Underneath our impeccably polite and unassuming Grove traffic guard is Yutaka Miyazaki, a pioneering swordmaster.
Snow Country
Where are you from and what was your town like?
I'm from Tsuruoka, Yamagata. It’s snow country with very nice fields. It’s very safe, a low chance of earthquakes. And the people are very calm.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be a sumo wrestler. There was one sumo wrestler who inspired me. Seeing them wrestle hit my heart. But my brother said I was too small and he directed me to kendo instead. I have practiced kendo ever since I was 10. My older brother taught me and took me to the dojo.
What were your favorite toys and games growing up?
Chambara. Just picking up sticks and fencing with other kids.
Coming to America
How did you end up in America?
I moved to Chicago because I knew someone who was a friend of my brother who had a judo dojo. I wanted some adventure in my life. And I ended up living there for 30 years.
Did you teach kendo right away?
At first I was working for a trading company owned by a Korean who imported wigs. He was eager to read Japanese books and so he opened a Japanese bookstore. I managed that bookstore too.
How did you finally start your own dojo?
I founded a kendo dojo in Chicago in 1976. But I started at a Buddhist temple. They had a dojo there already. I was 23 or 24 years old. I felt I was very aggressive compared to the teachers there. I was very outspoken so younger people were drawn to me and so they followed me to my new dojo. I taught there for 20 years.
Back in Japan
Why did you come back to Japan?
It was time. I came back to Japan because I was offered a job in real estate developing around resort areas.
What’s your favorite place in Tokyo?
Asakusa and older areas of Tokyo. I love Kamakura too.
How do you spend your weekends?
Since my wife is not in such good condition, I do a lot of shopping. And I like taking walks. And of course, I still love swinging the sword.