Way of the sword kendo

Kendo, the way of the sword, is the most respected form of modern budo in japan, and has perhaps the closest links to many aspects of the classical martial tradition. Kendo federation auskf and the southern california kendo organization scko. In these pages wed like to provide some information about kendo and kendo in the united states. Kendo, or the way of the sword, is the traditional martial art of bamboo fencing the origins of kendo can be traced back to ancient japan and the samurai and while the martial art has evolved throughout history to include elements of competition and physical training, kendo has continued to emphasize the importance of molding the mind. Plano kendo dojo offers kendo instruction to kids and adults of all ages living in plano and the north dallas communities. Kendo structures its art around the japanese sword. The focus of the course will be on the basic skills associated within the discipline of kendo. The story of the rise of modern kendo begins with the samurai and extends over the culture of several centuries. The traditional japanese martial art of kendo is steeped in tradition and has a strong and growing following in australia. History of kendo the way of the sword sifu och wing chun. Since then, it has spread nationwide with organizations in georgia, new york, chicago, texas and washington.

Kendo or the way of the sword, has seen many changes over the last sixty years partly as a result of the dissemination of budo culture outside japan. The word kendo can be split into two parts, ken, meaning sword and do, meaning the way or path. The purpose of the kendo club of virginia tech is to uphold the principles and teachings of traditional japanese kendo through physical training, discipline, and community. This book addresses advance level kendo skills including equipment, exercises, wazas and the last three katas of the all japan kendo federation, which uses the short. This martial art of samurai origin will develop the technical and mental skills associated with this japanese philosophy. Kendo the way of the sword is a japanese martial art that will make your dream come true, which is to become a heroheroine fighting with a cool weapon such. Our chief instructor is taro ariga renshi, 7 dan, head of butokuden dojo. Central coast kendo is a branch dojo of butokuden dojo in irvine ca. Kendo, japanese kendo way of the sword, traditional japanese style of fencing with a twohanded wooden sword, derived from the fighting methods of the ancient samurai warrior class. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Kendos visual impression proved no less unsettling. The ancient japanese way of the sword taiken japan. Iaido is the art of simultaneously drawing and cutting with the sword.

Kendo, translated into english literally means the way of the sword. Although a number of the legendary 16th and 17th century japanese sword masters such as miyamoto musashi and keijiro sasaki showed expertise in sword technique, kendo as a. Burlington kendo club weekly kendo practice in tansley. Plano kendo dojo was the dream of christopher yang sensei, who wanted to provide an opportunity and location for students to learn the beauty of. This tradition of mixing techniques with philosophical, way of life teachings, is the kendo practice we know today. The word kendo is constructed from the character ken tsurugi and the character domichi the first one means sword and the second path. Kendo means way of the sword bu today boston university. Kendo literally means way of the sword in japanese, and is steeped in the culture and way of the samurai bushido. Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana sword. Then they would sit back and listen to them philosophize about the way of the sword. Kendo, way of the sword, is a very traditional and immensely popular sport in japan. In kendo there is a strong mentality of community and giving back. It is about being superior to the self you were yesterday. This documentary was a pure indivdual project, and is not supported or affirmative with any kendo.

Today, it is widely practiced within japan and many other nations across the world. Evolving out of samurai swordsmanship, kendo has a strong history. Kendo, the way of the sword is the art of japanese samurai swordsmanship. The alljapan kendo federation, a government program in japan, works to promote amateur kendo training. Kendo came to california with the first japanese immigrants at the turn of the century. Shinai is written with the kanji, meaning bamboo sword, and is an irregular kanji reading in kendo, it is most common to use a single shinai, sometimes called itto style. Tusha buntin, who has studied kendo for 38 years, explains the history and cultural importance of the modern japanese martial art. As an authority in his field he has appeared on various occasions on british television and. The roots of kendo, the way of the sword, are to be found in kenjutsu, the art of wining a real fight with real swords. History, uchi strike of kendo, training, shiai, kata and of about an junior children kendo club.

In its simplest, the way of the sword is an intense focus on learning how to use the samurai sword in the most effective way. Although it may be broadly categorized as the ritualized, sportive version of japanese fencing, kendo. A path in life which is followed through the training of kendo. Kendo is literally translated as the way of the sword. Kendo is the way of the sword, which would develop yourself both in physically and spiritually. The old kendo teachers loved to ask their new students what is kendo. Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines martial arts. The purpose of practicing kendo is to mold the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit through correct and rigid training, to strive for improvement in the art of kendo, to hold in esteem human courtesy and honor, to associate. A master kendo sensei discusses how timeless notions of stillness and movement come together through the modern lens of japanese sword fighting. Its practice teaches respect, focus, discipline and it is a great cardio workout.

The unification of japan about 1600 removed most opportunities for actual sword combat, so the samurai turned swordsmanship into a means of cultivating discipline, patience, and skill for building character. Practicing kendo helps you cultivate and build humility, respect, honor, calmness, and agility. Colorado springs group practices traditional japanese martial art of kendo, using bamboo swords. Today, kendo has evolved into a sport played in 52 countries and regions, with a world championship held every three years. Way of the sword, located in ridgefield ct, is home to three team usa clubs. Kum sword pronounced goom do method, path, journey or way pronounced doe kumdo literally translates from korean to english as sword way or way of the sword.

As the roots of kendo can be traced to early samurai time and later on to the studying of bushido the way of the samurai knowledge of the past is a determining factor to really understand the meaning of kendo. We meet three times a week and accept all members of the community, regardless of experience, at the start of fall semester. Kendo sword way is a traditional japanese martial art, which descended from swordsmanship kenjutsu and uses swords shinai and protective armour bogu. The word kendo is constructed from the character ken tsurugi and the character do michi the first one means sword and the second path. Also, kendo has preserved the ancient customs and equally values mental and physical development. Kendo, meaning way of the sword, is a modern japanese martial art of swordfighting based on traditional japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu. To understand this phenomenon and how it evolved, we need to know what the spirit of kendo is. I cannot count the number of times the kendo community has gone out of their way to help me in and out of the dojo. The use of bamboo swords and protective armour came about in the late 17thearly 18th century, allowing the practise of full force attacks in many sword fighting martial arts. This is all part of reihou a code of respect for your sensei, yourself, your opponents, and your dojo. The forbearer of kendo is the sword fighting as practiced by the samurai known as kenjutsu, which literally means sword technique. The merger of that traditional approach with the modern sport ideals represents contemporary martial art of kendo, the way of the sword the way of the sword is. Kenjutsu gave way to kendo, the way of the sword, which used bamboo swords as a means to train and strengthen the mind and the body. Were also a proud fundraiser for habitat for humanity and relay for life.

When taking up kendo the student must keep in mind that the japanese sword is like no other sword in the world and the skills required to master it are as ancient as time itself. As mentioned before, kendo is practically the modern form of kenjutsu. Ken or tsurugi is from the character meaning sword. Kendo, literally the way of the sword, is the art of japanese fencing. In a more complex meaning, this way is a complete devotion to a view of life. It is one of the oldest and most respected martial arts budo of japan and traces its origins to the techniques and methods used by the samurai to gain mastery of the sword katana, and ultimately of the mind. Colorado springs kendo kai is a nonprofit kendo dojo teaching the concept of kendo described as to discipline the human character through the application of. Maybe they have an interest in japanese history, a passion for martial arts, want to get in shape. It is rooted in the traditions of budo, the martial way.

Yes, that simple, but practicing it has a tremendous benefit on your life if its done with the right attitude. The way of the sword kum do at susquehanna kumdo club. Students in robes and strange armor searched with bamboo swords for openings in each. Combined, these two character represent kendo, or way of the sword.

A recent addition to this long list is the pune kendo club, where you can learn the japanese martial art of sword fighting that evolved from feudal samurai culture. Therefore, kendo is translated to mean the way of the sword. Japanese historians mean that there were three periods in the ancient history of swordsmanship. Often referred to as japanese fencing, kendo the way of the sword uses sword techniques to train and condition the mind and body to deal with another person determined to attack. Through training in kendo, a student learns not just the physical elements of the sword, but also cultivates mental clarity, directness, sincerity, and intensity. The implication, then, is that the way of the sword is a complete philosophy as well as a military technique which centers on the sword. The organization strives to instill civil etiquette, knowledge, sincerity and courtesy as a way of life.

Kendo kendo, meaning way of the sword, is a modern japanese sportmartial art, which descended from swordsmanship kenjutsu and uses bamboo swords shinai and protective armour bogu today, it is widely practiced within japan and many other nations across the world. Coincidentally, kendo derives its name from the same. Much of kendo is taken from kenjutsu which was a popular way to practise the art of sword fighting amongst samurai. Ken is the japanese character meaning sword, and do is the character meaning way or path. The art of kendo kendo training the way of the sword. In particular, kendo puts a great emphasis on the correct way of doing things, such as entering the dojo, putting on and taking off your uniform, and bowing. Defined by kendo america as japanese fencing, the martial art can be translated as way of the sword, with ken using the character for sword and do can be defined as way. This is part of the reason why most kendo teachers work essentially as volunteers. Kendo, or the way of the sword, is the traditional martial art of bamboo fencing the origins of kendo can be traced back to ancient japan and the samurai and while the martial art has evolved throughout history to include elements of competition and physical training, kendo has continued to emphasize the importance of molding the mind, body and human character through the way of the sword. Today, kendo is practiced for its mental and physical rewards.

The way of the sword keeping skills sharp abc news. Thus, despite being the art of fighting with the sword, it also teaches the meaning of life, the way of life through the sword. Kendo is, essentially, a traditional japanese martial art of fencing. The character for door michi includes the meaning way or path which translates as the way of the sword. Origin of kendo modern kendo bears but faint resemblance to kenjutsu and to its feudal origins of sword wielding samurai warriors. The word shinai is derived from the verb shinau, meaning to bend, to flex, and was originally short for shinaitake flexible bamboo. It is difficult to find accurate dated historical studies about kenjutsu but in the three volumes of kojiki. Way of the sword kendo is a modern japanese martial art based on traditional swordsmanship originally created by the samurai class of feudal japan. Kendo, the way of the sword is the traditional japanese style of fencing that today is a modern martial art practised throughout the world. Its a great martial arts class to learn for kids, men and women in the central coast. The way of the sword and samurai spirit 1 whats cool. Kendo, literally translated, the way of the sword, cannot be traced to a single founder or given an exact founding date. Its rooted in the traditions and combat philosophy of japanese feudal. Take a tour and meet our professional coaches today.