Kendo Thesaurus | missinglinkink

Introduction

Kendo, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese sport/martial art, which is widely practiced within Japan and many other countries across the world. It is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines martial arts practices and values with sport-like strenuous physical activity. Kendo as it is known now has been practiced since the mid-1800s. This sport uses armor and swords that are reminiscent of those of the samurai in feudal Japan. There are many traditions and rituals in the study and practice, making it more a way of life than a sport, again something very reminiscent of the samurai.

Statement of Principles

Kendo is traditional Japanese martial art that is not as well-known as other forms are, like karate. There are not many kendo dojos in the United States, but most can be found around areas where there is a large Japanese community. Beginners starting off in kendo generally have a lot to learn about, including terms, traditions, etiquette, philosophy, as well as how to buy and take care of equipment. This thesaurus is intended for the use of all kendoka (kendo students), but mostly for beginners and anyone that is interested in learning more about kendo. This thesaurus can provide a good overview of kendo without being overwhelming, as I focused on what an interested person or beginner would need to know

User's Guide

This thesaurus is comprised of a hierarchical list and an alphabetical list of terms used in kendo. The first list is the hierarchical list, which presents the primary terms with the related terms under them. This list can be skimmed quickly to find out where a term is listed to aid with a one’s search.

For example, one can find the terms used in the grading system under level/advancement.

The second list is the Alphabetical list of terms. The list has all the terms from the hierarchical list in alphabetical order. Some terms that are not in the hierarchical list can also be found in this list as they are likely a related term to one in the hierarchical list or a form of the term. For example, the hierarchical list would not contain the term “wrist guard” as it is not the term used in kendo. However, the correct term, “kote,” might not be one that the person searching knows or remembers. The alphabetical list, though, would contain the term “wrist guard” as it is related to the term “kote."

Terminology

ENTRY TERM The terms in bold throughout the Alphabetical List in this thesaurus. Can be both preferred and/or a non-

preferred term

SN: (SCOPE NOTE) Provides a definition and/or description of the entry term in relation to the scope of this thesaurus

BT: (BROADER TERM) Provides the term that is more general in meaning than the entry term

NT: (NARROWER TERM) Provides the terms that have a more specific or narrow meaning than the entry term

RT: (RELATED TERM) Provides the terms that are related to or associated with the entry term

UF: (USE FOR) Provides the non-preferred term or terms for the entry term

USE: Provides the preferred term for the entry term

Sample Entry

First Kenjutsu Ryu [Entry Term]

SN: Provided the foundations of modern kendo [Scope Note]

BT: Ashikaga Shogunate Wars [Broader Term]

NT: Sen-ha Kenjutsu [Narrower Term]

NT: Ryu-ha Kenjutsu

UF: Nagahide Chujo (1380) [Use For]

UF: Bunguro Hukida (1437)

UF: Choisai Iizasa (1488)

UF: In-Ei (1521)

UF: First Kendo School

First Kendo School [Entry Term]

USE: First Kenjutsu Ryu [Non-Preferred Term]

Hierarchical List

Clothing
- Hakama
- Keikogi
- Tenugui
- Hachimaki
- Obi
Equipment
- Bogu
  - Men
  - Tare
  - Do
  - Kote
- Bokken
- Bokuto
- Shinai
History
- Bushido (9th-12th centuries)
  - Code of Bushido
- Ashikaga Shogunate Wars (1333-1568)
  - First Kenjutsu Ryu
    - Sen-ha Kenjutsu
    - Ryu-ha Kenjutsu
  - Nagahide Chujo (1380)
  - Bunguro Hukida (1437)
  - Choisai Iizasa (1488)
  - In-Ei (1521)
- Edo period (1603 - 1867)
  - Three Great Dojo of Edo
Level/advancement
- Grading system
  - Kyu
  - Dan
- Examination
  - jitsugi
  - Nihon Kendo Kata
  - Written exam
- Titles
  - renshi
  - kyōshi
  - hanshi
Modern practice
- Foundation of modern kendo
  - Yamada Heizaemon Mitsunori
  - Naganuma Sirozaemon Kunisato
  - “Three Great Dojo of Edo”
    - Genbukan
      - Chiba Shusaku
    - Renpeikan
      - Saito Yakuro
    - Shigakkan
      - Momoi Shunzo
- Kiri-kaeshi
- Waza-geiko
- Kakari-geiko
- Ji-geiko
- Gokaku-geiko
- Hikitate-geiko
- Shiai-geiko
- Kata
- Ashi sabaki
- Suburi
Organizations
- International Kendo Federation (FIK)
- Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR)
- All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF)
- All United Stated Kendo Federation (AUSKF)
- Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK)
- International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF)
Philosophy
- Concept and Purpose
- Physical Benefits
- Mental Training
- Discipline
- Respect
Waza
- Shikake-waza
  - Tobikomi-waza
  - Hikibana-waza
  - Katsugi-waza
  - Nidan-waza
  - Harai-waza
  - Debana-waza
- Oji-waza
  - Nuki-waza
  - Suriage-waza
  - Uchiotoshi-waza
  - Kaeshi-waza
Vocabulary
- Kendoka
- Kenjutsu
- Samurai
- Ryu
- kiai
- Dojo
- Reigi
- Reishiki
- Mokuso
- Kiritsu
- Seiza
- hajime
- zanshin
- Sei retsu
- Ki o tsuke
- Sonkyo
- Rei
- Yame
- yūkō-datotsu
- tai-kai
- shimpan
- Ippon
- Hansoku

Alphabetical List

AJKF

USE: All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF)

All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF)

SN: International name for the ZNKR. The national non-governmental organization in Japan, founded in 1952

BT: Organization

UF: AJKF

RT: Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR)

All United Stated Kendo Federation (AUSKF)

SN: US organization that manages and promotes kendo activities.

BT: Organization

UF: AUSKF

Armor

USE: Bogu

Ashi sabaki

SN: Footwork. In kendo, one’s footwork must be precise and is counted for matches and advancing

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

UF: Footwork

Ashikaga Shogunate Wars (1333-1568)

SN: The wars of the Ashikaga Shogunate gave the art of fencing an upsurge as the art of sword warfare became necessary for the samurai to master sword fighting.

BT: History

NT: First Kenjutsu Ryu

Attack techniques

USE: Shikake-waza

Attention

USE: Ki o tsuke

AUSKF

USE: All United Stated Kendo Federation (AUSKF)

Belt

USE: Obi

Black Belt

USE: Dan

Body Armor

USE: Bogu

Bogu

SN: Armor used for Ji-geiko

NT: Men

NT: Tare

NT: Do

NT: Kote

UF: Armor

UF: Body Armor

Bokken

SN: A rigid wooden replica of a sword

BT: Equipment

UF: Sword, Wood

RT: Bokuto

Bokuto

USE: Bokken

Bow

USE: Rei

Breastplate

USE: Do

Breastplate Armor

USE: Do

Bunguro Hukida (1437)

USE: First Kenjutsu Ryu

Bushido (9th - 12th centuries)

SN: Means “The Way of the Sword,” originating from the samurai moral code. A set of principles that a warrior should pursue in his life in order to be capable to fight without losing his humanity, as well as be capable to lead and command without losing contact with important basic values.

BT: History

NT: Bushido Code

UF: The Way of the Sword

Chest Armor

USE: Do

Chiba Shusaku

SN: Systemized the Waza of bamboo sword training by the “Sixty-eight Techniques of Kenjutsu.” Led the Genbukan school, one of the three great dojos of edo

BT: Genbukan

Choisai Iizasa (1488)

USE: First Kenjutsu Ryu

Clothing

NT: Hakama

NT: Keikogi

NT: Tenugui

NT: Obi

Code of Bushido

SN: Developed between the 9th and 12 century, originating from the samurai moral code, which had been passed down verbally.

BT: Bushido

UF: Samurai Moral Code

Concept and Purpose

SN: AJKF (or ZNKR) developed and then published The Concept and Purpose of Kendo. A way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.

BT: Philosophy

Counter-attack techniques

USE: Oji-waza

Court

USE: Shiaijo

Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK)

SN: "Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society." Promotes international peace and harmony through the education and training of the traditional martial arts disciplines

BT: Organization

UF: DNBK

Dan

SN: Ranks above kyu levels equivalent to Black belt in other martial arts. Progress uses an ascending order, with hachi-dan (8th dan) as the highest.

BT: Grading system

UF: Black Belt

UF: Upper levels

UF: Upper ranks

Dan exam

USE: Written exam

Dan level exam

USE: Written Exam

Dan questions

USE: Written Exam

Debana-waza

SN: Striking at the moment when your opponent intends to strike

BT: Shikake-waza

DNBK

USE: Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK)

Discipline

SN: Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana.

BT: Philosophy

SN: a breastplate covering the stomach and parts of the chest

BT: Bogu

UF: Breastplate Armor

UF: Breastplate

UF: Chest armor

UF: Torso Armor

Dojo

SN: literally means "place of the way." The formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts.

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Martial arts studio

Dojos of the Edo period

USE: Three Great Dojo of Edo

Edo period (1603 - 1867)

SN: Period that left the Samurai unemployed of active warfare, enabling them to teach swordsmanship in the many schools that flourished during this time period

BT: History

NT: Three Great Dojo of Edo

Equipment

NT: Bogu

NT: Bokken

NT: Shinai

NT: Bokuto

Exam kata demonstration

USE: Nihon kendo kata

Exam skill demonstration

USE: Jitsugi

Examination

NT: Jitsugi

NT: Nihon Kendo Kata

NT: Written Exam

Face Guard

USE: Men

Federations

USE: Organizations

Fencing

USE: Kenjutsu

FIK

USE: International Kendo Federation (FIK)

First Kendo School

USE: First Kenjutsu Ryu

First Kenjutsu Ryu

SN: Provided the foundations of modern kendo

BT: Ashikaga Shogunate Wars

NT: Sen-ha Kenjutsu

NT: Ryu-ha Kenjutsu

UF: Nagahide Chujo (1380)

UF: Bunguro Hukida (1437)

UF: Choisai Iizasa (1488)

UF: In-Ei (1521)

UF: First Kendo School

Footwork

USE: Ashi sabaki

Forms

USE: Kata

Foundation

USE: Foundation of Modern Kendo

Foundation of modern kendo

SN: The terms, steps, armor, etc. that is the kendo taught now. Where these principles started

BT: Modern practice

UF: Foundation

Gokaku-geiko

SN: Practice between 2 kendokas with equal ability

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

Grades

USE: Grading System

Grading system

SN: The grading system created in 1883 to indicate the kendoka’s proficiency.

BT: Level/advancement

NT: Kyu

NT: Dan

UF: Grades

Hachimaki

USE: Tenugui

Hajime

SN: Command to begin. Used after an instruction was given for class.

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Start

Hakama

SN: wide skirt-like trousers

BT: Clothing

UF: Trousers

UF: Pants

Hakama Belt

USE: Obi

Hanshi

SN: Title earned after eight years as a hachi-dan (8th level dan). Requires a screening by the kendo organization, a recommendation from the regional organization president as well as one from the national kendo organization president, and passing an exam on kendo theory.

BT: Titles

RT: Hanshi hachi-dan

RT: Hanshi 8-dan

Hanshi 8-dan

USE: Hanshi

Hanshi hachi-dan

USE: Hanshi

Hansoku

SN: Penalties such as unnecessary roughness, bad sportsmanship, Shiaijo, and dropping one’s shinai. If the kendoka gets two hansoku, the opponent gets ippon.

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Penalty

Harai-waza

SN: Striking after deflecting the opponents shinai.

BT: Shikake-waza

Head Protection

USE: Men

Hikibana-waza

SN: body and shinai lose balance as you strick or when being attacked.

BT: Shikake-waza

Hikitate-geiko

SN: Practice in which a senior kendoka guides a junior.

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

History

NT: Bushido

NT: Ashikaga Shogunate (1333-1568)

NT: Edo period (1603 - 1867)

IMAF

USE: International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF)

In-Ei (1521)

USE: First Kenjutsu Ryu

International Kendo Federation (FIK)

SN: International organization that manages and promotes kendo activities outside of Japan.

BT: Organizations

UF: FIK

International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF)

SN: Promotes martial arts (not just Kendo) worldwide.

BT: Organization

UF: IMAF

Ippon

SN: Means “one point.” One needs 3 ippon to win a match.

BT: Vocabulary

UF: point

Jacket

USE: Keikogi

Ji-geiko

SN: Sparring practice. Free practice using what the kendoka has learned

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

Jitsugi

SN: A demonstration of the kendoka’s skill in examinations.

BT: Examination

UF: Exam skill demonstration

Kaeshi-waza

SN: Blocking the opponents shinai with your own and attacking by making use of the reflexive power of your own shinai

BT: Oji-waza

Kakari-geiko

SN: Attack practice. Sensei starts and attack and the kendoka counters

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

Kata

SN: Kendo forms or fixed patterns that teach kendoka the basic elements of swordsmanship.

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

UF: Forms

Katsugi-waza

SN: a surprise attack by lifting the shinai over your shouder

BT: Shikake-waza

Keikogi

SN: heavy cotton jacket worn over undershirt

BT: Clothing

UF: Jacket

Kendo Federations

USE: Organizations

Kendo Organizations

USE: Organizations

Kendoka

SN: A kendo student

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Student

Kenjutsu

SN: Japanese swordsmanship, the art of fencing.

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Fencing

Ki o tsuke

SN: Command for attention. Calling all to attention

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Attention

Kiai

SN: Strong voice or a yell. Must be used when the kendoka is about to strike or attack.

BT: Vocabulary

Kiri-kaeshi

SN: A warm up practice with shinai

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

Kiritsu

SN: A command to stand up from Seiza. Used during Dojo Reigi

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Stand

Kote

SN: Gauntlets, that protect the hands and wrists, padded over the knuckles, and uses cotton wadding to protect the wrist and forearms

BT: Bogu

UF: Wrist Armor

UF: Wrist Protection

Kyoshi

SN: Title earned after two years as a shichi-dan (7th level dan). Requires a screening by the kendo organization, a recommendation from the regional organization president, and passing an exam on kendo theory.

BT: Titles

RT: Kyoshi shichi-dan

RT: Kyoshi 7-dan

Kyoshi 7-dan

USE: Kyoshi

Kyoshi shichi-dan

USE: Kyoshi

Kyu

SN: Ranks below Dan levels. Progress uses a descending order, with ikkyu (1st kyu) as the highest of the kyu levels.

BT: Grading system

UF: Lower Ranks

UF: Lower levels

Level/advancement

NT: Grading system

NT: Examination

NT: Titles

Lower levels

USE: Kyu

Lower Ranks

USE: Kyu

Martial arts studio

USE: Dojo

Men

SN: a mask made of cotton which protects the head and has an iron/ steel/ titanium face guard

BT: Bogu

UF: Face Guard

UF: Head Protection

Mental Training

SN: This is the natural part of kendo, aims to teach focus. Known as a “secret” of kendo.

BT: Philosophy

Modern practice

NT: Foundation of modern kendo

NT: Kiri-kaeshi

NT: Waza-geiko

NT: Kakari-geiko

NT: Ji-geiko

NT: Gokaku-geiko

NT: Hikitate-geiko

NT: Shiai-geiko

NT: Kata

NT: Ashi sabaki

NT: Suburi

Mokuso

SN: A deep breathing meditation done during the Dojo Reigi before and after class.

BT: Vocabulary

Momoi Shunzo

SN: Led the Shigakkan school, one of the Three Great Dojos of Edo

BT: Shigakkan

Nagahide Chujo (1380)

USE: First Kenjutsu Ryu

Naganuma Sirozaemon Kunisato

SN: Developed the modern shinai and bogu along with his father.

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

RT: Yamada Heizaemon Mitsunori

Nidan-waza

SN: two step attack

BT: Shikake-waza

Nihon Kendo Kata

SN: Demonstration of the kendoka’s knowledge of kata. Consists of ten forms of kata.

BT: Examination

UF: The ten forms of kata

UF: Exam kata demonstration

Nuki-waza

SN: Lure opponent to swing through the air then counterattack at the end of the move.

BT: Oji-waza

Obi

SN: Belt attached to Hakama

BT: Clothing

UF: Belt

UF: Hakama belt

Oji-waza

SN: A group of defensive counter-attack techniques

BT: Waza

NT: Nuki-waza

NT: Suriage-waza

NT: Uchiotoshi-waza

NT: Kaeshi-waza

UF: Counter-attack techniques

Organizations

NT: International Kendo Federation (FIK)

NT: Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR)

NT: All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF)

NT: All United Stated Kendo Federation (AUSKF)

NT: Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK)

NT: International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF)

UF: Federations

UF: Kendo organizations

UF: Kendo Federations

Pants

USE: Hakama

Penalty

USE: Hansoku

Philosophy

NT: Concept and Purpose

NT: Physical Benefits

NT: Mental Training

NT: Discipline

NT: Respect

Physical Benefits

SN: Aims to improve a person’s strength, endurance, and overall fitness.

BT: Philosophy

Point

USE: Ippon

Referee

USE: Shimpan

Rei

SN: A command to bow. Used during Dojo Reigi, as well as before and after sparring.

BT: Vocabulary

RT: Sensei ni rei

RT: Shomen ni rei

UF: Bow

Reigi

SN: Etiquette. Also, a ritual in which the etiquette is practiced

BT: Vocabulary

RT: Reishiki

Reishiki

SN: Etiquette. Also a ritual in which the etiquette is practiced

BT: Vocabulary

RT: Reigi

Renshi

SN: Title earned after one year as a roku-dan (6th level dan). Requires a screening by the kendo organization, a recommendation from the regional organization president, and passing an exam on kendo theory.

BT: Titles

RT: Renshi roku-dan

RT: Renshi 6-dan

Renshi 6-dan

USE: Renshi

Renshi roku-dan

USE: Renshi

Reishiki

SN: Etiquette. Also a ritual in which the etiquette is practiced

BT: Vocabulary

RT: Reigi

Respect

SN: a principal value of Kendo. Taught and practiced for all and with all.

BT: Philosophy

Ryu

SN: A school. Place of training, not meaning the actual place or building

BT: Vocabulary

RT: Kenjutsu Ryu

UF: School

Ryu-ha Kenjutsu

SN: One of 2 schools which included a more scientific approach to the art of war and war strategy.

BT: First Kenjutsu Ryu

Saito Yakuro

SN: Led the Renpeikan school, one of the Three Great Dojos of Edo

BT: Renpeikan

Samurai

SN: A warrior class of feudal Japan; the military nobility.

BT: Vocabulary

Samurai Moral Code

USE: Code of Bushido

School

USE: Ryu

Shimpan

SN: A referee in a kendo match

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Referee

Sonkyo

SN: A way of greeting one’s opponent before a match.

BT: Vocabulary

Scorable Point

USE: Yuko-datotsu

Scoring Point

USE: Yuko-datotsu

Seiza

SN: Acommand to kneel. Used during the Dojo Reigi.

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Sit

Sen-ha Kenjutsu

SN: One of 2 schools of kendo which concentrated on sword techniques to be used in battle

BT: First Kenjutsu Ryu

Shiai-geiko

SN: Competition practice. May be judged.

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

Shiaijo

SN: The match court

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Court

Shigakkan

SN: One of the Three Great Dojos of Edo. Led by Momoi Shunzo

BT: Three Great Dojos of Edo

NT: Momoi Shunzu

Shikake-waza

SN: A group of offensive techniques

BT: Waza

NT: Tobikomi-waza

NT: Hikibana-waza

NT: Katsugi-waza

NT: Nidan-waza

NT: Harai-waza

NT: Debana Waza

UF: Attack Techniques

Shimpan

SN: A referee in a kendo match

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Referee

Shinai

SN: A flexible sword that makes it possible to simulate combat with full power.

BT: Equipment

UF: Sword, Bamboo

Shogo

USE: Titles

Sit

USE: Seiza

Soft Head Cloth

USE: Tenugui

Sonkyo

SN: A way of greeting one’s opponent before a match.

BT: Vocabulary

Sparring

USE: Ji-geiko

Stand

USE: Kiritsu

Start

USE: Hajime

Stop

USE: Yame

Student

USE: Kendoka

Suburi

SN: Means “striking the air,” practicing how to swing your shinai

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

Suriage-waza

SN: Fending off the shinai by pushing it up and immediately delivering a stroke

BT: Oji-waza

Sword, Bamboo

USE: Shinai

Sword, Wood

USE: Bokken

Tai-kai

SN: A kendo competition

Techniques

USE: Waza

Tenugui

SN: soft cloth/towel wrapped around the head and worn under the men

BT: Clothing

RT: Hachimaki

UF: Towel

UF: Soft head cloth

The ten forms of kata

USE: Nihon kendo kata

The Way of the Sword

USE: Bushido

“Three Great Dojos of Edo”

SN: The three dojos that contributed to Kendo as it is practiced now.

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

NT: Genbukan

NT: Renpeikan

NT: Shigakkan

UF: Dojos of the Edo period

Titles

NT: Renshi

NT: Kyoshi

NT: Hanshi

UF: Shogo

Tobikomi-waza

SN: when you notice that your opponent is weak, strike quickly

BT: Shikake-waza

Torso Armor

USE: Do

Towel

USE: Tenugui

Trousers

USE: Hakama

Uchiotoshi-waza

SN: Striking the opponents shinai downward and striking immediately afterward

BT: Oji-waza

Upper Levels

USE: Dan

Upper ranks

USE: Dan

Valid Strike

USE: Yuko-datotsu

Vocabulary

SN: beginning terms that are used in Kendo

NT: Kendoka

NT: Kenjutsu

NT: Samurai

NT: Ryu

NT: kiai

NT: Dojo

NT: Reigi

NT: Reishiki

NT: Mokuso

NT: Kiritsu

NT: Seiza

NT: Jigeiko

NT: hajime

NT: zanshin

NT: Sei retsu

NT: Ki o tsuke

NT: Sonkyo

NT: Rei

NT: Yame

NT: yūkō-datotsu

NT: tai-kai

NT: shimpan

NT: Ippon

NT: Hansoku

Waist Armor

USE: Tare

Waist Protection

USE: Tare

Waza

SN: Japanese word for technique. There are 2 groups that are fundamental in kendo.

NT: Shikake-waza

NT: Oji-waza

UF: Techniques

Waza-geiko

SN: Technique practice in which the student practices techniques on a sensei

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

Wrist Armor

USE: Kote

Wrist Protection

USE: Kote

Written Exam

SN: Added part of the exam for dan levels. The dan levels are much more difficult and require thought behind the actions. Questions require discussing or listing of concepts, principles, and opinions on various aspects of Kendo.

BT: Examination

UF: Dan level exam

UF: Dan questions

UF: Dan exam

Yamada Heizaemon Mitsunori

SN: Developed the modern shinai and bogu along with his son.

BT: Foundation of Modern Kendo

RT: Naganuma Sirozaemon Kunisato

Yame

SN: Command to stop.

BT: Vocabulary

UF: Stop

Yuko-datotsu

SN: A valid strike is scorable point defined as a strike or thrust that hits one of the scorable locations of the bogu, with good kiai and notable zanshin.

BT: Rules

UF: Scorable Point

UF: Scoring point

UF: Valid Strike

Zanshin

SN: Focus, awareness. One must show strong zanshin in competition in order for the strike to count.

BT: Vocabulary

Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR)

SN: Japanese name for the AJKF. The national non-governmental organization in Japan, founded in 1952. Both names are used.

BT: Organization

UF: ZNKR

RT: All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF)

ZNKR

USE: Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR)