(IMAF) is the oldest continuously operating Japanese organization promoting international

Budō is a Japanese language, Japanese term describing modern Japanese martial arts. It is commonly translated as "Martial Way", or the "Way of Martial Arts". Etymology is a compound of the root ( or ; ), meaning "war" or "martial"; and ( or ; ), ...

.''Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts''. MEDSPORTPRESS, 2011; 1(2); Vol. 2, page 50. The organization, founded in 1951, has headquarters in

Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

and is a member of the

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) is part of the United Nations Secretariat and is responsible for the follow-up to major United Nations Summits and Conferences, as well as services to the United Nations Econ ...

. IMAF has branches in 17 countries. IMAF organizes world Budo galas, congresses, international training, maintains historical records on Budo and issues the magazine, named ''Gendo Newsletter''.

Purposes

The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) is dedicated to the promotion and development of 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 1951 by a group of some of Japan's most prominent martial arts practitioners, including: *

Kyuzo Mifune was a Japanese judoka and one of the greatest exponents of the art of judo after the founder, Kanō Jigorō. He is considered by many to be the greatest judo technician ever, after Kanō. Early life Mifune was born on April 21, 1883, in Kuji C ...

Hanshi The Japanese language makes use of a system of honorific speech, called , which includes honorific suffixes and prefixes when talking to, or referring to others in a conversation. Suffixes are often gender-specific at the end of names, while ...

Meijin is one of the eight titles in Japanese professional shogi player, professional shogi, and is the most prestigious title, along with Ryūō. The word ( "excellent, artful", "person") refers to a highly skilled master of a certain field (the ...

Judo is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyc ...

*Kazuo Ito, Hanshi, Meijin

*Takasue Ito, Hanshi, Meijin

*Shizuya Sato, Hanshi Nihon

Jujutsu Jujutsu ( , or ), also known as jiu-jitsu and ju-jitsu (both ), is a Japanese martial art and a system of close combat that can be used in a defensive or offensive manner to kill or subdue one or more weaponless or armed and armored opponent ...

and Hanshi

Nakayama Hakudo Nakayama (中山) may refer to: People *Nakayama (surname) Places *Nakayama, Ehime, a town in Ehime Prefecture *Nakayama, Tottori, a town in Tottori Prefecture *Nakayama, Yamagata, a town in Yamagata Prefecture *Nakayama-dera, a temple in Hyōgo ...

, Meijin

Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts, swordsmanship), that uses bamboo swords ( shinai) as well as protective armor ( bōgu). It began as samurai warriors' customary swordsmanship ex ...

*Hiromasa Takano, Meijin

Hironori Otsuka Hironori (written: 浩典, 浩徳, 浩得, 博紀, 宏範, 大徳, 宏典 or 弘則) is a masculine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include: *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese singer and idol *, Japanese voice actor *, Japanese f ...

, Meijin

Karatedo (; ; Okinawan pronunciation: ), also , is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tī'' in Okinawan) under the influence of Chinese martial arts. While moder ...

* Gogen Yamaguchi, Hanshi

Hirokazu Kanazawa was a Japanese master of Shotokan karate.Goodman, F. (2004): ''The practical encyclopedia of martial arts'' (p. 50). London: Lorenz Books. ()Smit, S. (2008): ''Karate'' (2nd ed.) (p. 21). London: New Holland. ()

, Hanshi

*Kazuo Sakai, Hanshi

*Katsuo Yamaguchi, Meijin

Iaido , abbreviated , is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks.Christensen, Karen and Allen Guttmann et.al (2001) ''International Encyclopedia of Women and Sport ...

* Taizaburo Nakamura, Hanshi

Kisshomaru Ueshiba was a prominent Japanese master of aikido.Pranin, S. A. (''c.'' 2009)Encyclopedia of Aikido: Ueshiba, Kisshomaru Retrieved on March 1, 2010. He was the son of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido, and became the international leader of aikido after ...

Aikikai The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu (the family heir of the founder of Aikido). It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation ...

Aikido Aikido ( , , , ) is a gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art which is split into many different styles including Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Aikikai, and Ki Aikido. Aikido is now practic ...

, and son of the founder of

, *

Morihei Ueshiba was a Japanese martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art, martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher". The son of a landowner from Tanabe, Wakayama, Tanabe, Ueshiba studied a number of ...

was also a founding member of IMAF. The first President (chairman) was

Prince Kaya Tsunenori , was the second head of the Kaya-no-miya collateral branch of the Japanese imperial family. A general in the Imperial Japanese Army, he was first cousin to Empress Kōjun (Nagako), the wife of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito). Early life Prince K ...

(uncle of

Emperor Hirohito , Posthumous name, posthumously honored as , was the 124th emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, from 25 December 1926 until Death and state funeral of Hirohito, his death in 1989. He remains Japan's longest-reigni ...

, former lieutenant general in the Imperial Army) from 1952 to 1965, and was followed

Prince Higashikuni was a member of the Japanese imperial family and general of the army who served as prime minister of Japan from 17 August to 9 October 1945. He is the only member of the Japanese imperial family to head a cabinet, and Japan's shortest-servin ...

(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 Hibiya Park (, ) is a park in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It covers an area of 161,636.66 m2 (40 acres) between the east gardens of the Kōkyo, Imperial Palace to the north, the Shinbashi district to the southeast and the Kasumigaseki government distri ...

in downtown Tokyo in February 1952. In 1973, Sueo Kiyoura was appointed the Third President of IMAF. He was a well-known and influential businessman and son of Keigo Kiyoura the 13th prime minister of Japan. In 1983, Gunzo Fukuhara was appointed the fourth President of IMAF and was a former Cabinet Minister of Japan. In 1986, Shinsaku Hogen was appointed as the 5th President of IMAF. He served as the Japanese Ambassador to India and Deputy Foreign Minister. The current president of Kokusai Budoin, International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) is Yasuhisa Tokugawa, the great-grandson of the 15th and final ''

shōgun , officially , was the title of the military rulers of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. Nominally appointed by the Emperor, shoguns were usually the de facto rulers of the country, except during parts of the Kamak ...

'' of Japan,

Tokugawa Yoshinobu Kazoku, Prince was the 15th and last ''shōgun'' of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan. He was part of a movement which aimed to reform the aging shogunate, but was ultimately unsuccessful. He resigned his position as shogun in late 1867, while ai ...

(1837–1913). He was also the Chief Priest for the

Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It was founded by Emperor Meiji in June 1869 and commemorates those who died in service of Empire of Japan, Japan, from the Boshin War of 1868–1869, to the two Sino-Japanese Wars, First Sino-Japane ...

in Tokyo from 2013 to 2018.

Ranking System

The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) use the ''shōgō'' system where the levels are , , and . The most venerated level is ''hanshi''.

Divisions

The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) has seven divisions and licensed instructors in following divisions: *

Iaidō , abbreviated , is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks.Christensen, Karen and Allen Guttmann et.al (2001) ''International Encyclopedia of Women and Sports ...

* Kobudo There was a schism in IMAF Europe which led to a separate non-affiliated group with a similar name being formed in 1983 by

Minoru Mochizuki was a Japanese martial artist who founded the dojo Yoseikan. He was a 10th dan in Aikido, 9th dan in Jujutsu, 8th dan in Iaido, 8th dan in Judo, 8th dan in Kobudo, 5th dan in Kendo, 5th dan in Karate, and a 5th dan in Jojutsu. Mochizuki wa ...

,. The issue was raised to the Japanese courts which in 1987, ruled against Mochizuki and separation---IMAF Europe is not affiliated with Japan. In

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

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 Aikido ( , , , ) is a gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art which is split into many different styles including Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Aikikai, and Ki Aikido. Aikido is now practic ...

authorities.

, son of the founder of aikido

, and late director of the

Hombu. He was succeeded by

Kenji Tomiki was a Japanese martial artist who specialized in aikido and judo family of martial arts. Habersetzer, Gabrielle; Habersetzer, Roland (2004)

000 Triple zero, Zero Zero Zero, 0-0-0 or variants may refer to: * 000 (emergency telephone number), the Australian emergency telephone number * 000, the size of several small List of screw drives, screw drives * 0-0-0, a Droid (Star Wars)#0-0-0, dro ...

(In French) Tomiki Kenji: (Jap.) 1900-1979. Expert de Judo* et d'Aikido* qui fut élève des deux ...

(founder of Shodokan Aikido),

(10th dan Aikido), and

Gozo Shioda was a Japanese master of aikido who founded the Yoshinkan style of aikido.Yoshinkan Aikido Yoshinkan (養神館 ''Yōshinkan'' lit. "Hall of Spirit Cultivation") Aikido is a style of aikido that developed after World War II in the Yoshinkan Dojo of Gozo Shioda (1915–1994). Yoshinkan Aikido is often called the "hard" style of aikido b ...

). The current Division heads 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 is an umbrella term for all ('' ko-budō'') schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration. Some modern styles of kendo and iaido that were established in the 20th century also included modern forms o ...

(the art of swordsmanship). Representatives from the

kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts, swordsmanship), that uses bamboo swords ( shinai) as well as protective armor ( bōgu). It began as samurai warriors' customary swordsmanship ex ...

division teaches and holds international exhibitions in

. Furthermore, highranking Japanese masters holds international seminars in

. 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 The is the governing body for Kendo in Japan, overseeing its development, competitions, and regulations across the country. Founded in 1952 and officially formed on March 14, 1954, it is a member of the International Kendo Federation and plays a ...

. 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. The Current division head is Kunikazu Yahagi Sensei.

Karatedo Division

Some of the leading members of IMAF Karatedo division have been *

, Meijin

* Gogen Yamaguchi, Hanshi

and *Kazuo Sakai, Hanshi

. Most recently *

, Hanshi

was on the IMAF board of directors. The Current Division heads are Tadanori Nobetsu Sensei, Goju Karate and Ikuo Higuchi Sensei, Shotokan Karate.

References

External links

* * * * * * * {{International Sports Federations Martial arts governing bodies Sports organizations of Japan Sports organizations established in 1952 1952 establishments in Japan Organizations based in Tokyo