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
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.
2018 FIK Referee Seminar
The FIK America Zone Kendo Referee Seminar 2018 will be hosted by CKF in Montreal. Place: Centre sportif ETS, 1111 Notre-Dame street West, Montreal, QC Dates: February 10-11, 2016 Fees: bento $CDN16.50, banquet $CDN55 (no fees for seminar itself) Rank: 4 Dan and above...
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...
19th Canadian National Kendo Championships Results
The new two-day format for CNKC was considered by all to be a great success. Thanks to all of the shimpan and volunteers who helped make the tournament a success, and thanks to all who made the trip to Markham to participate. Congratulations to the medalists....
19th Canadian Kendo Championships
Official Invitation ----------------------------------- Dear Kendoka from across Canada, The Canadian Kendo Federation (CKF) invites you to join us this August for the 19th Canadian National Kendo Championships to be held at the Pan Am Centre in Markham, Ontario. The...
LATEST NEWS & STORIES
18th World Kendo Championships Canceled
The International Kendo Federation (FIK) has officially announced “Postponement of the 18th World Kendo Championships (18WKC) originally scheduled in May 2021”.
Schedule of Iaido and Jodo Virtual Seminars
We are pleased to announce several exciting Jodo and Iaido Seminars coming up. CKF International Spring Jodo and Iaido Seminar May 21 - 24, 2021Details will be posted here as they become available: the-may-seminarAnnual Muso Shinden (MSR) hosted by Welland...
The Rock Kendo Club Thriving Despite COVID Restrictions
The Rock Kendo Club can be found in St. John’s, Newfoundland and is the only kendo or iaido dojo in the province. Reestablished in 2012, the Rock Kendo Club is run by Wilson Humphries (Kendo 1 kyu) and is sponsored by Shigeo Kimura Sensei (Kendo Kyoshi 7 dan) of the...
New Year message / Message du nouvel an
Message du nouvel an du président NOTE: English version follows. "Year of the Ox" by Cruise-sensei. Chers amis de la Fédération Canadienne de Kendo et des Arts Associés (Iaido et Jodo), Nous voici donc tous rendus à la fin de cette année 2020, si éprouvante...
2020 Shogo Exam Results
I am pleased to announce that the following sensei have successfully challenged for shogo recently. The CKF BOD extends their congratulations to all these sensei, and thanks them for their continuing contributions to the growth of kendo, iaido and jodo in Canada....
2020 AGM Postponed / AGA reportée
The CKF Board of Directors has voted to postpone the Annual General Meeting until the summer. It was decided that with the timing of the World Kendo Championships and FIK business in general, this is not a good time to be...
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
