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

2020 Kendo Canada Virtual National Seminar

Come together with Kendo friends from across Canada for the first-ever virtual Kendo Canada National Seminar hosted by the CKF.  The 20th Canadian National Kendo Championships scheduled for this summer were unfortunately postponed due to the on-going COVID-19...

Canadian National Kendo Championships Postponed

Due to the on-going uncertainty and health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CKF Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to postpone the 20th Canadian National Kendo Championships, scheduled to be held July 24-27 in Burnaby, BC.

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.

LATEST NEWS & STORIES

Fall Gradings

Sep 12, 2022 | , , , , ,

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

Aug 28, 2022 |

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

Aug 24, 2022 |

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

Aug 24, 2022 |

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...

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