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
2020 Spring and Summer Gradings Cancelled
In light of the growing COVID-19 health crisis in Canada, the CKF has officially cancelled all Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo gradings planned for the spring and summer of 2020.
2020 FIK America Zone Kendo Referee Seminar Summary
The CKF hosted the FIK America Zone Referee Seminar January 25-26 in Burnaby, BC. With 103 participants from the US, Brazil and across Canada, it was a wonderful opportunity for kendo practitioners from across the Americas to come together and hone their refereeing skills.
2020 Invitation FIK America Zone Kendo Referee Seminar
The CKF is pleased to invite members from across Canada to attend the FIK America Zone Kendo Referee Seminar in Vancouver, BC.
2019 Fall Gradings
Fall 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 problems...
2019 Canadian Delegation to Otsuhai Women’s Kendo Tournament
Despite a typhoon cancelling the renseikai prior to the tournament, the Otsuhai Invitational Women's Tournament in Mimasaka, Okayama went ahead as planned on Sunday, Oct 13. The Canadian Kendo Federation was pleased to be invited once again, with a team of three,...
LATEST NEWS & STORIES
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...
Coach and Instructor Requirements
The Board of Directors of the Canadian Kendo Federation (CKF) is working to develop its policies and procedures to progress the organization as a nationally recognized sport organization. This will help kendo, iaido and jodo to gain relevance in the greater...
Team Canada Invitation
For those interested in joining Team Canada: please click here for a letter from manager David Westhead and coach Dean Ara detailing the process. Pour ceux qui souhaitent se joindre à Équipe Canada : veuillez cliquer ici pour une lettre du gérant David Westhead et de...
Fall Gradings Advance Notice / Préavis des examens d’automne
Save the date: there will be kendo gradings for up to 7 dan on November 13 at JCCC in Toronto, and on December 10 at Steveston Martial Arts Centre in Richmond. Registration and other details for these events will be announced closer to the date. Réservez la date: il y...
Summer Gradings
Updated: June 22. 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 ouvertes...
Change of President
Changement à la présidence
For personal reasons, Richard Tizzard has resigned as CKF President effective immediately. The Board of Directors thanks Tizzard-sensei for his long service to kendo in Canada The BOD has appointed Hyun-June Choi as President, to serve until the next election which...
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
