Kendo: techniques of Japanese sword fighting

What is the kendo technique of Japanese sword fighting? Fully armoured knights attack in a flurry, bamboo swords cracking on polished leather. Learn more about this popular sport.

From a nearby gymnasium comes the sound of a loud cry and the crack of bamboo hitting leather. A stranger peeking into the room could be forgiven for thinking they had entered some science fiction movie set with a race of masked and armoured aliens. In fact, what they see is the traditional, protective clothing of kendo.

What is kendo?

Kendo is based on traditional Japanese fighting forms called bujutsu which were designed to practice the most efficient ways of attack and counter attack in sword fighting. While these forms are no longer appropriate as fighting with swords is no longer the standard, kendo has adapted them into a sport similar to fencing where points are given according to where on the body you hit someone with a bamboo stick.

The history of kendo

The 12th to 14th centuries saw sword fighting come to the fore with skills being gradually honed and talented individuals being seen as teachers. Until the beginning of the 15th century, many teaching schools were formed and fatal fights were common between students who were convinced their own teacher’s way of doing things was the best.

At last, teachers began to notice that the most successful sword fighters (ie. those that lived) had something in addition to skill, the ability to remain calm under pressure. It was then that Zen became an integral part of the training through ritual and philosophic thought like it has in many other martial arts.

The look and feel of modern kendo was developed during the seventeenth century where the shinai (bamboo stick) and armour were introduced and this was perfected in the late eighteenth century. The same items continue to be used today.

In 1868, for nearly 30 years, a government ban on swords was in place meaning that kendo fell by the wayside but the end of the ban sparked a renewed interest in the sport. This continued until post-war Japan when another ban was imposed and kendo was not reintroduced until 1957.

Kendo has been undergoing a revival in recent years. While it originated as a form of sword fighting self-defence, it is now taught in both junior and senior high schools to develop self-discipline and also included as part of the police-training program.

The clothing

Kendo armour is deep blue in colour and made from hard leather and bamboo. It includes a shirt, skirt, waist protector, chest protector, headscarf, head/ shoulders/ chest protector and padded gloves as well as the bamboo shinai or stick. In many ways the costume resembles ancient Japanese armour which you can see on dolls and in museums.

The sport of kendo

In kendo, points are allocated for hits with the shinai on certain target areas of the head and body, the Japanese name for which must be called out as you aim for it. There are five areas:

-dead center on top of the head protector

-slightly left or right on top of the head protector

-throat thrust

-the right wrist

-the chest protector, just under the right arm

The fight lasts for a specified period and is won either when someone reaches two points from hits to the appropriate areas or when the time ends and someone is leading 1-0. The match is declared a draw if the time ends with both players on the same score or the match can be continued until one player scores.

Despite the formality of the bouts, kendo is more than just a sport. It sustains traditions and encourages mental as well as physical strength and dexterity. Clubs are springing up around the world, fascinated with the skill and glamour of this ancient art.