"YAMA-TOU" KENDOBUTSU Collectable Enamel Pin – Support Hawaii’s Young Kenshi Collectable Enamel Pin

In collaboration with our friends at the Waipahu Seibukan and Aiea Taiheiji Kendo Clubs, California Budogu is proud to offer these premium—and adorable—enamel pins, each designed by their club members. 

Proceeds from every purchase directly support Hawaii’s young Kenshi, helping to grow their local Kendo community and fund their journey to the Steveston Tournament in Canada. Each pin features a completely original character and story, making it not only a fun collectible, but also a meaningful way to support the next generation of Kendoka!

Meet Yama-Tou: The Spirited Horse Loved by All!

High above the valleys, where the mountains were painted in powdery snow, a tiny horse named Yamatou was born. She was born among the peaks where melting snow flowed down into the land below, feeding rivers of the quiet salt lakes that rested beneath them. From her first days, Yamatou loved the water. She would splash through streams, play along the shores, and watch the reflections of the sky dancing across the surface. She carried a strong spirit from the very beginning. Her father was a fourth-generation Kendo instructor, carrying a long family tradition of discipline, patience, and dedication. Her mother was gentle and loving, always keeping her safe as she explored the world around her.

When the group of travelers discovered Yamatou, they immediately welcomed her. Hayatou watched over her with the same loyalty he carried in his golden bell. Nyantou stayed close by, making sure she never wandered too far, quietly guiding her with patience and care. Akatou, though pretending to be impatient, was secretly excited to have a new training partner one day. Yamatou quickly became the youngest member of their family.

She followed them everywhere, splashing through streams and proudly carrying small branches like they were her first shinai. She was still too young for armor, still too small for real battles, and still learning how to find her balance. But her spirit was already strong. Everyone knew that one day, when the time came, Yamatou would begin her Kendo journey with a heart as deep as the lakes below, and a spirit that would carry her far beyond the borders of the mountains in which she was born.