Kendo

Kendo
(剣道 kendō)

Hardness	Semi-contact
Country of origin	Japan
Creator	Naganuma Sirōzaemon Kunisato (長沼 四郎左衛門 国郷), attributed
Parenthood	Kenjutsu
Olympic sport	No

Kendo (剣道, kendō), or "way of the sword", is the martial art of Japanese fencing. Kendo developed from traditional techniques of Japanese swordsmanship known as kenjutsu.

Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sporting-like physical elements.

Practitioners of kendo are called kendoka (one who practices kendo) or kenshi (swordsman).

Kendo is "played" by kendoka, wearing traditionally styled clothing, protective armour (bogu) is also worn and a shinai or two is used as a weapon. Kendo is fencing, but Japanese style. The movements in kendo are different to European fencing because the design of the sword is different, as is the way it is used. Kendo training is quite noisy in comparison to to other martial arts or sports. This is because kendoka use a shout, or kiai, to express their spirit and when a strike or cut is performed, the front foot lands on the floor in a motion similar to stamping.

Around eight million people world-wide practice kendo with approximately seven million in Japan.

Kendo is one of the Japanese budo and embodies the essence of Japanese fighting arts.

The Concept and Purpose of Kendo

In 1975 the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) published and developed an explanation of the concept and purpose of studying kendo.

The Concept of Kendo

Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana (sword).

The Purpose of practicing Kendo

To mold 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 honor.

To associate with others with sincerity.

And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

This will make one be able:

To love his/her country and society.

To contribute to the development of culture

And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.

Equipment and clothing

• 
  Bogu set.
• 
  A shinai.
• 
  Armour and clothing components

Kendo is practiced using a shinai as a weapon. One, or more rarely two shinai, are used. The shinai is the practice "sword" and is made up of four staves, which are held together by leather fittings. Kendoka also use bokken/bokuto (wooden swords) to practice more formal, set forms known as kata. Protective armour (bogu), is worn, to protect specified target areas on the head, arms and body. The clothing, worn under the bogu comprises a jacket, or kendogi/keikogi and a hakama, which is a trouser-like garment with wide legs.

Competition

In shiai, or competition, a point is only awarded when the attack is made firmly and properly to a target point with ki-ken-tai-ichi, or spirit, sword and body as one. This means that for an attack to be successful, the shinai must strike the specified target, the contact by the shinai must happen simultaneously with the attacker's front foot contacting with floor and the kendoka must vocalise an expression of kiai that displays good spirit. Additionally, the top third of the shinai must make contact with the target and direction of movement (hasuji) by the shinai must also be correct. Finally, zanshin, or continuation of awareness, must be present and shown before, during and after the strike, then the player must be ready to attack again.

In a tournament, there are usually three referees, or shinpan. Each holds a red flag and a white flag in opposite hands. To signal a point, the shinpan raise the flag corresponding to the colour of the ribbon worn by the scoring competitor. Generally, at least two shinpan must agree, for a point to be awarded. The match continues until a pronouncement of the point that has been scored.

The first competitor to score two points wins the match. If the time limit is reached and only one competitor has a point, that competitor wins.

In the case of a tie, there are several options:

• The match may be declared a draw.
• The match may be extended (encho), and the first competitor to score a point wins.
• The winner may be chosen by a decision made by the shinpan, or hantei, in which the three referees vote for their choice. This is done simultaneously, by show of flags.

• Men
  Men
• Kote
  Kote
• Dō
  Dō
• Tsuki
  Tsuki

Grades

Technical achievement in kendo is measured by advancement in grade, rank or level. The kyu and dan grading system is used to assess the level of one's skill in kendo. The dan levels are from sho-dan (1) to ju-dan (10). There are usually 6 grades below sho-dan known as kyu. The kyu numbering is in reverse order with ikkyu (1) being the grade immediately below sho-dan.

In the AJKF the grades of kyu-dan (9) and ju-dan (10) are no longer awarded. However, FIK grading rules allow national kendo organisations to establish a special committee to consider the award of those grades.

There are no visible differences between kendo grades; beginners may dress the same as higher-ranking yudansha.

All candidates for examination face a panel of examiners. A larger, more qualified panel is usually assembled to assess the higher dan grades.

Kendo examinations typically consist of a demonstration of the applicants skill and for some dan grades, also a written exam. The hachi-dan (8 dan) kendo exam is extremely difficult, with a reported pass rate of less than 1 percent.

Kata

There are 10 nihon kendo kata (Japanese kendo forms). These are performed with wooden swords (bokken/bokuto), the kata include fundamental techniques of attacking and counter-attacking, and have useful practical application in general kendo. Occasionally, real swords or swords with a blunt edge, called kata-yo or habiki, may be used for a display of kata.

File:Wikikendo2.JPG

Nihon Kendo Kata

Kata 1–7 are performed with both partners using a daitō or tachi (long sword) style bokutoh of around 102 cm. Kata 8–10 are performed with one partner using a daitō and the other using a kodachi or shoto (short sword), style bokutoh of around 55cm. During kata practice, the participants take the roles of either uchidachi (teacher) or shidachi (student). The uchidachi makes the first move or attack in each kata. As this is a teaching role, the uchidachi is always the 'losing' side, thus allowing the shidachi or student to learn and gain confidence.

Nihon kendo kata were drawn from representative kenjutsu schools and tend to be quite deep and advanced. In some areas the regular training curriculum does not include nihon kendo kata.

In 2003, the introduction of Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho, a set of basic exercises using a bokuto, attempted to bridge this gap. This form of practice, is intended primarily for kendoka up to ni-dan (2), but is very useful for all kendo students.

Kendo outside Japan

Kendoka at the 2006 World Fencing Championships in Turin, Italy.

The International Kendo Federation (FIK) was established in 1970 and in December 2006 admitted their 47th national or regional federation as an affiliate. The World Kendo Championships have been held every three years since 1970.

See also

• Iaido
• Budo
• Gendai budo
• Koryū
• Jodo
• Martial arts
• Naginata
• Fencing
• Kyudo
• Naginata-do
• Kirikaeshi
• Budo Senmon Gakko

External links

• All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF)
• International Kendo Federation (FIK)