Kendo around the world

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kendo originated in Japan, but is now practiced world-wide. The International Kendo Federation (FIK) was established in 1970 and in December 2006, admitted their 47th national or regional federation as an affiliate.[1] The World Kendo Championships have been held every three years since 1970.

The size and depth of skill varies widely from country to country. Some countries have a small kendo membership, while Japan has several million (the "Kodansha Meibo" (a register of dan graded members published by the All Japan Kendo Federation) stated that there were 1.3 million people registered as 1st dan or above in January 2003). In general, there are strong traditions in countries with strong historical ties to Japan, like Korea and Taiwan, as well as countries with large Japanese immigrant communities such as the USA, Canada and Brazil. Kendo is the most common name used for the martial art, there are also clubs in many countries using the Korean name (Kumdo).[2]

Contents

[edit] Asia

Mitsuhide Kendo Alliance (MKA) - Also known as the Brunei Kendo Alliance.
Hong Kong Kendo Association (香港劍道協會).
Indonesian Kendo Federation
Shinbukan: Iran Kendo and Iaido Organization
Israel Kendo and Budo Federation
All Japan Kendo Federation (Japanese) (AJKF)
Korean Kendo or kumdo :Korea Kumdo Association (Korean)
Macau SAR Kendo Associations Union (澳門特區劍道連盟).
The Penang Kendo Club in Malaysia was established in July 2005 under the tutelage of a 6-dan instructor, Arimatsu-Sensei.
Manila Kendo Club
Manila Kendo Club
Singapore Kendo Club
Republic of China (Taiwan) Kendo Federation.

[edit] Africa

The South African Kendo Federation is the official body not only of kendo but also Iaido and Jodo. Recently kendo activities have started in Mozambique and Malawi.

[edit] Oceania

The Australian Kendo Renmei grew from the beginning of kendo in Australia in the 1960's and is a founding member of the FIK (formerly the IKF). Australian Kendo Championships have been held in Australia annually for 33 years.
The New Zealand Kendo Federation.

[edit] Pacific Ocean

Hawaii Kendo Federation (HKF) The Hawaii Budo Kyokai was established in 1947 (even before the All Japan Kendo Federation) and was renamed Hawaii Kendo Federation in 1955. The HKF consists of 16 dojo practicing kendo and iaido on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai and Maui.

[edit] North America

All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF) consists of 14 regional members. The regional members comprise a minimum of three kendo clubs, each with a minimum of 50 members. Individual people or clubs cannot be members of the AUSKF.
Many universities also host collegiate clubs that promote kendo among student communities.
There also exist Southern California Kendo Federation and Midwest Kendo Federation
Canadian Kendo Federation (CKF) consists of over 55 member clubs. Clubs belong to CKF directly, although they may also belong to a regional federation. Such federations exist in BC, Ontario and Quebec.
Federación Mexicana de Kendo (FMK) Mexican Kendo Federation, consists of 4 regional members.

[edit] South America

In South America, the practice of Kendo has existed since the arrival of Japanese immigrants as early as 1908. Since then and with Brazil as its centre, kendo has spread over South America. Now kendo practitioners and kendo federations exist in many countries in South America such as: Brazil, Argentina, Venezula, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Aruba and Chile.
At the December 2006 meeting of the International Kendo Federation (FIK) held in Taiwan, the South American Kendo Confederation (CSK) was discussed and voted upon, as a result the Confederation was admitted as an FIK affiliate.
Argentina, Aruba, Chile, Brazil and Venezuela are affiliated with the FIK. The next South American Kendo championships will be held in Chile during 2007.
Rosario Kendo Dojo, in Rosario City
Brazilian Kendo Federation
Kendo in Chile started in 1990. The Chilean Kendo Federation was founded in 1997 and became a member of the FIK in 2003. It consists of about 250 kenshi, is part of the CSK (South American Kendo Confederation), and holds Kendo championships annually.
Kendo in Ecuador started in 1999 in the facilities of the Japanese School of Quito.
Kendo in Uruguay started in 2001 with the Uruguayan Association of Kendo and Iaido, developing slowly up to 2006 when new dojos were funded, currently Yamato Dojo is the one with most participants and the only on the Montevideo urban area. Uruguay was second place in the 2006 South American team competition in Buenos Aires, and fourth in 2007 in Chile. Thanks to efforts of the Kenshi community, Uruguay got it first high degree Sensei on September 2007 thru JICA, Ikushi Kubo Sensei (Kendo nanadan, Iaido nanadan) and his wife Ikue Kubo Sensei (Kendo Godan, Iaido Godan) who remained in the country until March 2008. Among the achievements he helped develop is the first group Ikkyu generation of Uruguay, who will be attempting Shodan in Sao Paulo Jul/2008.
Ken Zen Dojo de Venezuela was founded in 1990 under the auspice of Ken Zen Dojo of New York.

[edit] Europe

European kendo championships have been held since 1974, with the first taking place in England. The European championship is held every year, except in those years in which there is a world championship (these occur every 3 years). The European Kendo Federation, which 35 countries/regions belong to, also promotes jodo and iaido.

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ http://www.kendo-fik.org/
  2. ^ Article: Rising Sun vs. Morning Calm: The Birth of a Korean Fencing Tradition, by Myke Cole