Kendo (Japanese swordsmanship) is a martial art based on swordsmanship. This direction traces its history from the traditional techniques of samurai swordsmanship. Surprisingly, for a long time the sword was not used as the main weapon of the samurai. It was used solely for the purpose of self-defense, when the main weapon of the samurai warrior was absent.
Stages of development and formation of kendo
If you follow historical references, then for the first time they started talking about such a martial art in the 10-11th century. At that time, Emperor Kammu created and personally led the training camp, which was located in the capital Kyoto. In this camp, future samurai learned to wield a sword, invent secret techniques and honed their psychological stamina. Mass competitions were held in the camp every year.
For several centuries, the martial art of kendo developed at an active pace, but a turning point occurred in the 15th century. During this period, the legend of kendo, Miyamoto Musashiya, was born. He was the best swordsman: on his account not a single defeat. His main principle in combat is to make the opponent believe in his weakness. At the same time, samurai could only officially carry swords, which means fencing was raised to a new level.
In 1895, the official name "kendo" appeared. The first part of the word means "sword", and the second - "art". Thus, at the end of the 19th century, a special system of education for young people was created in Japan in the spirit of the best traditions of the samurai.
The main goals of the martial art of kendo
This martial art is based on three key principles:
strong character and fortitude;
respect for people;
strengthening the physical body of a warrior.
These were the main goals and objectives at the same time. All this was achieved through regular training and personal desire to improve. During training, the student had to fully concentrate on his body. He demanded the utmost care and dedication.
In the practice of kendo, a technique such as "kata" was often used. This is a fight between student and teacher. At the same time, both warriors in this duel are without a protective suit.
Warrior equipment
The equipment of a warrior consists of the following key elements:
men: special protection for the head;
tare: body protection;
kote: protection for arms and shoulders.
Regarding the main weapon of battle, for many centuries wooden swords were used, which often inflicted severe injuries on fighters. From the beginning of the 18th century, bamboo swords - shinai - began to be used in fencing. They were less traumatic and consisted of 4 bamboo strips, which were fastened together with pieces of leather and rope. But the length of the sword is different. It all depends on the age of the warrior. If a warrior is 10-14 years old, then the shinai is 109 cm long, and at the age of 14-16 years, the sword is 112 cm long. After reaching the age of 18, the length of the sword increased to 118cm.
The sword in the hands of a samurai was considered not only as a combat weapon, but also as a means of internal education.
Attacks in kendo: types
How did the warriors compete with each other, having a sword in their hands? There are two types of attacks in kendo:
chopping: sword strikes in areas such as the crown, arms, head, torso;
stabbing: blows exclusively to the throat.
The warrior had no right to make a mistake. The mistake could have cost him his life.
Kendo today
Nowadays kendo is also very popular. In the context of modernity, it is no longer seen as a unique technique of fencing with a sword, but as an art of special spiritual education and development in students of a strong spirit of a warrior, fortitude of his character.
In training, a classic bamboo shinai sword and special equipment in black or white are used.
See also
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Nagoya Castle
Nagoya Castle, originally built by the Owari Domain in 1612 during the Edo period, stands on the site of an earlier Oda clan castle from the Sengoku period. It became the centerpiece of Nagoya-juku, a significant castle town on the Minoji road, which connected two major Edo Five Routes: the Tokaido and the Nakasendo. In 1930, ownership of the castle was transferred to the city by the Imperial Household Ministry, establishing it as the focal point of modern Nagoya. Although partially destroyed in the Pacific War in 1945, the castle has undergone continuous restoration and preservation efforts since 1957.
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Matsushiro Castle
Matsushiro Castle, originally known as Kaizu Castle, is located in what was once Matsushiro town, now part of Nagano City. The site is recognized as a National Historic Site of Japan. Situated on the northern Shinano flatlands between the Chikuma River and a former riverbed that serves as a natural outer moat to the north, the castle and its surrounding town were prone to flooding due to their location.
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Fushimi Castle
Fushimi Castle, also known as Momoyama Castle or Fushimi-Momoyama Castle, is located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto. Originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi between 1592 and 1594 as his retirement residence, the castle was destroyed by the 1596 Keichō–Fushimi earthquake and later rebuilt. However, it was demolished again in 1623, and its site now houses the tomb of Emperor Meiji. A replica of the castle was constructed nearby in 1964.
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Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle, located in the city of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, is a reconstructed historical site with roots dating back to the Kamakura period (1185–1333). The current donjon (main keep) was rebuilt using reinforced concrete in 1960 on the stone foundation of the original structure, which was dismantled between 1870 and 1872 during the Meiji Restoration.
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Shinpu Castle
Shinpu Castle was a Japanese hirayama-style fortress from the Sengoku period, situated in what is now Nirasaki, Yamanashi Prefecture. It served as the main stronghold of warlord Takeda Katsuyori. Designated as a National Historic Site in 1973, the castle occupies a strategic position on a mountain with steep cliffs, overlooking the Kamanashi River to the west of Kofu, where Takeda Shingen’s Tsutsujigasaki Castle once stood.
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Takato Castle
Takato Castle, located in the city of Ina in southern Nagano Prefecture, Japan, was a notable stronghold during the Sengoku period. By the end of the Edo period, it was the residence of a cadet branch of the Naito clan, the daimyo of the Takato Domain. Also known as Kabuto Castle, it was originally constructed in the 16th century and is now mostly in ruins.
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Takatenjin Castle
Takatenjin Castle was a yamashiro-style fortress from Japan's Sengoku period, situated in the Kamihijikata and Shimohijikata districts of Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture. Designated a National Historic Site in 1975, with an expanded protected area in 2007, its ruins remain a significant historical landmark.
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Yoshida Castle
Yoshida Castle is renowned worldwide, particularly through the intricate woodblock prints by Edo Period artist Hiroshige. His famous series, depicting the 53 stages of the Tokaido—the historic route between Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo)—includes the 34th print, which shows workmen repairing a castle overlooking a wooden bridge crossing a wide river. This scene captures the Toyokawa River at Toyohashi in southeast Aichi Prefecture, and the castle is Yoshida Castle.
