Formation 1952 Headquarters Tokyo, Japan Official language English and Japanese | Type Sports organization Membership Unknown. President Mr. Yasuhisa Tokugawa | |
Kokusai Budoin, International Martial Arts Federation (国際武道院・国際武道連盟, Kokusai Budoin Kokusai Budo Renmei) (IMAF) is a Japanese organization promoting international Budō. The organization, founded in 1952, has headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
Contents
IMAF has branches in 17 countries.
IMAF organizes world Budo Galas, congresses, international training, and issues the magazine, named Gendo newsletter.
Purposes
The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) is dedicated to the promotion and development of the martial arts worldwide.
Among other objectives of IMAF are the expansion of interest in Japanese martial arts, the establishment of communication, friendship, understanding and harmony among member chapters, the development of the minds and bodies of members, and the promotion of global understanding and personal growth.
History
The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) was founded in 1952 by a group of some of Japan's most prominent martial arts practitioners, including:
The first chairman was Prince Kaya Tsunenori (uncle of Emperor Hirohito, former lieutenant general in the Imperial Army), and was followed Prince Higashikuni (the first post World War II Prime Minister, the only member of the Japanese Imperial Family to have held this post). IMAF, then known as the National Japan Health Association sponsored the first, large-scale, public, post World War II martial arts demonstration in Japan in Hibiya Park in downtown Tokyo in February 1952.
The present president of Kokusai Budoin, International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) is Yasuhisa Tokugawa, the great-grandson of the 15th and final Shogun of Japan, Tokugawa Yoshinobu (1837 – 1913).
Ranking System
The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) use the shōgō system where the levels are renshi (錬士), kyōshi (教士), and hanshi (範士). The most venerated level is hanshi.
Divisions
The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) has seven divisions and licensed instructors in following divisions:
There was a schism in IMAF Europe which led to a separate group being formed in 1983 by Minoru Mochizuki, Hanshi, Meijin 10-Dan Aikido. In England there was a further divided in IMAF UK in 2005 which led to the formation of two affiliated bodies, UK IMAF and IMAF GB which changed its name to the United Kingdom Budo Federation.
Aikido Division
The Aikido Division was founded in 1954. The position of Aikido Division has been held by the world’s foremost aikido authorities. Kisshomaru Ueshiba, son of the founder of aikido Morihei Ueshiba, and late director of the Aikikai Hombu. He was succeeded by Kenji Tomiki (founder of Shodokan Aikido), Minoru Mochizuki (10th dan Aikido), and Gozo Shioda (10th dan Aikido, founder of Yoshinkan Aikido). The current Shihan are Takeji Tomita and Shinji Tsutsui.
Kendo Division
The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) defines Kendo as 'the way of the sword', it is a modern martial art based on ancient Kenjutsu (the art of swordsmanship).
Representatives from the kendo division teaches and holds international exhibitions in kendo. Furthermore, highranking Japanese masters holds international seminars in kendo.
IMAF members demonstrated Nihon Kendo Kata at Kameido Katori Jinja on April 29, 2009. Originally, Nihon Kendo Kata was called Dai Nippon Teikoku Kendo Kata created in 1912 but was revised in 1912, 1917, 1933 and 1981. In 1933 the Dai Nippon Teikoku Kendo Kata was changed to the name 'Nihon Kendo Kata' and the last revision in 1981 was made by the All Japan Kendo Federation. A YouTube clip exists showing IMAF members demonstrating Nihon Kendo Kata.
Iaido Division
The Iaido Division has been led by some of the greatest iaido figures, including Tsugiyoshi Ota, Meijin Iaido 10-dan, Katsuo Yamaguchi, Meijin Iaido 10-dan, Tadao Ochiai, Hanshi Iaido 10-dan, and Kenji Tose, Hanshi Iaido 10-dan.