Kendo and Iaido
Taos Kendo teaches both traditional Kendo and Iaido. Japanese Sword-fighting arts that emphasize personal development as well physical and technical refinement. Kendo, literally the way of the sword is a traditional Japanese style of fencing with a two-handed bamboo sword, and cloth, bamboo and metal armor. It's derived from the fighting methods of the samurai. It is a full contact art that can be very intense but rewarding. Iaido is a martial art form that began as an off-shoot of kenjutsu, for the most part it is a solo practice in which the Iaidoka practices Kata (predetermined forms) with either a Shinken (real-sword) Iaito (a dull metal practice sword) or Bokuto (wooden sword). It emphasizes stillness, calm and mindful movements.
Instructors
Aaron Garlick 4 dan
Garlick Sensei has 18 years of experience in Kendo and Iaido. He got his kendo start in Taos NM but has also practiced and lived in LA where he trained at the world famous Chuo Dojo. Adittionally he lived and practiced in Japan during the 16th kendo world championships. Recently he acted as captain for Taos's first kendo team, they took third place in one of the largest kendo competitions in the southwest.
Aaron Garlick 4 Dan Co-Instructor
Travis Webb 1 Kyu
Travis Webb has 10 years of kendo and iaido experience. He is an excellent competitor who has practiced kendo all over the world, at the world famous Chuo kendo dojo in LA, in Sweden, Amsterdam, and the US. Travis is a knife and sword maker continuing Taos Kendo's blacksmithing tradition. He is an expert tangero and has taught dance for over 13 years. His dance and movement practice make him a strong asset to Taos Kendo's teaching staff.
Travis Webb 1 Kyu Assistant Instructor
Lineage
Taos Kendo was first established in 1993 by Charles Riddle and Carl Basham, students of Kenshi Nabeshima. In 1994 they were joined by Jim Dixon, a student of Rod Nobuto Omoto Sensei, and then a year later by Brian Anderson, a nationally renowned sword knife and gun smith. Together they formed the Taos Kendo and Iaido Dojo.
Nabeshima Sensei, of the Nabeshima Clan Samurai lineage, was an accomplished acupuncturist and a great swordsman, His book THE NEEDLE AND THE SWORD, HEALTH STRATEGIES OF A SAMURAI ACUPUNCTURIST is read by swordsman and doctors alike.
Rod Nobuto Omoto Sensei was a kendo man of exceptional skill and insight who emphasized a swordsmanship that cultivates peoples compassion, inner strength, and wisdom. In his youth, he was one of only a few to be selected to attend the Budo Senmon Gakko (Busen), a national school for training young men to become professional kendo teachers. During that time he was Uchi-deshi or live in student to Ogawa Kinnosuke sensei 小川金之助 one of only five 10 dans, the highest rank possible in kendo, a rank no longer awarded in the modern day. Omoto Sensei's focus was the Katsujinken or the sword that preserves humanity. It that focus that lives on in Taos kendo dojo to this day. Click any of the pictures below to learn more about the people in them.
Kenshi Nabeshima (鍋島健士) Sensei
Omoto Sensei
Omoto Sensei and Shikai Sensei During the 3rd WKC
Mentors and Good Friends
Taos Kendo has benefited from the mentorship of many great instructors. In particular Masashi Shikai Sensei of Chuo Kendo Dojo and Mark Uchida Sensei of Mushinkan dojo. The Dojo has grown tremendously because of their generosity.
Shikai Sensei teaching kendo at Taos Kendo Dojo 2018
Uchida Sensei Teaching Iaido at Taos Kendo Dojo 2018
Mark Uchida Sensei of Mushinkan Kendo, Kendo 7 dan Renshi, Iaido 7 dan Renshi, played a vital role in the earlier years of the dojos development. He was one of the first Non-japanese born Kenshi to be permitted to train at the famous Keisicho or the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, renowned for its kendo. He also facilitated a visit from Ota Tadonori Sensei to Taos Dojo. Ota Sensei of Tokyo 8 Dan Hanshi and retired head instructor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Kendo Unit .
Masashi Shikai Sensei is the head instructor of the world famous Chuo Kendo Dojo in LA, is 7 Dan Kyoshi and is one of the last students of the legendary Kendo Man, Torao Mori Sensei. Shikai Sensei is well known for his beautiful kendo and impressive fighting ability. He made history by leading the US kendo team to the first-ever victory against the Japanese Team during the 13 World kendo Championship in Taipei.
Ota Sensei and Brian Anderson At Taos Kendo Dojo
Uchida Sensei teaching kendo in Taos
Master Blacksmith Brian Anderson Demonstrating his craft to Ota and Uchida Sensei
Any one who has a sincere interest in kendo is a friend of ours! Taos's open door policy
In the spirit of Kenyu (friendship through swordsmanship), Taos kendo has an open door policy to anyone sincerely interested in learning the art of kendo regardless of their federation or experience. If you are interested in visiting please make your way to our contact page and get a hold of us, we'd be happy to have you!
