JAPANESE SWORD ARTS FAQ VERSION 2.1 (Part 2 of 2)
                    May 24, 1994

This document is copyright 1994 by Neil Gendzwill, all rights reserved. 
Permission is granted for free distribution in electronic or hard copy,
provided that the document is maintained as a complete work.  Copying
or distribution for profit is expressly denied.

Table o' Contents

Key to change index (with respect to version 2.0):

  N = new, r = minor revision, R = major revision

In Part 1 (the other post):

R      Introduction
  1.   What is kendo?
R 1a.  OK, then what is kenjutsu?
r 1b.  Isn't bokken technique taught in aikido?
  1c.  What is kumdo?
N 1d.  Are there different styles of kendo/kenjutsu?
  2.   What is iaido?
  2a.  OK, then what is iaijutsu?
N 2b.  Are there different styles of iaido/iaijutsu?
  3.   What about batto-jutsu, tamashi-giri, shinkendo and others?
  3a.  OK, so if they're watered down, why study kendo or iaido?
r 4.   How did kendo originate?
r 5.   How did iaido originate?
  6.   What are those funny clothes kendo and iaido players wear?
  6a.  Why do they wear hakama?
  7.   How is a Japanese sword constructed?
  7a.  How many layers in a Japanese sword?
  7b.  What are the different types of Japanese swords?
  8.   What sort of weapons are used for practice?
  9.   What is the armour for kendo?
  9a.  How much does kendo armour cost?
  10.  How does the ranking work in kendo and iaido?
  11.  Kendo competition
R 11a. World kendo championships results

In Part 2 (this post):

R 12.  I want to buy a Japanese sword.  What do I do?
  12a. How much do they cost?
  12b. Where can I find swords to purchase?
  12c. How can I tell if it's a good sword?
  12d. How can I tell if the sword is right for me?
N 12e. Are there special concerns for iaido?
R 13.  Bibliography
  14.  Organization Contacts
R 14a. Kendo Federations
  14b. Sword Clubs
r 15.  Equipment Suppliers

12.  I want to buy a Japanese sword.  What do I do?

This section only briefly touches on the main issues involved in
purchasing a nihon-To (Japanese-Sword).  The topics of swordsmith,
dating, value and type are too complex for inclusion here - books only
give a generalization in 100+ pages.

Your best weapon is information.  Join the Japanese Sword Society of
the United States (JSS/US).  Take your time to find out who the
reputable dealers are and deal with them only - the JSS/US can help you
out here.  Study and look at a lot of blades first, before buying.  Find a
trusted advisor/collector to assist you.  Buy and read John Yumoto's
Book: The Samurai Sword - A Handbook.  You will find it invaluable. 
Read other Japanese sword books.

Note the following definitions:

  Blade: the steel blade only - no fittings (handle/guard/scabbard/etc).
  Sword: includes the blade & all fittings.

12a.  How much do they cost?

Note that all prices given are in US dollars, and are approximate.  Your
mileage may definitely vary.

If you are looking for an antique sword, the starting point is about $500
for a relatively new (20th century) blade, rising up to $5-50k for good
swords by well-known smiths, and $100k+ for famous swords by
famous smiths.  For a decent working sword, expect to part with at least
$1,000.

If you buy an antique, it may need polishing.  A reasonable minor
touch-up polish may cost about $10 to $20 per inch of blade length from
a US polisher.  A major polish by a US polisher may run $30 to $50 per
inch.  Your prices may vary.  Blade length is measured from the tip
(kissaki) to the back notch (mune-machi) where the blade collar (habaki)
stops against the blade.

If you want to buy a newly made Japanese sword, the starting point is
about $2,000 for an OK blade only, through about $10,000 for a good
blade to $50k+ for a blade by one of the top smiths.  Note that these
prices are just for the blade.  If you are buying a new blade, you will
need to buy fittings - the tsuka and all its pieces, the tsuba and a saya. 
Expect to pay about $700 minimum for everything, more if you want
real artwork.

If you want a iaito, you can get a complete sword including fittings and
saya for anywhere from $300 to $2000.  Cheaper ones are available but
are considered dangerous as the handle may break.

If you are buying an antique sword, you may get only the blade or you
may need to repair/replace some of the fittings.  Both Antique and
replica parts are available.  Antique tsuba cost $75 to $300+; replica
brass $30 to $50, and replica iron/silver tsuba $90 to $120+.

Antique grip aids (menuki) cost $50 to $150+; replicas $20 to $30 for
brass, $50 for silver/gold plated silver.  Antique handle front and butt
piece (fuchi/kashira) cost $75 to $200+; replicas $50 to $100.

A beat up saya can be fixed.  Horn pieces are about $15 each, metal
parts are also available.  A simple black water-based lacquer paint job is
about $100.  A new saya in simple black laquer made for your blade
costs about $150 to $300.  Antique blades may need new silk or leather
handle cord (tsuka-ito), costs about $120 for materials and labour for a
good job.

12b.  Where can I find swords to purchase?

The availability of Japanese Swords in the US is due primarily to large
numbers of swords brought back by GIs after WWII.  As such, the
quality varies all over the place - from excellent old Koto blades to late
WWII machine made pieces of steel.

Japanese swords can be found at major gun shows.  There are also
annual Japanese Sword Shows in San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas and
Florida, among other places.  Major auction houses often have auctions
featuring Japanese blades.

At auctions, sometime good buys can be found on the last day, or in
"off/odd" lots - not featured in the catalog.  Inspect every blade at the
preview.  Learn what is good, and also the actual "hammer price" the
blade sold for.

Sword clubs, especially the Japanese Sword Society of the US (JSS/US)
can help put you in touch with sellers.  The JSS/US newsletter has
advertisments from various dealers and polishers.  Addresses for sword
clubs are found elsewhere in this FAQ.

12c.  How can I tell if it's a good sword?

Learn, learn, learn.  Join the JSS/US.  Read Yumoto.  Read him again. 
Read him a third time.  Read other sources of information.  As in any
other consumer exchange, it's possible/likely for you to get burned. 
Find a knowledgable mentor you can trust to help you.

Curved Japanese blades were made from the 900s to today.  Age of
blade by itself is not indicative of quality - there are many periods in
Japan when swords were cranked out in high volume to meet war-time
conditions.  Don't buy a crummy blade because the polish job looks
good or the fittings/wrap looks good.  Focus on the blade itself first. 
Know the age of the blade - a lot of recent (19th/20th century) blades
are passed off as old blades.  Learn the terminology of eras of
swordmaking (Koto, Shinto, Shin-Shinto, Showa-to, Gendai-to, Gunto,
etc. ).

The order of consideration is #1 blade, #2 polish, #3 fittings, #4
scabbard and #5 handle.  In addition to all this, if the blade is to be a
working blade for iaido, tamashigiri or whatever, it must fit you and be
suited to the purpose.

When examining blades, ask first!  Don't touch the blade with your
fingers, the salts & moisture on your hands can cause fingerprint rust
marks on the blade - major faux pas!  Don't touch the edge to see if it's
sharp.  Again, you may rust the blade and you may also severly cut
yourself (much less important than damaging a valuable blade).  Don't
breath on blade either! Treat every blade with respect - for the maker,
the present owner and the blade itself.  The Japanese sword was often
called "the Soul of a Samurai".

Inspecting the sword - always hold the sword by both the tsuka and saya
when picking it up for the first time.  Hold it horizontally, as the
saya/habaki fit may be very loose or the wood/bamboo handle pin
(mekugi) may be loose or missing; check first.  Inspect all exterior
fittings first, do they match in design/ age? To remove the blade from
the saya, hold the sword by the tsuka with one hand, cutting edge up,
either horizontally or vertically, and separate the blade and saya - sliding
on the mune only.  This minimizes/eliminates putting scratches on the
sides of the blade.  Examine the blade (length, curve, style, hamon,
defects, feel, etc).  If you are still interested in the blade, have the
owner remove the tsuka - handles can often be ill-fitting, or in the case
of Gunto (WWII) mounts, have a lot of spacers (seppa) and
miscellaneous  hardware.

Many of the WWII blades are machine made single bars of steel.  Some
Navy blades are stainless steel with faked (via polishing) temper lines. 
A few blades will have engraving (horimono) - it was often done by
machine to primarily WWII blades after the war for GIs, a dragon
chasing a flaming pearl being a popular example.  Engraving can also be
used to hide flaws in the blade.  Many of the WWII blades were crudely
made, using machines and non-swordsmith workers.  Are the lines
straight on the blade?  Does the main line (shinogi) waver about?

For terminology of age and features, be sure and read Yumoto.  Look
for defects, chips, fissures, etc.  Check the temper/hardening line
(hamon) on both sides and in the tip area carefully.  The hamon tells a
lot about the blade, study Yumoto and others to understand what it is
saying.  The steels used in the 20th century for mass production of
Japanese blades are such that flashy looking hamons can be made on
poor quality blades.  Check the grain of the blade - again, some very
flashy, large grain (contrasting layers) blades are sometimes of poor
quality.  Hamon questionable or no grain visible? Hold your breath and
your wallet!

Does the line in the tip area (ko-shinogi) match the tip cutting edge
(fukura) in shape? If not, this is a clue that the point was reshaped after
a chip or break.  Look down the mune from the tsuba.  Bent blades may
have been straightened, you may see zig-zags (major or minor) or
"stretch marks" on the sides of the blade.  If the blade looks
questionable, don't buy it.

Look at the tang (nakago).  Signature(s) may mean everything or
nothing.  A famous name signature may turn out to be the 7th
generation son of the famous maker or a forgery.  Go to a trusted expert
to understand the signature (or lack of it) and its meaning.

The polish job on the blade is the second consideration.  A good polish
job will show the grain of the blade without being bright shiny.  If the
whole blade is like a mirror, chances are someone has been using Semi-
Chrome(tm) polish on the blade to make it look good.  If you can't see
the grain or the hamon or the hamon fades in and out it, it may be a
good blade with a bad polish.  Or it may be a "tired" blade - polished
out with the core steel showing.  Or it may be just a bad blade (poor
workmanship/materials) with a bad polish.

The mountings on the blade are the third consideration.  Be aware that
replica tsuba, menuki, fuchi/kashira, etcetera can be treated to look
antique.  This is OK as long as you are aware of what you are getting. 
The saya is the fourth.  A beat-up saya can be repaired or replaced
fairly cheaply, unless it is very fancy.  Last is the handle.  Again, a
poor handle can be re-wrapped or remade.

12d.  How can I tell if the sword is right for me?

Quality of the blade aside, you must find one that fits you.  Many katana
for sale in the US are relatively short, (around 24-26 in. - measured
along the top from the kissaki to mune-machi) as the longer katanas are
often valued by collectors/users.

If you are of typical non-Asian height (5'10"-6'), look for a 26" to 29"
blade length.  Hold the handle with right hand at front next to the tsuba,
and carefully let the blade hang down at your side, arm relaxed.  Don't
let the tip hit the floor or you've just bought a blade with a bent or
broken tip!  A correct length blade should come close to, but not touch
the floor.

Hold the sword with both hands, without saya (scabbard).  It should feel
good to you, live and natural, not dead, like you're holding just a bar of
steel.  This is a very subjective feeling.  If you are going to do any
tamashigiri (test cutting), you should be buying a heavier blade.  Also, a
fine polish job is probably not your greatest concern for tamashigiri.  If
the blade is to be used primarily for iaido, it should be light, yet not too
light.  You're not swinging a bokuto, a sword has some substance to it!

12e.  Are there special concerns for iaido?

Yes.  A moderate curvature seems best in that it is easier to draw and
sheath.  An extremely straight sword forces the iaido practioner to over
stretch when drawing the blade.  A sword with extreme curvature
(mostly older tachi blades in katana mounts) is likewise awkward to
draw.  A medium point (chu-kissaki) is easier to sheath; less likely to
cause cuts to either the practioner or the saya.  Blades with long points
(o-kissaki) are more likely to cut the user when being drawn or sheathed
and may also cut and damage the saya mouth.  The ultra small point
(ko-kissaki) is normally associated with the tachi blade.  A katana blade
with a ko-kissaki may very well have had its point broken and reshaped.

The design of the temperline is not critical to the function of the sword. 

A moderate to long tsuka is easier to control and offers much better
leverage for cutting.  However, be sure the tang of the blade runs
practically the full length of the tsuka.  Long tsuka hiding short tangs
are dangerous in that the strain on the tsuka without the underlying tang
is extreme as it leads to broken handles (tsuka).

The twisted style ito (handle wrapping) is less likely to loosen and slip
with prolonged use than other styles.  It is critical that the tsuka be
properly fitted, tight on the tang, with tight ito.  If the tang rattles in the
tsuka it is the incorrect tsuka for that blade.  This makes it impossible to
properly fit the mekugi (peg) which secures the blade.  The mekugi is
more likely to break in a poorly fitted tsuka, which is very dangerous to
the practisioner, his fellows and the blade.

A properly fitted wooden saya is easier to draw from and much easier to
sheath the blade into.  Poorly fitting saya are noisy, rattle and more
easily trap dirt which may damage the blade.  Also the blade may just
plain fall out of a poorly fitted saya.  The metal gunto saya of the
Russo-Japanese War period or WW II period nearly always have brass
or other metal throats - these will damage the blade as sooner or later
most everyone "drags" the edge on the saya mouth. It the saya mouth is
metal, the edge will be damaged or ruined.

Please don't use a high quality old blade - accidents may happen, and
damage to ha (cutting edge) is not repairable - only more material can
removed to smooth out the chip contour.

A wide-groove (bo-hi) in the flat sides of blade (shinogi-ji) is not a
blood groove.  It serves to lighten the blade, providing a more lively
feel.  It also has the side effect of making a loud "hiss" when the sword
is swung straight (back of blade (mune) in line with the ha).  If the
sword is swung tilted, it will not "hiss".  A blade with bo-hi is often
desireable for this reason - you and everyone else will know if the sword
was swung true.

Swords for iaido (iai-to) are modern day replica swords, the blade is
made of soft metal that cannot be sharpened.  These are recommended
for beginning iaidoka.

13. Bibliography

KENDO

This is Kendo
Junzo Sasamori & Gordon Warner
Publisher: Charles E. Tuttle Company
ISBN 0-8048-0574
Summary:   The standard english language text.  Covers history,
           basic technique and terminology.  Kata are not covered. 
           Pretty much the only choice easily found in english, but
           very good even so.  Sasamori was judan (yup, that's
           pretty good).

Fundamental Kendo
Compiled by All Japan Kendo Federation
Publisher: Japan Publications, Inc. 
ISBN 0 87040 226 9
Summary:   Describes many different techniques, all shown with
           sequential photography.  Also desribes how to take care
           of your equipment, different training methods and a
           very good kata description with a lot of pictures. 
           Unfortunately out of print (first published in 1973): if
           you find it somewhere, buy it.

Looking At A Far Mountain:  A Study of Kendo Kata
Paul Budden
Publisher: Ward Lock
ISBN 0-7063-7031-7
Summary:   Good comprehensive overview of ZNKR kendo kata.

Kendo-Lehrbuch des japanischen Schwertkampfes
Kotaro Oshima & Kozo Ando
Publisher: Verlag Weinmann-Berlin
ISBN 3 87892 037 7
Summary:   German language, contains information on technique, 
           equipment etc. There are illustrations for all techniques  
           and also on how to take care of the equipment. If you
           know  german it is a very good book if not you can still
           see a lot  from all the illustrations.


KENJUTSU

Shinkage-ryu Sword Techniques,
Traditional Japanese Martial Arts Vol. 1
Tadashige Watanabe (trans. Balsom, Ronald)
February 1993: Sugawara Martial Arts Institute, Inc.       20-13 Tadao 3
chome, Machida-shi,       Tokyo, 194 Japan
Distributor:  Kodansha America, Inc.,
ISBN: 0-87040-887-9
Summary:   Covers posture, bowing and kata for beginning and
           intermediate students, mostly through sequential
           photographs.  Unfortunately, the sequences often devote
           many pictures to something simple like retreating or
           advancing and miss key points of the  actual technique. 
           Interesting nonetheless but pricy.

The Sword and the Mind
Hiroaki Sato
Publisher: The Overlook Press
ISBN: 0-87951-256-3
Summary:   Translation of 3 documents pertaining to Yagyu family
           kenjutsu (shinkage-ryu), the Heiho Kaden Sho, Fudochi
           Shinmyo Roku and Taia Ki.  Includes reproductions of
           the pages of the Heiho.  Could just as well be in the
           philosophy section, but there is a lot of technique
           described.  Fascinating.

Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword
Dave Lowry
Publisher: Ohara
ISBN: 0-89750-104-7
Summary:   Another shinkage-ryu book with chapters devoted to the
           history of the use of the bokken, equipment selection,
           basics, striking with the bokken, combination
           techniques, two-person kata, and the seated bo.
           Techniques are generally well-described using
           photographs and text, although some of the advanced
           techniques are difficult to follow.

Japan's Complete Fighting System - Shin Kage Ryu
Robin L. Reilly
Publisher: Charles Tuttle
ISBN: 0-8048-1536-4
Summary:   Another shinkage-ryu book, describes empty-handed and
           weapon techniques, including bo, jo, sword and knife. 
           Only about 50 pages on sword technique, including
           stance basics, basic strikes with a katana, some
           individual exercises, and some solo and two-man kata,
           all demonstrated using shinken.

The Deity and the Sword (three volumes)
Risuke Otake
Publisher:   Minato Research & Trading Co.
             2 0-13 Tadao 3-Chome, Machida-shi,
             Tokyo 194-02 Japan
Distributor: Japan Publications Trading Company
             200 Clearbrook Rd
             Elmsford, NY
             USA 10523
             (914) 592-2077
ISBNs 0-87040-378-8, 0-87040-405-9, 0-87040-406-7

Summary:   Technique and philosophy of Tenshin Shoden Katori
           Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu, in both Japanese and English.

The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship
Charles Daniel
Publisher:  Unique Publications
ISBN 0-86568-148-1
Summary: Unreviewed

Classical Bujutsu 
Donn F. Draeger
Publisher: Weatherhill
ISBN 0-8348-0233
Summary:   Not much technique, interesting history, covers a
           number of bujutsu styles.  Would be better with more
           detail on the ryu, but still recommended.

Samurai Swordsmanship - Vol 1
Dale S. Kirby 
National Paperback Book
ISBN: ?
Summary: Unreviewed

Naked Blade: A Manual of Samurai Swordsmanship
Toshihiro Obata
Dragon Books
ISBN: ?
Summary:   Unreviewed, but Obata-sensei is a love-him or hate-him
           kind of guy.  In short articles I've read from him he's
           been interesting, although the endless posturing and
           kendo-bashing is tiresome.

IAIDO

Japanese Swordsmanship
Gordon Warner & Donn F. Draeger
Publisher: Weatherhill
ISBN 0-8348-0146-9
Summary:   The standard English text for ZNKR iaido.  Lots of
           interesting history.  Iaido techniques described in detail,
           many of those details having changed since publication,
           but still useful.

The Way of the Sword
Michael Finn
Publisher: Paladin Press
ISBN 0-9017-6458-2
Summary:   Thin oversize soft cover, with photos of the 10
           techniques of Seitei-Gata ...its a good companion to
           Warner/Draeger book in that in all techniques show the
           "attackers" in the proper positions in the photos, so it
           helps to better visualize the actions required.  Slim on
           background & philosophy.

The Art of Drawing the Sword
Darrell Craig
Publisher: Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc.
ISBN 0-8048-7023-2
Summary:   Covers Seitei-gata (only 7 - does not include Gammen-
           ate, Soete-tsuki or Shiho-giri, along with Mu-Gai-Ryu's
           eight kata. Many drawings, very few photos. Choose
           Warner/Draeger first.

The Iaido Newsletter
c/o Kim Taylor
Dept. of Animal and Poultry Science
University of Guelph, Ontario
Canada  N1G 2W1.  
Tel (519) 824-4120 ext 6225
Fax (519) 836-9873
Email ktaylor@aps.uoguelph.ca
Summary:   A publication of shared distribution dedicated to arts of
           the Japanese sword: Iaido, Kendo and Ko-ryu Kenjutsu
           (mostly iaido).  Send your stories, comments or
           announcements to Kim Taylor.

Eishin-ryu iaido : manual of traditional Japanese swordsmanship
Nicholas Suino
Publisher: Weatherhill
ISBN 0834803003
Summary:   Unreviewed.  Actually, just released in 1994 so may or
           may not be available as you read this.

Flashing steel : mastering Eishin-ryu swordsmanship
Masayuki Shimabukuro, Leonard Pellman
Publisher: Frog Ltd.
ISBN: 1883319188
Summary:   Unreviewed, available July 1994.


PHILOSOPHY

Go Rin No Sho -  
Miyamoto Musashi
Hardcover translation by Victor Harris
Publisher: Overlook Press
ISBN 0-87951-018-8
Softcover translation by Brown, Kashigawa, Barrett and Sasagawa
Publisher: Bantam Books
ISBN 0-553-22509-X
Translation by Thomas Cleary
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
ISBN 0-87773-868-8
Summary:   Philosophy and general combat technique of Musashi,
           Japan's most famous swordsman.  Not much technical
           detail, more from a generalist viewpoint.  Better
           understood after a few years of practice.  Mandatory for
           any martial artist's library.

The Zen Way to the Martial Arts
Taisen Deshimaru
Publisher: Arkana (The Penguin Group)
ISBN 0-14-019344-8
Summary:   Zen as it relates to the martial arts, often specifically
           kendo. Deshimaru is a zen master, content is often
           question and answer with questions from Yuno-sensei,
           kendo hachidan. Some sections are a little too "zen will
           fix your mama's corns" for my tastes but overall,
           excellent.

Zen and Confucius in the art of swordsmanship :
 The Tengu-geijutsu-ron of Chozan Shissai
Kammer, Reinhard; translated by Betty J. Fitzgerald
Publisher: Routledge & K. Paul
Summary: Unreviewed

Zen & The Way of the Sword
(Arming the Samurai Psyche)
Winston L. King  - 265 pages, hardback, publ. 1993
Oxford University Press
ISBN 0-19-506810-6 
Summary:   Run, don't walk, *away* from this book.  A mishmash
           compilation of some Zen, some history (1100-1980s),
           some parts of how Japanese sword mfg'd.  Author
           surveyed a wide variety of texts & patched together a
           book.

HISTORY

Hagakure -  
Yamamoto Tsunetomo 
Publisher: Kodansha 
ISBN 4-7700-1106-7 
Summary:   The author was a minor samurai after the time of
           Musashi. The book is a collection of sayings and stories
           about his clan & times along with some thoughts about
           what it means to be a samurai.  More a strong taste of
           the times than deep philosophy.

Lives of the Master Swordsmen 
Sugawara, Makoto; edited by Burritt Sabin.
Publisher: The East Publications, Inc.
Summary:   Includes excellent bibliography on Musashi, plus
           Ittosai's life and the transition of Itto-ryu in the first
           generation.  There is  also material on Yagyu Munenori.

SWORDS

The Samurai Sword A Handbook
John M. Yumoto
Publisher: Charles E. Tuttle Company Inc.
ISBN 0-8048-0509-1
Summary:   The standard text for collectors of antique nihon-to.  A
           little history, discussion on the features and appraisal,
           short section on construction, list of smiths. 
           Indispensable.

The Craft of the Japanese Sword
Leon and Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara
Publisher: Kodansha International
ISBN: 0-87011-798-X (US)   4-7700-1298-5 (Japan)
Summary:   Discussion of the techniques currently used to construct
           swords. Step by step through the smithing of the blade,
           the polishing, the scabbard construction and the making
           of the habaki. Highly recommended.

The Japanese Sword
Kanzan Sato
Publisher: Kodansha
ISBN: 4-7700-1055-9
Summary: Unreviewed. 
 
Judging a Japanese Blade
Yasu Kizu 
Publisher: Hawley Publications   8200 Gould Ave   Hollywood, Ca.
90046
ISBN 0-910704-3-1
Summary:   An informative 18 page pamphlet, including an excellent 
           discussion of flaws & defects with examples and how to
           judge the  cutting quality of a blade by visual inspection.

JSS/US Newsletter
Publisher: JSS/US   P.O. Box 712   Breckinridge, TX   USA 76424
Summary:   Published bi-monthly, this newsletter contains various
           articles pertaining to the collection of Japanese swords. 
           Topics include polishing, maintenance, appraisal,
           overviews of smiths' works, history.  Ads for assorted
           suppliers of swords, sword fittings and services, as well
           as a catalog of numerous books for sale (too numerous
           to list here).  JSS/US also maintains an extensive
           lending library of reference material for members.

14. Organization Contacts

14a. Kendo Federations

ARGENTINA

Argentine Kendo Federation
Moreno 428, 10 Floor, Apt "I"
Buenos Aires, Argentina

AUSTRALIA

Australian Kendo Renmei
c/o Mr. I. Robotham
77, Greenhill Road, Greensborough
Victoria 3088, Australia

AUSTRIA

Austrian Kendo Association
Postfach 75
A-1033 Wein Austria

BELGIUM

All Belgium Kendo Federation
Mr. Daniel Labas, President
Residence Le Loiret; Rue Mignolet 19 Bt 7
B-6080 MONTIGIES-SUR-SAMBRE
Tel +32-71-32 19 25

BRAZIL

All Brazil Kendo Federation
Rua Valerio De Carvalho
63-Pinheiros Cep 05422
Sao Paula, Brazil
Tel 211-1083-1109

BRITAIN

British Kendo Federation
31 Woodstock Rise
Sutton, Surrey
GB SM3 9JE
Tel 44-1-644-1369 (John Howell, Chairman)
    44-1-608-3502 (Charles Weaton, Secretary)
Fax 44-1-644-6150

CANADA

NOTE:  For a complete list of all Canadian dojos, contact:
Neil Gendzwill
gendzwill@SEDSystems.ca

B.C. Kendo Federation
4111 Moncton Street
Richmond, B.C.
Canada V7E 3A8
Fax (604) 275-9866
 
Canadian Kendo Federation
205 Riviera Drive
Markham, Ontario
L3R 5J8
Tel (416) 445-1481
Fax (416) 445-0519

Ontario Kendo Federation
c/o Mr. Paul Morgan
175 Catharine St. S. Suite #41
Hamilton, Ontario
Canada L8N 2K2
Tel (416) 525-6562 (home)
    (416) 545-1121 ext 379 (work)
Fax (416) 548-5205

CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Prague Kendo Club
ZA Sokolovnou 440
CS-16500 Praha 6 Suchdol
Czechoslovakia
(Not IKF affiliated)

DENMARK

Danish Kendo Federation
Holmbladsgade 113.3
DK-2300 Copenhagen S., Denmark
(45) 32-96-17-40

EUROPE

European Kendo Federation (EKF)
Mr. Alain Ducarme, President
4, Rue du Busard
B-1170 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Tel +32-2-672 83 42

Mr. Raf Bernaers, Secretary-General
Konig Albertstraat 113
B-2548 LINT, BELGIUM
Tel +32-3-771 40 98
Fax +32-3-771 42 01

Mr. Jean-Pierre Raick, Technical Director
11, Place Simon Vollant
F-59000 LILLE, FRANCE
Tel +33-20 52 84 79

FINLAND

The Finnish Kendo Federation
c/o The Finnish Judo Association
Radiokatu 20
SF-00240 Jelsinki, Finland
Tel (358-0) 158-2316

FRANCE

Comite National Du Kendo / F.F.J.D.A
43, Rue des Plantes
F-75680 PARIS CEDEX 14
Tel +33-1-45 42 80 90

GERMANY

Deutscher Judobund, sektion Kendo
Mr. Wolfgang Demski, President
Heidenheimer Strasse 24
D-1000 BERLIN 28       <-- These postal codes are wrong.
Corrections, anyone? Tel +49-30-404 66 07
Fax 06131-638522

HONG KONG

Hong Kong Kendo Federation
Hing Fat Street
Causeway Bay
P.O. Box 38014 Hong Kong
Fax 852-5-8068449

HUNGARY

Hungarion Kendo Union
Magyar Kendo Eqyesules
H-1116 Budapest
XI, BP Fehevari UT 120
Hungary
(Not IKF affiliated)

ICELAND

Icelandic Kendo Federation
Laugateigur 35
IS-105 Reykhavik, Iceland
(Not IKF affiliated)

ITALY

Confederzione Italiana Kendo
c/o Mr. R.D. Miglio
Via Trenno 18
I-20151 Milano, Italy

JAPAN

International Kendo federation (IKF)
Mr. I. Sato, Secretary-General
c/o Nippon Budokan
    2-3, Kitanomaru-Koen
    Chiyoda-Ku, J-102 TOKYO-TO
Tel +81-3-3211 5804
Fax +81-3-3211 5807

Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR) (aka All-Japan Kendo Federation)
c/o Nippon Budokan
    2-3, Kitanomaru-Koen
    Chiyoda-Ku, J-102 TOKYO-TO

KOREA

Korea Kumdo Association
Room #505 88 Olympic Centre
Oryun-Dong, Songpa-Gu
Seoul, Korea
Tel 02-420-4258-9

MALAYSIA

Malaysia Kendo Federation
22 Jalan Setiajaya
Damansara Heights
50490 Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
Fax 3-717-7354

MEXICO

Mexican Kendo Federation
Xicotencatl No. 243
Col. Del Carmen-Coyoacan
02200 Mexico, D.F.

THE NETHERLANDS

Nederlandse Kendo Renmei
Mr. Hein Odinot, President
Goudestein 14
NL-3085 DB, ROTTERDAM
Tel +31-10-480 87 95

NEW ZEALAND

All New Zealand Kendo Federation
c/o Mr. A. Stephenson
P.O. Box 22-767
Otahuhu, Auckland
New Zealand
Tel 09-592-495
Fax 09-607-599

NORWAY

Norges Kendoforbund
Postboks 2044, Nordnes
N-5024 BERGEN, Norway

PERU

Comision Deportiva Nacional de Kendo
Calle 15 No. 210 Dp. 201 Urb. Corpac.
San Isidro, Lima 27
Peru
(Not IKF affiliated)

POLAND

Polish Kendo Committee
c/o Andrzej Kustosz
Ul. Deotymy 5 M.4
Pl-93-267 Lodz
Poland
(Not IKF affiliated)

PORTUGAL

Kendo Clube Portugal
Rua Coelha Da Rocha
66 r/c esq P-1300 Lisboa
Portugal
Tel 351-1-67-48-38
Fax 01-674-838

RUSSIA

Moscow Kendo Federation
c/o Mr. V. Yanushevsky
KV.92 KOR.2 Dom, 91 Prospekt Vernadskogo
11 7526 Moscow
(Not IKF affiliated)

ROMANIA

Romanian Kendo Federation
Calea Plevnei 54
Bucuresti-1, Romania
(Not IKF affiliated)

SINGAPORE

Singapore Kendo Club
163-D Upper East Coast Road
Singapore 1545
Tel 241-7488
Fax 733-7626

SOUTH AFRICA

Kendo Federation of Southern Africa
38 Knox St., Waverly
Johannesburg, South Africa
(Not IKF affiliated)

SPAIN

Associacion Espanola De Kendo
P.O. Box 1991 E-08080
Barcelona, Spain
Fax 34-3-202-2712

SWEDEN

Swedish Budo Federation, Kendosection
Idrottens Hus, Offical Address
S-123 87 FARSTA
Tel. +46-8-605 60 00
Fax. +46-8-604 00 10        

SWITZERLAND

Kendosection Swiss Judo Federation
Mr. Erwin Manser
Am Tych 4 C
CH-4665 OFTRINGEN
Tel +41-62-97 60 40

TAIWAN

Republic of China Kendo Association
No. 5, Alley 16, Chi-Chen St.
Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C.
Tel 02-715-1166
Fax 2-715-5779

THAILAND

Kendo Association of Thailand
Department of Physical Education
Ministry of Education
National Stadium Pratumwan
Bangkok, Thailand
(Not IKF affiliated)

UNITED STATES

NOTE: Unfortunately, politics in the US have created two national
federations.  For a complete list of all U.S. dojos, contact:
Robert Stroud
robestro@idaho.wv.tek.com

Beikoku Kendo Renmei (US Kendo Federation)
c/o Jack Dwosh
Suite 3100, 2049 Century Park East
Los Angeles, CA 
USA 90067

Kendo Federation USA
c/o Tim Yuge
25600 Rolling Hills Way
Torrance, CA
USA 90505

YUGOSLAVIA

Kendo Federation of Belgrade
Bircaninova 48 Yu-11000
Belgrado, Yugoslavia
(Not IKF affiliated)

14b. Sword Clubs

Bosten Token Kai
c/o Rad Smith
Box 26
Newton, MA
USA 02159

Colorado Token Kai
c/o David Lay
Denver, CO
Tel 987-2534

Florida Token Kai
17120 Gulf Blvd.
N. Redington Beach, FL
USA 33708

Houston Token Kai
c/o Paul Goodman
6310 Tam O'Shanter
Houston, TX
USA 77036

Japanese Sword Society of Hawaii
c/o Al Bardi
2333 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 3011
Honolulu, Hawaii
USA 96826
Tel (808) 941-8010

Japanese Sword Society of the United States
P.O. Box 712
Breckinridge, TX
USA 76424

Metropolian New York Japanese Sword Club
Box 1119 Rockefeller Center Station
New York, NY
USA 10185

New Mexico Token Kai
c/o John Coffman
Box 1232
Edgewood, NM
USA 87015
Tel (505) 281-4049

Northern California Japanese Sword Club
P.O. Box 1397
Lafayette, CA
USA 94549

Rafu Token Kai
#7, 940 E. 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA
USA

Southern California Sword Society
c/o Roger W. Davis
1039 Katella
Laguna Beach, CA
USA 92651

15. Equipment Suppliers
 
Jukado
10126, Saint-Laurent Bou.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
H3L 2N7
Tel 514-387-6978 (800-363-2992)
 
Mikado Enterprises Ltd.
701 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V6A 1R3
Tel 604-253-7168
 
Kyoto Tozando
Mukomachi P.O. Box 27
Kyoto 617 Japan
Tel (81) 75-951-5375
Fax (81) 75-951-5376
 
Bujin Designs
640 Dewey Ave.
Boulder CO
USA
Tel (303) 444-7663

Sophia Bookstore
725 Nelson St
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
Tel (604) 684-4032

Fred Lohman Co. (Japanese Sword parts supply)
3405 NE Broadway
Portland, Oregon
USA 9273
Tel (503) 282-4567
Fax (503) 288-3533

The Kiyota Co. (Bokken, iaito, shinken)
2326 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland 
USA 21218
Tel (410) 366-8275  
Fax (410) 366-3540

Richard Tonti (Japanese Swords)
P.O. Box 13144
Pittsburgh, PA
USA 15243
Tel (412) 561-6156
Fax (412) 561-1452

Condell & Co., Ltd. (Japanese Swords)
P.O. Box 590115
San Francisco, CA
USA 94159
Tel (415) 751-3784