History of Kendo
Kendo (剣道) is the modern Japanese martial discipline of fencing based on techniques of the samurai warrior's legendary two-handed sword (katana).
The use of the katana as a system for combat (kenjitsu) became established when formal schools of martial skills codified battlefield techniques during the Sengoku period (1467 - 1568). Many branch schools subsequently evolved from the early schools like Shinto Ryu, Chujo Ryu and Kage Ryu.
Over many centuries of evolution, Kenjitsu developed into Kendo, a means for human education and self-development. The appellation "Kendo" first became widespread in the 1920s.
Kendo (剣道) is the modern Japanese martial discipline of fencing based on techniques of the samurai warrior's legendary two-handed sword (katana).
The use of the katana as a system for combat (kenjitsu) became established when formal schools of martial skills codified battlefield techniques during the Sengoku period (1467 - 1568). Many branch schools subsequently evolved from the early schools like Shinto Ryu, Chujo Ryu and Kage Ryu.
Over many centuries of evolution, Kenjitsu developed into Kendo, a means for human education and self-development. The appellation "Kendo" first became widespread in the 1920s.
Concept of Kendo
The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.
The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.
Attire
Kendo practitioners wear thick cotton protective armour know collectively as bogu or kendogu to protect the body from the opponent's attacks. Developed over a long period of time, this protective armour consist of a protective mask (men), torso protector (do), gauntlets (kote), and a lower-body protector (tare). The basic attire consists of a Gi (top) and hakama (loose-fitting trousers).
Unlike many other martial disciplines, in kendo there are no visible indicators of one's rank in the attire.
Kendo in competitions
Kendo matches are called Shiai. Practitioners compete with each other to score points by using a bamboo sword (Shinai) to strike four valid target areas, namely the head (men), wrists (kote), torso (do) or thrust to the throat (tsuki).
Kendo practitioners wear thick cotton protective armour know collectively as bogu or kendogu to protect the body from the opponent's attacks. Developed over a long period of time, this protective armour consist of a protective mask (men), torso protector (do), gauntlets (kote), and a lower-body protector (tare). The basic attire consists of a Gi (top) and hakama (loose-fitting trousers).
Unlike many other martial disciplines, in kendo there are no visible indicators of one's rank in the attire.
Kendo in competitions
Kendo matches are called Shiai. Practitioners compete with each other to score points by using a bamboo sword (Shinai) to strike four valid target areas, namely the head (men), wrists (kote), torso (do) or thrust to the throat (tsuki).