Geography of kendo


Kendo originated in Japan, but is today practiced worldwide.
The size and depth of kendo skill varies widely from country to country. Some countries have few kendo practitioners, while Japan has several million.
Generally, kendo has stronger 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 United States, Canada and Brazil. While the term kendo is used all over the world, the term Kumdo is used in Korea.

International organisations

The following international organisations administer, manage, promote, or have an interest in the development of kendo.
  • The International Kendo Federation is the international federation of most 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 and recognised organisations has increased over the years to 57.
  • Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was established in Kyoto, Japan, in 1953. 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 was established in Kyoto, Japan, in 1952. Among the objectives of IMAF are the expansion of interest in Japanese martial arts, the establishment of communication, friendship, understanding and harmony among member chapters, the development of the minds and bodies of members, and the promotion of global understanding and personal growth.
  • Zen Nihon Sōgō-Budō Renmei The organization known as the Zen Nihon Sōgō-Budō Renmei has as its mission the preservation of all Japanese martial arts. This includes Nihon koryū bujutsu/bugei and gendai budō. We operate under the protection of the Japanese Imperial House as an entity that protects Japanese culture. The organization was created by Suzuki Masafumi-kanchō in 1969. After the passing of its founder, Ishikawa Takashi-kanchō, Toyama-ryū iaidō hanshi 9th dan and jūkendo hanshi 9th dan, replaced him as President of the Zen Nihon Sōgō-Budō Renmei.

National and regional organisations

Many national and regional organisations manage and promote kendo, some are affiliated to international kendo organisations, while other organisations are independent of international kendo organisations.

Asia

  • The federation represents Kendo, Iaido and Jodo in Israel.
  • All Japan Kendo Federation AJKF was founded in 1952, immediately following the restoration of Japanese independence after the second World War and the subsequent lift of the ban on 'martial arts' in Japan.
  • This group represents Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo in Mainland China.
*
*

Africa

  • South Africa The . The SAKF and Tunisia The . The TKL are the only two federations recognized by The International Kendo Federation in Africa, but there is also kendo activity in Mozambique, Madagascar and Malawi.
  • Malawi Kendo was introduced to Malawi in 1992 when a Japanese volunteer took on a group of local children as his students. The was formed in 1999 and has seen significant growth in recent years. The Kendo Association of Malawi works closely with the Embassy of Japan in Malawi to promote kendo as a sport and to encourage cultural exchange and interaction between the peoples of the two nations. The majority of the Kendo Associations activities take place in Blantyre and the Blantyre Youth Center. On 31 March 2024 The Kendo Association established a Kendo club in the capital city, Lilongwe, at Kamuzu Institute for Sports, and now weekly training sessions are held in both cities. Furthermore, at least two local tournaments are organized each year, which are patronized by the general public and the Japanese community in Malawi.

Europe

The European Kendo Federation is member of International Kendo Federation, which 35 countries/regions belong to, also promotes jodo and iaido. European kendo championships have been held since 1974. Championships are held every year that there is no world championship. Some national organisations are affiliated to EKF, while other organisations are independent of EKF.
  • Armenia Kendo is promoted by the National Kendo Federation of Armenia.
  • Austria The was founded in 1985.
  • Belgium Kendo is promoted by .
  • Bulgaria Kendo is promoted by .
  • Croatia Kendo is promoted by .
  • Czech Republic Kendo is promoted by .
  • Denmark: Two organisations uphold different approaches to kendo.
  • * which is affiliated with the International Kendo Federation.
  • * which is independent of European Kendo Federation and other international kendo organisations.
  • Estonia Kendo is promoted by .
  • Finland Kendo is promoted .
  • France After the end of World War II, many masters of kendo visited France and introduced kendo in the 1950s. The first French kendo championship was held in 1959.
  • Georgia (country) Kendo is promoted by the Georgian Kendo Association.
  • Germany
  • Greece is promoted by the Hellenic Kendo Iaido Naginata Federation.
  • Hungary Kendo is promoted by .
  • Italy: Kendo is promoted by two organisations:
  • * which is affiliated with European Kendo Federation and, thus, with International Kendo Federation
  • * which is affiliated with Zen Nihon Sogo-Bugo Renmei
  • Ireland Kendo is promoted by Kendo Na h-Éireann, .
  • Latvia Kendo is promoted by .
  • Lithuania Kendo is promoted by .
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta Kendo is promoted by the Maltese Kendo Federation Members of the European Kendo Federation.
  • Moldova Kendo is promoted by .
  • Montenegro Kendo is promoted by Montenegrin Kendo Federation .
  • Netherlands Kendo is promoted by .
  • North Macedonia Kendo is promoted by
  • Norway Kendo is promoted by the Norwegian Kendo Federation which will soon be joining .
  • Poland Kendo is promoted by .
  • Portugal Kendo is promoted by, which is affiliated with the European Kendo Federation and the International Kendo Federation.
  • Romania Kendo is promoted by the of the in Romania.
  • Russia Moscow Kendo Association
  • Serbia Kendo is promoted by the in Serbia.
  • Slovakia Kendo is promoted by the in Slovak republic.
  • Spain Kendo is promoted by the .
  • Sweden: Two organisations uphold different approaches to kendo.
  • * which is affiliated with the International Kendo Federation.
  • * which is independent of European Kendo Federation and other international kendo organisations.
  • Switzerland The was founded in 1967.
  • Turkey Kendo is promoted by the in Turkey, in Ankara.
  • Ukraine Kendo is promoted by the .
  • United Kingdom: Several organisations promote Kendo in the UK.
  • *British Kendo Association, which is affiliated with the International Kendo Federation.
  • * which is independent of European Kendo Federation and other international kendo organisations.

Oceania

  • Australian Kendo Renmei grew from the beginning of kendo in Australia in the 1960s, is a founding member of the FIK and remains affiliated. Australian Kendo Championships were first held in the 1970s and with a few gaps in the early years has been held in Australia annually since.
  • .

Pacific Ocean

The Hawaii Budo Kyokai was established in 1947 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. The HKF is an affiliate organisation of the FIK.

North America

  • consists of over 55 member clubs. Clubs belong to CKF directly, although they may also belong to a regional federation. Such federations exist in and .
  • Mexican Kendo Federation, consists of 13 regional associations.
  • In the United States, several organisations promote kendo:
  • * 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.
  • **The University of California, Los Angeles hosts an annual intercollegiate for undergraduate students to compete.
  • * operates separately from the All United States Kendo Federation.
  • Puerto Rico: Is represented by the . Puerto Rico has sports autonomy so the federation does not fall under the AUSKF.

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, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Aruba and Chile.
At the December 2006 meeting of the International Kendo Federation held in Taiwan, the South American Kendo Confederation 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 Latin american Kendo Championship was supposed to be held in May 2020 in São Paulo, Brazil, but was suspended until further notice due to the ongoing pandemic.
  • Kendo federation associated to the International Kendo Federation in Argentina.
*
  • Kendo in Chile started in 1990. The was founded in 1997 and became a member of the FIK in 2003. It consists of about 250 kenshi, is part of the CSK, and holds Kendo championships annually.
  • Kendo in started in 1999 in the facilities of the Japanese School of Quito.
*
  • .
  • was founded in 1990 under the auspice of .

Central America

Kendo in Guatemala started in 1992. The was founded in 1992. It consists of about 150 kenshi, is part of the CLAK, and holds Kendo championships annually.