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