Our Instructors | Seattle Kendo Kai

Doug Imanishi

Head Instructor, Kendo Kyoshi 7 Dan

Doug Imanishi has been a lifelong member of Seattle Kendo Kai, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, one of the dojo’s original sensei. He trained across the Pacific Northwest and continues to deepen his practice with visiting kenshi and trips to Japan. Guided by lessons such as “Whoever holds a shinai is my friend” and “You need at least two people to practice kendo,” Doug emphasizes respect, camaraderie (Value your fellow kenshi), and learning from every moment on the dojo floor. To him, kendo is both a mirror and a piece of glass, revealing your true self while helping practitioners grow physically, mentally, and in their relationships with others.

Ryuichi Shimizu

Kendo Kyoshi 7 Dan, Iaido 3 Dan

Ryuichi Shimizu began kendo in 1954 at age 13, reaching 2nd-Dan by 17 and ultimately 7th-Dan at 61. Along the way, he experienced setbacks—failing his 4th- and 5th-Dan exams—but views these failures as crucial for building a solid foundation. He has trained in Yokohama, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kamagaya, and Seattle, and believes that kendo teaches us to converse and behave respectfully with others. It is honest and fair: the harder you practice, the more you gain, even if improvement is not immediately visible. Through kendo, we see what is true and what is false, helping to navigate life’s misunderstandings and challenges. Ryuichi aspires to be a good example of fair, reasonable, and beautiful kendo.

Hiroaki Fukumoto

Iaido 6 Dan, Kendo 4 Dan, Jodo 3 Dan

I stopped practicing Kendo after finishing middle school. In 2002, I heard some people were doing Kendo in Seattle. Heck, I wonder who is doing that crazy stuff in the US?! Out of curiosity, I visited Seattle Kendo Kai to find out. The head instructor at that time invited me to get on the floor and do some suburi. At the end of the practice, the sensei unexpectedly introduced me as a new member. I couldn’t say no. That’s the day my kendo resumed. A few years after joining the club, Seattle Kendo Kai started a new Iaido program led by Kozawa Sensei and assisted by Al Sakamoto Senpai from Musokai. Since then, the Seattle Kendo Kai Iaido program has been slowly but steadily growing. Now we have weekly Iaido practice with more than ten SKK members and regular guests. I hope many more successes are coming to our future.