International Kyudo Federation

The International Kyudo Federation (abbreviated as IKYF) is the International body for the Governance of Kyudo Worldwide, establishing standards, gradings and competitions throughout the world.The International Kyudo Federation is a body associated with the All Nippon Kyudo Federation (ANKF) sharing in its role to govern and support Kyudo. While The ANKF governs kyudo within Japan, the IKYF promotes, maintains and educates about kyudo internationally.

The IKYF was formed out of the All Nippon Kyudo Federation (ANKF) in May 2006. Unlike other Japanese martial arts, up until the end of the 20th century kyūdō had stayed largely in Japan, and was active in some countries in Europe. Even so, a couple of these countries, including France, Italy, Germany and the US had quite a long history of kyūdō, with Germany establishing the practice in 1940 and Italy in 1930.^{[citation needed]}

A European Kyudo Federation of 15 member countries was formed initially,^[1] and It was then decided in 2006 that an international body needed to be formed to specifically cover the practice of kyūdō outside Japan. A number of countries, including the Uk, then became founding members.^[2] The organisation held its first international competition in 2007.^[3]

Broadly, the ANKF governs Kyudo within Japan, and the IKYF is the connected body governing Kyudo outside Japan. Both work together for the conduct and promotion of Kyudo.

The broad role of the IKYF are to oversee the conduct of kyūdō outside Japan. This includes 7 main responsibilities:

• International promotion of the martial art,^[4]
• supporting the formation of international branches,
• establishing rules for Competitions
• organising and conducting International Competitions (Taikai)
• organising training workshops.
• disseminating information about Kyudo internationally
• The conduct of shinsa for its overseas based practitioners.  ^[5]

The organisation headquarters are in Tokyo,^[6] Japan. Princess Hisako Takamado is Honorary President of the organisation,^[7] and a Kyudo practitioner.

There are also sub organisations involved in organising Kyudo to a lesser degree, one in Europe and a South East Asian umbrella organisation of eight countries.^[8]

The IKYF organises three Shinsa (gradings) for International member countries. One is conducted within North America, for kyūdō practitioners based in the Americas. The IKYF importantly keeps the International competitions unified and conducted with the same rules.^[9]

The first international competition was held in 2007. The first world Takai was first held in 2010, and then held every four years after that, either in Japan, or in a city of a member country.

• The First world takai was held in Tokyo in 2010
• The Second World Taikai was held in Paris in 2014
• The Third would Taikai was held in Tokyo in 2018
• The Fourth world Taikai was held in Tokyo in 2022^[10]

There are two levels of membership for country level clubs. National associations wishing to join first apply to the IKYF and become affiliate members. This is the status of new national associations, that they are granted while the clubs are forming and the national bodies are establishing themselves and growing. After the National bodies have established themselves, and meet certain criteria, they then apply for full membership. It may take some years for a national body to be a full member countries can join then gradings within Japan.

There are currently 30 member nations, some of which include The United States, Canada, many European countries, Australia, and Taiwan. South Africa is the only African country so far. There are also 17 initiate member countries recognised as having clubs active by the IKYF, but who have not yet become official Member Nations.^[11]

• IKYF Official
• All Nippon Kyudo Federation (in Japanese)
• Kyudo Interest group Facebook
• Takeda school Kyubadou Yabusame
• Ogasawara-Ryu Style Official Page