Dai Nippon Butoku Kai | International Events

43d All Japan Butoku Sai in Commemorating 110th Anniversary of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai

Beautiful fragrance of spring flowers merges with freshened air being blown from four corners of Hiei Mountains to the city of Kyoto in the late April. During this time of season, the entire nation annually celebrates the series of national holidays and the millions of people enjoy the visit to the renowned capital of 1211 years old city of Kyoto. Likewise, The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai Honbu has had the annual All Japan Butoku Sai since 1962 when it has held the major acclaimed martial art event on the birthday of Showa Emperor Hirohito. This year was also a milestone anniversary of 110th year since DNBK was established in 1895 with the endorsement of the Great Meiji Emperor.

All America and International Butoku Sai

This is the pivotal international cultural and educational event where we celebrate the spirit of Japanese classical and traditional martial art during the historic 150th anniversary of US-Japan relations. Thus, we called upon the renowned international experts of classical Budo to participate in the All America and International Butoku Sai. This major international martial art exposition was held in commemorating 30th anniversary of Old Dominion University Martial Arts Program and in commemoration of 110th year of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai(circa 1895) Honbu located in Kyoto and 1210th Year of Kyoto Butokuden and 12th Year anniversary of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai International Division. The purported objectives were to promote the goodwill and friendship amongst all nations through Japanese Classical Budo and to deepen the understanding of the classical martial virtues such as mutual respect and discipline, mutual cooperation, mutual prosperity, dignity, courage, dedication for artistic excellence, and achieving peace and harmony and to facilitate the educational impact of martial art science and philosophy, skills, knowledge and spirit in the field of endeavor and to deepen the understanding of Japanese cultural heritage of classical Budo.

Elite Martial Artists of the World Sharing the Shining Moments of Brilliance in the Historic Butokuden

The Second World Butoku Sai and 40th Japan National Butoku Sai were held in the historic Butokuden in Kyoto Japan last April 29-30, 2002. The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, Japan's most prestigious martial virtue society (circa 1895) celebrated the commemorative event with enormous enthusiasm attracting the finest élan of martial artists from all over Japan and the world. With the presence of imperial authority, the traditional ceremonial procession was conducted with dignity and reverence. The special occasion was collaborated with the Office of the Governor of Kyoto and the City of Kyoto. The entire three day event generated the high intensity of excellence and most dignified and profound presentations based on Koryu long-standing classical traditions. It was truly the history making effort for the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai to organize the event of this international magnitude and set a stage for the beginning of a new chapter of Budo legacy in the advent of a new centurion.

Message of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai

Sosai, Higashi Fushimi of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai wrote the masterful calligraphy, "Discovering the future through the wisdom of the past" in 2000. In 2001 he also wrote the symbolic calligraphy," Ten thousand happiness, peace and prosperity in the land" addressing the importance of cooperation and encompassing unity of the world. Sosai is posing the essential question of humanity how best we can tackle the fundamental issues of human problems. He sees enormous challenge of human nature in the advent of new era. Though we may have differences in culture and polity, he feels we can steadfastly find the viable solutions. For, essentially, we wish to have the same ends such as lasting happiness, peace and prosperity for all. There are many reasons why we have not achieved such simple essence in human history. There are no easy answers to these complex questions. By looking at the confounding reality of the world, despite the persistent turmoil we may have today, we should never lose an abiding hope for the strength of true spirit of humanity.

DNBK International Division

America celebrates the Memorial Day in May 2003 with great hope for peace and harmony in the world. Without any disputation we realize the preciousness of human lives and freedom for all mankind. For centuries incalculable human lives were lost in this globe for preserving the sanctity of basic human rights. We have seen the inevitable human conflicts and tragic carnages and mutually destructive negative Ki. In that process we always find reflective memories of loyal soldiers who faithfully dedicated their ultimate sacrifice. We find countless white tombstones of such good soldiers standing quietly all over the world. As we pay duly our foremost respect, we the living must pledge to do all we can more than conventional revered prayer for peace and harmony for humanity. So their tears will not be in vain and their lost lives will not be lost. Thus, it is a time for each Budoka to reflect and decide what one should and can do for the hope and future of new posterity. We as a member of DNBK are blessed with critical opportunity and we should focus on helping people build their inner confidence and character through Budo training. We can patiently and steadfastly focus on this mission one person at a time. That is the positive Ki of pure love and compassion we all can give and inspire for the betterment of common good. I truly hope someday Memorial Day shall become concurrently the day to celebrate the pure spirit of such honorable and brave soldiers of humanity of the world who gave their lives for that noble cause.

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