History of the British Kendo Association

By John Howell.Kyoshi.7thDan President BKA

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First I would like to say that I have tried to give an accurate account of the birth of our association with all the records that I have available to me, where there are gaps;these have been filled by numerous persons with their memories of the events incurred.

This is s general overview, to write in great detail would indeed be very boring in lots of places.

Lets start as far back as is known.

This is an extract from the TIMES on Monday 12th January 1885.

"The fencing, as those who say the display of masks, pads, gloves and bamboo swords sent from Tokyo gymnasium to the Health Exhibition will suppose, was quite unlike anything to be seen in Europe. The long bamboo rods are held in both hands, and the combatants, who were protected by a mask for the face of wire bars, with a quilted cover over the head, a sort of breastplate of laquered leather, and padded gloves, strike and thrust freely. So well didi the ywo performaers warm to their work yesterday, that the umpire had to interpose himself and his fan between them two or three times."

The next peice of information I have is as follows.

It was in 1937 when Mr Lidstone showed his skill in front of the then Prince Chichibu at a garden party given in his honour at Hurlingham London. The Anglo-Japanese Judo Club gave the display. I understand there was Kendo at the Shinto Ryu Kendo Clib in 1962 with such persons as Mr Lidstone, Jock Hopson, Keith and Brian Feltham, also Dr. Peter Parsons.

However I must start my story from 1967 when I joined the association, for previous 5 years I am unable to give any information accurately, except to say that as far as I am aware The British Kendo Association was inaugurated by Mr. Roald Knutsen and a proper committee was formed in 1964. Although the BKA was I think started in 1962. Mr Knutsen with Count Robert Von Sandor from Sweden set up the European Kendo Federation with other Federations in Europe. We are founder members of the EKF.

After the association was formed I understand the main premiere Club in the UK at that time was Neriki Dojo which was inaugurated in 1966 and after 2 weeks had 28 members, also at the same time there was Bushi Budokai (Portsmouth) Shinbukan (Liverpool/Llangothen), Brighton Dojo, Zanshi in Bristol and Blyth Dojo. I am pleased to say that some are still going strong. The only other club in existance to my knowledge, when I joined the association wass the Shinto Ryu Club in London, I may be mistaken but at this time it was privately run. I do have a record of the then called London Kendo Clun (Shinto Ryu) being made a member on 15th November 1968.