| Kendo is one of the few martial arts that | | | | flexibility. |
| necessitates the use of several protective gear | | | | Because the design of the sword used in Kendo is |
| aside from the traditional kimono or gi. | | | | quite different from the traditional Western |
| Practitioners look threatening and quite ominous | | | | sword, so too are the movements used in the |
| with their black hakama (wide pants covering the | | | | sword strikes. For obvious reasons, the |
| legs), bogu body armor (for the torso, shoulders | | | | razor-sharp katana is replaced by wooden |
| and part of the head), the men or helmet and the | | | | bamboo swords called shinai or sometimes boken |
| metal grilled mask, and of course, the sword. | | | | or wooden swords. Strikes are allowed on specific |
| The katana, or samurai sword was the | | | | targets like the top of the head, the upper-left |
| centerpiece of Japanese history. Noble samurai | | | | and upper right areas of the head, the right wrist, |
| held these in almost god-like regard. To these | | | | the left wrist when it's raised, and either side of |
| medieval warriors, the sword was an object of | | | | the torso. Thrusts to the neck are only allowed |
| profound veneration and is one ot the three | | | | for kendokas (practitioners) who have reached |
| sacred treasures of Japan. According to Japanese | | | | advanced levels to avoid risking accidental injury. |
| folklore, when Susa no wo no Mikota, nephew of | | | | Kendo training sessions are relatively noisier |
| Amaterasu- the Sun Godess slew an eight-headed | | | | because in addition to the kiai shouts, |
| dragon, he found a katana in its tail. | | | | stomping-like fumikomi-ashi are also performed |
| The study of the Japanese art of swordsmanship | | | | every time a strike is executed. These are |
| or Kenjutsu was restricted only to those of | | | | essential as improperly-timed steps result in invalid |
| nobility and included many aspects which included | | | | strikes- meaning no point is awarded for the hit. |
| Tameshi-giri or the art of cutting and Iai- the art | | | | With approximately 8 million people around the |
| of drawing a sword. This is where the modern art | | | | world practicing Kendo, it is hardly a secret martial |
| of Kendo descended from. Derived from the | | | | art. Its combination of strong martial arts values |
| words ken, or sword and do or way of life, | | | | and competitive and physical aspects have earned |
| Kendo literally translated means 'The Way of the | | | | it a huge following in throughout the world. Kendo |
| Sword'. It reflects the spirit of the Samurai whose | | | | halls or dojos has been a long-time symbol Japan |
| aim it was to cut through their opponents in one | | | | and its culture and movies have been using Kendo |
| initial blow. Being able to achieve such a feat | | | | scenes to add Japanese flavor to the film. |
| needed a combination of speed, strength and | | | | |