Kendo (Japan), meaning 'Way of the Sword', is a modern Japanese martial art of sword fighting, based on the traditional Japanese Kenjutsu. It is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines the values and norms of martial arts with sports elements. This Japanese sword fighting art was developed in the 16th century to unite a large number of different techniques.
Modern Kendo
Modern Kendo, however, was only developed in the second half of the 20th century. A practitioner of the sport is called a kendoka . Since 1975, the concept of Kendo has been expressed as follows: “the disciplining of human character by applying the principles of Katana”. Kendo is therefore an exercise in self-discipline, while Kenjutsu, on the other hand, is a real fighting technique.
Kendo originates from the samurai tradition of feudal Japan and is therefore similar to related martial arts such as iaido and jodo. It is the modern sport variant of kenjutsu. Like judo, karate, aikido etc. kendo is part of budo . The sport is mainly practiced in Japan, the United States, Germany and France. Kendo has also become well-known outside Japan. In the Netherlands kendo has been practiced for over 25 years and dojo can be found in most major cities.
The sport of Kendo
Kendo is taught with 'swords' made of split bamboo, called shinai. The practitioner (kendoka) wears an elaborate protective suit of armour (bogu). In kenjutsu and 'kendo kata' boken (wooden swords) and katana (steel swords) are used. In modern kendo there are two types of attacks: strikes and thrusts. Strikes are only allowed on certain parts of the body: the top and temples of the head, the right and left sides of the body and the forearms. Strikes may only be aimed at the throat; or at the top of the chest plate, as a defence, or to push the opponent away in order to then attack, for example, the head. Since a wrongly placed strike to the throat can cause injury, this technique is often not used at beginner level and is only introduced later.
In competitions, points are only awarded when attacks are executed well, controlled and determined. The attacker must also indicate with a (Japanese) shout (kiai) which part of the body he is attacking. For example, if the target is the opponent's head, the shout 'men' must be uttered. An attack on the wrist must be accompanied by 'kote'. An attack on the torso is accompanied by 'do' and a blow to the opponent's throat must be shouted 'tsuki'. The winner is the first to score two points (ippon).
The International Kendo Federation (IKF) was founded in 1970 and has members in 44 countries. Every 3 years world championships are held.
