Concept
Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana.
Purpose
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.
To associate with others with sincerity.
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
Thus will one be able:
To love ones country and society.
To contribute to the development of culture
And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.
Practice
Kendo training is quite noisy in comparison to other martial arts or sports. This is because kendōka use a shout, or kiai (気合い?, きあい), to express their fighting spirit when striking. Additionally, kendōka execute fumikomi-ashi (踏み込み足?, ふみこみあし), an action similar to a stamp of the front foot, when making a strike.
Like some other martial arts, kendoka train and fight barefoot. Kendo is ideally practiced in a purpose-built dōjō, though standard sports halls and other venues are often used. An appropriate venue has a clean and well-sprung wooden floor, suitable for fumikomi-ashi. [2] Modern kendo techniques comprise both strikes and thrusts. Strikes are only made towards specified target areas datotsu-bui (打突-部位?, だとつ-ぶい) on the wrists, head or body, all of which are protected by armour. The targets are men, sayu-men or yoko-men (upper left or right side of the men), the right kote at any time, the left kote when it is in a raised position, and the left or right side of the dō. Thrusts tsuki (突き?, つき) are only allowed to the throat. However, since an incorrectly performed thrust could cause serious injury to the opponent's neck, thrusting techniques in free practice and competition are often restricted to senior dan graded kendoka.
Once a kendoka begins practice in armour, a practice session may include any or all of the following types of practice.
Kiri-kaeshi (切-返し, きり-かえし?): Striking the left and right men target points in succession, practising centering, distance, and correct technique, while building spirit and stamina.
Waza-geiko (技-稽古, わざ-げいこ?): waza or technique practice in which the student learns and refines that techniques of Kendo with a receiving partner.
Kakari-geiko (掛-稽古, かかり-げいこ?): short, intense, attack practice which teaches continuous alertness and readiness to attack, as well as building spirit and stamina.
Ji-geiko (地-稽古, じ-げい?): undirected practice where the kendoka tries all that has been learnt during practice against an opponent.
Gokaku-geiko (互角-稽古, ごかく-げいこ?): practice between two kendoka of similar skill level.
Hikitate-geiko (引立-稽古, ひきたて-げいこ?): practice where a senior kendoka guides a junior through practice.
Shiai-geiko (試合-稽古, しあい-げいこ?): competition practice which may also be judged.
Kata
There are 10 Nihon Kendo Kata (日本剣道形?, にほんけんどうかた). These are performed with wooden swords bokutō or bokken (木刀?, ぼくとう). The kata include fundamental techniques of attacking and counter-attacking, and have useful practical application in general kendo. Occasionally, real swords or swords with a blunt edge, called kata-yo (形容?, かたよ) or ha-biki (刃引?, はびき), may be used for display of kata.
Nihon Kendo KataKata one through seven are performed with both partners using a daitō (大刀?) or tachi (太刀?) style bokutō of around 102 cm. Kata 8–10 are performed with one partner using a daitō and the other using a kodachi (小太刀?, こだち) or shōtō (小刀?, しょうとう) style bokutō of around 55 cm. During kata practice, the participants take the roles of either uchidachi (打太刀?, うちだち), the teacher, or shidachi (仕太刀?, しだち), the student. The uchidachi makes the first move or attack in each kata. As this is a teaching role, the uchidachi is always the 'losing' side, thus allowing the shidachi to learn and gain confidence.
Nihon kendo kata were drawn from representative kenjutsu schools and tend to be quite deep and advanced
In some areas the regular training curriculum does not include nihon kendo kata. In 2003, the All Japan Kendo Federation introduced Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho (木刀による剣道基本技稽古法), a set of basic exercises using a bokuto, attempted to bridge this gap. This form of practice, is intended primarily for kendoka up to second dan ni-dan (二段?, にだん), but is very useful for all kendo students.