DNBK*

The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was originally established in Kyoto Japan 1895 under the authority of the Ministry of Education and the endorsement of His Royal Highness, Meiji Emperor to solidify, promote, and standardize martial disciplines and systems throughout Japan. It was the first official and premier martial arts institution sanctioned by the government of Japan. The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai subsequently became the center for the proud heritage and elitism of Japanese Budo. It stressed the martial virtues of Samurai warrior and incomparable historical excellence in martial disciplines.

The Butokuden, martial arts hall built in eighth century capital of Kyoto had remained emblematically the symbol of esteemed honor and highest integrity where the prominent Japanese martial practitioners aspired to be recognized by Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai of today was reestablished again after the World War II with the new philosophical vision of preserving the long-standing illustrious classical martial virtues and traditions. It aims for the restoration of classical martial cultures, supporting allied research, instruction and service, promotion of international peace and harmony, and the advancement of greater humanity through the education and training of the traditional martial arts disciplines.

The Governor of DNBK is His Royal Highness, Sosai, Higashi Fushimi, Jigo, the emeritus chief abbot of Shorenin Temple. He is a brother to late Empress Kotaigo of Emperor Hirohito of Japan. Vice Governor, Fuku Sosai is his son, Higashi Fushimi, Jiko and he serves as the Monsu of the Shorenin Temple. Honbu DNBK authorizes and certifies the martial arts credentials in Kendo, Kenjutsu, and the Kobudo discipline that contains Aikido, Jiujutsu, Karatedo, Judo, Iaido, Jodo, Sojutsu, Kyudo and various traditional Kobudo. The authoritative board of directors of DNBK Headquarter in Kyoto is consisted of the renowned practitioners in their own domain of martial disciplines with meritorious martial arts record and legacies. Under the directive of the Honbu board, DNBK International Division was officially established in 1992 in the USA to organize, direct and coordinate all martial arts activities of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai in the international world outside Japan.

In 1992, the First All America Butoku Sai was held in Norfolk Virginia and in 1998, the First World Butoku Sai was held in Old Dominion University with three hundred Yudansha participating from ten nations. In 2002 April, the Second World Butoku Sai and the 40th National All Japan Butoku Sai were held in Kyoto Butokuden. This historic event was presided by Sosia and Fuku-Sosai and the Board of Directors of Honbu, with the support of Kyoto Governor, Kyoto Mayor and Kyoto Newspaper. Total of 650 elite Black Belts from fifteen nations participated in the unprecedented celebration of Budo spirit for their honor. In 2004, the Second All America Butoku Sai was slated with five hundred DNBK members from 20 nations. It was most notable the same year we held the first Youth International Butoku Sai in conjunction with America Butoku Sai. In 2005, Portugal Rensei Taikai and Spain Budo Seminar took place. In 2006, France Budo Seminar in Chartres, Belgium Butoku Sai in Brissels, and Canada Rensei Taokia in Toronto were held with tremendous suport of DNBK International Division members.

In 2007, the First World Youth Butoku Sai is slated in Norfolk, Virginia and in 2008, the Third World Butoku Sai is to be slated in Kyoto Butokuden, Japan.

DNBK is an exclusive elite society of martial arts that advocates the missions of nobility, greater commitment for excellence, and preservation of classical Butoku (Martial Virtues).

*Printed with permission from DNBKID.  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from Honbu Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, USA and International Division