Kendo is a combination of two Japanese words - "ken" meaning "sword" and "michi" or "do" meaning "road" or "way" ;
the result being "sword's way" or "the way of
the sword."
Kendo was derived from one of the oldest of the martial arts
- Kenjutsu (swordsmanship, or the technique of the sword) of
which written records date back to the seventh century.
Kenjutsu was born during the early Tokugawa Period (1603-1867)
when Tokugawa Ieyasu ruled as the shogun, and pressed the other
provincial lords to cease hostility among themselves. There was
a special need for the samurai of that day - something other
then just the practice of swordsmanship. This is when Kenjutsu
made its beginning.
Since old-fashioned training with real steel swords and hardwood
swords caused so many unnecessary injuries and deaths, bamboo
practice swords were created around 1710 developed by Japanese
armourers and Japanese sword masters. Around 1740, Japanese sword
masters and Japanese armourers improvised chest and head protectors
as well as heavy gloves. As can be imagined, the original bamboo
practice swords and protectors were quite primitive and of simple
construction. Over the centuries, these were refined by Japanese
armourers into the attractive and practical Kendo equipment as
seen today in Japan.
Subsequently, Kenjutsu has undergone various refinements, such
as the introduction of protective equipment, a substitute weapon
for the sword, techniques, etc. Kendo emerged in the late 19th
century.
Photo courtesy of AJKF
Kenjyutsu Machidojo in the beginning
of Meiji period
(1870-1900)
Photo courtesy of AJKF
Although Kendo is regarded today as physical sport, the mental
development portion must still be considered an important function.
Kendo, the art of Japanese swordsmanship, is a way of life
designed to contribute to self development through training
in the guiding principles underlying the art of the sword.
Through rigorous training in Kendo, the student strengthens
his or her body and mind, develops a strong spirit, learns
to treat people properly, to value truth, to be sincere, to
always strive for self-development, love society and country,
and contribute to the peace and prosperity of humanity.
In modern Kendo, there are two types of attacks: strikes and
thrusts. Strikes are allowed to only three points on the body-the
top of the head, the right and left sides of the waist and
the forearms. Thrusts are usually permitted only to the throat.
Unlike western fencing where two opponents show each other
only their sides, in Kendo the opponents stand face to face
and these four target areas were chosen because they are the
most difficult. In competitive matches, it is not enough for
your bamboo sword to just touch the opponent; points are awarded
only when the attacks are done properly to the exact target
with good control and a yell or Kiai. The first person to win
two points wins the match.
As of 2000, several million people practice Kendo in Japan,
including about 1.2 million who have been awarded a Dan-rank
in the art. Kendo is enjoyed by about one million practitioners
abroad. The International Kendo Federation (IKF) has members
in 41 countries
The Concept
of Kendo
The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through
the application of the principles of the Katana.
The Purpose of Kendo
is:
To mould the mind and body,
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo;
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honour,
To associate with others with sincerity,
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
Thus will one be able
To love his country and society,
To contribute to the development of culture,
And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.
("The Concept of Kendo" was established
by the
All Japan Kendo Federation in 1975.)
An international championship has
been held once every three years since 1970.
