HISTORY

The base of the foundation of IMAF Europe is in the following history clarifieid.
 

Three prominent figures were the founders of the IMAF-The Netherlands: Mr. M. van Nieuwenhuizen( †1998), in fact the founder of the modern Jiu-Jitsu, posthumously granted the 8th Dan in this discipline; Mr. J.D. Schilder, 7th Dan Judo and Mr. C.N. van den Heuvel, 7th Dan Karate-Do all styles. 

They were the founders of IMAF-The Netherlands in 1977, in association with the Kokusai Budo In (World Head Quarters Japan).

In the following years friendship bonds began to arise, and close co-operation between IMAF branches Belgium and the Netherlands, resulting in the foundation of IMAF-Europe.

Thanks to the great efforts of Mr. J.D. Schilder (President, †2004), Mr. A. le Capitaine (General Secretary) and mr. J. van Willigen (General Advisor) IMAF-Europe expanded to seven countries: Austria, Belgium, Danmark, England, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, at that time still under supervision of the Japan Head Quarters in Tokyo.
 

In 1983 the regulations for IMAF-Europe were approved and signed by Mr. S. Sato, General Advisor of the Japan Head Quarters, in the presence of Minoru Mochizuki, Yoshio Sugino, and Takasue Itoh. From that moment on IMAF-Europe became an autonomous federation,and therefore 1983 was the official year of foundation.

In 1985 an important meeting was held in the Zeemanshuis in Antwerp, and while the Technical Directors, with Mr. Claude Jalbert, 7th Dan Aikido as Chairman, were talking about technical matters, the Branch Directors were talking about the policy and management of IMAF-Europe. The meetings resulted in the adoption of the Articles of IMAF-Europe. Mr. Jan van Willigen and Mr. André Le Capitaine played a very important role in this process.
 

As a result of disorders in Japan two trends had aroses, the Kokusei Budo In Head Quarters (Kokusai Budo Renmei) and the International Federation of Nippon Budo (I.F.N.B.) – with as prominent leaders, Masters Minoru Mochizuki, Yoshio Sugino, and others.

In his lifetime Master Minoru Mochizuki, the highest graduated Budoka of Japan was honoured with the title Honorary President of the I.F.N.B. His graduations: Aikido Meizin 10th Dan, Judo Hanshi 10th Dan, Iaido Hanshi 10th Dan, Supreme Meizin of Yoseikan Budo.
 

In 1986 the IMAF World Congress was held in Turin, Italy. During this Worldcongress several countries have chosen the side of the I.F.N.B.: Austria, Denmark, France chose the side of the Japan Head Quarters, Kokusai Budo In. The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and England chose the side of the I.F.N.B. By this time the countries associated with the I.F.N.B.

The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, England, Poland, Czechy and Hungary.There are still small parties that operate under the flag of the I.F.N.B. (In 2005 it was decided, that their was no longer an association of IMAF-Europe with the I.F.N.B.). In some countries two IMAF branches (IMAF-Europe, and Kokusai Budo Renmei) exist independent from each other.
 

Today, IMAF-Europe is still expanding, and now has the following member-countries (branches): next to the oldest IMAF-Europe contries,; Belgium, The Netherlands and England, IMAF-Europe expanded with the addition of Germany (2001), Eurasia (Russian Federation), Hungary, Ireland, Ukraine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Denmark and outside Europe: I.R.Iran