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1966 |
Under the direction of Sensei Chiyoko Tokunaga, Yoko Yamao and Sachiko Wada at Shudo-kan Dojo in Osaka Castle, Japan, two (2) Japanese American women, Yasuko Yamaguchi and Helen Nakano received their initial instruction in Naginata. They bring Naginata to the United States and begin training under the guidance of renowned kendo instructor, Torao Mori sensei. |
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1968 |
Yasuko (Konishi) Kimura and Keiko (Konishi) Kawamori, the daughters of the late Chair woman of the All Japan Naginata Federation, Mrs. Shizuko Konishi, visit the US to demonstrate Naginata. |
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1973 |
First Naginata seminar in the United States conducted by 11 instructors from the All Japan Naginata Federation (AJNF), held in conjunction with the 2nd World Kendo Championships in Los Angeles and San Francisco. AJNF and USA participate in a Naginata demonstration at the Los Angeles Sports Arena and San Jose State University Men's Gym. |
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1974 |
The United States Naginata Federation (USNF) is formed through the efforts of the instructors and members of the Southern California Naginata Federation, and with encouragement of the AJNF. Mrs. Teiko Mori becomes the first USNF president. |
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1975 |
AJNF sends three instructors (Kuniko Sunagawa, Miyako Tanaka, Ryuko Nagahashi) to teach in L.A. and San Jose. |
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1975 |
AJNF 20th Anniversary Tournament in Kobe Japan. USNF instructors (Helen Nakano, Yasuko Yamaguchi, Violet Yamaguchi) compete in Shiai and Engi. |
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1979 |
The Japanese Ministry of Education sends Miyako Tanaka to Los Angeles to teach and promote Naginata for one year. |
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1980 |
AJNF 25th Anniversay Tournament in Kumamoto, Japan. USNF presidents, past and present, (Teiko Mori, Yasuko Yamaguchi, and Helen Nakano) attend by invitation. |
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1987 |
USNF Naginata Seminar in Gardena host AJNF instructors. |
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1989 |
Rocky Mountain Naginata Federation joins USNF. |
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1990 |
International Naginata Federation (INF) established with seven (7) Affiliates: Japan, USA, France, Belgium, New Zealand, Sweden, and The Netherlands. Mrs. Dorothy Ishiyasu is elected INF Vice President and Mrs. Helen Nakano is elected INF Director of the Americas. First INF Goodwill Tournament held in Tokyo Japan on 9 December. The US takes third place in the team match. |
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1991 |
Northern California Naginata Federation joins the USNF. Shortly thereafter, members from the Midwest and East Coast of the US also join the USNF. |
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1992 |
3nd INF Goodwill tournament held in Paris, France. |
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1992 |
First Annual USNF Tournament held in San Jose, California. |
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1993 |
2nd Annual USNF Tournament held in Denver, Colorado. |
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1993 |
3rd INF Goodwill Tournament hosted by USNF in
Southern California at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
The US takes second place in the team match. |
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1994 |
3rd Annual USNF 20th Anniversary Tournament held in Lincoln, Nebraska. |
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1995 |
The First International Naginata Tournament held in Tokyo, Japan. |
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1996 |
4th Annual USNF Tournament held in San Jose, CA. |
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1996 |
4th INF Goodwill Tournament held in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The US takes third place in the team match. |
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Note: |
Sice the formation of the USNF in 1974, instructors have conducted seminars throughtout the US, including Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles, Denver, Lincoln, Chicago, New York, Washington, and Phoenix. In 1994 the USNF celebrated its 20th anniversary with a tournament and seminar. USNF dojo are located throughout the US including Southern California, Northern California, Colorado, Nebraska, Minneapolis, and Hawaii. |
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Last modified on 4 July 1997.