
Martha’s Vineyard Times managing editor and fishing columnist Nelson Sigelman was the guest of honor at the Boston Kyokai 30th anniversary celebration and tournament held at the Wang YMCA in Boston May 1, 2. Mr. Sigelman was a founder of the organization, a club for practitioners of the Japanese martial art known here as kendo.
Mr. Sigelman joined the practice and singles and team competition at the celebration, after a 20-year layoff. Observers say he was rusty, but game (video clip available at mvtimes.com).
Mr. Sigelman, who lives in Vineyard Haven, founded the Boston Kendo Club in 1980, after returning from four years in Japan. Kendo is the art of Japanese fencing.
Mr. Sigelman delivered an acceptance speech in which he described his introduction to kendo during his years in Japan and recalled his admiration for the accomplished practitioners who instructed him. The award he received, the first of its kind, is the Jack Thayer Memorial Award, presented to Mr. Sigelman for his contributions to the sport in this country.