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Kendo

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description Kendo Overview

Kendo is a Japanese martial art utilizing bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armor (bogu) to develop striking skills, mental focus, and discipline through formalized sparring matches against an opponent.

help Kendo FAQ

What equipment does a beginner need for kendo?

Beginners normally start with a shinai, a keikogi jacket, and hakama trousers before purchasing full armor. The bogu set consists principally of the men, kote, do, and tare.

Which strikes can score a point in a kendo match?

The recognized target areas are men for the head, kote for the wrist, do for the torso, and tsuki for the throat. Contact alone is insufficient because an ippon also requires proper posture, spirit, striking action, and follow-through.

How is kendo different from Japanese fencing with a real sword?

Kendo uses a bamboo shinai and protective bogu for full-contact practice, while iaido focuses mainly on drawing and performing forms with an iaito or sword. Kendoka also practice Nihon Kendo Kata with wooden bokuto to preserve sword principles.

How do kendo ranks work?

Kendo commonly progresses through kyu grades before the dan grades, beginning with shodan. The All Japan Kendo Federation administers examinations through eighth dan, with increasingly demanding waiting periods and standards.

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