Kendo

The way of the sword.

Japanese fencing with bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armour (bogu). It descends from the sword training of the samurai and values spirit, posture and a decisive strike.

Fact file

Country: Japan
Founder / origin: Samurai sword schools
Year / period: 18th century (bogu, shinai)
Type: Weapons

Sources: International Kendo Federation (FIK) · All Japan Kendo Federation

History

Kendo, "the way of the sword", comes from the sword schools of the samurai. In the 18th century armour (bogu) and the bamboo sword (shinai) were developed so students could strike each other at full speed without injury.

In 1895 the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai brought the schools together. After the Second World War kendo was banned for some years; the All Japan Kendo Federation was founded in 1952 and the International Kendo Federation in 1970, the year of the first World Championships.