Kendo

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Kendo
Image:Kendo.JPG
Japanese Name
Japanese 剣道 Kendō
Kana spelling けんどう
Rōmaji (Hepburn) Kendo
Kunrei-shiki Kendo
Nihon-shiki Kendo

Kendo (剣 道 Kendō) or "way of the sword", is the martial art of Japanese fencing.

Kendō developed from traditional techniques of Japanese swordsmanship known as kenjutsu.

Since 1975 the Concept of Kendō as stated by the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) is "to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana".

The AJKF state the purpose of practicing kendō as:

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 Kendō,
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.

Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sporting-like physical elements.

Practitioners of kendō are called kendoka (one who practices kendō) or kenshi (swordsman). The latter may also be applied to practitioners of other traditional Japanese sword arts. Around 8 million people world-wide practice kendo with approximately 7 million of them in Japan.

Kendō is practiced using "swords" made of split bamboo called shinai and extensive protective armour (bogu) is worn to protect specified target areas on the head and body. Kendoka also use bokuto (wooden swords) to practice set forms known as kata. On formal occasions, real swords or swords with a blunt edge, called kata-yo or habiki, may be used for a display of kata.

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History

Kendō embodies the essence of the Japanese fighting arts.

Since the earliest samurai government in Japan, during the Kamakura period (1185-1233), sword fencing, together with horse riding and archery, were the main martial pursuits of the military clans. In this period kendō developed under the strong influence of Zen Buddhism. The samurai could equate the disregard for his own life in the heat of battle, which was considered necessary for victory in individual combat, to the Buddhist concept of the illusory nature of the distinction between life and death.

Image:FENCING AT AN AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.jpg
Kendō at an agricultural school in Japan around 1920

Since that time, many warriors have become enlightened through kendō practice. Those swordsmen established schools of kendō training which continued for centuries, and which form the basis of kendō practice today. The names of the schools reflect the essence of the originator’s enlightenment. Thus the Itto-Ryu (Single sword school) indicates the founder’s illumination that all possible cuts with the sword emanate from and are contained in one original essential cut. The Muto (swordless school) expresses the comprehension of the originator Yamaoka Tesshu, that "There is no sword outside the mind". The 'Munen Muso Ryu’ (No Intent, no preconception) similarly expresses the understanding that the essence of Kendō transcends the reflective thought process.

The formal Kendō exercises developed several centuries ago, are still studied today using wooden swords in set forms, or kata.

The introduction of bamboo practice swords (shinai) and armour (bogu) to kendo training is attributed to Naganuma Sirozaemon Kunisato (長沼四郎左衛門国郷 1688-1767). This is believed to be the foundation of modern kendō.

Kendō began to make its modern appearance during the late 18th century. Use of the shinai and armour (bogu) made possible the full force delivery of strikes and thrusts without inflicting injury on the opponent. These advances, along with practice formats, set the foundations of modern kendō.

Thus today it is possible to embark on a similar quest for spiritual enlightenment as followed by the samurai of old. Concepts such as 'mushin', or 'empty mind' as professed by exponents of Zen are an essential attainment for high level kendō. Fudoshin, or 'unmoving mind', is a conceptual attribute of the deity Fudo Myo-O, one of the five 'Kings of Light' of Shingon Buddhism, implies that the fencer cannot be led astray by delusions of anger, doubt, fear, or surprise arising from his opponent’s actions.

In 1920, Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (developer of the Japan Martial Arts Foundation) changed the name of Gekiken (Kyūjitai: 擊劍; Shinjitai: 撃剣, "hitting sword") to kendō.

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Modern kendo

In modern kendo, there are strikes (or cuts) and thrusts. Strikes are allowed against only seven specified target areas, or datotsu-bui on the head or body, all of which are protected by bogu. The targets are men (top of the head), sayu-men or yoko-men (upper left and right side of the head), the right kote, or wrist at any time, the left kote when it is in a raised position (such as jodan) and the left or right do or torso. Thrusts are only allowed to the throat (tsuki). However, since an incorrectly performed thrust could injure the neck, thrusting techniques in free practice and competition are often restricted to senior dan graded kendoka.

Kendo bogu (armour) is essential for protection when performing keiko.

Bogu set.

Nihon Kendo Kata.

Kendoka perform sonkyo before combat.

Two kendoka in tsuba zeriai.

A shinai.

Armour and costume Components

Kendo target points, or datotsu-bui.

In shiai, or competition, a point is only awarded when the attack is done firmly and properly to any of the specified target points with ki-ken-tai-ichi, or spirit, sword and body as one. This means, for an attack to be successful, the shinai must strike the specified target, that the contact by the shinai must happen at the same moment as the attacker's front foot makes contact with the floor and the kendoka must vocalise an expression of kiai that displays good spirit. Additionally, the top third only of the shinai must make contact with the target and the shinai direction of movement must also be correct. Finally, "zanshin" or continuation of awareness, must be present and shown, before, during and after the strike, then the player must be ready to attack again.

In a tournament, there are three judges or shinpan. Each holds a red flag and a white flag in opposing hands. Each competitor has either a white or red ribbon attached to their back. For a point to be awarded, a minimum of two judges must agree. To signal this, the judges raise the flag corresponding to the color of the competitor who scored. If two judges do not agree on the score, the match does not stop.

The first to score two points wins the match. If the time limit is reached and only one player has a point, that player wins. In the case of a tie, there are several options:

  • The match may be declared a draw.
  • The match may be extended (encho), and the first competitor to score a point wins.
  • The winner may be chosen by the judges' decision, or hantei.
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Grades

Technical achievement in Kendo is measured by advancement in grade, rank or level. The "kyu" and "dan" system is used to assess the level of ones skill in kendo. The dan levels are from 1-dan (sho-dan) to 10-dan (ju-dan). There are no outward physical manifestation of a grade in Kendo; beginners dress the same as higher ranking yudansha.

1-dan is equivalent to a first degree blackbelt. 1-dan (sho-dan) to 8-dan (hachi-dan) are awarded after a physical kendo test, followed by a kata test and then examination of a submitted paper.

There is no physical test for 9-dan (kyu-dan) and 10-dan (ju-dan); those levels are awarded by a special committee set up for the purpose. Those grades are now extremely rare.

There are six grades below dan known as kyu. The number preceding the kyu is the number of levels below the first dan rank (sho-dan).

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Kata

There are 10 nihon kendo kata (Japanese kendo forms). The kata include fundamental techniques of attacking and counter attacking with the sword and have useful practical application in general kendo. Kata is performed with either wooden swords (bokken/bokuto) or occasionally with swords with a blunt edge, called kata-yo or habiki, or even with real swords used by highly experienced kenshi.

Kata 1~7 are performed with both partners using a bokken (long sword) of around 102 cm. Kata 8~10 are performed with one partner using a bokken and the other using a kodachi (short sword) of around 55cm.

During kata practice, the participants take the roles of either uchidachi (teacher) or shidachi (student). The uchidachi makes the first move or attack in each kata. As this is a teaching role, the uchidachi is always the 'losing' side, thus allowing the shidachi or student to learn and gain confidence.

Nihon kendo kata were drawn from representative kenjutsu schools and tend to be quite deep and advanced. In some areas the regular curriculum does not include the nihon kendo kata.

In 2003, the introduction of Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho, a set of basic exercises using a (bokken/bokuto), attempted to bridge this gap. Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho is intended primarily for kendoka up to 2-dan, but is useful for all kendo students.

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Kendo outside Japan

The International Kendo Federation (FIK) was established in 1970 and in December 2005 admitted their 44th national or regional federation as an affiliate. The world kendo championships have been held every three years since 1970.

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Asia

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Africa

Only South Africa participates in the IKF. The South African Kendo Federation is the official body not only of kendo but also Iaido and Jodo. Recently kendo activities have started in Mozambique and Malawi.

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Oceania

The Australian Kendo Renmei grew from the beginning of kendo in Australia in the 1960's and is a founding member of the FIK (formerly the IKF). Australian Kendo Championships have been held in Australia annually for over 31 years.
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Pacific Ocean

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North America

All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF) consists of 14 regional members. The regional members comprise a minimum of three kendo clubs, each with a minimum of 50 members. Individual people or clubs cannot be members of the AUSKF.
Many universities also host collegiate clubs that promote kendo among student communities.
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South America

In South America the practice of Kendo has existed since the end of World War II, it probably started in Brazil with the arrival of Japanese immigrants after the war, since then and with Brazil as it's neuralgic point, kendo has spread over South America. Now Kendo practitioners and kendo federations exist in many countries in South America such as: Brazil, Argentina, Venezula, Colmobia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Aruba and Chile.
At the December 2005 meeting of the IKF (International Kendo Federation) held in Taiwan, the formation of the CSK (South American Kendo Confederation) was discussed and accepted and is expected to ratified in December 2006.
Argentina, Aruba, Chile, Brazil and Venezuela are affiliated with the IKF. The next south American Kendo championships will be held in Chile during 2007.
Kendo in Chile, started in 1990. The Chilean Kendo Federation was founded in 1997 and became a member of the FIK in 2003, is a member of the CSK (South American Kendo Confederation, has a population of about 250 kenshi and kendo championships are held there annually.
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Europe

European championships of kendo have been held since 1974 and are organized every two years. The first took place in England. Kendo has enjoyed increasing popularity in Europe since then. Today there are european championships every year, except in years with world championships (usually every 3 years). The European Kendo Federation, which 32 countries/regions belong to, also promotes Jodo and Iaido.

The Austrian Kendo Association was founded in 1985.
After the end of World War II, many masters of kendo visited France and introduced kendo in the 1950's. The first French Kendo championship was held in 1959.
Kendo was introduced in the mid sixties as a part of Judo practice.
Kendo is promoted by the C.I.K., Confederazione Italiana Kendo.
Kendo is promoted by An-Ken in Ankara and also there are some dojos in Istanbul and Izmir.
Kendo was introduced to the UK by R.A. Lidstone (a western fencing master). Two organisations promote Kendo in the UK; The British Kendo Association which is affiliated with the International Kendo Federation and British Kendo Renmei which is not.
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External links

National Kendo organisations Template:Commons

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See also

Retrieved from "http://onthemat.com/wiki/index.php/Kendo"
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