Our Instructors

Resident Alumni Instructor

Responsibilities:

Collaborating with captain(s) beforehand to set roles/responsibilities during practices
Coordinating "senpai" (local experienced members) and keeping everyone on the same page as to each practice's goals
Serving as local point alumni for local experienced members and guests (e.g., sharing expectations/guidelines)
Providing sensei with a rundown of the current state of the students' kendo, as needed
Recording practices and uploading videos for student and alumni review
Participating in and helping with day-to-day practice
Sharing and providing feedback from alumni
Creating and reviewing curriculum with alumni and captain(s)
Identifying gaps in their kendo curriculum and conferring with alumni / sensei on solutions
Supporting captain(s) in fostering the community

Expectations:

Experienced in kendo (equivalent of nidan or higher)
Attends > 85% of HRKC practices to provide day-to-day support
Currently practices regularly at a local dojo and continues to receive kendo instruction
Ueda-ss is the head coach, defer to him; Tomo/Ken are the HRKCAA alumni sensei, defer to them after sensei; consult with Hyun/Helen as other instructional kendo senpai

Mindset:

Focused on teaching the students kendo: Practice is not about you.
Aligned with “long-term kendo": We can aim to win in shiai, but not at the cost of solid basics and/or physical and mental health.
Servant leader: This role is about listening to the students and helping them meet their goals.
Respectful of the students and others: Help mediate when needed and serve as a student advocate.

Interaction Model:

Weekly or biweekly syncs with captain(s)
Partnership with captains: During practice, captains run practice and instructors have space to instruct and provide feedback; outside of practice, captains and instructors decide on the practice agenda together.

Amanda Hu '10

4 Dan

Started kendo as a sophomore in Harvard College
Represented All-Eastern US Kendo Federation in 2023 Nationals, placed in top 32 for women's individuals
Placed 1st in Teams at the 2023 Boston Consul General Cup MA Kendo Rensei Taikai
Placed 3rd in Women's 1-2 dan division at the 2019 Goyokai Tournament
Placed 2nd in Women's Teams at the 2018 AEUSKF Tournament
Placed 2nd in Women's 1-2 dan division at the 2018 GSK Tournament
Quarterfinalist in Women's Dan Individuals Division at the 2018 Cleveland Kendo Taikai
Placed 1st in Women's Teams at the 2017 AEUSKF Tournament

Associate Resident Alumni Instructors

Jacob Moore '23

2 Dan

Started kendo as a freshman in Harvard College
Pandemic Captain and President, singlehandedly revitalized the club in 2021
Placed 3rd in 2022 Ryuko Taikai Mixed Friendly competition
Placed 3rd in Men’s Kyu division at the 2019 Goyokai Tournament

Jia Jia Zhang '20

2 Dan

Started kendo as a sophomore in Harvard College
VP + PR manager ‘18, President ‘19, Co-Captain (in tri-captaincy) ‘20
Has had every major wardrobe malfunction and comical self-injury in the book
Placed 3rd in Women’s Mudansha (unranked) division at the 2018 Goyokai Tournament

ALUMNI SENSEI

The HRKC has a strong community of sensei-level alumni who provide their instructional expertise from afar through video review and feedback sessions, in addition to returning each year to lead alumni weekend practices.

Kentaro Fujita '00

5 Dan

Started kendo as a sophomore in Harvard College
Harvard team captain 1999-2000
2nd place team at 2000 Shoryuhai
Member NY Shidogakuin (2000-2006)
Instructor OSU Kendo (2006-2018)
Team ECUSKF Representative at 2011 AUSKF National Tournament

Tomohiko Hayashi BU '02

renshi 6 dan

Started kendo in 4th grade in Yokohama, Japan.
Member / instructor at Chicago Choyokan Kendo dojo (2005 - present)
(2) times second place, (2) times third place in Harvard University Shoryuhai Kendo Tournament - Individuals (1999 - 2002)
1st place Individual at 1st Cornell University Kendo Tournament 2001
Midwest Kendo Federation individuals at 2011 AUSKF National Tournament
2nd place Team at Detroit Open Kendo Tournament 2012
2nd place Team at Midwest Kendo Tournament 2012
2nd place Team at Midwest Kendo Tournament 2019

Helen Yung '13

4 dan

Started kendo as a freshman in Harvard College
Placed 2nd in Women's 1-2 dan division at the 2018 GSK Tournament
First HRKC woman to pass 4 dan

Hyun-Sup Byun '01

4 dan

Started kendo as a freshman in Harvard College
First undergrad to complete all four years in the HRKC
Has made every kendo mistake in the book, and then some

Maura McGrath '16

4 dan

Started kendo as a freshman in Harvard College
Current Assistant Instructor at Pittsburgh Kenyukai Kendo Dojo and Head Coach of undergraduate Kendo Club at Pitt
Placed 1st in Women's division at 2023 Michigan Cup
Placed 2nd in Women's division at 2022 & 2023 Johnson Cup
Placed 3rd in Women’s 3-dan+ division at 2024 GSK Tournament
Placed Top 8 in Open 3-dan & Women’s divisions at 2022 Detroit Tournament and Top 8 in Women’s division 2023

Japan

Placed 1st in Women’s 1-dan division at 2017 Shibuya-ku Fall Tournament
Placed 3rd in Women’s Team division at 2019 Shibuya-ku Fall Tournament
2-page interview in Kendo Nippon Magazine (May 2019) as a “Woman in Kendo”
Competed in the Women’s All Japan Business Competition and other tournaments from 2018-2019 as a member of a company team

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