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 we 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, we rented a storage space and laid out an authentic Japanese style floor through the guidance of Kazue Siina sensei from Japan. After that time, we 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. 

The Ryugamine dojo has hosted many senseis over the years and served to promote the spirit of Japanese martial arts to the Las Vegas community.