Kendo

The noble art of Japanese sword fencing or bash the living day lights out of your opponent.

Well actually both. It takes a life time of study, hard work and knocks to master the use of the sword and wield it with skill and dexterity. Yet it is great, during the week, to look forward to practise night at the Dojo. To be able to vent your frustrations and stresses on someone else, without doing any, or very little actual damage (well...none permanant !).

The origins of Kendo are uncertain and are lost in the times of feudal Japan. Kendo means the way (do) of the sword (ken).

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FOR MORE INFORMATION.
For more information on the
British Kendo Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shinai
The SHINAI

In modern Kendo we practise with a Shinai, which consists of four pieces of split bamboo bound together with a leather cap and handle; weighing about 500grms and having a length of approximately 1.2m.

 

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The MEN
Men
The Men (mask). A cut to the centre of the head or to either temple.

 

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The KOTE
Kote
The Kote (gloves). A cut to the left wrist at waist height or to both wrists above the head.

 

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The DO
Do
The Do (trunk protector). A cut to either side of the body.

 

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The TSUKI
Tsuki
The Tsuki (thrust). A thrust with the tip of the Shinai to the throat, or the top part of the Do if the opponent's sword is held in a fighting position above head.

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