratulations to all our members and sensei on their achievements! Thank you to everyone who continues to support Torrance Kendo Dojo!

#TorranceKendoDojo #TorranceKendo #PanAmericanKendoChampionships #USNationalKendoTeam #Kendo
SCKO Memorial Tournament! 🏆

Congratulations to all those that competed this past weekend! Results & summary below:

Adult Kyu - Nick Ogino (1st Place🥇)
Senior Youth Boys Team (1st Place🥇)
- Ethan Choo
- Kai Nakazono (CHUO)
- Kiharu Iwanami
1-2 Dan Division - Rui Elliot (3rd Place🥉)
16-18 Boys - Ethan Choo (3rd Place🥉)

Ethan Choo and Nick Ogino were also selected to represent SCKF in the Federation Team Competition ✨
The SCKF Team Championships were held today, with many Torrance Kendo Dojo members competing and showing great kendo throughout the tournament.

Our Championship Division team continued its long-standing winning tradition once again this year. 
We are proud to carry on this history and grateful to our sensei and families for their continued support each year🫶🏻

Congratulations to all of our kenshi!! 🎉

🥉 Jr. Girls Kyu – 3rd Place
Mana Sano / Manna Chang / Sarah Tenn

🥈 Junior Youth Kyu – 2nd Place
Mana Sano / Carlos Vega / Sarah Tenn

🥇 Senior Youth Boys – Champions
Kiharu Iwanami / Shawn Yang / Musashi Yang

🥉 Senior – 3rd Place
Eun Seok Choi-sensei / Masaki Mizuhashi-sensei / Tetsuya Iwasaki-sensei

🏆 Championship Division – Champions
Jason Brown-sensei/ Julian Williams-sensei / Damian Williams-sensei / Arashi Steel-sensei / Rei Elliot / Christian Kawano / Rui Elliot
Who’s taking the belt this year? 👀🏆

3-person Kachinuki team match⚔️
Open to all kenshi from around the world🌎
One unforgettable weekend🎖️

The 52nd Torrance Kendo Dojo Anniversary Tournament is coming🔥
Save the date: January 30–31, 2027❤️‍🔥

#torrancekendo #kendoworld #剣道大会 #kendoka #kendotournament
📣 We’re excited to announce the official Save the Date for the 52nd Torrance Kendo Dojo Anniversary weekend!

Get your teams ready! We are returning with a full weekend featuring our Kachinuki 3-person team tournament and an exclusive opportunity to train with the best in the world.

🏆Saturday, Jan 30: 52nd Dojo Anniversary Tournament (3-Person Kachinuki Team Match)
✨Sunday, Jan 31: Seminar led by 2026 All Japan 8-Dan Champion, Takahiro Nabeyama Sensei

Location: West High School (20401 Victor St, Torrance, CA)

More details regarding registration, divisions, and the full schedule will be released soon. For now, mark your calendars!

#TorranceKendo #Kendo #剣道 #torrance #usakendo
Torrance Kendo Dojo had the pleasure of participating in a seminar led by Komeda Sensei.
It was a valuable opportunity to receive instruction from Komeda Sensei and learn from his teachings.

We are grateful to Long Beach Kendo Dojo for hosting the seminar and providing this opportunity.

We look forward to carrying what we learned into our future practice🔥
CONGRATULATIONS to our newest 5th Dan, Zidi Allison Sensei! ✨ 

Thank you for everything you do to support our dojo. This achievement is just a small reflection of the immense hard work and dedication you put into every single day!💪

#kendo #剣道 #torrancekendo #5dan
We are incredibly proud of our youth kenshi! 🇺🇸✨

Torrance Dojo’s Musashi Yang and Shawn Yang, teaming up with Costa Mesa Dojo’s Kai Romero, recently represented Team USA Juniors at the All Japan Dojo Renmei Tournament and put on the best result we’ve ever seen from an international team.

Competing against more than 600 of the top middle school teams in Japan, the boys climbed their way into the Best 16. This incredible run also marks the first time in history that a US team has made it onto the tournament’s Top 16 digital scoreboard! 🏆

Finishing this high in such a prestigious tournament is a huge milestone and a true testament to their dedication, training, and spirit. We are so excited to watch their continued growth on their kendo journey.

A special thank you to Team Coach Danny Yang sensei and Manager Hayato Okawa sensei for their leadership and guidance!

#torrancekendo #USAKendo
Last Friday was Yume & Yuki’s last practice with us🥲🫶🏻

Thank you for being part of our team. 
We’re so happy you joined our dojo, and we’re going to miss you both so much.

Wishing you all the best on your next adventure❣️
You’ll always be part of the Torrance Dojo family!
🔥✨Highlights from the 2026 AUSKF National Championships✨🔥
Loading the next set of instagram posts...