: A practice sword made of four bamboo slats held together by leather. It is used for full-contact striking.
: Consists of a Keikogi (heavy cotton jacket) and Hakama (traditional pleated trousers). These are traditionally navy blue. A Beginner's Guide to Kendo
: The training hall is considered a sacred space. Practitioners perform a standing bow when entering and leaving. : A practice sword made of four bamboo
: A solid wooden sword used for Kata (structured forms) rather than contact practice. These are traditionally navy blue
A Beginner’s Guide to Kendo: The Way of the Sword Kendo (剣道), which translates to "the Way of the Sword," is a modern Japanese martial art descended from the swordsmanship of the samurai. It combines rigorous physical activity with mental discipline, focusing on character development through the application of the principles of the katana. 1. Philosophy and Etiquette (Reigi)