Kendo in Japan: Sabre art and contemporary discipline

The kendo, literally “the way of the sword”, is a Japanese martial discipline rooted in the history of the samurai and practised today throughout the country as a sport and a means of personal development. His practice combines technical, ethical and physical aspects, by doing an art apart in the Japanese martial arts landscape.

Origins of kendo: from battlefields to dojos

The kendo finds its roots in thekenjutsu, the art of sword practiced by bushi, warriors of the Japanese feudal period. From the Edo period (1600-1868), when Japan enjoyed prolonged political stability, the kenjutsu evolved: it was no longer oriented solely to martial efficiency, but became an art of moral and personal formation.

The major classic sword treaties, such as theGorin No Shoof Miyamoto Musashi or theHeihō Kadenshoof Yagyū Munenori, participate in this transformation. The goal is no longer simply to defeat, but to forge a just and determined spirit in the service of an ideal of self-control.

From kenjutsu to modern kendo

It was in the 18th century that the evolution towards modern kendo took shape. Naganuma Shirō is developing theshinai, a bamboo sword, and theBogus, protective armor. These innovations allow the practice of real assaults while limiting injuries.

At the Meiji era (1868-1912), the wearing of the sword was forbidden and the samurai class abolished. Martial arts lose legitimacy in a rapidly modernizing society. But by the end of the 19th century, the kenjutsu regained a place in the education of law enforcement. In 1912, the word “kendo” officially appeared with the publication of theNihon Kendo no Kata.

The post-war period marked a turning point: for a few years, kendo was banned and reintroduced in a sporting and educational form. The creation of the Japanese Kendo Federation in 1952 marks the official return of the discipline.

Current practice in Japan

Today, kendo is taught in Japanese colleges, alongside judo or sadō (tea ceremony). Although there is a slight decline in the number of practitioners, there are still about 1.2 million followers in Japan, all generations combined.

The kendo is practiced in adōjō, a training room with a floating floor. Training, orkeiko, usually in mixed groups, regardless of age or sex. Thanks to the protection offered by theBogusand in the absence of projections, practice can start from childhood and continue to an advanced age.

The equipment of the kendoka

The practice of kendo requires specific and regulated equipment, both to guarantee safety and to comply with traditional codes.

Bamboo sword: shinai

Theshinaiconsists of four bamboo slats assembled. It symbolically represents thekatana. The sharp part is opposite to the cord (tsuru), and only one blow with the right angle and the right section of the sword is valid. There are alsoshinaiof composite materials, more durable, but their use remains minority.

Bokken or bokutō

Used mainly for the execution ofkata,bokutōis a wooden sword, closer in shape to thekatanathat theshinai. It retains an important place in technical training.

Armor: bogu

TheBogusconsists of four elements:

Men: Protects the face and head with a metal grid and padding on the shoulders.
Kote: Padded gloves to protect wrists and forearms.
Dō: plastron covering the bust.
Tare: protects the lower and upper thighs.

Onezekken(textile identification plate) is often fixed on thetareduring the competitions.

The set is worn with skirt pants (hakama) and one jacket (Kendogi), generally indigo colour.

Technical bases of kendo

The heart of the kendo rests on the principle ofki ken tai no itchi: unity of mind (ki), the sword (ken) and the body (tai). A blow is considered valid only if it involves:

a cry expressing will (kiai) ;
a specific blow with the good part of theshinai;
a correct posture;
contact with a valid target;
post-flash vigilance (zanshin).

This rigour makes kendo a demanding discipline, centered on precision, timing and mental presence.

Targets: datosu-bui

Targets allowed in a fight are calleddatosu-bui:

MenHead.
Kote: right wristchūdan).
Dō– Sides.
Tsuki: throat (only for advanced practitioners).

The strikes must be carried with accuracy, in the right place, in a complete and concentrated momentum.

Guards and combat styles

The fundamental guard is thechūdan no kamae: sword pointed towards the throat of the opponent, ready to strike. It allows a balanced response in both attack and defense.

Other guards include:

Jōdan no kamae: high guard, very offensive.
Gedan no kamae: low guard, rarely used in competition.
Hasso no kamaeandWaki gamae: side or rear guards, mainly present inkata.

A rare but spectacular form is the practice of two swords (nitō), inspired by the school of Miyamoto Musashi. It requires advanced technical knowledge.

Competition and evaluation

In competition, valid strikes are scored by experienced referees. One point (ippon) is assigned if the strike meets the criteria ofyūkō datosu. Three arbitrators are present to ensure fair assessment.

The absence of weight categories and external grade signs underlines the primacy given to technique and concentration.

The kendo competitions follow a format with direct elimination. Matches are often short, but intense, where the slightest detail can make a difference.

Kendo for children and seniors

The kendo is accessible from the age of 5 or 6 years. It offers children a structured educational framework based on respect, listening and effort. Seniors can also practice kendo, provided they adapt their rhythm and intensity.

Manydojoin Japan welcome practitioners of all generations, strengthening the intergenerational transmission of kendo values.

Learning kata

In parallel with the fighting, thekatahave an important place in learning. These are codified forms executed by two, with a wooden sword. Eachkatahighlights a principle of combat, rhythm and intent.

Study ofkatastrengthens understanding of thekendobeyond confrontation: posture, distance, breathing and vigilance are deepened.

To practice kendo in Japan is to enter into a rigorous art, which combines mastery of gesture and mental demand. Whether for sport, education or personal deepening, it remains one of the living pillars of Japanese martial culture.