Kendo - The Way of the Sword
An Overview
First impressions of a Kendo bout could be that it is aggressive, loud and of course, being a fullcontact martial art, appears to be somewhat violent. This notion could not be further from the truth. Kendo, without a doubt, is totally dynamic. Practitioners of the art (Kendoka) display high levels of skill and concentration, while encompassing a freedom of movement, co-ordination, grace and agility that any dance choreographer would appreciate. The spectacle of Kendo being practised can look almost theatrical. The pure energy and noise generated cannot fail to send a shiver down the spine of any spectator. It is truly awesome.
What is Kendo? Kendo, the art of Japanese Swordmanship, has a long and rich history. It is arguably one of the oldest martial arts. The origins of the art, as we know it today, lie back in the HEIAN period of Japanese history (around the year 940). It was about this period when sophisticated sword techniques, especially designed for the Japanese foot soldier, utilising lightweight protective body armour, began to appear. These techniques were developed, refined and tried and tested on the battlefield. This was the period when the sword techniques used today, Kendo began to change.
The All Japan Kendo Association was founded in 1912 and formalised methods of teaching in schools throughout Japan were established in 1936. Kendo, banned during the war years, reemerged in 1952 stressing the importance of healthy living and a sports approach and philosophy based on its long history.
As of 1989, some seven million people practised Kendo in Japan. No longer limited to Japan alone, Kendo is now popular all over the world and Kendo players in many countries continue to grow in numbers. Kendo is practised by people from all walks of life. There is no restriction on who can participate. Age, sex or indeed disability need not be a barrier.
Modern Kendo involves players trying to strike targets on designated areas of their opponent's body with a bamboo practice sword (Shinai). These targets are protected by lightweight body armour (Bogu). Strikes and thrusts with the Shinai form the Kendoka's personal attack (shikake) and defence (oji) techniques (waza) which are directed at the opponent's target areas. Strikes are restricted to basically three areas of the body. The head, top, left and right sides (men), the forearms (Kote) and the trunk (Do). Thrusts are usually permitted only to the throat. All strikes can be delivered forwards or backwards. It should be noted that these target areas were chosen purposely as the most difficult areas on the body to strike.
It is not enough for your shinai to just hit the opponent, strikes or thrusts can only be considered correct if the attacks are executed properly, to the exact target area, with controlled Kiai (voice-spirit) and demonstrating Zanshin (awareness). An analogy may be scoring a hole in one at golf and having the score disallowed because your swing was incorrect. Kendo basically comprises of 3 main elements. Kendo practice (Keiko), Kendo match/competitions (Shiai) and Kendo Kata prearranged swordwork based on traditional forms.
