Hello to MWKF Senseis, Dojo Reps, Members and Friends,
I'm pleased to announce that the 2026 MWKF Annual Taikai & Shinsa registration links are now open.
Below is the Taikai registration link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeU5NZs9Qn9QSniOUwWjnkiZUE9St_kdK00d9fN7o_F0piWsg/viewform?
The Shinsa registration link is: https://forms.gle/kYK3zf1H44Z7xe456
Date: October 3, 2026 Kendo Taikai, Doors open at 7am.
October 4, 2026 Kendo Shinsa and MWKF BOD. The BOD is from 7:20am-10am. Shinsa is 10:30-1:30pm. Doors open at 9am.
You must make separate payments for the Taikai and the Promotion Exam.
Location: Harper College, Health and Recreation Center, 1200 West Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL 60067. Both Taikai and Shinsa will be here.
Entry Fees: MWKF Adults $60, non MWKF Adults $80, Youth $40. Late registration is an additional $25.00 for all entrants. See details below.
* Please note: All competitors will be responsible to provide their own Tasuki ( mejirushi ).
Lunch: Bento lunches will be available (Saturday only) by Sozai Banzai with 3 options: Chicken, Salmon, and Vegetarian. The cost is $18.00
each.
Volunteers: We will be reaching out in a couple of weeks to dojos regarding volunteers and assignments. Since we are coordinating a federation
wide tournament, our plan includes all dojos encouraging and providing volunteers to assist in this tournament.
Accommodations: These are some hotel suggestions near Harper College for your stay in Chicago.
1) Comfort Inn & Inn Suites, Schaumburg, 2112 South Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL
2) Aloft by Marriott Chicago Schaumburg, 3407 Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows, IL
3) Holiday Inn Express Arlington Heights By IHG, 2111 South Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL
4) Hilton Garden Inn Hoffman Estates, 2425 Barrington Road, Hoffman Estates, IL
5) Embassy Suites By Hilton Hotel Chicago -Schaumburg/Woodfield, 1939 North Meacham Rd, Schaumburg,
Divisions:
Junior A - 11& under
Junior B - 12-15
Junior C - 16-18
Adult Mudansha
Adult 1-2 Dan
Adult 3 Dan and above
Seniors ( at least age 50, regardless of rank )
Masters: ( at least age 60, regardless of rank ). This is a new division and we are exploring whether there is interest in adding it for future taikai.
* Please note:
Due to safety concerns, entrants must be 18 or over to enter the Adult Individual Divisions - except age 16 or 17 year old Dans
who may choose either Junior C Divisions or the Adult Individual Divisions, but not both. Age calculated as of the Taikai date.
Sorry no exceptions can be made.
Four team limit per dojo.
Please distribute to all your dojo members. With Chicago being the central hosting site, we are hoping for a large turnout and a great tournament.
I will let everyone know in future emails about Bldg hours, Assigned parking lots and other info that will be helpful
Any questions, concerns, and/or suggestions, please feel free to contact me.
The Deadline for submitting a registration is September 12, 2026. There is an additional $25.00 charge for late registrations: September 13- 20,2026. We will be closing the registration link on September 21, 2026.
Thank you,
Bob Cochran
V.P. of Competition, MWKF