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Kendo, the way of the sword, is a Japanese martial art in which two practitioners face one another with shinai (bamboo swords) and armor (bogu). Kendo focuses on both striking correctly and with purpose, as well as showing good etiquette (reiho/reigi) and respect towards their opponent.
The goal of Kendo extends beyond becoming an efficient fencer. Kendo incorporates samurai traditions and values into practice, with the goal of making the practitioner a better person. As you will learn, defeating your opponent in Kendo is secondary to overcoming yourself to becoming an improved person both for yourself and to those around you.
Kendo has a rich and storied history, evolving and growing through the centuries. There are many books and resources that study the history and development of Kendo, which we have included in the ‘learn more’ section below that we highly recommend. We hope this brief history of Kendo provides a glimpse into the wonderful history of this martial art, and provides you with a foundation to how it has developed.
Today, Kendo is practiced all over the world by practitioners young and old. The martial art has grown in both competitive nature as well as personal and spiritual development.
Competitions, called taikai, from regional tournaments to the World Kendo Championships (held every three years) are a way for kenshi at varying levels to apply their discipline in shiai as well as meet other Kendo practitioners from other dojos. Tournaments have a number of different divisions that allow Kendo practitioners to compete at their level. These divisions include individual competitors by rank, women divisions, senior divisions, and finally team divisions. Tournaments at local and regional levels allow dojos to compete and practice with one another, fostering a sense of both competition and community. The Midwest Kendo Federation hosts tournaments across the region including Detroit, Kansas City, Chicagoland, and other areas.
While each Kendo dojo has specific practices, they are unified in their technique and kata. The Nihon Kendo Kata, consisting of 10 kata, and the new Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho, consisting of 9 kihon, are universal in their practice and significance in a dojo’s and kenshi’s development. These kata use a bokken or wooden sword with a much closer shape and size to a traditional katana than a Kendo shinai. While the Nihon Kendo Kata started in 1912 with some additions over time, the Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho was introduced in 2003 to help beginners better understand the katana and the shinai, as well as learn the proper striking areas of Kendo.
Though Kendo continues to grow and evolve, the history and origins are deeply imbedded in every practice. From the spirit and personal development, to the importance of respect and tradition, Kendo is an opportunity for many to learn a traditional martial art and develop themselves personally and as members of society.
Goseikan will incorporate the traditions and techniques of modern Kendo. Etiquette (reiho/reigi) shall be valued highly and practiced as well. Building a strong foundation requires a great deal of basics, and one cannot advance unless their foundation is solid. Based on consistent care, the beginners can expect a path to a strong Kendo way.
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