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 3.4

Editorial: The Yin and the Yangs
By Alex Bennett

13th World Kendo Championships
By Alex Bennett

Starting Over – USA vs JAPAN
By Kan
Translated by Alex Bennett

Chewing the Fat – Abe Tetsushi × Alex Bennett
Translated by Bruce Flanagan

3 Years for 3 Days for 3 Minutes
By Vivian Yung

Thoughts on the Japanese Defeat
By Sergio Boffa

Book Mark 1: The Warrior’s Path
Review by Tyler Rothmar

21st European Kendo Championships
By Caleb Crane

Hanshi Says – Shimano Masahiro
Translated by Alex Bennett

Nuts and Bolts of kendo: Nuki-waza
By Nakano Yasoji
Translated by Alex Bennett

Book Mark 2: “Katori Shinto-ryu” by Otake Risuke
Review by Alex Bennett

Reidan-jichi – Part 4: Training
By Oya Minoru
Translated by Alex Bennett

sWords of wisdom: “Hei-Tenka-no-Ken”
By Tobe Shinjuro
Translated by Alex Bennett

Kendo Clinic: Knee Injuries in Kendo – Part Two
By Arima Saburo

Kendo to Me – The Attraction
By Makita Minoru
Translated by Helen Iwata

Kendo that Cultivates People – Part 2: Teaching Children at Nyumon-ki Level
By Sumi Masatake
Translated by Honda Sotaro

Unlocking Japan – Part 12: When in Rome…
By Lockie Jackson

Internationalization of BUDO Culture – Important Questions for the Future of Budo
By Stephen Robert Nagy

Kendo Inside Out – Part 3: Kukan-datotsu and Kihon-uchi / Part 4: Kirikaeshi and Uchikomi-geiko
By Honda Sotaro

Naginata Technical Special: Shikake-Oji – Part 2 Nihon-me
By Alex Bennett

Cutting-Edge Iaido
By Kaneda Kazuhisa
Translated by Maki Miho

Dojo Files: Macau Kendo Associations Union
By Bryan Peterson

NITO – Part 3: Fundamental Techniques
By Yamaguchi Masato

Mandal International Martial Arts Summer Camp
By Michael Komoto and Bryan Peterson

Bushido – In the Past and in the Present
By John Toshimichi Imai

Tales of the Samurai: A Wedding Present
By Miyamori A.
Translated by Alex Bennett

The Art of Traditional Japanese Braiding: Kumi-himo
By Randall V. Channell

The 5th Otsu Cup
By Trevor Jones

What Sensei’s Do
By Tyler Rothmar

Going Postal
By Bryan Peterson

The Cyber Dojo
By Michael Prime

Talk with Your Kensen: International Musha Shugyo
By Akita Toshimichi

International Goodwill Kendo Club
By Michael Prime

Living Your Art: An Interview with Park Yong Chon – Korean Sword Master
By Greg Brundage

Looking Back
By Steve Kelsey

Shinai Saga: The Longest Encho
By Charlie Kondek

A Czech Tribute – In Memory of Giga Toru-sensei
By Vladimir Hotovec

Void = Absence, Simplification
By Daboo

The 5th Hachidan Taikai Report
By Tyler Rothmar

Book Mark 3: “The Kendo Grading Book” by Yoshiyama Mitsuru
Review by Bryan Peterson

The Nippon Budokan Foundation’s Budo Culture Seminar
By Bruce Flanagan

Kendo in Context
By Tyler Rothmar

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