Kendo - The Way of the Sword

The following is a brief description of Kendo. For a more detailed text see Gendzwill Sensei's Japanese Sword Arts FAQ from the Saskatoon Kendo Club website.

Probably the easiest and quickest way to describe Kendo is as Japanese fencing. Like many other Japanese martial ways, Kendo is derived from techniques developed by feudal warriors.

In training, bamboo practice swords (shinai) are used. A shinai consists of four slats of bamboo bound with leather. Strikes are made to the forearm, abdomen, head and throat. Armour made from hardened cotton and a variety of other materials is used to protect these target areas.

Unlike other martial arts, Kendo has no application in self-defence and we do not pretend it does, but no one bitches to fencers about not carrying around épées/foils/sabers with them, or tennis players about not carrying around tennis rackets with them. The purpose of Kendo as outlined by the All Japan Kendo Federation:

The purpose of practicing Kendo is:
"To mold the mind and body
To cultivate a vigorous spirit
And through correct and rigid training
To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor
To associate with others with sincerity
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
This will make one be able:
To love his/her country and society
To contribute to the development of culture,
And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples."
-Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei''

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Kendo - The Way of the Sword