The rebirth of Kendo

[David J]

While in Japan I came across the Toshogu Butokuden hall in Nikko, outside which is a stone with "The place of the Kendo's rebirth" on it.

Does anyone know any more about this? I'm assuming its from after World War 2 when Kendo was no longer banned?

<rei>

Dave

[Charlie]

Still no reply to your thread, David. I do not know the answer, but I hope somebody chimes in!

[mingshi]

Butokuden in Nikko...? Are you sure?

Nikko Tousyouguu (http://www.nikko-jp.org/perfect/sannai/P044_tousyouguu.html)

Here, right?

http://www.nikko-jp.org/perfect/img1k/sannai/tousyo/pic51_youmeimon_omote.jpg

I run thru the Nikko Tousyouguu official site (from the local tourist association), and they never mentioned a Butokuden inside.

You've probably mixed up your photos... The Dai-nihon Butokuden is in Kyoto. It was dismissed in 1946:
http://www.skijournal.co.jp/kendo/mame/m_images/h_3.gif

[Jerry Wellbrock]

The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was organized in 1985 and the Butokuden in Kyoto built in 1899 the Bujutsu Senmon Gakko(Bussen) a martial arts college was established in 1911....the DNBK issued rank and shugo for eighteen different martial arts including kendo....they where closed by the Allied Occupation Forces in 1946.....kendo reorganized as the AJKF in 1949 and Judo as the Kodankan the same year....The DNBK reorganized in 1953 one year after the signing of the San Franciso Peace Treaty....The Butokuden in still on the grounds of the Heian Shrine in Kyoto and there is a more modern Budo Center next door....there is a Large Stone between the two that marks the site of the original Butoku Den built by Emperor Kanmu in 794 A.D....this could be what you guys are talking about......the current Butokuden is the site of the Kyoto Taikai ever May:confused:

[hamish]

Don't know what you're referring to in Nikko, but kendo was practiced in secret during the occupation years in many places, including around Kobe (heard from one of my sensei who was training then) so I don't think that there was any one place that could lay claim to being the 're-birth of kendo.'

Was it in Japanese or English?

[Alex]

My 10 yen's worth.

The AJKF was formed a few years after Judo in 1952 not 1949. And, the Butokuden still stands where it was built originally, over one hundred years ago. This is near the Heian Shrine but by no means a part of it. When the Dai Nippon Butokukai was orginally founded, branch dojos were created in all prefectures around the country. There was even a branch dojo in Kyoto where the Butokukai was based. Therefore, it is more than likely that there was a Butokukai dojo in Nikko. Incidentally, most of the branch dojos were constructed along the same design as the Butokuden in Kyoto.

[David J]

Wow - thanks Charlie - from no replies to lots...

Well, its definitely in Nikko. It looks like this.

[David J]

And here's the stone outside

[S. Takamori]

Dear Friend,

As Alex mentioned, every prefecture has his own "butokuden" or "bodokan". The one in "Nikko" is used for the annual "International Goodwill Kendo Club"-association meeting and keiko in August. Also some other kendo related festivals are organized at this location... Well known members of the "IGKC" are for example Inoue sensei, Fukuda, Hirakawa sensei and before they passed away Nakakura & Narazaki sensei...

[Charlie]

Yeah, David, I got a lot of juice around here. (Wink!)

Seriously, interesting replies! Thanks, guys.

[David J]

So this place's claim to fame as THE place of Kendo's rebirth may be a bit extravagant then? "One of the places..." perhaps?

And I thought there might be some good story there....oh well....

<rei>

Dave

[Alex]

Okay,

I've found out why this particular dojo is considered the place of the 're-birth' of kendo.

As you know, kendo and other budo arts were prohibited after WWII because of links with militaristic ideology before and during the war. However, the Nikko Tournament (Tochigi Prefecture) was restarted by the Tochigi Kenyukai in August 1951 at the dojo in question. #2 was held in August the following year. At the second Nikko Taikai, many dignitaries were invited to attend, and this occasion was used as a catalyst to get the ball rolling to form the All Japan Kendo Federation.

Following the 2nd Nikko Taikai, the AJKF was formed on the 14th October 1952. The reason why the dojo is slated as being the place of re-birth for kendo was because it is where all the powers that were to be gathered and finalised their plan of action to officially get kendo accepted again without the links to a facist militaristic regime. - A new democratic kendo was born... Any way, I hope that answers your question.:)

[David J]

Fantastic! So there was a good story....

How on earth did you find all this out?

<rei>

Dave

[Alex]

Actually, I work at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, and they give me a huge budget to sit on my backside and buy lots of books to read. I recently spent a fair amount of my budget on purchasing hundreds of kendo books. One of the sets (katana to kendo) I bought (for US$2000) had a bit of info about Nikko and the famous tournament. So it was just luck really. Luck and a whole lot of spending money compliments of the good tax-payers of Japan!

www.nichibun.ac.jp

check it out;)

[ben]

"Actually, I work at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, and they give me a huge budget to sit on
my backside and buy lots of books to read."

Alex, I used to like you...

"I recently spent a fair amount of my budget on purchasing hundreds of kendo books. One of the sets (katana to kendo) I bought (for US$2000) had a bit of info about Nikko and the famous tournament. So it was just luck really. "

I used to think, 'gee he must work real hard to produce that mag. Good on him'...

"Luck and a whole lot of spending money compliments of the good tax-payers of Japan!"

Now I know you're a complete BASTARD! If I ever here you complain about your lot here or IRL, I will repaste this quote of yours in a most painful place.

Good day to you sir.
<doffs hat in angry, yet restrained manner of a gentleman>

b

[ben]

Er, that should be "hear", not "here".

Sorry.

b

[Alex]

Mate,

I/we work extremely hard to produce the magazine. In fact, so far literally thousands of hours, and even more of our own money have gone into it to get it off the ground, with absolutely no guarantee that it would work. Fortunately, the support of SOME of the international kendo community and of course our contributors has kept it afloat thusfar. And, our hard work will continue.

As far as my very cushy position at Nichibunken is concerned, that took just as much hard work to secure, and I am expected to perform all sorts of research miracles to justify my position. Doesn't leave much time for minor things, like family.:down: Still, I am very lucky, but you MAKE your own luck, eh!:grin:

I realise that your comments were meant in jest, and I interpret them in no other way but good fun, but please remember that many many personal sacrifices have been made to get the mag this far. It ain't all roses mate.:wink: Still, I can't refute being a complete BASTARD! That's another thing I work hard at...

Now, back to my collection of nice new books...:alien:
(He concludes with a smug grin on his face)

[chidokan]

Any jobs going at your place??? Not interested in cash, just loads of books and an easy life with opportunity to practise with my teacher over in Japan. Please relocate closer to his dojo as well so I wont have too far to travel.

Tim Hamilton

p.s. I cant believe anyone can have a job like that...:rolleyes:

[Matlock]

I know this thread is a bit dated but it just so happens that I visited Nikko a few days ago and saw the same kendo dojo. It was a great sight! I have a friend who works in the main shrine there, the Toshogu Shrine. He also plays kendo and told me the history of the dojo. It is just as Alex said. Kendo practice is in the morning and he invited to go sometime. What a chance!!!

WHO'S WITH ME!!!!!

[Nanbanjin]

I know this thread is a bit dated but it just so happens that I visited Nikko a few days ago and saw the same kendo dojo. It was a great sight! I have a friend who works in the main shrine there, the Toshogu Shrine. He also plays kendo and told me the history of the dojo. It is just as Alex said. Kendo practice is in the morning and he invited to go sometime. What a chance!!!

WHO'S WITH ME!!!!!

The dojo made it onto the cover of 剣道日本 not long after this thread was started.

http://www.skijournal.co.jp/kendo/book/0212/main.html

There is an article about the significance of the dojo to the rebirth on kendo on page 55.

I believe the stone that was cited in the first post of this thread looks like this...

http://www.kendo.or.jp/jp/mado/images/nikko-sekihi-00.JPG

[Matlock]

The dojo made it onto the cover of 剣道日本 not long after this thread was started.

http://www.skijournal.co.jp/kendo/book/0212/main.html

There is an article about the significance of the dojo to the rebirth on kendo on page 55.

I believe the stone that was cited in the first post of this thread looks like this...

http://www.kendo.or.jp/jp/mado/images/nikko-sekihi-00.JPG Nanbanjin. So, does this mean you are packing your bogu to join me in my March to Practice? I think Saturday mornings work well for me. Just give me a ring when you get in.

Cheers!!!!

[Nanbanjin]

Nanbanjin. So, does this mean you are packing your bogu to join me in my March to Practice? I think Saturday mornings work well for me. Just give me a ring when you get in.

Cheers!!!!
Just one more exam tomorrow and then I graduate with an IT degree to go with my BA. Then I start seriously looking for work in Japan. If I make it to Japan I will look you up for sure. Please download the 'vCard' from my public profile and send me your contact details.

[Kokoro777]

I was there just last week and took a photo of it.
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee113/anilsahal/KendoRebirth.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee113/anilsahal/detail.jpg
I was rather bewildered to find this in an out of the way place like Nikko and just a stones throw from the first Shogun's mausoleum! Thanks for the explanation.

[hen-san]

Had a training in Toshogun Butokuden today and we where all told the story as Alex described. FYI, on the wall inside you can see all the winners of Nikko Taikai since it started!

On the best keikos in a long time!
:happy: