KENDO, its origin and development to date

THE CONCEPT OF KENDO

The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana.

To mold the mind and body,

To cultivate a vigorous spirit,

And through correct and rigid training,

To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo;

To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor,

To associate with others with sincerity,

And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

Thus will one be able

To love his country and society,

To contribute to the development of culture,

And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.

“Kendo” as it is practiced today, was developed about two hundred years ago, when the “Shinai” bamboo sword was devised to enable the safe and free practice of the ancient military art of sword.

During the 16^th century, when Japan was in the period of successive and nationwide civil wars, the techniques of sword manipulation were studied as a matter of life and death. Warriors were trained to brandish a sword as though it had been an extended pair of their arms. Wooden swords were used more freely to study and practice the art of sword fighting. Eventually basic ways were selected for manipulating a sword to be called “Kata” fundamental forms of “Kendo.”