Welcome to the Tacoma Kendo and Iaido Club

The Tacoma Kendo and Iaido Club honors the memory of Masao Tanabe Sensei and Yoshihiko Tanabe Sensei.

	Masao (Mas) Tanabe (November 19, 1923 – 1981) Founding Father of Tacoma Kendo Club Scout leader of Tacoma Buddhist Temple Boys Scout Troop # 115 from 1966 through 1968. Troop # 115 won the Blue Ribbon in a Scout O Rama demonstrating Kendo in 1967.  Participated in the World’s Fair in Spokane demonstrating Kendo during Expo 74 Folklife Festival between July 15 through July 21, 1974. On March 11, 1981, Torataro Nakabara, President of the US Kendo Federation awarded Mas Tanabe the rank of Kendo 7 Dan.		Yoshihiko (Yosh) Tanabe (May 9, 1921 – August 9,1992)  Founding Father of Tacoma Kendo Club Started Kendo in 1937 Yosh and several of the pre-war Tacoma Kendo Club members re-organized the Tacoma Kendo Club in 1967. Yosh was not only the leader of the Japanese community but also served as the leader of Japanese American Citizen League (JACL), neighboring Truck Farmers, the Tacoma Buddhist Temple and Kendo Organizations.  1970 & 1971 - President of JACL 1978 & 1979 - President of Tacoma Buddhist Temple 1978 thru 1992 – Served three 3-year terms on County Committee for Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Services 1975 & 1976 &1990 - member of County Committee for Farmers Home Administration 1975 - President of Northwest Vegetable Grower Association 1973 thru 1975 - Appeal Board of Selective Service for Western Federal Judicial District of Washington 1985 - Received 6th Class Order of Sacred Treasure Silver Ray from Japanese American Government for advancement of interest of Japanese American Farmers and the promotion of U.S.-Japan cultural ties 1987 - One of founding committee to start organizing the history of the Japanese in Tacoma and Puyallup Valley