It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of Michael Tucker. Michael was a member of the BKA since its founding in 1964 and of Nenriki Dojo since its founding in 1966. He continued to train to the end. Michael was an important part of the development of kendo in the UK and the early development of kendo in Europe. For example, in 1966 he visited Belgium with Roald Knutsen in order to train with the emerging kendoka there. He passed shodan in 1967. He is without doubt ‘one of the originals’ who contributed so much to the kendo we know today. Here he is along with other ‘originals’.

From Left to right:
Victor Harris, Ric Schofield, unidentified, Fujii Okimitsu s., Michael Tucker, Osaki Shintaro, John Howell

I knew and trained with Michael at Nenriki since 1973. I recall a soft spoken ‘gentleman’ dedicated to kendo, always smiling and full of interesting anecdotes. We have lost a fine member of the Association. He will be fondly remembered.

Errol Baboolal Blake
Nenriki Dojo