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What is Kendo?
KENDO — way of the sword 「剣道」, is a modern Japanese martial art of bamboo blade fencing. It descended from traditional sword-schools called koryu kenjutsu [古流剣術, old fencing schools]. Kendo aims on pursuing cultivation of oneself and disciplining one’s character by molding one’s mind and body through harsh training. Nowadays, it is widely practiced and considered as a sport in Japan and has spread towards many other nations across the world, thus local, national and word championships are held constantly. Kendo employs kyu/dan [級/段] ranking system, where the top rank is 8 dan, however, there are no visible insignia or belts comparing to other budo. Kendo uniform is of the single design, hiding any visible ranking differences and consists of navy-blue keikogi and hakama, men [面, a helmet], kote [小手, gauntlets], do [胴, a breastplate]. tare [垂れ, a waist/groin skirt]. Free practice is performed at the top speed and maximum force by the use of a shinai [竹刀, a bamboo sword]. While kata practice employs a bokuto [木刀, a wooden sword].
Over centuries bokuto was used for free kenjutsu practice and training, time to time inflicting severe damage to participants. However, during the XVII century shinai and bogu [防具, protective armour] were introduced, which overthrew the entire training process and made it less traumatic, resulted in positive influence over newcomers. Some time passed and in the end of XIX century kenjutsu transformed into what we can call almost modern kendo. During the Meiji Restoration European firearms had entirely supplanted Japanese swords on a battlefield questioning the existence of traditional kenjutsu schools in modern era and the kenjutsu itself.
In 1895, Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society — Dai Nippon Butoku Kai 「大日本武徳会」 was established to pursue the eaincarnation of samurai traditions and rise of patriotic spirit among Japanese youth. Dai Nippon Butoku Kai made fencing popular by introducing it to youth and schools in a form of a mandatory curriculum of generalised fencing as a part of physical education. Kenjutsu term was changed in favour of kendo in order to standardise terms and ideology. Valid targeting areas were reduced to only four (head, throat, wrists and torso), as well as variety of techniques. One of the goals of said changes was to make kendo less traumatic. Moreover, survived techniques remained derivative to those of a real sword, keeping alive traditions and link with koryu kenjutsu.
After Japan lost the WWII, the Allied Powers issued a directive to dissolve any and all military-related or nationalistic propaganda organisations, including fencing because of omnipresent use of katana swords during the war. Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was no more. Kendo ban had lasted until 1952, when All Japan Kendo Federation — Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei 「全日本剣道連盟」, was formed to inherite the original DNBK's duties and operations.
Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei developed and published The Concept of kendo and principles based on foundation laid by DNBK. “Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.”
Principles reflect via the Purpose of kendo: “To mold the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit and through correct and structured training to strive for improvement in the art of kendo, to hold in esteem courtesy and honour, to associate with others with sincerity and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself. Thus will one be able to love one's country and society, to contribute to the development of culture and to promote peace and prosperity among all people.”
From the middle of XX century kendo, as an art of fencing, has been common in teaching, ranking, purposes and goals, tourney rules and rules of behaviour all over the world. There are not any age, sex or physical restrictions. Kendo has got none, because the sword makes everyone equal, that gives an opportunity to practice it till departure. This perk makes it unique budo. You can start any time or age in any part of the wold and continue other place many years after.
You will be heartily welcomed!
Over centuries bokuto was used for free kenjutsu practice and training, time to time inflicting severe damage to participants. However, during the XVII century shinai and bogu [防具, protective armour] were introduced, which overthrew the entire training process and made it less traumatic, resulted in positive influence over newcomers. Some time passed and in the end of XIX century kenjutsu transformed into what we can call almost modern kendo. During the Meiji Restoration European firearms had entirely supplanted Japanese swords on a battlefield questioning the existence of traditional kenjutsu schools in modern era and the kenjutsu itself.
In 1895, Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society — Dai Nippon Butoku Kai 「大日本武徳会」 was established to pursue the eaincarnation of samurai traditions and rise of patriotic spirit among Japanese youth. Dai Nippon Butoku Kai made fencing popular by introducing it to youth and schools in a form of a mandatory curriculum of generalised fencing as a part of physical education. Kenjutsu term was changed in favour of kendo in order to standardise terms and ideology. Valid targeting areas were reduced to only four (head, throat, wrists and torso), as well as variety of techniques. One of the goals of said changes was to make kendo less traumatic. Moreover, survived techniques remained derivative to those of a real sword, keeping alive traditions and link with koryu kenjutsu.
After Japan lost the WWII, the Allied Powers issued a directive to dissolve any and all military-related or nationalistic propaganda organisations, including fencing because of omnipresent use of katana swords during the war. Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was no more. Kendo ban had lasted until 1952, when All Japan Kendo Federation — Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei 「全日本剣道連盟」, was formed to inherite the original DNBK's duties and operations.
Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei developed and published The Concept of kendo and principles based on foundation laid by DNBK. “Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.”
Principles reflect via the Purpose of kendo: “To mold the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit and through correct and structured training to strive for improvement in the art of kendo, to hold in esteem courtesy and honour, to associate with others with sincerity and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself. Thus will one be able to love one's country and society, to contribute to the development of culture and to promote peace and prosperity among all people.”
From the middle of XX century kendo, as an art of fencing, has been common in teaching, ranking, purposes and goals, tourney rules and rules of behaviour all over the world. There are not any age, sex or physical restrictions. Kendo has got none, because the sword makes everyone equal, that gives an opportunity to practice it till departure. This perk makes it unique budo. You can start any time or age in any part of the wold and continue other place many years after.
You will be heartily welcomed!
What is Kendo?
KENDO — way of the sword 「剣道」, is a modern Japanese martial art of bamboo blade fencing. It descended from traditional sword-schools called koryu kenjutsu [古流剣術, old fencing schools]. Kendo aims on pursuing cultivation of oneself and disciplining one’s character by molding one’s mind and body through harsh training. Nowadays, it is widely practiced and considered as a sport in Japan and has spread towards many other nations across the world, thus local, national and word championships are held constantly. Kendo employs kyu/dan [級/段] ranking system, where the top rank is 8 dan, however, there are no visible insignia or belts comparing to other budo. Kendo uniform is of the single design, hiding any visible ranking differences and consists of navy-blue keikogi and hakama, men [面, a helmet], kote [小手, gauntlets], do [胴, a breastplate]. tare [垂れ, a waist/groin skirt]. Free practice is performed at the top speed and maximum force by the use of a shinai [竹刀, a bamboo sword]. While kata practice employs a bokuto [木刀, a wooden sword].
Over centuries bokuto was used for free kenjutsu practice and training, time to time inflicting severe damage to participants. However, during the XVII century shinai and bogu [防具, protective armour] were introduced, which overthrew the entire training process and made it less traumatic, resulted in positive influence over newcomers. Some time passed and in the end of XIX century kenjutsu transformed into what we can call almost modern kendo. During the Meiji Restoration European firearms had entirely supplanted Japanese swords on a battlefield questioning the existence of traditional kenjutsu schools in modern era and the kenjutsu itself.
In 1895, Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society — Dai Nippon Butoku Kai 「大日本武徳会」 was established to pursue the eaincarnation of samurai traditions and rise of patriotic spirit among Japanese youth. Dai Nippon Butoku Kai made fencing popular by introducing it to youth and schools in a form of a mandatory curriculum of generalised fencing as a part of physical education. Kenjutsu term was changed in favour of kendo in order to standardise terms and ideology. Valid targeting areas were reduced to only four (head, throat, wrists and torso), as well as variety of techniques. One of the goals of said changes was to make kendo less traumatic. Moreover, survived techniques remained derivative to those of a real sword, keeping alive traditions and link with koryu kenjutsu.
After Japan lost the WWII, the Allied Powers issued a directive to dissolve any and all military-related or nationalistic propaganda organisations, including fencing because of omnipresent use of katana swords during the war. Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was no more. Kendo ban had lasted until 1952, when All Japan Kendo Federation — Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei 「全日本剣道連盟」, was formed to inherite the original DNBK's duties and operations.
Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei developed and published The Concept of kendo and principles based on foundation laid by DNBK. “Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.”
Principles reflect via the Purpose of kendo: “To mold the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit and through correct and structured training to strive for improvement in the art of kendo, to hold in esteem courtesy and honour, to associate with others with sincerity and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself. Thus will one be able to love one's country and society, to contribute to the development of culture and to promote peace and prosperity among all people.”
From the middle of XX century kendo, as an art of fencing, has been common in teaching, ranking, purposes and goals, tourney rules and rules of behaviour all over the world. There are not any age, sex or physical restrictions. Kendo has got none, because the sword makes everyone equal, that gives an opportunity to practice it till departure. This perk makes it unique budo. You can start any time or age in any part of the wold and continue other place many years after.
You will be heartily welcomed!
Over centuries bokuto was used for free kenjutsu practice and training, time to time inflicting severe damage to participants. However, during the XVII century shinai and bogu [防具, protective armour] were introduced, which overthrew the entire training process and made it less traumatic, resulted in positive influence over newcomers. Some time passed and in the end of XIX century kenjutsu transformed into what we can call almost modern kendo. During the Meiji Restoration European firearms had entirely supplanted Japanese swords on a battlefield questioning the existence of traditional kenjutsu schools in modern era and the kenjutsu itself.
In 1895, Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society — Dai Nippon Butoku Kai 「大日本武徳会」 was established to pursue the eaincarnation of samurai traditions and rise of patriotic spirit among Japanese youth. Dai Nippon Butoku Kai made fencing popular by introducing it to youth and schools in a form of a mandatory curriculum of generalised fencing as a part of physical education. Kenjutsu term was changed in favour of kendo in order to standardise terms and ideology. Valid targeting areas were reduced to only four (head, throat, wrists and torso), as well as variety of techniques. One of the goals of said changes was to make kendo less traumatic. Moreover, survived techniques remained derivative to those of a real sword, keeping alive traditions and link with koryu kenjutsu.
After Japan lost the WWII, the Allied Powers issued a directive to dissolve any and all military-related or nationalistic propaganda organisations, including fencing because of omnipresent use of katana swords during the war. Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was no more. Kendo ban had lasted until 1952, when All Japan Kendo Federation — Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei 「全日本剣道連盟」, was formed to inherite the original DNBK's duties and operations.
Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei developed and published The Concept of kendo and principles based on foundation laid by DNBK. “Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.”
Principles reflect via the Purpose of kendo: “To mold the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit and through correct and structured training to strive for improvement in the art of kendo, to hold in esteem courtesy and honour, to associate with others with sincerity and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself. Thus will one be able to love one's country and society, to contribute to the development of culture and to promote peace and prosperity among all people.”
From the middle of XX century kendo, as an art of fencing, has been common in teaching, ranking, purposes and goals, tourney rules and rules of behaviour all over the world. There are not any age, sex or physical restrictions. Kendo has got none, because the sword makes everyone equal, that gives an opportunity to practice it till departure. This perk makes it unique budo. You can start any time or age in any part of the wold and continue other place many years after.
You will be heartily welcomed!