Kendo Sword

Name: Kendo sword
Length: 114 cm( Daito)/ 62 cm (Shoto)
Weight: .44 kgs for male/ .4 kg
Size: 37 cm
Material: Bamboo
Used By: Kendoka or swordsman
Function: Full contact sport
Place of Origin: Japan
Date Founded: 1920, was practice earlier as Gekiken in the late 1800s
Special Features: Modern Japanese martial arts

History

Modern day kendo martial arts descended from Kenjutsu a practice in swordsmanship. Kendo sword is used for this martial arts. It is composed of strenuous sports like activity. Suffice to say that Kenjutsu is an ancestor of this practice. In the past, warriors practice Kenjutsu and these are still practice even today. The use of Kendo sword from bamboo, as practice swords were introduce in sword training during the Shotoku era. The armor was refined to add metal grill to this head piece. A thick cotton was added into the coverings as well. Because of the large number of students this practice gain more followers all over Japan. After the Meiji Restoration of the late 1800s, Sakakibara Kenkichi promoted public display of gekiken for commercial gain. This generated interest in Kendo and Kenjutsu. From Gekiken came Kendo which when translated simply means hitting sword. By 1946, the powers that occupied Japan banned its practice. By 1950, this martial art practice was allowed to be added to the curriculum. After Japan’s independence was restored in 1952, the ban on Japanese martial arts was restored. This was introduce as an educational sport rather than a martial arts practice and is practice even today.

Purpose

• Mold the mind and body
• Cultivate vigorous spirit
• Use correct and rigid training to be better at this sport
• Way to improve the art of Kendo
• Learn how to be courteous and honor other people
• Sincerely associate with others who pursue the same sport
• Cultivate and improve oneself
• Learn to love one’s country and society
• Be a vehicle for the development of culture
• Promote peace and prosperity to all kind of people

Role of Iaido in Kendo

In current Kendo assault is entirely restricted. Iaido can enhance to bring emphasis to Kendo. Dojos that are members of the regional Kendo federations teach the twelve Seitei Iaido forms. Thus the need for a decent Kendo sword to use as iaido sword. Modern Kendo is governed by International Kendo Federation. This federation only awards up to the 8th dan. Other federations that are member of this organization followed this practice as well. It must be kept in mind that Kendo is a way of discipline that shapes the human character by applying its principles to the use of Katana.

Practitioners wear traditional Japanese loose clothing that allows freedom of movement. Other forms of equipment includes the use of protective armor and two shinai which is made of bamboo slats. Leather fittings hold shinai together. Modern day practitioners use carbon fiber reinforced slats. Suffice to say that hard wooden swords are practice for this sport. Practitioners are taught how to strike using one edge and the tip of their kendo sword. Protective armor is worn to protect the head, arms and body. Padded fabric flaps protect the throat as well. Any expose part of the body is protected from being hit by the shinai. Clothing worn under this equipment include a jacket, trousers and cotton towel to protect the head. The same towel also absorbs perspiration and provides a base for men so that they can move in comfort. Training is quite noisy when compared to other sports or martial arts. This is because shouting is encourage to express the fighting spirit when the student is about to strike each other with their Kendo swords. This action includes stamping of the front foot when the practitioner is about to strike his opponent. Practice for this sport is done in a dojo or sports hall.