Iaito(Iaido sword)

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Kendo is derived from "Ken" or tsurugi, meaning sword, katana.

It is the art of Japanese fencing. "Do" or michi refers to "The way of the sword" - Using the sword to guide one on the path of life. Kendo is historically related to the traditions of Budo, the Martial Way. As do other martial arts, Kendo requires discipline and stamina. 200 years of history makes Kendo a very traditional practice.

Kendo and its History

Kenjutsu and the way of the samurai is traditionally where the roots of Kendo are. Kendo, or "the way of the Japanese Sword (katana - Iaito)," has not been recorded or traced back to a founder and time. Kendo begins with the samurai and continues today. Around the 12th century, bands of warriors formed in order to protect themselves and their families from domestic aristocracies. Feudalism was rife at this time in Japan, and it dominated the island for centuries to follow. Shogun in Kamakura and military rule controlled Japan, thus antagonizing a new military - Bushido, "the way of the warrior. "Bushido stressed the virtues of bravery, loyalty, honor, self discipline and stoical acceptance of death." Bushido greatly affected martial arts and especially Kendo.

Samurai were trained to use the Japanese Sword as an extension of their arms!
Kenjutsu," the art of swordsmanship," soon became popular among religious groups and Zen practitioners. Calligraphy and poetry were an integral part of the craftsmanship and "the art of the Japanese Sword."

Muromachi period (1336-1568) "age of Warring Provinces" arose and demanded highly trained men with expertise in martial arts, mainly due to the feudal wars between communities. At the time, all most 200 schools of Kenjutsu formed. Real Japanese Sword and fully sharpened blades were used, guided by teachers, many of which were the best of their time. Real Japanese Sword training often resulted in injuries. "These schools continued to flourish through the Tokugawa period (1600-1868), with the Ittoryu or "one sword school," having the greatest influence on modern Kendo." "Under the warring environments, there were many expert swordsmen, claiming originality in one way or another to establish schools of their own, counting in number as many as 600 in history."

Bushi warriors learned special techniques of Japanese Sword ediquette - killing one's opponent without causing agony or suffering.
During the late 18th century with the introduction of protective equipment, kendo started to be modernized: the men, kote, do and the use of the bamboo Japanese sword, the shinai, became essential gear for such a practice. Using protective clothing, practitioners were able to perform real fighting moves and use maximum power.
Once the Meiji Restoration occurred (1868) Samurai and Japanese sword, shinken bearing was banned. In 1887, the practice of Kendo expanded, especially when protests against the government occurred, regarding the training of police officers. Later the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) reinforced the practice of martial arts.

In 1895, Butokukai, (organization for martial arts) was founded. 1911, was the official year that Kendo was introduced to middle school curriculums and 1912, the year in which Nihon Kendo Kata, a set of regulations for Kendo, was published. In preparation for war, Japan made it mandatory for all males to be trained in Kendo.

After World War II, Butokukai was disbanded. However by 1952, supporters of "Kendo successfully reintroduced a "pure sport" form of Kendo, called Shinai Kyogi which excluded the militaristic attitudes and some of the rougher aspects of practice characteristic of pre - war Kendo, into the public schools."Today, Kendo continues to grow under the auspices of the All Japan Kendo Federation, the International Kendo Federation, and federations all over the world."
Currently, Kendo still builds character, self-discipline and respect. Most Kendo practitioners regard Kendo as a discipline, rather than a sport. Today "Kendo" followers train themselves primarily by using bamboo swords(shinai) and learn "kata" forms by using real or wooden swords.

Kendo Equipment

Kendo equipment includes the following: wooden swords, uniform and armor.
Two types of wooden swords:

1. bokken or bokuto, a hardwood solid sword made of oak or other appropriate materials. The bokken is mostly used for (kata).
2. Shinai - made up of four bamboo staves and leather accessories. "The shinai is used for full contact sparring practice."

Kendo uniforms (Kendo Gi) consist of a woven cotton jacket called a keikogi and a pleated bottom garment referred to as hakama.
Bogu: four pieces:

1. helmet (men)
2. body protector (do)
3. gloves (kote)
4. groin protector (tare)

"Modern Kendo armor design is fashioned after the Oyoroi of the Samurai."

The Iai Tradition - the great sword art of Japan Quote:
400 years ago, creative masters such as Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu greatly influenced the development of Iai. Shigenobu was born in the old province of Oshu and prayed at the Hayashizaki Hayashizaki Myojin Shrine in Tateoka-Cho, Yamagata Prefecture.

The following is a quote:
"By revelation he awakened to an exquisite truth about the very nature of Iaido. He systematized Iaido as an independent bujutsu (martial art), and named it Hayashizaki Ryu, or Shigenobu Ryu. Since his death he is revered as the founder and creative genius of Iaido. From that period hence the art has flourished within a multitude of traditional schools, of which some twenty-five remain today."

The application of Iaido.

Kendo includes real and fully powered contact, using shinai and protective gear such as bogu.
Iaido includes techniques in thrusting, cutting and fighting imaginary opponents. Iaido incorporates the use of real Japanese Sword, some with blunt blades and some with real cutting edges.
Iaido includes the following: anticipate, defend, retaliate - From any position and in all situations, as a Iaido practitioner, one is expected to include the previously mentioned factors.

ma-ai (distance), hasuji (the center of the sword stroke) and te-no-uchi (grasping the tsuka, the hilt of the sword are also integral to attack and defence strategies in Iaido.
"In unity with the same is the spirit of entering into the opponent's attack with harmonious sword and body action, to defeat the enemy through his psychological weakness. This is true self-defense."

The True Spirit of Iaido.
"Victory in Iaido is the non-revengeful heart and the cessation or conflict through not drawing the sword. Thus, you may understand why the Iaido of old was called saya-no-uchi, invincibility without drawing the sword."
Iaido is demands a striving for perfection rather than revenge or intended assault!
"Iaido means the Way of Dwelling in Harmony: through endless practice seeking harmony with the Universe."

Muso Shinden Ryu and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu are two examples of schools in which to learn Iaido. Even life long study does not allow the mastering of the vast range of techniques and styles. Students are encouraged to learn and master a select group of styles rather than trying to practice too many techniques. Eleven masters associated with the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (All Japan Kendo Federation), in 1968 and 1977, assessed the techniques of various Ryu-ha (schools) and established 10 forms. These 10 methods are by no means everything there is to know, however, the styles do contain about 90% of traditional Iaido practice and serve as doors to greater understanding through action.

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