Our Mission

At Kendo Journey, we believe in supporting the future of Kendo in the United States. That's why 100% of the proceeds from every purchase of our Kendo merchandise goes directly towards Kendo Charity.

  • As a child, I had a dream to not only excel in Kendo but also to help and support others who shared the same passion. I believed that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

  • As a high school student, I’ve spent countless hours creating my childhood dream into reality by building a website to support college Kendo teams in the USA. Through my passion for Kendo, I hope to lead others and be a positive influence on those around me. It is my belief that by coming together as a community, we can create a better future for Kendo in the USA and beyond.

  • Now, as I look back on my own journey in Kendo, I am inspired to give back and support others in their pursuit of this amazing martial art. That's why I am committed to using the proceeds from Kendo Journey merchandise sales to support college Kendo teams in the USA, helping to create opportunities and build a brighter future for the next generation of Kendo enthusiasts.

Donations

We are excited to announce that we will be donating team hoodies to the University of Washington Kendo Team for their upcoming participation in the Harvard University Kendo Tournament on March 18th. Our aim is to support the team's passion for kendo and their dedication to representing their university on a national level. We believe that providing them with comfortable and stylish team hoodies will not only boost their confidence but also enhance team spirit and unity. We are proud to support such an enthusiastic and dedicated team and wish them the best of luck in their upcoming tournament.

To Learn more about Harvard University Kendo click the icon here:

Bio
About Jonathan Yu

I was introduced to Kendo at a young age by my dad in Seattle, Washington. Despite being new to the sport, I was instantly captivated by the combination of self-defense and aesthetics. While other kids were playing tag and basketball, I spent countless hours perfecting my swing and subari in the dojo.

As I grew older, my passion for Kendo only intensified. At age 10, I competed in my first tournament, feeling the pressure of the audience's eyes on me. I emerged victorious, beating out over five opponents and securing my first win.

Now, as a sophomore at Annie Wright Preparatory School, I balance the responsibilities of being a student and athlete. My days are packed with challenging courses, including business, chemistry, history honors, English honors, math honors, and Mandarin honors. After class, I continue to push myself, running five miles, completing 100 push-ups, and practicing my sword technique for three hours in preparation for Kaisekei. On weekends, I spend my time training at the dojo from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

Even during holidays, my dedication to Kendo never falters. I spend at least six hours per day training, even traveling to Korea during the summer to compete at a higher level. While it's not always easy to balance academics and Kendo, I make the most of my time and continue to strive for excellence in both areas.

Junior National Kendo Team Captain

I am now a junior member of the All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF) and one of five selected to represent the USA in the upcoming 2023 Kaiseki Kendo tournament in Japan.

As the team captain, I have the privilege of guiding and advising our talented group of high school kendo athletes, helping them stay focused and motivated.

Our team's strategy involves each player having a two-minute window to score points against their opponents. If the team is trailing 7-8 after the fourth player, I'll do my best to contribute a point and even the score. I'm honored to have been selected as the team captain and will use my advanced skill level to compete at a higher level and score more points than my teammates.

Representing the USA at the highest level of competition is a tremendous honor, and I know that it demands dedication and discipline. With the help of my teammates and my leadership, we hope to make our nation proud. Thank you for your support.