Kendo
WHAT IS KENDO?
Kendo or "way of the sword", is the Japanese
martial art of fencing. Kendo developed from traditional
techniques of Japanese swordsmanship known as kenjutsu.
Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity
that combines strong martial arts values with sporting-like
physical elements.
Practitioners of kendo are called kendoka, meaning "one
who practices kendo", or kenshi, "swordsman".
Kendo is practised wearing traditionally styled clothing
and protective armour (bogu), using one or two bamboo
swords (shinai) as weapons.
Kendo may be seen as a Japanese style of fencing. The
movements in kendo are different from European fencing
because the design of the sword is different, as is the
way it is used. Unlike western style fencing, Kendo employs
strikes with a defined 'edge' and tip of the shinai. Kendo
training is quite noisy in comparison to other martial
arts or sports. This is because kendoka use a shout, or
kiai, to express their spirit, and when a strike or cut
is performed, the front foot contacts the floor in a motion
similar to stamping.
There are estimates that about eight million people
world-wide practice kendo with approximately seven million
in Japan. The "Kodansha Meibo" (a register
of dan graded members published by the All Japan Kendo
Federation) states that as of January 2003, there are
1.3 million registered dan graded kendo practitioners
in Japan. The number of kendo players not yet graded
to a dan level is not included: those kendoka would
outnumber considerably the dan graded players.
History
Since the earliest samurai government in Japan, during
the Kamakura period (1185-1233), 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.
 Swordsmen
established schools of kendo training 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 Itto-ryu
(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 Muto (swordless school) expresses the comprehension
of the originator Yamaoka Tesshu, that "There is
no sword outside the mind". The 'Munen Muso-ryu’
(No Intent, no preconception) similarly expresses the
understanding that the essence of kendo transcends the
reflective thought process. The formal kendo exercises
known as kata were developed several centuries ago and
are still studied today.
The introduction of bamboo practice swords (shinai)
and armour (bogu) to kendo training is attributed to
Naganuma Sirozaemon Kunisato This is believed to be
the foundation of modern kendo. Kendo began to make
its modern appearance during the late 18th century.
Use of the shinai and armour (bogu) made possible the
full force delivery of strikes and thrusts without inflicting
injury on the opponent. These advances, along with practice
formats, set the foundations of modern kendo.
Competition
In shiai, or competition, a point is only awarded when
the attack is made firmly and properly to a target point
with ki-ken-tai-ichi, or spirit, sword and body as one.
This means that for an attack to be successful, the shinai
must strike the specified target, the contact by the shinai
must happen simultaneously with the attacker's front foot
contacting with floor and the kendoka must vocalise an
expression of kiai that displays good spirit.
In a tournament, there are usually three referees, or
shinpan. Each holds a red flag and a white flag in opposite
hands. To signal a point, the shinpan raise the flag
corresponding to the colour of the ribbon worn by the
scoring competitor. Generally, at least two shinpan
must agree, for a point to be awarded. The match continues
until a pronouncement of the point that has been scored.
/source: wikipedia/
|
