Kendo

Origins: Japan. Kendo has it's roots in the ancient art of Kenjutsu. The first signs of kendo as it appears today emerged during the 18th century when sword practitioners began using protective armor and the shinai, or bamboo practice sword. During this period, the martial arts started to take on a new focus - that of spiritual and personal development (the evolution from ken"jutsu" to ken"do").

Change and Survival: After the fall of the Bushi class during the Meiji restoration and the arrival of foreigners in Japan, Kenjutsu all but died out in favor of guns and western military training. Former martial arts instructors were soon out of work and scraping by from day to day trying to survive.

Gekken Kogyo: A former Bushi named Sakakibara Kenkichi began to give Kendo demonstrations to make a living and revive interest in the art. The Gekken Kogyo as they were known, became very successful, and were soon drawing large, paying crowds.However, because these demonstrations were entertainment, the Kendo demonstrations became more sport and less practical battlefield art. Some say this continues today, but many Kendo schools have since reclaimed the more traditional aspects of swordsmanship.

Characteristics: Kendo places a strong emphasis on etiquette, discipline, personal development and perfection of technique. The first part of Kendo training involves footwork and simple, single movement strikes and swings of the sword. Emphasis is placed on control and accuracy.

When a student is proficient enough in these basics, he or she begins to train with armor on. This training can range from solitary practice of single strikes to free sparring.

Kata: Kendo kata are practiced with a bokken (solid wood sword) instead of a shinai(bamboo training sword). The kata are two man sequences, with one attacker and one defender. Kata are practiced at a safe pace and distance, reflecting historical training before the invention of the shinai or the use of the bogu, or armor.