Kendo
Kendō (剣道) ismartial artJapanese swordsmanship, developed in16th centuryunifylarge numberdifferent techniques. Since 1975conceptKendo has been stated as "to disciplinehuman character throughapplication ofprinciples ofKatana". Kendotherefore self-discipline while Kenjutsu isactual techniquesfighting.
Taught using "swords" madesplit bamboo (shinai)extensive protective armour (Bogu), practitionerscalled kendoka. In Kenjutsu bokken (wooden swords) or katana (steel swords)also used. In modern kendo, thereonly two typesattacks - strikesthrusts. Strikesallowed against only certain areas onbody -top ofhead,rightleft sides ofbody, andforearms. Thrustsonly allowed tothroat.
In matches pointsonly awarded whenattacksdone firmlyproperly toallowed targetsgood control andyell,Japanese as toappropriate part ofopponent whichbeing targeted. For example ifopponents head istarget, an accompanying cry"Men" should be bellowed. For an attack towrist, "Kote" should be shouted. For an attack totrunk "Do",forthrust atopponent's throat "Tsuki" should be shouted. The firsttwo points winsmatch.
The International Kendo Federation (IKF) has members41 countries. The international championshipsheld every three years since 1970, whenIKF was founded.
