The British Kendo Renmei is very sad to announce the death of Patricia Knutsen 7th-dan kendo, a stalwart of British kendo for more than 50 years, who passed away on 26th June 2017, after a short illness.
The funeral will be held at Woodvale Crematorium, South Chapel, on Wednesday 12th July at 11.30.
On Tuesday the 11th April Fujii Okimitsu-sensei suffered a fatal heart attack.
His contribution to kendo is hugely underrated and that he occupies the position as the “Forgotten Ronin” of British kendo, as he touched each and every part associated with kendo and iaido in the early days of the BKA.
Arriving in the UK on the 1st April 1967 he spent most of his life here dedicated to kendo and the Kenseikai kendo clubs that he established.
Fujii-sensei had lived in Cornwall for many years where he continued to practise and teach kendo & iaido until he sadly passed away.
We will remember him with sincere respect, and fond memories as a very modest, diligent teacher with a kind nature, and a mischievous smile which was to be seen both in and out of the dojo.
‘Rest in Peace dear friend and sensei’.
Paul Budden
The following students were advanced into or within the dan degrees at the shōdan shinsa, held under the Rules of the British Kendō Renmei, at Tunbridge Wells on Sunday 5th March 2017.
To Shodan:
Ian Calvert (Tonbridge)
Andy Haynes (Tonbridge)
To Nidan:
John Bridger (Tonbridge)
Matthew Williams (Tonbridge)
To Sandan:
Tim Bailey (Butokukan)
Tony Booker (Tonbridge)
Alistair Brindle (Butokukan)
Stephen Horton (Tonbridge)
Mark Morford (Tonbridge)
Philippe Negri (Tonbridge)
Hatsugeiko – New Year practice – will now be held in Lewes in April – date to be confirmed. Please contact Butokukan Dojo for details.
The latest edition of the Renmei journal – Kendo Iai Naginata, Issue 304, Autumn/Winter 2015 – is now available for members on the Journal page.
This edition continues the series on kiai, begun in Issue 302.
