The Industry Sheriffs Kendo Dojo (ISKD) was founded in 2004 as an extension of the defunct Monterey Park Kendo Dojo.
When the facility in Monterey Park closed, Arthur Ichiro Murakami Sensei worked tirelessly with the City of Industry Sheriffs’ Youth Activities League (YAL) to create a new dojo. With the help of Ted Takafumi Imoto Sensei, Deputy Jeff Domingo, and Captain Tim Murakami, a facility was created to Murakami Sensei’s specifications from an abandoned AM PM market.
In 2019, just before COVID hit, through the efforts of Deputy Domingo, Deputy Bickel & the YAL, we moved into the new building. Since then, Deputy Bickel has been a huge supporter, even while suffering major health issues. He has turned over the reigns to Sgt Chris Ha.
The concept of the dojo is simple- our intent is to provide a safe, healthy environment for youth of the City of Industry & surrounding areas to study the concepts of kendo, with the hopes that the practice has a positive influence on their lives.
Murakami Sensei liked to call ISKD his “little dojo.” Since 2004 ISKD has grown from just a handful of members to a family of 50 kenshi. Thanks to the Sheriffs’ YAL and our adult kenshi, those 18 and under never have to buy a shinai, never pay dues, and never pay a tournament fee. ISKD is the only known dojo in the United States with such a support structure. ISKD is growing a foundation of strong kenshi. We are proud of our members over the years, especially youth who have done great things in both education and kendo! This includes (but not all inclusive, forgot some…)-
Felicia Chang (Yale University), Aaron Chang (artist), Julie Kim (UC Riverside), Vincent Yu (US Navy), Christine Wong (UC Irvine), Ryan Choi (US Riverside), Jonathan Leung (UC Santa Barbara), Kyle Watanabe (Red Shell Dressings), KunSeo Yook (UCLA), Alex Tsu (Cal Poly Pomona), Guillermo Garcia (Rio Hondo), Darren Ong (Cal State LA), Jeeoh Lim (USC), Eddie Paek (Angeles College), Myla Romero (US Naval Academy), Frank Lee (Suffolk University Law School), Noah Nakayama (UC Irvine), Jeeyu Lim (UC Riverside), Max Cota (Yale University).
The dojo is young & small by local standards, but thanks to the Sheriffs it continues to thrive, encouraging it’s youth to move on to higher education, enriching careers, and community involvement.
An article on Murakami Sensei published in the Martial Arts Masters Magazine
(Click on the article to download)
Photo and Video links:
Dennis Ralutin Sensei’s Flickr page