Kendo, the way of the sword, is the martial art that recreates
the fierce sword duels of feudal Japan. Kendo is more than flailing
around with bamboo sticks, however, kendo is living history. Not
only does it provide an, albeit limited, insight into one of the
main forces that has had a profound effect on Japanese culture
to this day. It also provides a medium through which we can learn
about ourselves, learn to control and discipline our body and
emotions .
The mid-14th century in Japan saw the sword replace the bow as
the primary weapon of the samurai, and gain its quasi-mystical
status. As the role of the sword in combat grew, so did the need
for the propagation and dissemination of special techniques. for
its use in various circumstances. Of course many people developed
their own techniques, and taught these to eager pupils keen to
enhance their chances of battlefield survival. The techniques
for the use of a sword were known as kenjitsu, literally meaning
sword art ,and the schools that taught these various techniques
were called ryu, meaning style. Literally hundreds of kenjitsu
ryu have come and gone since then, and it is from these that kendo
has evolved.
One of the earliest reliably documented kenjitsu styles is the
Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu founded in the early 15th century,
by Iizasa Choisai Ienao. These early sword styles all faced a
common problem, how to provide efficient instruction, yet avoid
the inherent danger involved in training with a live blade. Various
drills were developed to get around this problem, but they mostly
involved solitary practice or the practice of kata (a system of
prearranged attack and defence) with a partner. This, however,
removed the spontaneity of the real situation. Another technique
was to substitute the sword with a wooden sword (bokutou). As
the participants were unarmoured, the risk of serious injury or
death still remained, thus the technique of stopping the cuts
just short of hitting the opponent was used (tsumeru). This technique
proved hard to judge and somewhat indecisive in the case of competitions.
It was not until the beginning of the 17th Century that the fore runner
of the modern shinai (bamboo sword) first appeared. These shinais
were simply a bundle of reeds or bamboo strips tightly bound in
a fabric or leather case. This allowed for the first time the
risk-free simulation of realistic combat situations. This form
of shinai is reputed to have been developed by Kamizumi Nobutsuna,
the third head of the Shin Kage-ryu, and used by him in an encounter
with Yagyu Muneyoshi, who was to go on to found the Yagyu Shin
Kage-ryu.
In the early 1700s, the students of Jikishinkage-ryu started to
use protection for the face and forearms during practice. Nevertheless,
this was dispensed with and a bokutou reverted to during serious
contests. So by the end of the 18th century all the elements of
modern kendo were in existence and remained only to be refined.
In 1871, the year after the abolition of feudalism, a law was
passed making the teaching of kendo in schools compulsory, which
it remains to this day, despite a brief prohibition during the
early years of the American occupation.
Modern kendo armour consists of the "tare", an apron
like hip protection; the "do" made of bamboo strips
or fibreglass, protects the torso and chest. The hands and forearms
are protected by stout fabric mittens called "kote";
finally the head and throat are protected by the "men",
a thick fabric head protection with a metal grill in the front.
The modem shinai is made from four shaped bamboo (or carbon graphite)
slats with a leather handle and end cap.
Kata remains an important part of kendo, and consists of seven
kata using long sword and three pitting kodachi (short sword)
against long sword. The modem kata contains a representative selection
taken form the many kenjitsu-ryu.
Today kendo is practised in at least 20 countries world-wide.
Since 1970, world championships have been held on a triennial
basis, with Australia being one of the few countries other than
Japan to have participated in all world championships to date.
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Revised October 28 2003