Kendo

Kendo, the “way of the sword,” is a traditional Japanese fencing art using a two-handed bamboo sword, rooted in samurai swordsmanship. As real combat waned post-1600s, kenjutsu evolved to foster discipline and character, aided by 18th-century innovations like the shinai (bamboo sword) and protective armor for safe, realistic practice. In kendo matches now, competitors target specific areas on the body, announcing each strike as they land it, with the first to score two points winning. Widely practiced in Japan, kendo is also gaining international popularity.

2024.11.05
Kendo

Kendo – Approaches for All Levels

By Honda Sotaro

Dr. Sotaro Honda (R7-dan), student of H8-dan Masatake Sumi-sensei, has been a longtime contributor to Kendo World, and has spent much of his kendo career helping international kenshi. His latest book is a must have for all practitioners and instructors, and explains various aspects of kendo training in a way that is both accessible and eye-opening.

In this book, Honda-sensei covers the basics from footwork, to various keiko methods such as kakari-geiko and ji-geiko, and offers many useful hints for shiai strategy.

AVAILABLE IN PRINT AND KINDLE VERSIONS AND ON THE BUDO BOOKS APP IN E-BOOK FORMAT! SEE THE LINKS BELOW!!

**This link is for Amazon.com, but it can be purchased from most Amazon stores in print and Kindle formats.**

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: A Comparison of Circumstance
CHAPTER 2: Footwork
CHAPTER 3: Kūkan-datotsu and Kihon-uchi
CHAPTER 4: Kirikaeshi and Uchikomi-geiko
CHAPTER 5: Waza-geiko
CHAPTER 6: Kakari-geiko
CHAPTER 7: Ji-geiko
CHAPTER 8: The Right Attitude in Ji-Geiko
}CHAPTER 9: Approaches in Shiai
CHAPTER 10: Training for Shiai
CHAPTER 11: Kendo Tactics
CHAPTER 12: Lower Tactics
CHAPTER 13: Higher Tactics
AFTERWORD
REFERENCES
GLOSSARY