Women’s Kendo
PNKF sponsors and hosts the North American Women’s Kendo Taikai in the Greater Seattle area, bringing women kenshi together for instruction, competition, and community.
A regional gathering
The North American Women’s Kendo Taikai is held every three years in the Greater Seattle area. The program began in 2001. A guest instructor leads a week-long seminar at PNKF dojos, followed by a tournament with individual kyu- and dan-rank divisions.
The tournament opens with five-person team competition in round-robin pools, followed by a single-elimination bracket. Participants have traveled from Hawaii, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and across the United States, including Oregon and Washington.
A place for women in kendo
PNKF has supported women’s participation in kendo through its tournament and seminar program. PNKF describes its annual tournament as the first in the United States to offer a women-only division. The gathering makes room for women to learn from visiting instructors, compete, and build connections across dojos.
For information about the Women’s Kendo Taikai and its schedule, visit the tournament website.
Photograph
PNKF women’s team · 2010.