We follow in the footsteps of masters who have passed their knowledge from generation to generation. Salet Sensei began his martial arts journey in France in 1998 under the guidance of Bernard Durand, a pioneer of French Kendo and one of the first 7th Dan practitioners in Europe. Through Durand Sensei, Salet Sensei forged a lifelong connection with Okada Sensei (8th Dan Kyoshi), director of the Shodokan dojo in Tokyo, who continues to inspire our everyday practice.

The Shodokan dojo itself holds a remarkable history. Founded in 1935 by Okada Morihiro, grandfather of Okada Sensei, it became a crucial sanctuary for Kendo after World War II, when the art was officially banned. During those difficult years, Shodokan hosted the Doshi-kai association, which quietly kept the practice of Kendo alive three times a week. Some of the most renowned swordsmen of the era trained there, including Saimura Goro, Watanabe Toshio, and Haga Junichi. These gatherings shaped the unique style of Shodokan Kendo, which was later passed down from Okada Morihiro to his grandson, Okada Morimasa, the present director.

In the 1970s, Shodokan opened its doors to foreign practitioners—something rare at the time. Bernard Durand was among those who trained there for over a decade, bringing the teachings of Shodokan back to France. It was under his instruction that Salet Sensei first encountered Kendo, creating a living bridge between Tokyo, Paris, and eventually New York.

As for Shinshokan, its roots in New York trace back to 2012, when Rashi Sensei, a student of the Sung Mu Kwan dojo in New Jersey, opened a dojo in Harlem named Seitokan. He invited Salet Sensei to teach Kendo, and together they introduced countless students to the way of the sword. The dojo flourished in Harlem for several years until the pandemic forced a relocation. It was then reborn in Brooklyn under a new name: Shinshokan.

Today, Shinshokan carries this intertwined legacy forward. From the resilience of postwar Shodokan, to the pioneering spirit of European Kendo, to the vibrant energy of New York City, our dojo embodies a lineage of dedication, perseverance, and renewal. Each bow and strike on our floor continues this story, linking past and present in the timeless pursuit of budo.