2024.10 KENDOJIDAI
Hojo Masaomi Sensei has been competing at the highest level as a Kendo player, not to mention his victory at the World Kendo Championships. Hojo Sensei shared with us how he began his Kendo journey and the path he has walked throughout his career.
Hojo Masaomi (Kyoshi 8th Dan)
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1974. Went to Yokohama High School and Nippon Sport Science University. After graduation, he joined the Kanagawa Prefectural Police. World Championship individual winner, All Japan Championship third place, National Police Team Championship winner, National Sports Festival (Kokutai) winner. Currently, Kendo instructor at the Kanagawa Prefectural Police. Promoted to 8th Dan in August, 2024.
“Continue Doing it for Three Years”
Starting Kendo as a Promise to My Father
The town where I grew up, Miura City in Kanagawa Prefecture, is located in the southeastern part of Kanagawa, on the Miura Peninsula. The town is known for Miura Port, famous for its tuna hauls, as well as its agriculture. At the same time, it is also a town rich in history, with sites like the Akasaka Ruins and various relics and historical landmarks left behind by the samurai of the Kamakura period, giving it a nostalgic historical atmosphere.
I started Kendo when I was in the first grade of elementary school. My father enrolled me in the Miura Yuai-kan to teach me manners and etiquette. I will never forget the stern look on his face when he said, “Continue doing it for three years.”
My father was a French chef. He was incredibly strict about manners, especially table etiquette—if I held or used my chopsticks incorrectly, he would stop the meal altogether. I fondly remember how I desperately learned good manners just to satisfy my hunger. Practice at the Miura Yuai-kan took place three times a week. The younger students’ sessions started in the evening, and even though my father had to work during dinner service, he always made sure to come to the Dojo on practice days. It seems he used his break time to attend the training sessions.
Although my father had never practiced Kendo himself, he constantly sought to learn more, attending lectures and seminars and speaking with the Dojo instructors, always thinking about how to help me improve.
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