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
2024 Fall/Winter Gradings
- - Please check this FAQ for how to login and register for an exam. Thank you for your patience. *********** Please note that written examinations are due on the same date as the registration deadline. Registration deadlines are 2 weeks before the examination...
President’s Message 19th WKC
The 19th World Kendo Championships, held from July 4th to 7th, 2024, in Milan, Italy, was a remarkable showcase of global kendo excellence. As we look back on this thrilling event, we celebrate the impressive achievements of our Canadian National Kendo Team. With...
Call for Players: 2024 Student Kendo Open Tournament
Submit your interest to represent Canada at the 18th All Japan Student Kendo Open Tournament by August 20th.
Junior National Championships | May 17-19, 2024
The third annual Canadian National Junior Kendo Championships were a big success, celebrating the skill and dedication of young kendo athletes aged 18 and under. The event saw over 90 participants from 14 clubs from across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario...
2024 Kaiseiki U18 Junior Boys Kendo Team Canada
The Canadian Kendo Federation is excited to announce the U18 Junior Boys Kendo Team Canada as they prepare to embark on a journey to Japan, to represent Canada in the prestigious 51st Kaiseiki National High School Kendo Tournament (第51回記念魁星旗争奪全国高校勝抜剣道大会). From March...
LATEST NEWS & STORIES
2025 Fall/Winter Gradings
Please check this FAQ for how to login and register for an exam. Thank you for your patience. *********** Please note that written examinations are due on the same date as the registration deadline. Registration deadlines are 2 weeks before the examination date.Les...
18th Student Open Kendo Tournament
Sendai, Japan December 14-15, 2024 This report was prepared by Lesley Roberts of McGill University, providing an in-depth report of her experience. Introduction: In December 2024, three Canadian University students traveled to Sendai, Japan to compete in the 18th...
Newsletter – February 2025
We are well into the year 2025 and belatedly, on behalf of the Canadian Kendo Federation and the Board of Directors, I wish you, your family, and the dojo a Happy New Year, filled with joy, health, and success.
Canada, Thank You for Your Generosity!
In total, you collectively donated over $72,800 to support the activities of the federation.
2025 Spring/Summer Gradings
Please check this FAQ for how to login and register for an exam. Thank you for your patience. *********** Please note that written examinations are due on the same date as the registration deadline. Registration deadlines are 2 weeks before the examination date.Les...
2024 AGM Minutes
The minutes of the 2024 Annual General Meeting held on Saturday, September 21 are available at this link.
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
