Kendo
Kendo is a form of fencing using two handed bamboo swords
together with some basic armour. When practised properly it is an
extremely fast athletic exercise between two opponents using full contact
cutting against selected target areas. The requirements for a point
scoring cut include the build up, accuracy, spirit, and follow through and a
three minute contest will often finish without a result. However, despite
the competitive nature of Kendo it is really a test of each individuals resolve
and determination.
The
Development of Kendo
Kendo is a modern style of martial art based on the
traditional sword training used by the Japanese. Its formal origins are
lost in history but it is known that "kendo" contests were held in the
Heian period (794-1185) to demonstrate martial prowess and that it continued to
be used throughout the samurai periods. From around 1600 distinctive
schools appeared teaching specific moves and counter moves and in effect
formalising the training into the Ryu styles now seen in all martial arts.
This training continued into this century despite the sword being obsolete in
battle.
After the Second World War kendo was banned but eventually
restarted in 1952 as a pure sport form of Kendo. This soon gained wide
acceptance in Japan until, in 1962, it became mandatory for middle and high
school students as a part of their general physical education program. In
1955 the International Kendo Federation was formed to develop Kendo on a
world-wide basis. Today there are university courses in Kendo in Japan and
the art is spreading to many countries throughout the world with some twenty
five nations taking part in the world championships which are held every three
years.
It is believed there are some eight million people practising
in Japan with respectable numbers in China, Korea, South America, and
France. The USA, UK and Australia have all had teams for about twenty five
years but the Kendo has been very slow to develop. In Australia today
there are almost 600 people training with 10-15% being women.
This
page was last updated on
Friday, 30 January 2009