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.
A few days ago, and completely out of the blue, two of Donn Draeger’s books arrived. Good clean copies of ‘Classical Bujutsu’ and ‘Classical Budo and Bujutsu’ sent by former member Brian Scrafton (1982-86), unfortunately without a reply address.
I would like to thank Brian for his kind consideration. If you are reading this, please get in touch through the contact page.
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)
The following member has been advanced to Shodan rank under the authority of the British Kendō Renmei at the Shōdan Shinsa held at the Tunbridge Wells Dōjō on Sunday, 9th October 2016.
Warren Foat (Butokukan)
Congratulations from all our Kendōka friends.
