Kendo
Kendo is a traditional Japanese martial art, which descended from swordsmanship and uses bamboo swords and protective armour. Today, it is widely practiced within Japan and many other nations across the world.
Kendo is an activity that combines martial arts practices and values with strenuous sport-like physical activity.
History
Swordsmen in Japan established schools of kenjutsu , which continued for centuries and which form the basis of kendo practice today. The formal kendo exercises known as kata were developed several centuries ago as kenjutsu practice for warriors. They are still studied today, in a modified form.The introduction of bamboo practice swords and armour to sword training is attributed to Naganuma Shirōzaemon Kunisato during the Shotoku Era. Naganuma developed the use of this armor and established a training method using bamboo swords.
Also, the inscription on the gravestone of Yamada Heizaemon Mitsunori's third on Naganuma Shirōzaemon Kunisato, the 8th headmaster of the Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū Kenjutsu, states that his exploits included improving Japanese wooden and bamboo swords, and refining the armor by adding a metal grille to the headpiece and thick cotton protective coverings to the gauntlets. Kunisato inherited the tradition from his father Heizaemon in 1708, and the two of them, until Heizaemon's death, worked hard together to improve what would become Kendo training armor.
Chiba Shusaku Narimasa, founder of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō, introduced gekiken to the curriculum of tradition arts in the 1820s. Due to the large number of students of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō at the end of the Edo period, this contributed greatly to popularizing the use of bamboo swords and armor as a form of practice. Also there are techniques, such as Suriage-Men, Oikomi-Men etc. in modern kendo which were originally Hokushin Ittō-ryū techniques, named by Chiba Shusaku Narimasa for his school. After the Meiji Restoration in the late 1800s Sakakibara Kenkichi popularized public gekiken for commercial gain, but also generated an increased interest in kendo and kenjutsu as a result.
In 1876, five years after a voluntary surrender of swords, the government banned the use of swords by the surviving samurai and initiated sword hunts. Meanwhile, in an attempt to standardize the sword styles used by policemen, Kawaji Toshiyoshi recruited swordsmen from various schools to come up with a unified swordsmanship style. This led to the rise of the Battotai, which mainly featured sword-wielding policemen. However, it proved difficult to integrate all sword arts, which led to a compromise of ten practice moves for police training. Difficulties of integration notwithstanding, this integration effort led to the development of kendo, which remains in use to date. In 1878, Kawaji wrote a book on swordsmanship, titled Gekiken Saikō-ron, wherein he stressed that sword styles should not disappear with modernization, considering that other countries have been fascinated with them, but should be integrated as necessary skills for the police. He draws a particular example from his experience with the Satsuma Rebellion. The Junsa Kyōshūjo, founded in 1879, provided a curriculum that allowed policemen to study the sword arts during their off-hours. In the same year, Kawaji wrote another book on swordsmanship, titled Kendo Saikō-ron, wherein he defended the significance of such sword art training for the police. While the institute remained active only until 1881, the police continued to support such practice.
, later President of Taiwan, wearing kendo protector as a junior high school student in Taiwan under Japanese rule
The DNBK changed the name of the sporting form of swordsmanship, called gekiken, to kendō in 1920.
Kendo was banned in Japan in 1946 by the occupying powers. This was part of "the removal and exclusion from public life of militaristic and ultra-nationalistic persons" in response to the wartime militarisation of martial arts instruction in Japan. The DNBK was also disbanded. Kendo was allowed to return to the curriculum in 1950.
The All Japan Kendo Federation was founded in 1952, immediately after Japan's independence was restored and the ban on martial arts in Japan was lifted. It was formed on the principle of kendo not as a martial art but as educational sport, and it has continued to be practiced as such to this day.
The International Kendo Federation was founded in April 1970; it is an international federation of national and regional kendo federations and the world governing body for kendo. The FIK is a non-governmental organization, and it aims to promote and popularize kendo, iaido and jodo.
The International Martial Arts Federation, established in Kyoto 1952, was the first international organization after WWII to promote the development of martial arts worldwide. Today, IMAF includes kendo as one of the Japanese disciplines.
Practitioners
Practitioners of kendo are called kendōka, meaning "someone who practices kendo", or occasionally kenshi, meaning "swordsman". The old term of kendoists is sometimes used.The "Kodansha Meibo" shows that as of September 2007, there were 1.48 million registered dan graded kendōka in Japan. According to the survey conducted by the All Japan Kendo Federation, the number of active kendo practitioners in Japan is 477,000 in which 290,000 dan holders are included. From these figures, the All Japan Kendo Federation estimates that the number of "kendōka" in Japan is 1.66 million, with over 6 million practitioners worldwide, by adding the number of the registered dan holders and the active kendo practitioners without dan grade.
Concept and purpose
In 1975, the All Japan Kendo Federation developed then published "The Concept and Purpose of Kendo" which is reproduced below.Concept
Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.Purpose
Equipment and clothing
Kendo is practiced wearing a traditional Japanese style of clothing, protective armour and using one or, less commonly, two shinai.Equipment
The shinai is meant to represent a Japanese sword and is made up of four bamboo slats, which are held together by leather fittings. A modern variation of a shinai with carbon fiber reinforced resin slats is also used.Kendōka also use hard wooden swords to practice kata.
Kendo employs strikes involving both one edge and the tip of the shinai or bokutō.
Protective armour is worn to protect specified target areas on the head, arms, and body. The head is protected by a stylised helmet, called, with a metal grille to protect the face, a series of hard leather and fabric flaps to protect the throat, and padded fabric flaps to protect the side of the neck and shoulders. The forearms, wrists, and hands are protected by long, thickly padded fabric gloves called. The torso is protected by a breastplate, while the waist and groin area are protected by the, consisting of three thick vertical fabric flaps or faulds.
Clothing
The clothing worn under the bōgu comprise a jacket and hakama, a garment separated in the middle to form two wide trouser legs.A cotton towel is wrapped around the head, under the men, to absorb perspiration and provide a base for the men to fit comfortably.
Modern practice
Kendo training is quite noisy in comparison to some other martial arts or sports. This is because kendōka use a shout, or, to express their fighting spirit when striking. Additionally, kendōka execute, an action similar to a stamp of the front foot, during a strike.Like some other martial arts, kendōka train and fight barefoot. Kendo is ideally practiced in a purpose-built dōjō, though standard sports halls and other venues are often used. An appropriate venue has a clean and well-sprung wooden floor, suitable for fumikomi-ashi.
Kendo techniques comprise both strikes and thrusts. Strikes are only made towards specified target areas on the wrists, head, or body, all of which are protected by armour. The targets are men, sayu-men or Yoko-men, the right kote at any time, the left kote when it is in a raised position, and the left or right side of the dō. Thrusts are only allowed to the throat. However, since an incorrectly performed thrust could cause serious injury to the opponent's neck, thrusting techniques in free practice and competition are often restricted to senior dan graded kendōka.
Once a kendōka begins practice in armour, a practice session may include any or all of the following types of practice.
;Kiri-kaeshi
;Waza-geiko
;Kakari-geiko
;Ji-geiko
;Gokaku-geiko
;Hikitate-geiko
;Shiai-geiko
Techniques
Techniques are divided into shikake-waza and ōji-waza.Kendoka who wish to use such techniques during practice or competitions, often practice each technique with a motodachi. This is a process that requires patience. First practising slowly and then as familiarity and confidence build, the kendoka and motodachi increase the speed to match and competition level.
Shikake-waza
These attack techniques are used to create suki in an opponent by initiating an attack, or strike boldly when the opponent has created a suki. Such techniques include:;Tobikomi-waza
This is a technique used when one's opponent has weak kisei or when they yield a suki under pressure. Always hold kisei and strike quickly.
;Hikibana-waza
Body and shinai will lose balance as the initiator strikes or when being attacked. This technique takes advantage of this to help execute a strike. A good example is Hikibana-kote when a strike is made to an opponent's kote as they feel threatened and raise their kensen as the initiator pushes forward.
;Katsugi-waza
This provides a surprise attack, by lifting the shinai over the initiator's shoulder before striking. Here a skillful use of the kensen and spirited attack is crucial for effective katsugi-waza or luring the opponent into breaking his/her posture.
;Nidan-waza
There are two types. The first is for moving to the next waza after a failed first strike, and the second holds the opponent's attention and posture to create the suki for a second strike. The former requires a continuous rhythm of correct strikes. The latter requires continuous execution of waza, to take advantage of the opponent's suki.
;Harai-waza
This can be used if one's opponent's kamae has no suki when the opponent tries to attack. The opponent's shinai is either knocked down from above or swept up from below with a resulting strike just when his/her kamae is broken.
;Debana-waza
This technique involves striking the opponent as they are about to strike. This is because their concentration will be on striking and their posture will have no flexibility to respond. Thus debana-waza is ideal. This can be to any part of the opponent's body, with valid strikes being: debana-men, debana-kote, and debana-Tsuki.
Oji-waza
These counter-attack techniques are performed by executing a strike after responding or avoiding an attempted strike by the opponent. This can also be achieved by inducing the opponent to attack, then employing one of the Oji-waza.;Nuki-waza
Avoiding an attack from another, then instantly responding. Here, timing has to be correct. A response that is too slow or fast may not be effective. Therefore, close attention to an opponent's every move is required.
;Suriage-waza
If struck by an opponent's shinai, this technique sweeps up their shinai in a rising-slide motion, with the right or left side of the shinai. Then strike in the direction of their shinai, or at the suki resulting from their composure's collapse. This technique needs to be smooth. That is, don't separate the rising-slide motion and the upward-sweeping motion or it will not be successful. Valid strikes include: men-suriage-men, kote-suriage-men, men-suriage-do, kote-suriage-kote, and Tsuki-suriage-men.
;Uchiotoshi-waza
This waza knocks an opponent's shinai to the right or left. This neutralises a potential strike and gives the ideal chance to strike as an opponent is off-balance. For success, an opponent's maai has to be correctly perceived, and then one knocks down their shinai before their arm fully extends. Valid examples are: do-uchiotoshi-men and Tsuki-uchiotoshi-men.
;Kaeshi-waza
This technique is a response. As the initiator strikes, the opponent parry's their shinai with the initiators. Then flip over and strike their opposite side. Valid strikes include:men-kaeshi-men, men-kaeshi-kote, men-kaeshi-do, kote-kaeshi-men, kote-kaeshi-kote, and do-kaeshi-men.
Rules of Competition
A scorable point in a kendo competition is defined as an accurate strike or thrust made onto a datotsu-bui of the opponent's kendo-gu with the shinai making contact at its datotsu-bu, the competitor displaying high spirits, correct posture and followed by zanshin.Datotsu-bui or point scoring targets in kendo are defined as:
- Men-bu, the top or sides of the head protector.
- Kote-bu, a padded area of the right or left wrist protector.
- Do-bu, an area of the right or left side of the armour that protects the torso .
- Tsuki-bu, an area of the head protector in front of the throat.
, or continuation of awareness, must be present and shown throughout the execution of the strike, and the kendōka'' must be mentally and physically ready to attack again.
In competition, there are usually three referees. Each referee holds a red flag and a white flag in opposing hands. To award a point, a referee raises the flag corresponding to the colour of the ribbon worn by the scoring competitor. Usually, at least two referees must agree for a point to be awarded. The match continues until a pronouncement of the point that has been scored.
Kendo competitions are usually a three-point match. The first competitor to score two points, therefore, wins the match. If the time limit is reached and only one competitor has a point, that competitor wins.
In the case of a tie, there are several options:
- : The match is declared a draw.
- : The match is continued until either competitor scores a point.
- : The victor is decided by the referees. The three referees vote for victor by each raising one of their respective flags simultaneously.
Important Kendo competitions
Advancement
Grades
Technical achievement in kendo is measured by advancement in grade, rank or level. The and grading system, created in 1883, is used to indicate one's proficiency in kendo. The dan levels are from first-dan to tenth-dan. There are usually six grades below first-dan, known as kyu. The kyu numbering is in reverse order, with first kyu being the grade immediately below first dan, and sixth kyu being the lowest grade. There are no visible differences in dress between kendo grades; those below dan-level may dress the same as those above dan-level.Eighth-dan is the highest dan grade attainable through a test of physical kendo skills. In the AJKF the grades of ninth-dan and tenth dan are no longer awarded, but ninth-dan kendōka are still active in Japanese kendo. International Kendo Federation grading rules allow national kendo organisations to establish a special committee to consider the award of those grades. Only five now-deceased kendoka were ever admitted to the rank of 10th-dan following the establishment in 1952 of the All Japan Kendo Federation. The five kendoka, all of whom had been students of Naitō Takaharu at the Budo Senmon Gakko, were:
- Ogawa Kinnosuke 小川 金之助 - awarded 1957
- Moriji Mochida 持田 盛二 - awarded 1957
- Nakano Sousuke 中野 宗助 - awarded 1957
- Saimura Gorou 斎村 五郎 - awarded 1957
- Ooasa Yuuji 大麻 勇次 - awarded 1962
| Grade | Requirement | Age requirement |
| 1-dan | 1-kyū | At least 13 years old |
| 2-dan | At least 1 year of training after receiving 1-dan | |
| 3-dan | At least 2 years of training after receiving 2-dan | |
| 4-dan | At least 3 years of training after receiving 3-dan | |
| 5-dan | At least 4 years of training after receiving 4-dan | |
| 6-dan | At least 5 years of training after receiving 5-dan | |
| 7-dan | At least 6 years of training after receiving 6-dan | |
| 8-dan | At least 10 years of training after receiving 7-dan | At least 46 years old |
Titles
Titles can be earned in addition to the above dan grades by kendōka of a defined dan grade. These are,, and. The title is affixed to the front of the dan grade when said, for example. The qualifications for each title are below.| Title | Required grade | Conditions |
| 6-dan | After receiving 6-dan, one must wait 1 or more years, pass screening by the kendo organisation, receive a recommendation from the regional organisation president then pass an exam on kendo theory. | |
| renshi 7-dan | After receiving 7-dan, one must wait 2 or more years, pass screening by the kendo organisation, and receive a recommendation from the regional organisation president then pass an exam on kendo theory. | |
| kyōshi 8-dan | After receiving 8-dan, one must wait 8 or more years, pass screening by the kendo organisation, receive a recommendation from the regional organisation president and the national kendo organisation president then pass an exam on kendo theory. |
Kata
Kata are fixed patterns that teach kendoka the basic elements of swordsmanship. The kata include fundamental techniques of attacking and counter-attacking, and have useful practical application in general kendo. There are ten. These are generally practised with wooden swords. Occasionally, real swords or swords with a blunt edge, called or, may be used for display of kata.All are performed by two people: the, the teacher, and, the 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 to learn and to gain confidence.
Kata one to seven are performed with both partners using a normal length wooden sword. Kata eight to ten are performed with uchidachi using a normal length weapon and shidachi using a shorter one.
The forms of the were finalised in 1933 based on the Dai nihon Teikoku Kendo Kata, composed in 1912. "It is impossible to link the individual forms of Dai nihon Teikoku Kendo Kata to their original influences, although the genealogical reference diagram does indicate the masters of the various committees involved, and it is possible from this to determine the influences and origins of Kendo and the Kata."
In 2003, the All Japan Kendo Federation introduced, a set of basic exercises using a bokuto. This form of practice, is intended primarily for kendōka up to second dan, but is very useful for all kendo students which are organised under FIK.
Kata can also be treated as competitions where players are judged upon their performance and technique.
National and international organisations
Many national and regional organisations manage and promote kendo activities outside Japan. The major organising body is the International Kendo Federation. The FIK is a non-governmental international federation of national and regional kendo organisations. An aim of the FIK is to provide a link between Japan and the international kendo community and to promote and popularise kendo, iaido and jodo. The FIK was established in 1970 with 17 national federations. The number of affiliated and recognised organisations has increased over the years to 57. The FIK is recognised by SportAccord as a 'Full Member'. and by the World Anti-Doping Agency.Other organisations that promote the study of Japanese martial arts, including kendo, are the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai and the International Martial Arts Federation. The current DNBK has no connection to the pre-war organisation, although it shares the same goals. The International Martial Arts Federation was established in Kyoto in 1952 and is dedicated to the promotion and development of the martial arts worldwide, including kendo.