Kendo
When we mention Japanese martial arts, most people probably think of judo, karate, or aikido. Kendo is perhaps the least known of the Japanese martial arts, although its traditions go back several hundred years. At present around 3 million people practice kendo in Japan and a further million outside of Japan. Kendo forms a part of the Japanese national curriculum, and so is taught in primary and middle schools. Kendo can be studied in nearly every university in Japan, and one can even obtain a teaching degree in some places (for example at Kokushikan University or Tsukuba University). Large corporations (such as Xerox) often maintain small or large clubs, and test their skills in competitions. Although most Japanese youth today favor baseball or soccer, kendo nevertheless enjoys wide popularity and garners large support.
Why did kendo become so important for the Japanese people? How did kendo develop from its ancient roots of samurai sword fighting?
Equipment
 |  |
| Shinai | Bokken |
 |  |
| Do | Tare |
 |  |
| Men | Kote |
 |  |
| Gi | Hakama |
 | |
| Tenugui |
Short history of kendo
The earliest writings about the use of Japanese swords come from the 8th Century. The development and use of sword-fighting techniques were a result of the devastating civil wars and battles at the time. In such battles during this period not only the samurai mastered the use of the sword. Towards the end of the 1500s, more than 600 different sword-fighting schools existed, practicing in so-called dojos. Dojos were generally located close to castles, and were where the local master instructed kenjutsu. In these schools the bushi (fighters) or samurai practiced sword-fighting techniques, called kenjutsu or gekken. Since at first they practiced with real or wooden swords in these schools, serious injuries were unavoidable.
Ashikaga Takauji (1305 - 1358)
During the Edo Period (1603-1867) Chuta Nakanishi developed protective equipment for kendo: armor (bogu), wooden sword (bokuto or bokken) and the bamboo sword (shinai). Protective equipment allowed for safer training for students. They could concentrate their strikes much better and didn't have to fear that they would be injured or cause injuries. This new type of fighting created new types of teaching methods, and thus kendo rapidly developed. In this period the purpose of the martial arts also changed due to the influence of Buddhism and Confucianism, wherein the development of character took on a more central role.
Feudalistic Japan ended with the Meiji Restoration in 1868, with the consequence that samurai could no longer enjoy legal protection. These “unemployed” samurai thus needed to support themselves with an alternative source of income. For example, Kenkichi Sakikabara launched an enterprise with other samurai that gave sword-fighting demonstrations. The first official demonstration sanctioned by the government was held on April 11, 1873 in Tokyo. These demonstrations proved to be very popular, as ordinary people were not able to view samurai training during the time of the shoguns. A legal decree in 1871 stated that kendo should be taught as a compulsory subject in schools. This meant that the art of sword-fighting was no longer a privilege of the samurai, but could now be accessed by average people as well. The Dai Nihon Butokukai (All-Japan Martial Arts Federation) was created in 1895. This organization unified Japanese fighting schools, standardized the rules of kendo and granted levels to sword masters. The first university association was created in 1909, and in 1928 the national kendo federation came into being (All-Japan Kendo Federation, Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei, ZNKR). The Japanese imperial government sponsored all types of martial arts during this period, particularly kendo, during the occupation of Manchuria (1931), during the invasion of China (1937) and finally during the Second World War (1941-45).
Kenjutsu, beginning of the Meiji-era (round 1870 - 1900)
Following the end of the Second World War, kendo was viewed as a tool of militarism and nationalism, and so General Douglas MacArthur banned the teaching of kendo and removed it from the national curriculum. In 1952, after the signing of the Treaty of Peace between Japan and the U.S., it became possible to revive ancient Japanese traditions. The Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR, All-Japan Kendo Federation) was founded in October of that year, and kendo was recognized as one of the Japanese National Athletic Competitions. Kendo returned to secondary and higher education institutions as an intregal part of educational study in 1957.
The first large international competition (Kokusai Shakaijin Kendo Sekai Taikai) was organized on November 21, 1960 in Taipei, Taiwan, with the participation of Japan, the United States, Taiwan and Okinawa. This competition was a forerunner to the first real world championship. The European Kendo Federation (EKF) was launched in 1965 in Stockholm, and the International Kendo Federation (IKF) formed in 1970 in Tokyo. Following the formation of the IKF, the First Kendo World Championship was held in Japan. Since then, this competition has been held every three years.
The Hungarian Kendo Union was officially formed on May 8, 1985, which later changed its name to the Hungarian Kendo Federation (HKF). There are currently 500 registered members in our federation. The HKF has been a member of the European Kendo Federation since 1989, and joined the International Kendo Federation in 1991. The Hungarian national team's greatest success thus far has been: the men's team becoming European champions in 2002 and “B” category world champions in 1997, plus female (Barbara Király from Győrzámoly) and male (Gábor Erdélyi from Győrzámoly) winning individual European championship titles!
The purpose of the study of kendo has completely changed over the centuries. Today, in contrast to kenjutsu, the aim is not simply to defeat one's opponent, but to build and develop character through regular training.
