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Kendo
HapkidoHapkido is a martial art whose name was conceived after Choi Yong Shul developed and refined the techniques of the traditional Korean art of ..... Kendo is the Japanese style of fencing. Kendo was developed between 1868 and 1912 during the Meiji period in Japan and was derived from the ken or two-handed sword martial art techniques of the samurai. Kendo means "way of the sword." During practice, fighters wear "bogu" or protective gear and use bamboo swords called "shinai." The bogu consists of a facemask called "men"; a breastplate called "do"; fencing gloves called "kote"; and a type of apron called "tare" that protects the abdomen and hips. Fighters of Kendo are called "kendoka" and they wear wide, ankle length split skirt under their bogu. The shinai or bamboo sword is made of four lengths of mature bamboo held together by a waxed cord. Kendo fighters are barefoot and fight on a smooth, polished floor.
Kendo fighters can deliver several main cuts or thrusts such as:
1. Oshomen, a downward cut directed towards the center of the forehead
2. Hidaramen, a slanted cut to the left side of the face mask
3. Migimen, a slanted cut to the right side of the face mask
4. Migido, a slanted cut to the right side of the breastplate
5. Gyakudo, a slanted cut to the left side of the breastplate
6. Kote, a cut at the right wrist or lower forearm
7. Hindara Kote, a cut at the left wrist or lower forearm
8. Tsuki, a thrust at the throat
Kiai, a kind of powerful and personalized yell executed each time a cut or thrust is performed, is a vital component of Kendo training. The purpose of Kiai is to spur the Kendo fighter to be more courageous and determined and at the same time break the concentration of the opponent and instill fear in him.
A Kendo match is called a "shiai" and is a 3-point match that lasts between three and five minutes. To begin the shiai, the two Kendo fighters or kendokas bow to each other and take their fighting stance by putting their right foot in front with their left heel slightly raised. The fighters hold their shinai or bamboo swords with both hands, the tip aimed at each other's throat. When a kendoka delivers a blow, he must yell out what blow he gave for the assessment of the arbiters or judges. A winner is declared when one of the fighters scores two points. However, if a match reaches its time limit with both fighters having even scores, judges will either declare it a draw or let the match continue. If it is the latter, the first fighter who scores wins.
Originally, a kendoka either had the rank of student or teacher. However, modern schools of Kendo rank kendokas from tenth kyu (student level) to first kyu. Typically, a kendoka can reach Shodan, which is the first degree or expert level, in about two or three years. Kendo artists do not wear outward symbols of their ranks. However, some Kendo federations give small colored patches to younger kedokas to sew on their shoulders.
Before a Kendo practice commences, kendokas arrange themselves in a sitting position according to their proficiency levels. They sit facing their teacher who they call "sensei." Their sensei leads the kendokas in "mokuso," or a moment of quiet meditation. During Kendo practice, students perform a move hundreds, if not thousands, of times. Each move must be repeated and mastered before students can move on to a new move and learn a new Kendo technique. This repetitive practice serves to instill discipline in Kendo students. It builds good character as well as harmony in every kendoka.
Swordsmanship in Japan is known to date back to 789. Sword practice was of the education of the noblemen's sons. However, when Japan became a unified country in the 1500s and peace reigned, the need for expert swordsmen declined. In the latter part of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, the samurai class pursued ryu-ha-kenjutsu, an academic study, and the result was the Kendo that we know today. However, when World War II ended and the Americans occupied Japan, the practice of all martial arts, including Kendo, was prohibited. This restriction lasted until 1952. That same year, the All-Japan Kendo Federation was established.
Today, over two million people in Japan practice Kendo. There are also Kendo artists in the United States, Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines and Australia. The International Kendo Federation (IKF) is the international administrative organization of Kendo. IKF was founded in 1970, the same year that the first Kendo world championships were held. The Japanese kendokas have bagged individual and team titles at all world championships.
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