This was originally indended for BKA members only but as it now exists on KendoWorld

RE Bucho Election

Dear Executive Committee Members

The Chairman's undated letter concerning the Kendo Bucho Election shows, in my opinion, both constitutional unsoundness and presents spurious arguments. I will try to illustrate why and I ask that the decisions made at the meeting of 15th June are re-visited.

To my fellow British Kendoka

I am not much given to making public statements and have no wish to exacerbate an already uncomfortable situation but I feel very strongly about what has happened at the BKA AGM and feel I must say something.

I attended the meeting on Saturday 31st March but had to leave just before the end in order to meet an obligation at home and so was not present for all the proceeding.

I have read the Chairman's statement on the website and heard some of the arguments presented at the meeting and have talked with friends since.

I am left with the profound disquiet that the kendo voting membership of the BKA has been disenfranchised and disregarded. I certainly feel so myself.

KODOKAN Koryu Kata Seminar - Spring 2008

Presented by Matsumoto Jumpei Sensei, Paul Budden Sensei and myself, and with special thanks to the members of the Kodokan who helped out as Uchikata in the morning.

Dear BKA member,

Today you will have received your postal balloting paper and Candidates' Election Statement. You have until the 9th of May to return the document in the prepaid envelope. I would respectfully ask you to exercise your freedom of choice in voting for one of the candidates and not make an abstention, as this will not really represent a statement on your behalf...

It is not our intention to undermine or belittle the opposition candidate, but it is necessary that we clarify certain misquoted information that is contained in the document published on KendoUK and the KW forum.

Dear BKA members we would like firstly to apologise for the 'anonymity' of our previous communications, as this would seem to have touched on a raw nerve, which was not our intention.

We felt that the information supplied would be seen as quite obviously coming from members who support the current Kendo Bucho and that this then as 'information only' would need no 'endorsement or personal recommendation.'

This year's Kodokan seminar sees a truly stellar list of Sensei reinforcing it's reputation as one of the highest level seminars in the world. History and tradition drive Kendo but so does innovation and a desire to improve standards and teaching methods. This provided the original link between Paul Budden sensei Kodokan Dojo leader and BKA Kendo Bucho and Sumi sensei one of, if not the, best Kendo thinkers and teachers. The link goes back 25 years, is one of the oldest relationships between Kendo in the UK and Japan and manifests itself in the annual Kodokan seminar (Always oversubscribed).