The Las Vegas Kendo Club (“LVKC”) was founded in 2006 by Tetsuo

Watanabe Sensei (Kendo 7-dan), who started a Kendo class at the Silver

Springs Recreational Center (SSRC) as part of Henderson’s recreational

program. After a few years, Watanabe Sensei moved back to Japan and

the Kendo classes were continued by Kentaro Nagamine (Kendo 6-dan),

Takaya Zembayashi (Kendo 7-dan), Tony Galvez, Stanilas Indarto, and

Kohei Munemura. During this time, the membership of the club grew, and

LVKC strengthened the ties to Southern California Kendo Federation

through James Yamasaki sensei of Pasadena Cultural Institute and Shikai

sensei of Chuo Dojo in Los Angeles. 

In 2012, the LVKC collaborated with the Las Vegas Ariki Mujinsai-Ryu

Iaido group (lasvegasiaido.com/) and established the Ryugamine Dojo (竜

ヶ峯道場) (ryugamine.com/) in Henderson. Together, LVKC rented a

storage space and laid out an authentic Japanese style floor through the

guidance of Kazue Siina sensei from Japan. After that time, LVKC had an

independent place to practice, and eventually stopped holding recreational

class at the SSRC.

Nagamine Sensei moved back to Japan in 2013 and the practices have

since been led by Locklair Sensei and Zembayashi Sensei. 

Las Vegas Kendo Club (LVKC) experienced several changes in recent years. In 2024, the Las

Vegas Ariki Mujinsai-Ryu Iaido group separated from LVKC, and the club no longer used

Ryugamine Dojo Name.

In January 2026, after 13 years at its previous location (6290 Harrison Dr. #13, Las Vegas),

LVKC relocated to The Stage, located at 2510 Anthem Village Drive, Henderson, NV.