WHAT IS KENDO?

By Gary O'Donnell

Kendo is a modern sport with a long history and tradition. It combines the physical aspects of a contact sport with the concentration and attention to detail of games such as golf. Kendo has a third aspect that is perhaps its most important. To do Kendo well it is not enough to be quick or strong, or even to have perfect technique, you must also be able to overcome your opponent with force of spirit and strategy as you might in a game of chess.

Kendo matches are played by two fencers in an 11 metre square with three judges. There is no system of handicapping, so that players of very different skill levels meet on equal terms with fairly obvious results. A Kendo match usually lasts for up to 5 minutes. The winner is the first person to score two points. Points are awarded for correctly striking the armoured parts of your opponent's body. Half points may also be awarded against a player who commits a foul, or who steps out of the fighting area. Points or fouls are awarded at the judge's discretion. Any disputes must be settled after the match, as arguing with a referee is an extremely serious breach of etiquette.

In modern Kendo we use four pieces of armour MEN, KOTE, DO, and TARE. The shinai (fencing foil) weighs 500g, is made from four pieces of bamboo or carbon fibre and has a standardised length. Kendo contains KATA practice. This is used as a learning tool but can be a very effective fighting method when applied by advanced fencers. The wooden swords used for Kendo Kata are sword shaped making them quite light in comparison with a real blade.

STARTING AND FINISHING A PRACTICE REISHIKI at the start of a practice
SEIRETSU Line up ready to begin. SHINAI in SAGETO.
SEIZA Kneel down performing HAKAMA SABAKI. SHINAI raised to TAITO.
MOKUSO Relax the body and empty the mind to prepare for practice. Breathe deeply into the stomach. Don't totally close your eyes (bad zanshin).
JOSEKI JOSEKI NI REI. Bow to the DOJO regalia (DOJO NI REI should be used if there is no regalia).
SENSEI SENSEI GATA NI REI. Bow to the teachers.

REISHIKI at the end of a practice
SEIRETSU Line up ready. SHINAI in SAGETO.
SEIZA Kneel down performing HAKAMA SABAKI. SHINAI raised to TAITO.
MOKUSO Relax the body and empty the mind to prepare for leaving the dojo. Breathe deeply into the stomach.
SENSEI SENSEI GATA NI REI. Bow to the teachers.
JOSEKI JOSEKI NI REI. Bow to the DOJO regalia.

DO SHIN KEN YU KAI means the friendly association for improving the spirit/character through using the sword. Training is supervised by qualified and insured coaches.
We welcome new members, and initial equipment requirements are minimal (loose clothing).
For those who wish to take up kendo there are certain items that will need to be purchased: British Kendo Association membership, a bamboo sword (shinai £40), a wooden sword (BOKUTO £30), a hakama (trousers) and keikogi (jacket) will cost approximately £60-£80 each.
These items may be accumulated gradually.
In the short term club armour may be borrowed, but eventually it will be necessary to purchase your own set. You should seek advice at your club before making any purchases.

ETIQUETTE & COURTESY
Reijojinji wa butoku no seika nari (Good manners and kindness is the essence of virtue in martial arts).
Kendo begins and ends with courtesy. If we learn the skills of conflict without courtesy or the spirit of co-operation this leads to mere violence. In the beginning it is enough to learn the form of Reishiki, if this is diligently practised then the spirit should follow.

BASIC DRILLS
1. Stand in cutting range with the feet in line and the knees bent. Without any foot movement start from chudan and make a large perfect cut. Set the distance so that it is necessary to fully extend the arms and relax the shoulders. It is possible by modifying the distance to practice shomen, yoko men, kote, do or tsuki in this way.
2. The same exercise may be done with the feet in migi shizentai position, and with a small step.
3. From a very wide distance step right left and then cut on the right foot (ayumi ashi). Maintain point pressure on the R,L steps and for part of the cutting step by keeping the point of the shinai directed at the throat. Cut through as fast as possible in a straight line.
4. Start from toi maai. Step in slowly with the right foot then very quickly bring up the left foot and cut. Concentration should be on range and in maintaining point pressure for as long as possible. Cut through as fast as possible in a straight line.
5. From issoku itto no maai do a large cut. Do not allow the feet to "creep". Keep the point down and cause it to slide along the opponent's shinai then raise quickly and cut. After the cut go through in a straight line as fast as possible.
6. Break the attack into 4 stages: 1. seme (right foot only), 2. bring up the left foot and raise the shinai, 3. cut (using okuri ashi-sliding or stamping), 4. return to posture.

THE AIMS OF KENDO
The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana (sword).
The purpose of practicing Kendo is to mould the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit, and through correct and rigid training to strive for improvement in the art of Kendo. 
One should hold in esteem human courtesy and honour and attempt to associate with others with sincerity and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
Thus will one be able to love his society, to contribute to the development of culture, and to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.

The philosophy of Kendo can be compared with the structure of a house. If a house has poor foundations then no matter how good its exterior the first time it encounters difficult conditions it will collapse. The foundations of Kendo are the mind, the spirit and pride. The six sicknesses undermine these foundations

DOUBT, FEAR, SURPRISE, CONFUSION, ANGER, EGO.
In Kendo we aim to let our opponent be afraid. We should maintain awareness at all times and try to see to the core of each move the opponent makes. Ideally we should use only those moves and techniques of which we are confident. Kendoka should be open and straight, never be rough or push unnecessarily, and always strike with control.

ELEMENTS OF A KENDO PRACTICE
PREPARE Check your equipment and plan the focus of your practice.
REISHIKI/REIGI (ETIQUETTE)
KATA Nihon-kendo-no-kata may be supplemented with Koryu.
WARM UP Start by gently jogging and then do a variety of kendo footworks to increase the pulse rate and raise body temperature (5-10 minutes). Start stretching the feet and work upwards. Gradually build up extensions.
SUBURI Cutting practice. A beneficial part of warming up and a method of working on technique.
ASHI SABAKI AND SEME Foot work and the use of the point to attack and cut.
UCHIKOMI Striking practice. KAGE UCHI shadow strikes or UCHIKOMI striking a target.
Put on the bogu- MENSKI
1.KIHON Basic cutting practice and drills.
2. CONDITIONING AND FITNESS Hard physical training including kobun geiko and kakari geiko.
3.WAZA GEIKO Technical training on waza, kime, sen and the foundations of kendo.
JYU GEIKO This is the vehicle for improving ones form and techniques. It should be done in a relaxed and co-operative way, but with strong spirit and intent. It may contain elements of all the other types of keiko.
COOL DOWN (5 minutes) Gently work shoulders, calves, hips, groin, neck e.t.c.
REISHIKI/REIGI (ETIQUETTE)
REFLECT Discuss and Evaluate how well you have achieved the focus of the practice. Consider how to improve.

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