Support Hawaii’s Young Kenshi – “AKA-TOU” 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 Aka-Tou: The Flame That Would Not Flicker!

On the shores of O'ahu, the winds carried whispers of a trio, one sad, one stoic and one swift. Tales of their unmatched Kendo spread like ripples through the island, eventually reaching the ears of a young red panda with a fire burning in his chest. His name was Akatou, the red blade.

Hot-headed and fiercely determined, Akatou lived to fight. He trained alone in the shadows of banyan trees, but it wasn't enough. He craved worthy opponents. He craved the best. So, when he heard of Nyantou, Takotou, and Hayatou, he headed for the town of Waipahu.

After days of searching, he finally found the trio and without hesitation, Akatou charged forward, chin high and eyes ablaze. He demanded a match, if not with all of them, then with their strongest. Confused, the trio gave no response. But Akatou was relentless. He paced, posed, challenged and after a long silence, Takotou stepped forward, drawing his four Shinai. Akatou struck with fire but without thought. Unwavered, Takotou blocked his strikes and responded instantly with a simultaneous Men, Kote, and Do. Three Ippon in a single second. Akatou crashed to the ground in a cloud of red fur and vowed for revenge.

The next morning, bruised but undeterred, Akatou tracked the trio to the local farmers market. He climbed across fruit stands, waiting for his moment. He aggressively leapt toward Nyantou, but at that very instant, Nyantou clumsily tripped over a crate of pineapples. The red panda flew past him, crashing into a stack of fruit that tumbled over him like a soft avalanche. The trio walked on, unaware, leaving Akatou sticky and even more furious.

The following night, Akatou snuck into their camp under the soft moonlight. He was silent, focused and ready. As he tiptoed his way toward the trio, Hayatou’s ears twitched. Still asleep, the swift dog shifted in his dreams and with an effortless reflex, delivered a perfect Do strike that sent Akatou rolling across the grass.

When morning came, the trio awoke to find a battered red panda lying at the edge of their camp. He could barely lift his head from exhaustion. He didn't ask for another match, but asked to join them on their journey.

And so, the trio became four! The sad cat, the silent octopus, the swift dog, and the red panda with an unyielding flame.