The purpose of practising Kendo is to mold the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit and through correct and rigid training to strive for improvement in the art of Kendo. To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor and to associate with others with sincerity and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

Kendo means literally "the way of the sword" and is the art of Japanese swordsmanship. Kendo has a long and rich history dating back hundreds of years.

During the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries somewhere around six hundred separate types and styles of swordsmanship were created. Many of these styles have been handed down to this day as classical Japanese martial arts. A logical theory to unify the techniques of each of these schools was created and developed as an important cultural facet of the educational training of the samurai. This theory of techniques, combined with Confucianism, formed Bushido, the philosophy of how a samurai should live and act.

Kendo, the art of Japanese swordsmanship, is a way of life designed to contribute to self-development through training in the guiding principles underlying the art of the sword.

Since old-fashioned training with real steel swords and hardwood swords caused so many unnecessary injuries and deaths, harmless bamboo practice swords, shinai, were created around the year 1710.

Around the year 1740, inspired by Japanese armor, sword masters improvised chest and head protectors as well as heavy gloves. As can be imagined, the original bamboo practice swords and protectors were quite primitive and of simple construction. Over the centuries, these were refined into the attractive and practical Kendo equipment seen today.

In modern Kendo there are two types of attacks: strikes and thrusts. Strikes are allowed to only three points on the body - the top of the head, the right and left sides and the forearms. Thrusts are usually permitted only to the throat.

In Kendo the opponents stand face to face and the four allowed target areas were chosen because they are the most difficult. In competitive matches, it is not enough for your bamboo sword to just touch the opponent - points are awarded only when the attacks are done properly to the exact target with good control and in unison with a yell or Kiai. In Kendo only full points (Ippon) are awarded.

In Kendo you are trained to see things with your eyes, react instantly to happenings and make very quick decisions with your mind. The mind's eye is opened only by and through hard and long training, as in the practice of ZEN.

What ever the basic stance (Kamae) you may take in actual Kendo training against an opponent, none of them would guard you unless backed up by your determined spirit. A Kendo match is ultimately decided by the difference in mental power between you and the opponent.

In Kendo, the Kiai or yell is an indication of how full of vigorous spirit you are. It is not to yell at your opponent without effects but to help you concentrate your strength and mind in complete harmony and unison.

All theories in Kendo are of little value unless accompanied by the art of sword. In Kendo, the distance and timing are of the utmost essence in mastering the art. Usually a succesful result is a combination of catching the opponent off guard, having your own physical and mental actions in complete harmony and all this in turn requires prolonged and uninterrupted concentration.

Kendo is very popular in Japan, where over seven million people practice Kendo - there are about 1.3 million dan-grades. In Kendo, the graduation system is similar to other Budo-sports, having from 6th to 1st kyu and from 1st to 10th dan. In Kendo however, no colored belt is used to indicate a persons graduation level.

Kendo is an important part of Japanese school physical education. Almost every University in Japan has a Kendo club or team.

The European Kendo Federation organizes European Kendo Championships yearly. Every third year the International Kendo Federation arranges the World Kendo Championships.

Kendo can be practised by the young and old as well as men and women. Kendo is a lifelong journey. We welcome You to join us in it!

Henrik Snellman - 14/04/2001