Kendo
What is Kendo?
Kendo translated is "the way of the sword." One's first impression of a Kendo bout could be that it is aggressive, loud and somewhat violent which could not be further from the truth. Kendo is a very formal art. It is a highly stylized sport derived from the two-handed sword fighting techniques of the samurai (Kenjutsu). As in Judo, skill and technique are much more important than one's size or strength. For this reason, men and women can compete against one another without any unfair advantage.
Training
Training mostly consists of two-person drills, basics, and some kata that have been retained from Kenjutsu between individuals. Techniques are limited to a few blows and thrusts. The target areas are restricted to the head, side of the body, throat and wrists. Students learn grips and stances, and are taught the importance of eye contact and kiai.
Fighting
Kendo fighters use the shinai, a four foot bamboo sword. Sometimes the bokken, a wooden sword, is used in practice. Often Kendo is taught in conjunction with Iaido, which is the art of drawing the sword. Fighters wear protective gear (bogu) covering the target areas: the head, wrists, and abdomen. The bogu consists of a men (face mask), a do (breastplate), kote (fencing gloves), and the tare, a kind of apron to protect the stomach and hips. Under the protective gear, kendoka (students of Kendo) wear a hakama, or wide split skirt that reaches the ankles.
The shinai is made of four carefully formed bamboo slats that are bound together to form a hollow cylinder. A cord runs along the length of the shinai. To make a valid cut a player must strike his opponent with the side opposite the cord. Additionally, the point must be struck with the top third of the shinai.
Kendo
The Origins of Kendo
The origins of Kendo, as we know it today, go back to the Heian period of Japanese history (940). Sophisticated sword techniques, especially designed for the Japanese foot soldier, utilizing lightweight protective body armor, began to appear. These techniques were developed, refined and tried and tested on the battlefield.
It has always been assumed that the true art of swordsmanship died out around the time of the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912), or shortly thereafter when the wearing of swords by the Samurai was forbidden. However, in 1875, Japan stood on the threshold of its modern industrialized future and the Toyama Gakko was created under the new order. It proved to be the perfect vehicle to preserve
the art of swordsmanship and bring it into the 20th century. Founded to train military personnel in swordsmanship, as well as other military disciplines, it used the most effective techniques of the then living master swordsmen.
Several well known dojos in the Tokyo area began teaching an easier and less vigorous form of swordplay to their students. Thus Kenjutsu for the Samurai evolved into Kendo for the commoner. Kendo became a widespread and popular sport with many modifications in technique and equipment having been made. This made it available to the public at large, but all but removed the few genuine relics of practical swordsmanship that had previously remained.
The All Japan Kendo Association was founded in 1912 and formalized methods of teaching in schools throughout Japan were established in 1936. Kendo was banned during World War 2 but re-emerged in 1952 stressing the importance of healthy living and a sports approach and philosophy based on its long history. In 1970 the International Kendo Federation was founded with the aim of promoting Kendo and spreading international goodwill and friendship. Towards the end of 1970 the 1st World Kendo Championships were held in Japan and they are now held every 3 years. Kendo is now practiced throughout the world with no restriction on age, sex or disability.
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What is Kendo?
Kendo translated is "the way of the sword." One's first impression of a Kendo bout could be that it is aggressive, loud and somewhat violent which could not be further from the truth. Kendo is a very formal art. It is a highly stylized sport derived from the two-handed sword fighting techniques of the samurai (Kenjutsu). As in Judo, skill and technique are much more important than one's size or strength. For this reason, men and women can compete against one another without any unfair advantage.Training
Training mostly consists of two-person drills, basics, and some kata that have been retained from Kenjutsu between individuals. Techniques are limited to a few blows and thrusts. The target areas are restricted to the head, side of the body, throat and wrists. Students learn grips and stances, and are taught the importance of eye contact and kiai.
Fighting
Kendo fighters use the shinai, a four foot bamboo sword. Sometimes the bokken, a wooden sword, is used in practice. Often Kendo is taught in conjunction with Iaido, which is the art of drawing the sword. Fighters wear protective gear (bogu) covering the target areas: the head, wrists, and abdomen. The bogu consists of a men (face mask), a do (breastplate), kote (fencing gloves), and the tare, a kind of apron to protect the stomach and hips. Under the protective gear, kendoka (students of Kendo) wear a hakama, or wide split skirt that reaches the ankles.The shinai is made of four carefully formed bamboo slats that are bound together to form a hollow cylinder. A cord runs along the length of the shinai. To make a valid cut a player must strike his opponent with the side opposite the cord. Additionally, the point must be struck with the top third of the shinai.
Kendo
The Origins of Kendo
The origins of Kendo, as we know it today, go back to the Heian period of Japanese history (940). Sophisticated sword techniques, especially designed for the Japanese foot soldier, utilizing lightweight protective body armor, began to appear. These techniques were developed, refined and tried and tested on the battlefield.
It has always been assumed that the true art of swordsmanship died out around the time of the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912), or shortly thereafter when the wearing of swords by the Samurai was forbidden. However, in 1875, Japan stood on the threshold of its modern industrialized future and the Toyama Gakko was created under the new order. It proved to be the perfect vehicle to preserve
the art of swordsmanship and bring it into the 20th century. Founded to train military personnel in swordsmanship, as well as other military disciplines, it used the most effective techniques of the then living master swordsmen.Several well known dojos in the Tokyo area began teaching an easier and less vigorous form of swordplay to their students. Thus Kenjutsu for the Samurai evolved into Kendo for the commoner. Kendo became a widespread and popular sport with many modifications in technique and equipment having been made. This made it available to the public at large, but all but removed the few genuine relics of practical swordsmanship that had previously remained.
The All Japan Kendo Association was founded in 1912 and formalized methods of teaching in schools throughout Japan were established in 1936. Kendo was banned during World War 2 but re-emerged in 1952 stressing the importance of healthy living and a sports approach and philosophy based on its long history. In 1970 the International Kendo Federation was founded with the aim of promoting Kendo and spreading international goodwill and friendship. Towards the end of 1970 the 1st World Kendo Championships were held in Japan and they are now held every 3 years. Kendo is now practiced throughout the world with no restriction on age, sex or disability.
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