Our Sensei

Our Chief Instructor:
Sensei Helen Michiyo Nakano

Helen Michiyo Nakano is the chief instructor of the Southern California Naginata Federation (SCNF) and co-founder of the United States Naginata Federation (USNF). She is currently the President of the Southern California Naginata Federation and was nominated and elected by the International Naginata Federation (INF) to serve as a Vice-President. In addition, she serves as a member of the INF Technical Committee. She is also a Past-President of the United States Naginata Federation and became the first Director of the Pan American Zone for the INF, which was formed in Japan in 1990.
She has studied the art of Naginata since 1966, initially studying under Chiyoko Tokunaga Sensei, Yoko Yamao Sensei, and Sachiko Wada Sensei. She trained in Naginata, Kendo and Iaido under the guidance of Torao Mori Sensei until his death.
Nakano Sensei continues to be instrumental in the development of Naginata across the United States. Currently there are 5 dojo (schools) in southern California (Gardena, Pasadena, Irvine, and two (2) in Torrance), with additional dojo located in Lincoln NE and Phoenix AZ. She has conducted numerous seminars throughout the United States and Canada, as well as internationally for the INF.

She has been teaching Naginata - A Japanese Martial Art at El Camino College since 1998, the only college-accredited Naginata course in the United States.

Nakano Sensei was born in Seattle, Washington. At the age of three (3), she, along with her parents and brothers were incarcerated in Minidoka, Idaho for 3-1/2 years during World War II. Upon their release, they moved to Oregon where they lived for approximately four (4) years prior to moving to California where she has lived ever since.

Nakano Sensei's husband is George Nakano, Kendo 5-Dan Renshi, and a former member of the California State Assembly and Torrance City Council.

Nakano Sensei currently holds the rank of Kyoshi.

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Nakano Sensei Receives Jokun Medal of Honor! JokunMedallion

In April 2009 our chief instructor, Helen Michiyo Nakano, was awarded the "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette" medal from the Emperor of Japan. This medal is the highest award given to a non-Japanese citizen in recognition of work that advances the study of Japanese culture.
"Ms. Helen Michiyo Nakano was born in Seattle, Washington. When she was eleven years old, Ms. Nakano and her family moved to Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Manual Arts High School and attended El Camino College in Torrance.
Ms. Nakano has contributed to international goodwill, and Japan-U.S. goodwill in particular, through the dissemination of Naginata (long-handled sword), an ancient martial art of Japan.
With her efforts as a member of the formation commemoration committee, the International Naginata Federation was established in 1990 in Japan. She has been vice president of the Federation since 2002. As a principle exponent of naginata in the United States, she was instrumental in introducing and spreading Naginata to the global community. Throughout the years, she ensured that the Federation emphasized the training and guidance of younger generations, taking every opportunity through various international activities to promote the educational development of younger people in naginata. Through activities such as these, she greatly contributed to the promotion of international goodwill.
As co-founder of the United States Naginata Federation, Ms. Nakano has poured her energy into teaching naginata throughout the country and was instrumental in developing the Southern California Naginata Federation in 1974. She has served as president of the United States Naginata Federation and president of the Southern California Naginata Federation.
In the U.S., Ms. Nakano helped establish naginata dojos (practice halls) in Nebraska, Florida, and Arizona, where she stressed the training of the younger members. At these dojos, she, herself participates in training students. As one of Naginata’s early pioneers in America, she consistently promoted naginata through friendly sports exchanges with Japan. She has been teaching naginata at El Camino College since 1998. It is the only college accredited naginata class in the U.S.
Ms. Nakano is an active member of many organizations, serving as the first female president of the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute in 1990 and continuing to serve on its board of directors. Through social and cultural activities, she selflessly promotes friendship between Japan and the U.S. through naginata. The Japanese American community holds Ms. Nakano in high esteem, not only for her contributions to society, but also for her gentle personality."