The British Kendo Association was founded in 1964 as a non-profit making organisation to foster and develop the practise and spirit of Kendo

Kendo

, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...

, Iaido

Iaido

is a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...

, and Jōdō

Jodo

, meaning "the way of the jō", or is a Japanese martial art using short staffs called jō. The art is similar to bōjutsu, and is strongly focused upon defense against the Japanese sword. The jō is a short staff, usually about 3 to 5 feet long...

 along traditional lines, with the objectives of:

• Organising and regulating the Kendo movement on a national international basis;
• Helping to foster related martial arts
  Martial arts
  Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
  
  ;
• Promoting Kendoka students to higher dan grades
  Dan (rank)
  The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
  
  ;
• Representing the UK internationally.

The BKA is the only organisation in the UK which is recognised for Kendo, Iaido and Jodo by the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (the foremost body in Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

 for these martial arts), the International Kendo Federation

International Kendo Federation

The International Kendo Federation was founded in 1970. It is an international federation of national and regional kendo associations and the world governing body for kendo. The FIK is a non-governmental organisation, and its aim is to promote and popularise kendo, iaido and jōdō.Seventeen...

 and Sport England

Sport England

Sport England is the brand name for the English Sports Council and is a non-departmental public body under the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...

. It is also the only organisation in the UK which is empowered to award Dan grades (black belts) in Kendo, Iaido and Jodo recognised by these bodies.

External links

• The British Kendo Association (Official)
• All Japan Kendo Federation (Official)
• International Kendo Federation (official)