Kendo Federation All United States Federation and Dojos AUSKF Member Promotion What is Kendo?

Welcome to the official website of the All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF). As a non-profit umbrella organization, the AUSKF supports regional member federations by:

  • Hosting national tournaments
  • Preparing the U.S. team for international competitions
  • Organizing promotional examinations for higher ranks
  • Acting as a liaison to the International Kendo Federation (FIK)
  • Providing support programs to help promote Kendo, including guest instructors, examiners, and seminars led by expert Sensei from abroad

If you're new to Kendo, you'll find news and background information on Kendo and Iaido as they are practiced across 49 states in the continental U.S.**

** The Hawaii Kendo Federation (HKF) operates as an independent organization.

Member Federation and Dojos

Spring High-Rank Promotion Exam – April 13, 2025

Subject: AUSKF Kendo Promotion Examination – April 13, 2025

Dear Kendo Practitioners,

We are pleased to announce that the AUSKF Kendo Promotion Examination will be held on April 13, 2025. Please find the details below:

Examination Details

Location:
Duluth High School Gym
3737 Brock Rd NW, Duluth, GA 30096
(Approx. 30-45 minutes from ATL Hartsfield Airport without traffic)

Schedule

Friday, April 11, 2025
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM – Open Keiko
Forest Fleming Arena, 3037 Pleasant Valley Dr, Atlanta, GA 30340

Saturday, April 12, 2025
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM – Godo Keiko
Duluth High School Gym

Sunday, April 13, 2025
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM – Registration
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM – Testing (5 Dan & Above, Shogo)
Duluth High School Gym

Application Deadline

Friday, March 28, 2025
All applications and payments must be submitted by this date—no exceptions.

Nearest Airport

ATL (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)

Recommended Hotels with Group Discount

Residence Inn Atlanta Duluth/Gwinnett Place
1760 Pineland Rd, Duluth, GA 30096
Event Dates: April 11-14, 2025
Rate: $99 - $149 per night
Last Day to Book: March 25, 2025
Free Parking | Free Breakfast Buffet | Free WiFi
[Book your group rate for AUSKF]

Residence Inn Atlanta Norcross/Peachtree Corners
Event Dates: April 11-14, 2025
Rate: $99 - $149 per night
Last Day to Book: March 25, 2025
Free Parking | Free Breakfast Buffet | Free WiFi
[Book your group rate for AUSKF]

Application Process

All applications must be submitted online. Do not send physical documents.
Register here: Kodansha Shinsa Registration

Important Requirements

SafeSport Training: Required for all Kodansha examination candidates before applying.
Written Essay Submission: Must be in Word or PDF format. Handwritten essays will not be accepted.

Payment Information

All payments must be made online. If you experience any issues, contact [email protected].
Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable unless AUSKF cancels the event. We recommend booking refundable flights/hotels.
PayPal refunds will incur a processing fee.

Menjo Fee Payment

Do NOT pay the menjo fee at registration. Only pay the examination fee when applying.
If you pass, the menjo fee must be paid within two weeks via PayPal ([email protected]).
Late payments may result in cancellation of your new rank.

For any questions, contact [email protected].

Thank you for your dedication to kendo excellence.

Sincerely,
AUSKF Promotion Committee

2025 FIK America Zone Referee Seminar

Dates: February 22nd & 23rd, 2025

Host Organization: All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF)

Locations:

  • Saturday, 2/22: Butokuden Martial Arts Center
    Address: 1581 Browning, Irvine, California 92606, United States

  • Sunday, 2/23: Don Knabe Regional Park Gym
    Address: 19700 Bloomfield Ave., Cerritos, California 90703

HQ Hotel:

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Buena Park
Address: 3 Centerpointe Dr., La Palma, California 90623
No group reservation available at this time
Please make your own reservation here or stay at your preferred hotel chain.

Welcome Party:

  • Cost: $40 (BYOB - Bring Your Own Beer/Wine)
  • Location: Kung Pao Bowl
    Address: 6840 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, California 92647

Schedule Overview:

February 21st, Friday:

  • Registration at the hotel lobby: 16:00 - 18:00

February 22nd, Saturday: Butokuden Dojo

  • Registration at the gym entrance: 8:30 - 9:00 AM
  • Referee Seminar: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Goodwill Keiko: 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Welcome Party: 7:15 PM at Kung Pao Bowl (BYOB – Cash bar also available)

February 23rd, Sunday: Don Knabe Regional Park Gym

  • Referee Seminar (with Keiko): 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Promotion Exam after the seminar (Full details to follow from AUSKF Promotion Committee)

Seminar Registration Deadline:

February 7th by 6:00 PM (PST)

Fees:

  • Seminar: $80
  • Bento Box: $20
  • Welcome Party: $40
  • Transportation: No bus service provided

Payment:

Cash Only (USD)

  • Location & Time for Payment:
    • Feb 21st (Friday): Hotel Lobby from 16:00 - 18:00
    • Feb 22nd (Saturday): Gym from 8:30 - 9:00 AM

Seminar Dress Code:

Formal Referee Suit

Cancellation Policy:

  • Registered participants will be assigned to small referee groups. If you need to cancel or cannot attend for any reason, please contact us by February 14th.

Participant Guidelines:

  • Participants must be members of an FIK affiliated organization.
  • Participants should be Kendo 5th Dan or higher and practice Kendo regularly.
  • No age limit to participate.
  • It is preferred that at least 5 participants from each FIK affiliated organization attend.
  • Referee candidates for the 18th WKC are strongly encouraged to participate.
  • Once registered, please do not be absent from the seminar unless unavoidable.
  • Only officially pre-registered participants are allowed to join this FIK event.
  • Dress code: Formal referee suit.

Contact:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Click here to register for the FIK Shinpan Seminar

Officers & Board Members

The AUSKF is composed of member kendo federations, which traditionally formed based on regional organization. However, federations are no longer strictly bound by geographical location.

Each member federation within AUSKF is allocated a number of representatives proportional to its dues-paying kendo population. These representatives elect the Board of Directors, which in turn selects AUSKF officers. Additionally, the board and officers appoint individuals to serve on various standing committees.

Joining the AUSKF

AUSKF membership is available through its federations. To become a member, an individual must join one of the existing AUSKF-affiliated federations. Membership dues are paid through the federation, granting access to AUSKF benefits. Moreover, each federation gains representation at general meetings in proportion to its registered AUSKF members.

AUSKF Officers

President
Michio Kajitani – [email protected]

Executive Vice-President
Yuji Onitsuka – [email protected]

Vice-President for Education
Hayato Okawa – [email protected]

Vice-President for Promotion
Katsuyuki Tamura – [email protected]

Vice-President for Competition
Brandon Harada – [email protected]

Secretary-Historian
Norman Otani – [email protected]

Treasurer
Toshimi Yoshida – [email protected]

Auditor
Keiko Umemura – [email protected]

Committee Chairpersons

Iaido & Jodo Committee
Yuji Onitsuka – [email protected]

Insurance Committee
Douglas Imanishi – [email protected]

Information Technology Committee
Taro Ariga – [email protected]

Youth Development Committee
Danny Yang – [email protected]

Anti-Doping Committee
Norman Otani – [email protected]

Board Members

Henry Lee – [email protected]
Jarrod Hatakeyama – [email protected]
Kenneth Song – [email protected]
Carolyn Yatomi – [email protected]
Michael Lindsay – [email protected]
Yukiko Miura – [email protected]

Advisors

Chief Executive Advisor
Yoshiteru Tagawa – [email protected]

Senior Executive Advisor
Charlie Tanaka

Jeff Marsten – [email protected]

Promotion

Promotion

In Charge: Katsuyuki Tamura (VP of Promotion)
Email: [email protected]

Responsibilities:

  • Issue Rank and Shogo certificates to AUSKF members.
  • Organize and oversee Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo promotion exams (Dan/Shogo) across the U.S.
  • Process applications for high-rank examinations in Japan (6th Dan and above, as well as Shogo) and submit documents to AJKF on behalf of AUSKF members.
  • Grant permission to apply for promotion exams abroad.

Exam Schedule:

Kendo promotion exams are typically conducted three times a year:

  • The Sunday following the Spring Board Meeting
  • During the AUSKF Summer Kendo Camp
  • The Sunday following the Fall Board Meeting

What is Kendo?

What is Kendo?

Kendo is the art of Japanese fencing. The term "Ken" (or tsurugi) refers to the sword, while "Do" (or michi) means the way or path. Together, "Kendo" translates to "The Way of the Sword," a discipline that serves as a lifelong journey of training and self-improvement.

Origin of Kendo

Modern Kendo retains only a faint resemblance to Kenjutsu and its feudal origins with samurai warriors, often portrayed in movies and television. Unlike many martial arts, Kendo has no single founder or exact date of origin. Its evolution is deeply intertwined with the samurai and centuries of Japanese culture.

By the end of the 12th century, Japan's central government had weakened, leading to the rise of feudalism. Groups of warriors formed local aristocracies, and with the establishment of the Shogunate in Kamakura, a new warrior class emerged. This class followed Bushido, "the way of the warrior," which emphasized bravery, loyalty, honor, self-discipline, and an acceptance of death. These principles continue to influence modern Kendo.

The samurai not only mastered swordsmanship but also valued learning and the arts. Though Kenjutsu, "the art of swordsmanship," had existed since the 8th century, it gained prominence during this time, incorporating religious and cultural elements. Sword-making became a revered craft, and many samurai practiced calligraphy and poetry.

During the late Muromachi period (1336-1568), known as the "Age of Warring Provinces," martial arts became even more essential. This era saw the rise of approximately 200 Kenjutsu schools, each led by a renowned swordsman. Training initially used real blades or wooden swords without protective gear, resulting in frequent injuries. These schools continued to flourish through the Tokugawa period (1600-1868), with the Ittoryu ("one sword school") exerting the greatest influence on modern Kendo.

Kendo took its modern form in the late 18th century with the introduction of protective equipment—men (helmet), kote (gloves), and do (chest armor)—as well as the bamboo sword, or shinai. These innovations allowed practitioners to fully engage in sparring without injury, leading to the creation of standardized rules and practice formats.

With the Meiji Restoration (1868) and Japan’s modernization, Kendo declined temporarily. The samurai class was abolished, and carrying swords in public was outlawed. However, by 1887, Kendo was revived for training police officers. The Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) further renewed interest in martial arts.

In 1895, the Butokukai, an organization dedicated to martial arts, was established. By 1911, Kendo became part of Japan’s middle school physical education curriculum, and in 1912, the Nihon Kendo Kata, a set of standardized forms, was published. In 1939, Kendo became a mandatory subject for boys as Japan prepared for war.

After World War II, due to its association with militarism, Kendo was banned, and the Butokukai was dissolved. However, by 1952, a sport-oriented version called Shinai Kyogi was introduced, emphasizing competition over military training. Today, Kendo thrives under the guidance of organizations like the All Japan Kendo Federation and the International Kendo Federation.

Though modern Kendo has adapted to contemporary needs, it remains deeply rooted in tradition, continuing to foster character, self-discipline, and respect.

Kendo Philosophy

Each Dojo has its own interpretation of Kendo’s philosophy. Rather than providing a singular definition, students must explore and develop their own understanding through practice and experience.

Kendo Equipment

Kendo equipment includes swords, uniforms, and protective armor:

  • Bokken (or bokuto): A solid wooden sword used for kata (form) practice.

  • Shinai: A bamboo sword consisting of four staves bound together with leather, used for full-contact sparring.

  • Uniform (dogi): Consists of a cotton top (keikogi) and pleated trousers (hakama).

  • Armor (bogu): Includes four pieces:

    • Men: Helmet with face protection.

    • Do: Chest protector.

    • Kote: Padded gloves for hand and forearm protection.

    • Tare: Hip and groin protector.

Modern Kendo armor is inspired by the samurai's Oyoroi armor.

Kendo Practice

Kendo training incorporates various types of practice, each serving a distinct purpose in a student's development:

  • Kiri-Kaeshi: Repetitive strikes to the left and right men, emphasizing centering, distance, and precision while building stamina and spirit.

  • Waza-Geiko: Technique practice with a partner to refine different Kendo moves.

  • Kakari-Geiko: Short, intense attack drills designed to improve reaction speed and endurance.

  • Ji-Geiko: Sparring sessions where practitioners apply their learned techniques against an opponent.

  • Gokaku-Geiko: Sparring between two students of similar skill levels.

  • Hikitate-Geiko: A senior practitioner guides a junior student through a practice session.

  • Shiai-Geiko: Competitive matches judged based on valid strikes.

Kendo, like all martial arts, demands discipline and dedication. Beginners start by learning etiquette (reigi), postures, footwork, and basic sword movements before progressing to armored training. Despite its competitive aspects, Kendo remains a path of personal growth, deeply embedded in history and tradition, ensuring its endurance for generations to come.