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Kendo: The martial art of Japanese fencing (also see Japanese Martial Arts, Aikido, Jujitsu and Judo |
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Written by Chan Lee
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Its name means "way of the sword," and this ancient martial art is over 650 years old. Practitioners use practice swords of bamboo, called shinai. They wear protective clothing that includes body padding, padded gloves and a mask with metal bars that protect the face. Attached to the mask are shoulder protectors that protrude up and over the shoulders.
The wide divided skirts, called hakama, allow fighters to move freely; the garment hides their leg movements, making it difficult for opponents to guess one another’s moves.
As in other martial arts, Kendo students learn various forms, called kata, and also participate in sparring, or fencing, competitions.
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