H R K C o n l i n e :: CLUB HISTORY

T H E H A R V A R D - R A D C L I F F E K E N D O C L U B
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THE HRKC :: CLUB HISTORY

Founded in 1990, the Harvard-Radcliffe Kendo Club traces its inception to a late night discussion between four first-years about Japanese manga, particularly the kendo manga "Orewa Teppei" by Tetsuya Chiba. Inspired, they decided to start a kendo club at Harvard. The founders, led by Kazunori Tanaka ('93) and Leon Yen ('93), secured financial support for the club with generous donations from the Japanese Long Term Credit Bank and Mr. Tsutomo Chida. It was through Mr. Chida, who owned a bougu store in Tokyo, that the first sets of bougu and other equipment was acquired. With financial backing and equipment, and eventually approval from the University, the HRKC was born.

Kendo at Harvard was elevated to a new level by the establishment of a relationship between the HRKC and the Keio University Kendo Team. Beginning in 1996 with a visit to Harvard by a delegation from Japan, the relationship between the two kendo organizations is re-affirmed each year through a mutual exchange program whereby members of each dojo travel abroad to practice with the other. Members of the HRKC are privileged in practicing with the Keio University Kendo Team's at their annual summer gasshuku, while members of the Keio Team visit Harvard every February to participate in the HRKC's annual gasshuku.

The spring of 1997 also marked the first year of the annual HRKC Intercollegiate Tournament, later named "Shoryuhai" in 1998 after a generous donation of two trophies by the former Prime Minister of Japan, Ryutaro Hashimoto. The tournament represents an opportunity for collegiate kendo dojos both in the U.S. and Canada to come together in the spirit of competition and goodwill. By hosting this tournament each year, the HRKC strives to promote kendo beyond the gates of Harvard to other colleges as well.

During this time, the HRKC was further aided by generous donations from numerous private individuals, institutions, and corporations. With these donations, the HRKC has grown and continues to promote kendo both at Harvard and at colleges across North America. Among the many new opportunities that such funding has provided is the annual HRKC Fall Retreat. Starting in the fall of 2000, the HRKC has been organizing yearly weekend retreats, where both beginners and more experienced members practice their skills in a series of intense practices. Alumni are invited to the retreat to provide instruction, support, and encouragement.

In the fall of 2000, the Harvard-Radcliffe Kendo Club Alumni Association was created with two major purposes: to provide further financial support to the HRKC and to provide a sense of history and tradition. The two organizations have been working closely to continue building on what has already been established, and to find new directions and opportunities for kendo at Harvard.

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