The All Japan Martial Arts Federation
“Is an international martial arts federation dedicated to the promotion and preservation of traditional Japanese and Okinawan budo and bujutsu throughout the world”
History: The All Japan Martial Arts Federation (Zen Nippon Sogo Budo Renmei, or ZNSBR for short), serves as a centre for the preservation and study of the Japanese martial arts, both classical koryu bugei and modern gendai budo. It was founded in 1952 by Suzuki Masafumi with support from the Imperial House. The Headquarters dojo is located in Kyoto, Kansai region, on the main Japanese Island of Honshu.
Masafumi Suzuki Kancho: Suzuki Masafumi was a dedicated practitioner and teacher of Japanese budo. His knowledge was both broad and deep. The grades he held were reflective of this knowledge, and included: 10th dan in goju Ryu karate Do, 9th dan in Jujutsu (yawara style), 8th dan in kendo, 8th dan in iaido, and 5th dan in judo. Suzuki-hanshi’s teachers included such illuminaries as Miyagi Chojun, Miyazato Ei’ichi, Shimabuku Tatsuo, and Toyama Kanken.
Upon the founding of the ZNSBR, it was common to have the opportunity to train with many notable teachers. The Hombu (Headquarters) was located in the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto. It was officially opened by its Founder Suzuki Masafumi, who served as its kaiso-seki [founding member]. At its opening, the ZNSBR was considered one of the world’s biggest budo academies. Within its walls were taught Okinawan Goju Ryu Karatedo, Okinawan kobudo, Kodokan Judo, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido, Kendo, Aikido, Ju jutsu, Naginata Do, and Jukendo.
Current Leadership and Vision: After Suzuki Sensei passed away in 1991, leadership in the form of the presidency was passed to Kawano Yasuo, Suzuki sensei's designated successor. Kawano sensei began his study of Goju Ryu Karate directly under Suzuki sensei in 1958 at the ZNSBR-Nippon Seibukan Dojo of Kyoto when it was located on the grounds of the Shimogamo Shrine. The modern Nippon Seibukan Hombu under Kawano Hanshi is headquartered at the Zuirin-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan, and regularly utilizes the Butokuden for special training, as well as attending special events and demonstrations. The organisation has now also re-established itself in other parts of the world as the Zen Nippon Sogo Budo Renmei – Nippon Seibukan Dojo of Kyoto (ZNSBR-NSD).
Arts associated with the ZNSBR are as follows –
- Karate: Empty-hand Arts of Okinawa and Japan (including Okinawan Kobudo)
- Jujutsu: Self-protection arts of traditional Japanese lineage
- Goshinjutsu: Modern self-defense arts of Japanese derivation
- Judo: Traditional Kodokan Judo as founded by Jigoro Kano
- Aikido: Traditional Aikido styles descended from Morihei Ueshiba
- Kendo: Kendo as defined by the All Japan Kendo Federation
- Iaido: Traditional sword arts focusing on drawing techniques
- Kobudo: Classical Japanese arts for example Kenjutsu, Naginatajutsu, etc.
