Commentary: The <em>Contemporary Musha Training for British Kenshi</em> Project

This commentary paper explores the impact of international exchange through kendo using a case study, the Contemporary Musha Training for British Kenshi project. The Contemporary Musha Training project seeks to foster intercultural understanding among kendo practitioners from Japan and the United Kingdom as part of international martial arts education. The initiative was established in 2023, initially founded on personal connections, and was formally institutionalised in 2024 through a partnership agreement between the British Kendo Association (BKA) and the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya (NIFS). This paper examines changes in participants’ cultural awareness, drawing upon qualitative data gathered through joint training sessions and cultural exchange programmes between BKA and NIFS. By doing so, it aims to elucidate the academic significance of international cultural exchange through kendo.