Kendo means "The Way of the Sword" in Japanese and simply put, it is fencing, Japanese style.
Kendo is based on the classical Japanese swordsmanship learned by the Samurai's who used the
skills establish and maintain order from the 9th to the 19th centuries. These men and women followed
a unwritten code called "Bushido". It is made up of bravery, honesty, and integrity as its core.
Like most other martial arts of Japan, Kendo has change with time and today the emphasis is not
on killing ones enemy but to training one self's discipline, mental physical fitness.
In Kendo we use a "Shinai" (bamboo sword) and a set of protective armor that consists of a helmet,
gloves, chest protector, and a waist flap-groin protector. The armor is not needed for the beginners,
for they will practice the basic cuts of the attacking motions with their Shinai.
A beginner will start out by learning the correct footwork and then combine this with their cutting
and using their "ki-ai" (shout). Beginners spend time attacking and practicing on any of our seniors
members. Once they have reached a good understanding of footwork, how to cut and feel ready they
progress to wearing "bogu" (armor) and freely practice with others. Finally they can now freely
practice the full delivery of their attacks without injury to certain target areas on their opponents
body. May of our members then travel to competition and tournaments to participate in matches, with judges.
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