Kendo

Japanese KENDO ("way of the sword"), traditional Japanese style of fencing with a two-handed wooden sword, derived from the fighting methods of the ancient samurai (warrior class).

The unification of Japan about 1600 removed most opportunities for actual sword combat, so the samurai turned swordsmanship into a means of cultivating discipline, patience, and skill for building character.

In the 18th century, practice armour and the shinai, a sword made of bamboo, were introduced to allow realistic fencing without risk of injury. The study of what came to be known as kendo was even compulsory in Japanese schools from time to time.An All-Japan Kendo Federation was formed following the end of the occupation in 1952, and an International Kendo Federation was founded in 1970.

Kendo matches take place in an area 9 to 11 m (about 30 to 36 feet) square. Contestants wear the traditional uwagi (jacket), hakama (long divided skirt), do (chest protector), tare (waist protector), men (mask), and kote (padded gloves). The shinai varies from 43 to 46 inches (110 to 118 cm) in length and is made of four lengths of seasoned bamboo bound by waxed cord. All blows use the "cutting" edge of the shinai, though this is not sharp. The shinai is usually held with both hands.

Points are awarded for blows delivered upon the left side, right side, or top of the head; the right or left wrist; the right or left side of the trunk; and for a thrust to the throat. These are the only scoring areas. The name of the point struck must be called out simultaneously by the attacker with his blow and is verified by judges. A contest is won by the first combatant who scores two points.

Kendo is widely practiced among students (required in high schools), police, and military groups in Japan and to a lesser extent in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Brazil.

Kendo, is the art of Japanese fencing. "Ken" or tsurugi is from the character meaning sword. The character for "Do" or michi includes the meaning way or path which translates as "The way of the sword". A path in life which is followed through the training of kendo.

Kendo, the Way of the Sword is the art of Japanese Samurai Swordsmanship. It is rooted in the traditions of Budo, the Martial Way. It is both exhilarating and demanding to learn. In these pages we'd like to provide some information about Kendo and Kendo in the United States. Origin of Kendo Modern Kendo bears but faint resemblance to Kenjutsu and to its feudal origins of sword wielding samurai warriors which are today depicted in movies and television. Kendo, literally translated, "the way of the sword," cannot be traced to a single founder or given an exact founding date. The story of the rise of modern Kendo begins with the samurai and extends over the culture of several centuries.

By the end of the 12th century, the authority of the Japanese central government had declined. Bands of warriors grouped together for protection forming local aristocracies. Feudalism had come of age, and was to dominate Japan for several centuries. With the establishment of the Shogun in Kamakura and military rule controlling Japan, a new military class and their lifestyle called Bushido, "the way of the warrior," gained prominence. Bushido stressed the virtues of bravery, loyalty, honor, self discipline and stoical acceptance of death. Certainly, the influence of Bushido extended to modern Japanese society and Kendo was also to be greatly influenced by this thinking.

The Japanese warrior had no contempt for learning or the arts. Although Kenjutsu, "the art of swordsmanship," had been recorded since the 8th century, it gained new prominence and took on religious and cultural aspects as well. Sword making became a revered art. Zen and other sects of Buddhism developed and the samurai often devoted time to fine calligraphy or poetry.

The next great advance in the martial arts occurred during the late Muromachi period (1336-1568) often call the "age of Warring Provinces" because of the many internal conflicts. This period brought an increased demand and respect for men trained in the martial arts. Consequently, many schools of Kenjutsu arose, eventually numbering about 200. Each was taught by a famous swordsman whose techniques earned him honor in battle. Real blades or hardwood swords without protective equipment were used in training resulting in many injuries. These schools continued to flourish through the Tokugawa period (1600-1868), with the Ittoryu or "one sword school," having the greatest influence on modern Kendo.

Kendo began to take its modern appearance during the late 18th century with the introduction of protective equipment: the men, kote and do and the use of the bamboo sword, the shinai. The use of the shinai and protective armor made possible the full delivery of blows without injury. This forced the establishment of new regulations and practice formats which set the foundation of modern Kendo.

With the Meiji Restoration (1868) and Japan's entry into the modern world, Kendo suffered a great decline. The Samurai class was abolished and the wearing of swords in public outlawed. This decline was only temporary, however, interest in Kendo was revived first in 1887 when uprisings against the government showed the need for the training of police officers. Later the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) again encouraged an awareness of the martial spirit.

Consequently in 1895, the Butokukai, an organization devoted to the martial arts was established. In 1911, Kendo was officially introduced into the physical education curriculum of middle schools and in 1912, the Nihon Kendo Kata, a set of regulations for Kendo, was published. In 1939 as Japan prepared for war, Kendo became a required course for all boys.

After Would War II, because of its nationalistic and militaristic associations, Kendo was outlawed and the Butokukai was disbanded. However by 1952, supporters of Kendo successfully reintroduced a "pure sport" form of Kendo, called Shinai Kyogi which excluded the militaristic attitudes and some of the rougher aspects of practice characteristic of prewar Kendo, into the public schools. Today, Kendo continues to grow under the auspices of the All Japan Kendo Federation, the International Kendo Federation, and federations all over the world.

Although the outward appearance and some of the ideals have changed with the changing needs of the people, Kendo continues to build character, self-discipline and respect. Despite a sportlike atmosphere, Kendo remains steeped in tradition which must never be forgotten. For here lies the strength of Kendo which has carried it throughout history and will carry it far into the future.

Kendo Equipment

Kendo equipment consists of the swords, uniform and armor. There are two types of wooden swords used. First, the bokken or bokuto, a solid wood sword made of oak or another suitable hardwood. The bokken is used for basics and forms practice (kata). Second, the shinai, is made up of four bamboo staves and leather. The shinai is used for full contact sparring practice. The uniform or dogi consists of woven cotton top called a keikogi and pleated skirt-like trousers called a hakama. The armor or bogu consists of four pieces: the helmet (men), the body protector (do), the gloves (kote), and the hip and groin protector (tare). Modern Kendo armor design is fashioned after the Oyoroi of the Samurai.

Kendo Practice

A Kendo practice is composed of many types of training. Each type has a different purpose for developing the Kendo student.

Kendo, like other martial arts requires discipline and a dedication to training. A new student begins with learning the basics such as: etiquette (reigi), different postures and footwork, and how to properly swing a sword. The student progresses through a series of skills preparing them to begin training with armor (bogu).

Once a student begins to practice in armor, a practice may be composed of any or all of the following types of practice and this will depend upon what the instructor's focus is at a particular time:

1. Kiri-Kaeshi: successively striking the left and right men, practice centering, distance, and proper cutting while building spirit and stamina.
2. Waza-Geiko: technique practice in which the student learns to use the many techniques of Kendo with a receiving partner.
3. Kakari-Geiko: short, intense, attack practice which teaches continuous alertness, the ability to attack no matter what has come before, as well as building spirit and stamina.
4. Ji-Geiko: sparring practice where the kendoist has a chance to try all that he or she has learned with a resisting partner.
5. Gokaku-Geiko: sparring practice between two kendoist of similar skill level.
6. Hikitate-Geiko: sparring practice where a senior kendoist guides a junior kendoist through practice.
7. Shiai-Geiko: competition matches which are judged on the basis of a person scoring valid cuts against an opponent.

Kendo Kata

Almost all martial arts have a set of kata. Kendo is no exception. Kata are pre-set sequences of motions which illustrate very deeply one or more aspects of the art. Repetitive practice of kata internalizes the lessons of the kata.

Kendo kata are practiced with a solid wooden sword called a bokken. There are ten kendo kata specified by the All Japan Kendo Federation. Each kata studies a single set of concepts in a very pure setting allowing the practitioner to delve deeply into these concepts.

Kendo kata are practiced between two people, the Uchitachi and the Shidachi. In kendo kata, the Uchitachi attacks the Shidachi who in turn demonstrates a proper response to the attack. Seven of these kata are illustrations of the technique of the long sword against the long sword. The last three kata illustrate the short sword defending against attacks by the long sword.

Prior to the invention of the shinai and bogu, kata were the only way that kendoists could safely practice. Originally, the role of Uchitachi was taken by the teacher and the role of Shidachi by the student. This tradition carries over into modern Kendo kata in that the Uchitachi always sets the pace and distance at which the actions are performed.

Kendo Philosophy

No attempt will be made here to present the philosophy of Kendo. Each Dojo will have similar but sightly different ideas of what Kendo should be. The student must discover through their Dojo and themselves what this is. The All Japan Kendo Federation Kendo has presented a Meaning of Kendo.

KENDO/SHIAI GLOSSARY

Age-kote - when the kote is held above the pit of the stomach
while executing a strike.

Aiuchi - when both opponents make datotsu simultaneously.

Bassoku - a penalty for an infraction or foul.

Bogu - kendo equipment.

Chudan-no-kamae - the basic ready position with the shinai pointed
at the opponents mid-upper section.

Chui - a warning. The first chui is without penalty, afterwards
they shall be considered penalties.

Chuken - the third contestant in a team match.

Chusen - a  winner selected by lot among the judge(s) or referees.

Chusen gachi, shobu-ari - a winner by lot (draw).

Daihyoshu-sen - playoff by representatives in a team match.

Do - the torso protector. Can be made of bamboo or other material.

Encho - an overtime or extension round in a match. Used to determine
a winner when no points are scored during the normal match time period.

Fukusho - the fourth contestant in a team match.

Fusei-shinai shiyo - the use of an illegal shinai for a match.

Fusen-gachi - a winner as the result of a "no-show."

Fuho-koi-shobu-ari - a winner resulting from a player's illegal act.

Gogi - a consultation by the referees. Generally made when a time out is
called during a match.

Go-No-Waza (Datotsu) - a parry to a valid datotsu made from Tsuba-zeri-ai.

Hajime - the command start a match.

Hakama - the pleated pantaloons or skirt.

Hantei - a decision made by the judge or referee for a winner.

Hantei gachi, shobu-ari - a winner by decision.

Hansoku - a foul play or illegal act. Hansokus are the following:

 -ashi-kake or ashi-barai - tripping or sweeping an opponent
  off their feet.

 -kosei-o-gaisuru-koi - an illegal act or move.

 -jyogai - stepping outside the court line.

 -oshidashi or tsukidashi - unfair pushing or shoving an
  opponent out of bounds.
 
 -shinair hanashi - dropping a shinai.

 -tsuba-zeri-ai - stalling at tsuba-zeri-ai without any
  intention of executing a datotsu.

Hasso-no-kamae - the ready position with the shinai held
vertically by the right shoulder.

Hikiwake - a draw decision in a match.

Igi - a protest; generally done by a team manager immediately
after the match in quesiton.

Ippon gachi, shobu-ari - a winner by a single point in a match.

Jiho - the second contestant in a team match.

Jikaku-mushi - an insult made to a player or referee.

Jodan-no-kamae - the ready position with the shinai held over the head.


Jogai - stepping out of bounds during a match.

Kamae - the basic forward standing guard position.

Kakari - the court staff consisting of:

 -keiji gakari - scoreboard recorder.

 -kiroku gakari - score recorder.

 -senshu gakari - court announcer.

 - tokei gakari - time keeper.
Keikogi - the cotton jacket worn under the do.

Kendo-gu - the equipment used and worn by a kendoist.
Also referred to as Bogu.

Kote - fencing gloves.

Men - the head gear or "helmet/mask."

Nihon me - the command to restart a match for the second match point.

Nito - using two shinai, short and long.

Nito-no-kamae - the ready position when using two shinai.

Rei - a bow.

Ritsu-rei - a bow at the standing position.

San-Bon-Shobu - three point scoring in a normal shiai or match.

Sageto - holding the shinai at the left side of the body.

Senpo - the first contestant in a team match.

Shiai-funo - a winner when one of the opponents cannot continue the match.

Shiai-kyohi - a match winner called when there is a
refusal or discontinuation of the match.

Shinai - a four piece bamboo or fiberglas sword used for
practise and shiai. It must meet minimum weight and length
specifications as noted for age and class group.
 
 - chigiri - the metal spacer in the shinai's hilt
        which keeps the four bamboo staves from slipping
        forward or backward.

 - datotsu-bu - the tip portion of the shinai which
        must make contact for a valid point or yuko datotsu.

 - ken-sen - the front "tip" of a shinai.

 - jin-bu - the portion from the tsuba to the front tip
        of the shinai.

 - nakayui - the leather wrap at the front third of a
        shinai. It keeps the bamboos stave from separating.
 
 - saki-gawa - the leather covering at the tip of the shinai.

 - shin - the rubber spacer placed at the inside
        front tip of a shinai.

 - tsuka - the handle portion of the shinai.
 
 - tsuka-gashira - the bottom or handle end of a shinai.

 - tsuba - the hilt guard on the shinai. May be made
        of leather, rubber  or synthetic. It must not
        pass over the Tsuka-gawa or leather handle.

 - tsuru - the string or "himo" that holds the nakayui
        and tuska-gawa together and keeps the four bamboo staves tight.

Shinai-hanashi - dropping a shinai during a match.

Shinpan - a referee.

Shinpancho - the chief judge overseeing all court actions.

Shinpan Shunin - the chief court judge who assists the
chief judge during a match.

Shinpan-in - the team of referees in a court. The team
consists of the Shu-shin (the chief referee) and two
Fuku-shin (subreferees).

Shobu - the command to restart a match for the match point.

Shobu-ari - announces a winner in a match.
Son-kyo - the crouching position taken just before and after a match.

Sosai - an offset when two players commit a foul as the
same time and the fouls are offset - no penalty.

Tabi - footwear.

Taisho - the last contestant in a team match.

Taito - holding the shinai at waist level.

Tare - the waist protector.

Tsuki - the throat thrust or hit.

Tsuki-tare - the throat protector on the men.

Wakki-gakame - ready position with the shinai downward
and near the right foot.

Yame - the command to stop.

Yuko Datotsu - a valid strike or point. Must combine
correct call, execution and follow through.

Zan-shin - the follow through of a strike, a state of energy,
execution, and alertness against an opponent.

Zekken - the name tag, made of cloth or leather and attached to the Tare.