Kendo Around The World - International Organisations

International Organisations

The following are examples of international organisations which manage and promote kendo.

• The International Kendo Federation (FIK) is the international federation of most of the national and regional kendo organisations. The FIK was established in 1970 to provide a link between the All Japan Kendo Federation and the developing international kendo community. Seventeen national or regional federations were the founding affiliates. The number of affiliated organisations and recognized has increased over the years to 52. The FIK has conducted the World Kendo Championships, every three years since it was established. The international competition is contested by individual and team representatives of the FIK affiliates.

• Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK) was established in Kyoto, Japan, in 1895. Its sole purpose, at that time, was to standardize martial disciplines and systems throughout Japan. DNBK was the first martial arts organisation to be sanctioned by the government of Japan. The DNBK also received the endorsement of His Royal Highness, Meiji Emperor in 1895. Today, the new axiom of DNBK stresses preservation of classical martial arts tradition and the promotion of education and community service through martial arts training.

• International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) was established in Kyoto, Japan, in 1952. The first chairman of IMAF was Prince Kaya Tsunenori, former lieutenant general in the Imperial Army, and uncle of the Emperor Hirohito. The IMAF manages Kendo activities and provides access to archives of historical information and sources of traditional instruction, as well as the promotion of friendship and cooperation among leaders and enthusiasts of the Japanese martial arts. Currently, the president of IMAF is Tokugawa Yasuhisa, the great-grandson of the 15th and final Shogun of Japan, Tokugawa Yoshinobu.