KENDO IN CANADA

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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.

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EVENTS

Visit by Kiwada Family to Canada

The Canadian Kendo Federation is pleased to welcome guest kendo instructor and Team Canada Special Assistant Coach, Daiki Kiwada (7 Dan Kyoshi), from the Osaka Prefectural Police. Kiwada sensei is an All Japan Kendo Champion and former Team Japan member. He will be...

2023 Kendo Referee Seminars

  The CKF will be conducting referee seminars this spring to improve the level of officiating across Canada. All kendo practitioners 3 Dan and over are encouraged to attend at least one of the three seminars. In advance of the seminars, please be sure to review...

America Zone FIK Referee Seminar Overview

February 25-26, 2023, Inglewood, California - The International Kendo Federation (FIK) America Zone Referee Seminar was hosted by the All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF) at Inglewood High School in Inglewood, California. The seminar was led by three...

Application Open: 47th International Kendo Leaders’ Seminar 

The 47th International Kendo Leaders’ Seminar (formerly Foreign Kendo Leaders’ Summer Seminar) hosted by the All Japan Kendo Federation will be held as follows: Dates: 18 March (SAT) – 24 March (FRI), 2023  Place: Nippon Budokan Kenshū Center(582 Sawakura, Katsuura,...

Fall Gradings

Updated: December 1 Registration is now open for the following gradings. 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 inscriptions sont maintenant...

LATEST NEWS & STORIES

President’s New Year Message 2024

President’s New Year Message 2024

Dec 27, 2023 |

[En français ci-dessous] President’s New Year Message Dear Friends, Sensei, Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo Practitioners of Canada, As we head into the holiday season, on behalf of the Canadian Kendo Federation and the Board of Directors, I wish you and your family Happy...

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

Junior Kendo in Canada

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