Kendo
剣道
AI-generated content — may contain inaccuracies
At a Glance
Who It's For
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.
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
Popular With
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