Kendo

Kendo, known as the “way of the sword”, is a thrilling and ancient Japanese style of fencing that involves wielding a two-handed bamboo sword. Originally developed from the techniques of the fierce samurai warriors, the art of swordsmanship became a way of fostering discipline, patience, and skill for building character as opportunities for real sword combat dwindled after the unification of Japan in the 1600s. By the 18th century, practitioners had invented protective armour and the shinai, a bamboo sword, which enabled them to engage in realistic sword-fighting without fear of injury. In a kendo match, participants grip the shinai with both hands and aim to land blows on specific scoring areas of their opponent's body, such as the head, wrist, and trunk. A thrust to the throat also counts as a point. The attacker must call out the name of the point they have struck at the same time they land their blow, which is verified by judges. The first combatant to score two points is declared the winner, making kendo a fast-paced and thrilling martial art to watch and practise. In terms of numbers, kendo is the most popular budo discipline in Japan, and is gaining a large following internationally.

Kendo World 4.2

Editorial
By Alex Bennett

Noma Dojo: Forging a New Tradition
By Paul Martin

22nd European Kendo Champs
By Michael Komoto

2008 All Japan Hachidan Taikai Report
By Tyler Rothmar

Zen Calligraphy and Painting of Yamaoka Tesshu at the V&A
By Sarah Moate

Hanshi Says: Sonoda Masaji
Translated by Alex Bennett

Kendo Inside Out: Part 7 – Kakari-geiko
By Honda Sotaro

Reidan-jichi: Part 6 – Rei
By Oya Minoru
Translated by Alex Bennett

sWords of Wisdom: Tsuttatta-mi
By Tobe Shinjuro
Translated by Alex Bennett

Unlocking Japan: Thug School
By Lockie Jackson

Ideas and History of the Sword: Part 2 – Ancient Japan and the Sword
By Ozawa Hiroshi

Talk with Your Kensen: Bangkok/Bangladesh
By Akita Toshimichi

Cheery Blossom Kendo: A History of Kendo in Washington DC
By Ernest Lisbet and Donald Seto

Kendo Clubs in the South of France
By Aurelien Laine

Tales of the Samurai: Chapter 6 – The Wrestling of a Daimyo
By Miyamori A.
Translated by Alex Bennett

A Duffle Bag and a Bogu Bag: Part 1 – Staying Afloat in the Deep End
By Imafuji Masahiro

Breathing
By Steven Harwood

Shinai Sagas: The Contenders
By Charlie Kondek

Adventure of the way of the Sword in the 21st Century: Part 1
By Stefan Maeder

Teaching Kendo in a non-Japanese High School
By Ben Sheppard

Bushido in the Past and Present: Part 3
By John Toshimichi Imai

Spiritual Sports: The Civilising Process of Japanese Martial Arts During the Tokugawa Period and Beyond – Asiatic Society of Japan Lecture by Alex Bennett
Report by Michael Ishimatsu-Prime

Kendo that Cultivates People: Part 5 – The Role of Keiko at Tanren-ki Level: Physical and Mental Forging Stage
By Sumi Masatake
Translated by Honda Sotaro

What Senseis Do: Motodachi
By Tyler Rothmar

Historical Sightseeing No.3: Meiji Mura Museum
By Bruce Flanagan

Finding My Way
By Aurelien Laine

Chile Report
By Shiori Hiroyuki

Russian Seminar Report

Cutting-Edge Iaido
By Kaneda Kazuhisa
Translated by Maki Miho

Classical Iai Seminar: Are All Styles Created Equal?
By Stephen Robert Nagy

31st Nihon Kobudo Enbu Taikai
By Antony Cundy

Jukendo World: Touch and Go
By Steve Kelsey

Naginata Special: Shikake-oji – Part 4 Yonhon-me
By Alex Bennett

Joto High School Naginata Club
By Bryan Peterson

Yasukuni
Review by Michael Ishimatsu-Prime

Jissen Kendo DVD
Review by Tyler Rothmar

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