Kendo
Encyclopedia
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese
martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship
, or kenjutsu
.
Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts
values with sport-like physical elements.
The "Kodansha Meibo" (a register of dan
graded members of the All Japan Kendo Federation) 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 by adding the number of the registered dan holders and the active kendo practitioners without dan grade.
(AJKF) developed then published "The Concept and Purpose of Kendo" which is reproduced below.
.
government in Japan, during the Kamakura period
(1185–1333), sword fencing, together with horse riding and archery
, were the main martial pursuits of the military
clans. In this period kendo 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.
Those swordsmen established schools of kenjutsu (the ancestor of kendo) which continued for centuries and which form the basis of kendo practice today. The names of the schools reflect the essence of the originator's enlightenment. Thus the Ittō-ryū
(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 Mutō-ryu
(swordless school) expresses the comprehension of the originator Yamaoka Tesshu
, that "There is no sword outside the mind". The Munen Musō-ryū (No intent, no preconception) similarly expresses the understanding that the essence of kenjutsu transcends the reflective thought process.
The formal kendo exercises known as kata were developed several centuries ago as kenjutsu practice for warriors and are still studied today, albeit in a modified form.
The introduction of bamboo practice swords (shinai
) and armour (bōgu
) to sword training is attributed to Naganuma Shirōzaemon Kunisato during the Shotoku Era (1711–1715). Naganuma developed the use of bōgu and established a training method using the shinai.
In addition, the inscription on the gravestone of third son , the 8th headmaster of the Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū
Kenjutsu, states that his exploits included improving the bokuto and shinai, and refining the armour by adding a metal grill to the men (head piece) and thick cotton protective coverings to the kote (gauntlets). Kunisato inherited the tradition from his father Heizaemon in 1708, and the two of them worked hard together to improve the bogu until Heizaemon's death.
This is believed to be the foundation of modern kendo. Kendo began to make its appearance during the late 18th century. Use of the shinai and bōgu made it possible to deliver strikes and thrusts with full force but without injuring one's opponent. These advances, along with the development of set practice formats, set the foundations of kendo.
Concepts such as , or "empty mind", are borrowed from Zen Buddhism and are considered essential for the attainment of high-level kendo. , or "unmoving mind", is a conceptual attribute of the deity Fudo Myo-O
, one of the five "Kings of Light" of Shingon Buddhism
. Fudōshin, implies that the kendōka cannot be led astray by delusions of anger, doubt, fear, or surprise arising from the opponent’s actions, collectively called . Thus today it is possible to embark on a similar quest for spiritual enlightenment as followed by the samurai of old.
The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
was established in 1895 to solidify, promote, and standardize all martial disciplines and systems in Japan. The DNBK changed the name of gekiken (Kyūjitai
: 擊劍; Shinjitai
: 撃剣, "hitting sword") to kendō in 1920.
Kendo (along with other martial arts) 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 militarization of martial arts instruction in Japan. Kendo was allowed to return to the curriculum in 1950 (first as and then as kendo from 1952).
The All Japan Kendo Federation
(AJKF or ZNKR) was founded in 1952, immediately following the restoration of Japanese independence and the subsequent lift of the ban on martial arts in Japan.
The International Kendo Federation
(FIK) was founded in 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 its aim is to promote and popularize kendo, iaido and jodo.
The World Kendo Championship
s are an FIK event and have been held every three years since 1970.
is meant to represent a Japanese sword (katana
) 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 to practice kata.
Kendo employs strikes involving both one edge and the tip of the shinai or bokutō.
Protective armor is worn to protect specified target areas on the head, arms and body. The head is protected by a stylized helmet, called , with a to protect the face, a series of hard leather and to protect the throat, and padded 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 , while the waist and groin area is protected by the , consisting of three thick vertical fabric flaps or faulds.
) and hakama
, a garment separated in the middle to form two wide trouser legs.
A is wrapped around the head, under the men, to absorb perspiration and provide a base for the men to fit comfortably.
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.
Modern kendo techniques comprise both strikes and thrusts. Strikes are only made towards specified on the wrists, head, or body, all of which are protected by armor. The targets are men, sayu-men or yoko-men (upper left or right side of the 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. 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 armor, a practice session may include any or all of the following types of practice.
Datotsu-bui or point scoring targets in kendo are defined as:
Datotsu-bu of the 'shinai' is the forward, or blade side (jin-bu) of the top third (monouchi) of the shinai.
, 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 . 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.
is the highest dan grade attainable through a test of physical kendo skills. In the AJKF the grades of and tenth-dan are no longer awarded, but ninth-dan kendōka are still active in Japanese kendo. International Kendo Federation
(FIK) grading rules allow national kendo organisations to establish a special committee to consider the award of those grades.
All candidates for examination face a panel of examiners. A larger, more qualified panel is usually assembled to assess the higher dan grades. Kendo examinations typically consist of jitsugi, a demonstration of the skill of the applicants, Nihon Kendo Kata and a written exam. The eighth-dan kendo exam is extremely difficult, with a reported pass rate of less than 1 percent.
Kata one through seven are performed with both partners using a or style bokutō of around 102cm. Kata 8–10 are performed with one partner using a daitō and the other using a or style bokutō of around 55cm. During kata practice, the participants take the roles of either , the teacher, or , 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 gain confidence.
Nihon Kendō Kata were drawn from representative kenjutsu schools and tend to be quite deep and advanced.
In some areas the regular training curriculum does not include Nihon Kendō Kata. In 2003, the All Japan Kendo Federation introduced , a set of basic exercises using a bokuto, attempted to bridge this gap. This form of practice, is intended primarily for kendōka up to , but is very useful for all kendo students.
(FIK) was established in 1970 to provide a link between Japan and the developing international kendo community. FIK is an international federation of national and regional organizations and the world governing body for kendo. The FIK is a non-governmental organisation, and its aim is to promote and popularise kendo, iaido and jodo. Seventeen national federations were the founding affiliates. The number of affiliated and recognised organisations has increased over the years to 50 affiliates by February 2009.
The World Kendo Championship
s are an FIK event and have been held every three years since 1970.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship
Swordsmanship
Swordsmanship refers to the skills of a swordsman, a person versed in the art of the sword. The term is modern, and as such was mainly used to refer to smallsword fencing, but by extension it can also be applied to any martial art involving the use of a sword...
, or kenjutsu
Kenjutsu
, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
.
Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
values with sport-like physical elements.
Practitioners
Practitioners of kendo are called , meaning "someone who practices kendo", or occasionally , meaning "swordsman". and the old term of kendoists is sometimes used,The "Kodansha Meibo" (a register of dan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
graded members of the All Japan Kendo Federation) 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 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 FederationAll Japan Kendo Federation
The All Japan Kendo Federation or Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei is a non-governmental organization to promote and popularize kendō, iaidō and jōdō. The federation was founded in 1952....
(AJKF) 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 katanaKatana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
.
Purpose
-
- 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 Kendo.
- To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor.
- To associate with others with sincerity.
- And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
-
- Thus will one be able:
- To love one's country and society;
- To contribute to the development of culture;
- And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.
History
Since the earliest samuraiSamurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
government in Japan, during the Kamakura period
Kamakura period
The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo....
(1185–1333), sword fencing, together with horse riding and archery
Kyudo
, literally meaning "way of the bow", is the Japanese art of archery. It is a modern Japanese martial art and practitioners are known as .It is estimated that there are approximately half a million practitioners of kyudo today....
, were the main martial pursuits of the military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
clans. In this period kendo 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.
Itto-ryu
, meaning "one-sword school", is the ancestor school of several Japanese Koryū kenjutsu styles, including Ono-ha, Mizoguchi-ha, Nakanishi-ha, Kogen, Hokushin, and Itto Shoden. The style was developed by Ittōsai Kagehisa.-Ono-ha Ittō-ryū:...
(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 Mutō-ryu
Itto Shoden Muto-ryu
Itto Shoden Muto-ryu is a school of Japanese swordsmanship created by Yamaoka Tetsutaro Takayuki, more commonly known as Yamaoka Tesshū....
(swordless school) expresses the comprehension of the originator Yamaoka Tesshu
Yamaoka Tesshu
also known as Ono Tetsutarō, or Yamaoka Tetsutarō, was a famous samurai of the Bakumatsu period, who played an important role in the Meiji Restoration...
, that "There is no sword outside the mind". The Munen Musō-ryū (No intent, no preconception) similarly expresses the understanding that the essence of kenjutsu transcends the reflective thought process.
The formal kendo exercises known as kata were developed several centuries ago as kenjutsu practice for warriors and are still studied today, albeit in a modified form.
The introduction of bamboo practice swords (shinai
Shinai
is a weapon used for practice and competition in kendo representing a Japanese sword. Shinai are also used in other martial arts, but may be styled differently from kendo shinai, and represented with different characters....
) and armour (bōgu
Bogu
is training armour used primarily in the Japanese martial art of kendo, with variants used for jukendo, naginatajutsu, and sojutsu. The name consists of two parts: bō meaning "protect" or "defend," and gu meaning "equipment" or "tool." A set of bogu has four components:: combined face mask and...
) to sword training is attributed to Naganuma Shirōzaemon Kunisato during the Shotoku Era (1711–1715). Naganuma developed the use of bōgu and established a training method using the shinai.
In addition, the inscription on the gravestone of third son , the 8th headmaster of the Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū
Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu
, often referred to simply as Jikishinkage-ryū or Kashima Shinden, is a traditional school of the Japanese martial art of swordsmanship...
Kenjutsu, states that his exploits included improving the bokuto and shinai, and refining the armour by adding a metal grill to the men (head piece) and thick cotton protective coverings to the kote (gauntlets). Kunisato inherited the tradition from his father Heizaemon in 1708, and the two of them worked hard together to improve the bogu until Heizaemon's death.
This is believed to be the foundation of modern kendo. Kendo began to make its appearance during the late 18th century. Use of the shinai and bōgu made it possible to deliver strikes and thrusts with full force but without injuring one's opponent. These advances, along with the development of set practice formats, set the foundations of kendo.
Concepts such as , or "empty mind", are borrowed from Zen Buddhism and are considered essential for the attainment of high-level kendo. , or "unmoving mind", is a conceptual attribute of the deity Fudo Myo-O
Acala
In Vajrayana Buddhism, Ācala is the best known of the Five Wisdom Kings of the Womb Realm. He is also known as Ācalanātha, Āryācalanātha, Ācala-vidyā-rāja and . The Sanskrit term ācala means "immovable"; Ācala is also the name of the eighth of the ten completion stages of the Bodhisattva path...
, one of the five "Kings of Light" of Shingon Buddhism
Shingon Buddhism
is one of the mainstream major schools of Japanese Buddhism and one of the few surviving Esoteric Buddhist lineages that started in the 3rd to 4th century CE that originally spread from India to China through traveling monks such as Vajrabodhi and Amoghavajra...
. Fudōshin, implies that the kendōka cannot be led astray by delusions of anger, doubt, fear, or surprise arising from the opponent’s actions, collectively called . Thus today it is possible to embark on a similar quest for spiritual enlightenment as followed by the samurai of old.
The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
is a Japanese martial arts organization established in 1895 in Kyoto, Japan, under the authority of the Ministry of Education and sanction of the Emperor Meiji. Its purpose, at that time, was to standardize martial disciplines and systems throughout Japan. This was the first official martial arts...
was established in 1895 to solidify, promote, and standardize all martial disciplines and systems in Japan. The DNBK changed the name of gekiken (Kyūjitai
Kyujitai
Kyūjitai, literally "old character forms" , are the traditional forms of kanji, Chinese written characters used in Japanese. Their simplified counterparts are shinjitai, "new character forms". Some of the simplified characters arose centuries ago and were in everyday use in both China and Japan,...
: 擊劍; Shinjitai
Shinjitai
Shinjitai are the forms of kanji used in Japan since the promulgation of the Tōyō Kanji List in 1946. Some of the new forms found in shinjitai are also found in simplified Chinese, but shinjitai is generally not as extensive in the scope of its modification...
: 撃剣, "hitting sword") to kendō in 1920.
Kendo (along with other martial arts) 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 militarization of martial arts instruction in Japan. Kendo was allowed to return to the curriculum in 1950 (first as and then as kendo from 1952).
The All Japan Kendo Federation
All Japan Kendo Federation
The All Japan Kendo Federation or Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei is a non-governmental organization to promote and popularize kendō, iaidō and jōdō. The federation was founded in 1952....
(AJKF or ZNKR) was founded in 1952, immediately following the restoration of Japanese independence and the subsequent lift of the ban on martial arts in Japan.
The International Kendo Federation
International Kendo Federation
The International Kendo Federation was founded in 1970. It is an international federation of national and regional kendo associations and the world governing body for kendo. The FIK is a non-governmental organisation, and its aim is to promote and popularise kendo, iaido and jōdō.Seventeen...
(FIK) was founded in 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 its aim is to promote and popularize kendo, iaido and jodo.
The World Kendo Championship
World Kendo Championship
The World Kendo Championships are an international kendo competition contested by the member nations of International Kendo Federation . The FIK is the international federation of national and regional kendo associations and the world governing body for kendo...
s are an FIK event and have been held every three years since 1970.
Equipment and clothing
Kendo is practiced wearing a traditional Japanese style of clothing, and using one or, less commonly, two .Equipment
The shinaiShinai
is a weapon used for practice and competition in kendo representing a Japanese sword. Shinai are also used in other martial arts, but may be styled differently from kendo shinai, and represented with different characters....
is meant to represent a Japanese sword (katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
) and is made up of four bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
slats, which are held together by leather fittings. A modern variation of a shinai with carbon fiber
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
reinforced resin slats is also used.
Kendōka also use hard to practice kata.
Kendo employs strikes involving both one edge and the tip of the shinai or bokutō.
Protective armor is worn to protect specified target areas on the head, arms and body. The head is protected by a stylized helmet, called , with a to protect the face, a series of hard leather and to protect the throat, and padded 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 , while the waist and groin area is protected by the , consisting of three thick vertical fabric flaps or faulds.
Clothing
The clothing worn under the bōgu comprise a jacket (kendogi or keikogiKeikogi
or dōgi is a uniform for training, used in martial arts derived from Japan, or budō. . The prototype for the modern keikogi emerged in the late 19th century. The keikogi was developed by judo founder Kano Jigoro...
) and hakama
Hakama
are a type of traditional Japanese clothing. They were originally worn only by men, but today they are worn by both sexes. Hakama are tied at the waist and fall approximately to the ankles. Hakama are worn over a kimono ....
, a garment separated in the middle to form two wide trouser legs.
A 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, when making a strike.Like some other martial arts, kendōka train and fight barefoot. Kendo is ideally practiced in a purpose-built dōjō
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
, 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.
Modern kendo techniques comprise both strikes and thrusts. Strikes are only made towards specified on the wrists, head, or body, all of which are protected by armor. The targets are men, sayu-men or yoko-men (upper left or right side of the 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. 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 armor, a practice session may include any or all of the following types of practice.
- Striking the left and right men target points in succession, practising centering, distance, and correct technique, while building spirit and stamina.
- Waza or technique practice in which the student learns and refines that techniques of Kendo with a receiving partner.
- Short, intense, attack practice which teaches continuous alertness and readiness to attack, as well as building spirit and stamina.
- Undirected practice where the kendōka tries all that has been learnt during practice against an opponent.
- Practice between two kendōka of similar skill level.
- Practice where a senior kendōka guides a junior through practice.
- Competition practice which may also be judged.
Competition
A scorable in a kendo competition (tai-kai) 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 (sho-men and sayu-men).
- Kote-bu, a padded area of the right or left wrist protector (migi-kote and hidari-kote).
- Do-bu, an area of the right or left side of the armour that protects the torso (migi-do and hidari-do).
- Tsuki-bu, an area of the head protector in front of the throat (tsuki-dare).
Datotsu-bu of the 'shinai' is the forward, or blade side (jin-bu) of the top third (monouchi) of the shinai.
, 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 . 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.
Grades
Technical achievement in kendo is measured by advancement in grade, rank or level. The and grading system is used to indicate one's proficiency in kendo. The dan levels are from to . There are usually six grades below first-dan, known as kyu. The kyu numbering is in reverse order, with being the grade immediately below first dan, and 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.is the highest dan grade attainable through a test of physical kendo skills. In the AJKF the grades of and tenth-dan are no longer awarded, but ninth-dan kendōka are still active in Japanese kendo. International Kendo Federation
International Kendo Federation
The International Kendo Federation was founded in 1970. It is an international federation of national and regional kendo associations and the world governing body for kendo. The FIK is a non-governmental organisation, and its aim is to promote and popularise kendo, iaido and jōdō.Seventeen...
(FIK) grading rules allow national kendo organisations to establish a special committee to consider the award of those grades.
All candidates for examination face a panel of examiners. A larger, more qualified panel is usually assembled to assess the higher dan grades. Kendo examinations typically consist of jitsugi, a demonstration of the skill of the applicants, Nihon Kendo Kata and a written exam. The eighth-dan kendo exam is extremely difficult, with a reported pass rate of less than 1 percent.
| 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
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 organization, receive a recommendation from the regional organization 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 organization, and receive a recommendation from the regional organization 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 organization, receive a recommendation from the regional organization president and the national kendo organization president then pass an exam on kendo theory. |
Kata
There are 10 . These are performed with . The kata include fundamental techniques of attacking and counter-attacking, and have useful practical application in general kendo. Occasionally, real swords or swords with a blunt edge, called or , may be used for display of kata.Nihon Kendō Kata were drawn from representative kenjutsu schools and tend to be quite deep and advanced.
In some areas the regular training curriculum does not include Nihon Kendō Kata. In 2003, the All Japan Kendo Federation introduced , a set of basic exercises using a bokuto, attempted to bridge this gap. This form of practice, is intended primarily for kendōka up to , but is very useful for all kendo students.
Outside Japan
The International Kendo FederationInternational Kendo Federation
The International Kendo Federation was founded in 1970. It is an international federation of national and regional kendo associations and the world governing body for kendo. The FIK is a non-governmental organisation, and its aim is to promote and popularise kendo, iaido and jōdō.Seventeen...
(FIK) was established in 1970 to provide a link between Japan and the developing international kendo community. FIK is an international federation of national and regional organizations and the world governing body for kendo. The FIK is a non-governmental organisation, and its aim is to promote and popularise kendo, iaido and jodo. Seventeen national federations were the founding affiliates. The number of affiliated and recognised organisations has increased over the years to 50 affiliates by February 2009.
The World Kendo Championship
World Kendo Championship
The World Kendo Championships are an international kendo competition contested by the member nations of International Kendo Federation . The FIK is the international federation of national and regional kendo associations and the world governing body for kendo...
s are an FIK event and have been held every three years since 1970.
| WKC | Year | Hosting Country | Countries | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 WKC | 1970 | Japan | 17 | 1970/4/5-10 |
| 2 WKC | 1973 | USA | 17 | 1973/4/8-15 |
| 3 WKC | 1976 | Great Britain | 20 | 1976/4/17-18 |
| 4 WKC | 1979 | Japan | 21 | 1979/8/4-5 |
| 5 WKC | 1982 | Brazil | 20 | 1982/7/31 to 1982/8/1 |
| 6 WKC | 1985 | France | 25 | 1985/4/13-14 |
| 7 WKC | 1988 | Korea | 23 | 1988/5/28-29 |
| 8 WKC | 1991 | Canada | 29 | 1991/6/29-30 |
| 9 WKC | 1994 | France | 32 | 1994/4/9-10 |
| 10 WKC | 1997 | Japan | 34 | 1997/3/27-30 |
| 11 WKC | 2000 | USA | 36 | 2000/3/24-26 |
| 12 WKC | 2003 | Great Britain | 42 | 2003/7/4-6 |
| 13 WKC | 2006 | Taiwan | 44 | 2006/12/08-10 |
| 14 WKC | 2009 | Brazil | 39 | 2009/8/29-30 |
| 15 WKC | 2012 | Italy | 50 | 2012/5/25-27 |
See also
- All Japan Kendo FederationAll Japan Kendo FederationThe All Japan Kendo Federation or Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei is a non-governmental organization to promote and popularize kendō, iaidō and jōdō. The federation was founded in 1952....
(AJKF; ZNKR or Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei) - Gendai budōGendai Budo, meaning "modern martial way", are modern Japanese martial arts which were established after the Meiji Restoration . Koryū are the opposite: ancient martial arts established before the Meiji Restoration.-Scope and tradition:...
modern Japanese martial arts - IaidōIaidois a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
Sword drawing - JōdōJodo, meaning "the way of the jō", or is a Japanese martial art using short staffs called jō. The art is similar to bōjutsu, and is strongly focused upon defense against the Japanese sword. The jō is a short staff, usually about 3 to 5 feet long...
A martial art using a short wooden staff, or stick - Kendo around the worldKendo around the worldKendo originated in Japan, but is now practiced worldwide.Many national and international organisations promote kendo, some are affiliated to the International Kendo Federation , while others are not....
- KenjutsuKenjutsu, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
Classical Japanese sword art - KirikaeshiKirikaeshi, literal meaning "cutting repeatedly", is a kendo exercise, combining the practice of attacking and receiving strikes and is meant to develop physical strength, spirit, and vigor.It is also known as "striking repeatedly"....
A special exercise in Kendo training - KoryūKoryuis a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
Old style (Japanese) martial arts - KumdoKumdoKumdo is a modern martial art descended from kendo, which is practiced in Korea. It is also romanized as kǒmdo, gumdo, or geomdo. The name means "the way of the sword," and is a cognate with the Japanese term. Kumdo is a martial art that has become engrained within Korean culture and society since...
Korean kendo - NaginataNaginataThe naginata is one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class in feudal Japan, and naginata were also used by ashigaru and sōhei .-Description:A naginata consists of a wooden shaft with a curved...
A martial art using a halberd like weapon - Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei IaidoZen Nippon Kendo Renmei IaidoZen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido is the iaidō style of the All Japan Kendo Federation . This style of standardised iaido is also known as Seitei Iaido or Zenkenren Iaido ....