Why should I train Kendo?

Kendo builds explosive decisiveness, indomitable spirit, and laser focus. Striking the men (面, head), kote (小手, wrist), and do (胴, body) demands total commitment. It is one of the most intense and rewarding traditional martial arts with a lifelong competitive pathway.

What should I expect at my first Kendo class?

Wear a keikogi and hakama if available, otherwise athletic clothing. Beginners start without armor, practicing basic strikes with a shinai. Expect lots of footwork (ashi-sabaki) and suburi (swing practice). Classes run 60-90 minutes.

Kendo — Martial Arts Guide

Q: What will I learn in Kendo?

Men (面, head), kote (小手, wrist), and do (胴, body) strikes. Ashi-sabaki (足捌き, footwork) and tai-sabaki (体捌き, body movement). Ki-ken-tai-ichi (気剣体一致, spirit-sword-body unity). Shinai (竹刀, bamboo sword) handling and suburi (素振り, swing practice). Bogu (防具, armor) sparring and shiai (試合, competition).

Kendo

剣道

Weapons🇯🇵 Japan

AI-generated content — may contain inaccuracies

Why train this

At a Glance

IntensityHigh

ContactFull

Beginner FriendlyModerate

Belt SystemKyu/Dan (up to 8th dan)

Origin🇯🇵 Japan

CompetitionAll Japan Kendo Championships, World Kendo Championships

Who It's For

TraditionalCompetitionFitness

What You'll Learn

Men (面, head), kote (小手, wrist), and do (胴, body) strikes

Ashi-sabaki (足捌き, footwork) and tai-sabaki (体捌き, body movement)

Ki-ken-tai-ichi (気剣体一致, spirit-sword-body unity)

Shinai (竹刀, bamboo sword) handling and suburi (素振り, swing practice)

Bogu (防具, armor) sparring and shiai (試合, competition)

Your First Class

Watch & Learn

Legends of Kendo

Miyamoto Musashi (宮本武蔵)

Miyamoto Musashi is Japan's most famous swordsman, known for his undefeated record in 61 duels and his dual-wielding technique. His treatise "The Book of Five Rings" remains one of the most influential texts on martial arts strategy, studied by practitioners and business leaders alike.

1584–1645

Miyamoto Musashi (historical ancestor)

Eiga Naoki

Ando Sho

Related Styles

Kenjutsu

Kenjutsu (剣術, "sword technique") refers to the classical Japanese sword arts — koryu (古流, old-school traditions) — practiced by samurai (侍). Unlike Kendo, it uses wooden bokken (木剣) or blunted steel swords and focuses on partner kata (型) preserving battlefield techniques.

Iaido

Iaido (居合道, "way of mental presence and harmony") is the modern art of drawing and cutting with the Japanese sword. Standardized by the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (全日本剣道連盟, ZNKR), it is practiced primarily through solo kata (型) with a focus on form, etiquette — reigi (礼儀) — and spiritual development.

Judo

Judo (柔道, "the gentle way") was founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882. It is a throwing-dominant grappling art with groundwork — newaza (寝技). It has been an Olympic sport since 1964 and is practiced by millions worldwide.

Naginata

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