Kendo

What is Kendo? Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, The biggest Budo sport in Japan with an estimate of 5 million practitioners, (Budo is the gathering name for the Japanese martial arts). Also outside of Japan Kendo is being practiced by a lot of people. In Holland for instance Kendo is being practiced for over 25 years already, and in most of its big city's you can find dojo (schools). Body and mind For many centuries now the Japanese sword has been an imposing weapon. Naturally we are no longer practicing swordsmanship with the original intent of killing one's opponent. Accent of sword techniques has moved already since the 17th century towards the training of mind an body by method of the sword. What does this mean? The practicing of Kendo as a sport is a explosive and utterly concentrated happening. One moment of losing one's concentration surely means defeat. Games are meant to practice and improve one's own skills, concentration and condition. In short the sword is a possibility to gain a better control over one's body and, even more important, one's mind. In the learning and sportily administration of sword techniques one's physical condition, stature, concentration and self discipline are being optimized and systematically developed. Kiai One of the things that is quit remarkable during Kendo-games or -training are the cries reverberating through the dojo. These cries or shouts (Kiai), are a substantial part of Kendo. They are not only meant to impress the opponent, but also to regulate one's own breathing. Equipment Kendo is practiced with a bamboo-sword (shinai) and one can make hits to the head, wrist, torso and throat. All these body parts are being well protected by the so called "bogu" which a kendoka will wear. Beginners train for quit a while without this bogu. Depending upon one's vigil and skill it is possible to participate training wearing a bogu. It is not always necessary to buy one's own bogu immediately. Several dojo have equipment to be let.