Midwest Kendo Federation

The First recorded demonstration of Kendo in the U.S. was given by a Japanese delegation in 1860. As Japanese immigration increased, Kendo grew as a part of religious and social organizations.

In the 1920's initial attempts to practice Kendo in the San Pedro area in California ended in disappointment. However, by 1930 there were two organized Kendo groups in California. By 1940, Kendo had spread throughout the West Coast with over 10,000 practitioners in sixty dojos and 6 federations.

With the internment of the Japanese Americans during World War II, Kendo was halted by a government order.

The first known Kendo in the Midwest occurred in 1946. With the influx of Japanese Americans to the Midwest after the war, Kendo was done as an Explorer Scouting activity at the Midwest Buddhist Church. With the formation of the Chicago Kendo Club at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago in 1963, Kendo in the Midwest was truly born.

With only three clubs- Michigan State University, Ohio State Kendo Club, and the Chicago Kendo Dojo- The Midwest Kendo Federation was organized in October of 1974. The president was Mr. Koichi Matsumoto. In May of 1975, the MWKF officially joined the national Kendo federation, the Kendo Federation USA.

The MWKF now has over 20 clubs and 300 members.