Japan Hohei-Dō Federation

The JHF's Flag

The Japan Hohei-Dō Federation (日本歩兵道連盟) is the main governing body for the martial arts of Hohei-Dō in Japan. It was once a separate entity but later became associated with the newly founded Japan Infantry-Craft Federation (JIF), the supreme body of Infantry-Craft within Japan, in which Hohei-Dō is a part of.

## Overview

The JHF is a non-governmental organization that was founded on **May 3, 1947** as the successor of the Japan Hōjutsu Association (JHA). Today, the Federation is responsible for maintaining, enforcing, and regulating the rules and regulations of the sport of Hohei-Dō, as well as promoting the said sport, encouraging the audience and participants alike, and overseeing all the affairs related to their field.

The founder of the JHF is Takechiyo Nagashino, a student of Kippōshi Oda, one of the prominent Presidents of the JHA.

The current Headquarters of the JHF is located in Nishinoomote, Tanegashima, the island in which the Japanese were introduced to the Tanegashima Guns during the 16th century from the Portuguese.

## Cooperation with the T.A Industry and G.F Industrial

After the JHF was established, they sighed a contract to the Tanegashima Arms Industry, a renowned Infantry Arms manufacturer, to produce the guns that were necessary for the sport of Hohei-Dō, but were unable to supply the Federation due to the restraints from the Allies during their occupation on the Country. It was only the end of the Occupation, and the signing of the Treaty of San Francisco that allowed the flow of distribution to continue within Japan without any restraints and repercussions.

It was around the late 1950s where the JHF was officially recognized by both the International Recrelympic Committee (IRC) and the International Infantry-Craft Federation (IIF) as the official governing body of Hohei-Dō in Japan as part of their Infantry-Craft Disciplines, but the JHF refused to cooperate with the IIF due to the pressure from the Government and the Military as tensions brewed around the recently formed NATO and the Warsaw Pact, stating that they prefer "being secluded than being influenced by the others".

Upon the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan/Anpo Jōyaku on 19 January 1960, the JHF is now in cooperation with the National Combatry Association, the US' Infantry-Craft Federation, along with it is a contract with the Elliniká Fotiá Viomichanía/Greek Fire Industrial, one of the famous Federation-sanctioned Infantry Arms Industry, in which it is one of the primary contractors of the NCA upon the start of their cooperation with JHF.

Today, not only the JHF has contracts with the Tanegashima Arms Industry and Greek Fire Industrial, but they also have contracts with many Federation-sanctioned Industries such as the: Mitsubishi Arms Industries, Uniqlo Gusoku Company, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

## Competition

The JHF officially recognized four officials tournaments, the **National** **Secondary Hohei-dō Tournament**, the **National Postsecondary Hohei-dō Tournament**, and the **National Hohei-dō Professional Tournament**. These tournaments are held annually, the Secondary Tournament is held in Summer, the Postsecondary is held in Autumn, and the Professional is held in Spring.

Often than not, the JHF left the Winters event vacant, though they rarely held them since it is due to the certain restrictions and safety measures.

## Trivia

* The symbol of the JHF consists of two Tanegashima Matchlock guns crossed to each other.
* May 3, 1947 is a nod to the signing of the Constitution of Japan that went into effect, replacing the old Meiji Constitution.