KENDO IN CANADA
FIK America Zone Referee Seminar
Registration is now open for Kendo practitioners 5 Dan and above, to register for the FIK America Zone Referee Seminar to be held on January 31 & February 1, 2026 in Vancouver, BC.
EVENTS
Winter Exams / Examens d’hiver
Winter grading registration is open, please check the dates below. Remember to get proper authorization from your Sensei first, then ask the Dojo Administrator to unlock the grading application form for you. Please DO NOT wait until the last minute. If you have...
Women’s Team Canada Win Third Place at the 17th World Kendo Championships
CONGRATULATIONS TEAM CANADA! Day 2 in Incheon at the Kendo World Championships saw a tremendous team effort from the women of Team Canada. Congratulations for a 3rd Place finish in the Women's Team Competition! Hanaca Yamada CAN1 Akiko Fukushima CAN2 Man-San Man CAN3...
Ontario Fall Junior Kendo Tournament
The Toronto Kendo Club is proud and privileged to organize the 2018 Ontario Fall Junior Kendo Tournament for kendoka 18 years and under. The tournament will be on Sunday October 28 from 9am at the Kerr Hall - Upper Gym, Ryerson University - 379 Victoria Street,...
Spring Exams / Examens de printemps
Spring grading registration is open, please check the dates below. Remember to get proper authorization from your Sensei first, then ask the Dojo Administrator to unlock the grading application form for you. Please DO NOT wait until the last minute. If you have...
Montreal Kendo Taikai
The 2018 Montreal Kendo Taikai will be held this year on Saturday, July 14. There will be a godo keiko on Friday night and a grading up to 3 dan Sunday morning. Further details are available here.
LATEST NEWS & STORIES
Advance Motions for AGM
Motion 1, from John Maisonneuve, Barrhaven That the Canadian Kendo Federation appoint the firm of Stern Cohen, CA/CPA, to conduct reviews of the annual financial statements for a three-year term. Que la Fédération canadienne de kendo nomme le cabinet Stern Cohen,...
CKF Board of Director Candidates
The following people have put their names forward for election to the CKF BOD. The BOD consists of 8 members, elected for a 3 year term during the Annual General Meeting. There is no automatic continuation for current board members; those who wish to return must stand...
2021 Virtual National Kendo Seminar
The CKF welcomes you to join the 2021 Virtual National Kendo Seminar on June 19 & 20, 2021. We are excited to present a lineup of speakers from across Canada and the World. Each session will focus on different skills, topics, and knowledge areas. The event is free to attend for current CKF members, and by donation for non-members.
2021 Team Canada Program Official Closing
An announcement from Christian D’Orangeville, CKF President, officially closes the 2021 Kendo Team Canada program. Details on the commencement of Team Canada and re-appointment of the leadership team for the 2024 World Kendo Championships are provided.
CKF Iaido Zoom Seminar Thank-you
As our experiences mount with a year like no other, may we extend our thoughts to you, family and those close for wellness and safe-being all around. Our sincere thanks to all who were able to join with us for the CKF Iaido ZNKR Seitei Zoom Seminar held Saturday,...
Kazuko D’Orangeville Honoured
On April 29, 2021, the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal announced that Ms. Kazuko D’Orangeville was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays for her long dedication to the promotion and teaching of Ikebana. CKF congratulates Ms. D'Orangeville on...
What is Kendo?
Kendo is a Japanese martial art originating from the training of samurai in the art of swordsmanship. Modern Kendo training involves practitioners using a bamboo sword (shinai) and wearing protective armour (bogu).
The Japanese characters for Kendo (剣道) are translated as The Way of the Sword and characterized through the discipline of the human character through training and the application of the sword (katana). Through training, students strengthen body and mind, while learning many of the core teachings of the samurai: to treat people with respect, to strive for self-development, and to contribute to the peace and prosperity of humanity.
Photo courtesy of Kendo Photography
Kendo Training in Canada
Kendo was brought to Canada by Japanese immigrants in the early 1900’s in British Columbia. Today, there are nearly sixty dojo all across Canada registered with the Canadian Kendo Federation. If you are interested in starting Kendo, please visit our directory to find a Kendo dojo near you.
Kendo is widely regarded as a life-long endeavour and most dojo will accept students from seven or eight years of age. Through the various stages of life and development, students can continue to practice throughout their lives. In Canada, many dojo include a mix of students young and old.
Although the schedule and style of training differ from dojo to dojo, typically a new practitioner will initially learn proper etiquette, handling of the shinai, body movement, footwork, and striking techniques. Once a practitioner is able to perform these basic fundamentals properly, the instructor will graduate the student to wear armour and begin sparring (keiko) with opponents.
In terms of equipment, you will initially only need a shinai (bamboo sword), and they can often be purchased through the dojo or local vendors. Next you will need kendo-gi and hakama, and finally the entire Kendo-gu (armour) set. In Canada, there are a few on-line Kendo shops including: Aoi Budogu and Bogushop.
Kendo Team Canada competes internationally in the World Kendo Championships, held every three years. Canada has had a long history of success at the World Kendo Championships, historically placing silver and bronze in both the men’s and women’s team competitions.
Photo Courtesy of Kendo Photography
History of Kendo in Canada
Kendo Canada can be traced back to the early 1900’s, brought from Japan by immigrants to Canada. In 1914, Yokikan Dojo in Steveston, BC was established, followed by three other dojos in British Columbia. At that time, there were around 290 Kendo players in the Vancouver and surrounding areas.
In 1939, the first Canadian National Kendo Tournament was held in BC.
During the Second World War, Kendo was practiced in some of the internment camps. After the war, four dojos opened up; two in Vancouver and two in Toronto.
Canada has participated in every World Kendo Championships (WKC) its start in 1970.
Now, there are over 55 Kendo dojo spread across Canada.
Reference- (Okusa, H., Kendo Boryu, Kendo Nippon, April 2016-March 2017)
Photo courtesy of Steveston Kendo Club
