:Kendo

File:Japanese-Kendo-1873-by-Shinichi-Suzuki.png (1873)]]

File:Takasugishinsaku kendo.jpg, late Edo period kendo practitioner]]

Swordsmen in Japan established schools of kenjutsu{{cite web|title=Kenjutsu|url=https://whichmartialarts.com/kenjutsu/}} (the ancestor of kendo). These continued for centuries and form the basis of kendo practice today.{{cite book | editor-last = Yoshio | editor-first = Mifuji | translator = Dr Alexander Bennett | title = Budo: The Martial Ways of Japan | publisher = Nippon Budokan Foundation | date = 2009-10-31 | location = Tokyo | page = 335}}. Formal kendo exercises known as kata were developed several centuries ago as kenjutsu practice for warriors. They are still studied today, in a modified form.{{cite book | title = Nippon Kendo Kata Instruction Manual | publisher = All Japan Kendo Federation | date = 2002-03-29 | location = Tokyo | pages = 1 }}

The introduction of bamboo practice swords and armor to sword training is attributed to {{nihongo|Naganuma Shirōzaemon Kunisato|長沼 四郎左衛門 国郷||1688–1767}} during the Shotoku Era (1711–1715). Naganuma developed the use of this armor and established a training method using bamboo swords.{{cite web|url=https://www.kendo.or.jp/en/knowledge/kendo-history/|title=The History of Kendo|publisher= All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319180632/https://www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-page2/brief-history-of-kendo.htm|archive-date=19 March 2016|url-status=live}}

{{nihongo|Yamada Heizaemon Mitsunori (Ippūsai)|山田平左衛門光徳(一風斎)||1638–1718}}, third son of Naganuma and the eighth headmaster of the Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū Kenjutsu, is credited with improving the art with Japanese wooden and bamboo swords, according to his gravestone's inscription. He is also credited with refining the armor by adding a metal grille to the headpiece (面; men) and thick cotton protective coverings to the gauntlets that cover the wrists and hands (小手; kote). {{nihongo|Naganuma Sirozaemon Kunisato|長沼四郎左衛門国郷|4=1688–1767}} inherited the tradition from his father, Heizaemon, in 1708, and the two of them collaborated to improve what would become modern kendo training armor.{{cite web|last=Tamio|first=Nakamura|date=3 January 2007|title=The History of Bogu|url=http://www.jikishinkageryu.eu/eng/bogu.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218011242/http://www.jikishinkageryu.eu/eng/bogu.html|archive-date=18 February 2020|access-date=23 August 2020|website=Jikishin Kage-ryu Kenjutsu|publisher=Published with the permission of Kendo World.}}

Shūsaku Narimasa Chiba {{Nihongo|2=千葉 周作 成政|4=1792–1855}}, founder of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō (北辰一刀流兵法), introduced gekiken (撃剣) (full-contact duels with bamboo swords and training armor) to the curriculum of tradition arts in the 1820s. Due to the large number of students of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō at the end of the Edo period, the use of bamboo swords and armor as a form of practice became popular. Modern kendo techniques, such as Suriage-Men and Oikomi-Men, were originally Hokushin Ittō-ryū techniques, were named by Chiba Shūsaku.{{cite book| last = Chiba| first = Eiichiro| title = Chiba Shusaku Ikoshu| year = 1942| location = Tokyo, Japan| isbn = 978-4-88458-220-3 | page = xiv }} (in Japanese){{cite book| last = Hall| first = David| title = Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts| date = 2013-03-25| isbn = 978-1568364100| page = xiv | publisher = Kodansha USA}}(in English){{cite book| last = Skoss| first = Diane| title = Keiko Shokon (Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan)| date = April 2002| isbn = 978-1890536060| page = xiv | publisher = Koryu Books}} (in English) After the Meiji Restoration in the late 1800s, Sakakibara Kenkichi popularized public gekiken for commercial gain, resulting in increased interest in kendo and kenjutsu.{{cite book|author1=Green, Thomas A. |author2= Svinth, Joseph R. |title=Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P-Nv_LUi6KgC&pg=PA600|date=11 June 2010|publisher= ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-244-9|pages=600}}{{cite book|last1=Sasamori|first1=Junzo|last2=Warner|first2=Gordon|author2-link=Gordon Warner|title=This Is Kendo: The Art of Japanese Fencing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PgWBhKrg00C&pg=PA57|date=June 1989|publisher=Tuttle Publishing|isbn=978-0-8048-1607-6|pages=57}}

In 1876, five years after a voluntary surrender of swords, the government banned the use of swords by the surviving samurai and initiated sword hunts.Sansom, George (1961). A History of Japan: 1334–1615. Stanford: Stanford University Press. {{oclc|1035605319}} Meanwhile, in an attempt to standardize the sword styles (kenjutsu) used by policemen, Kawaji Toshiyoshi recruited swordsmen from various schools to come up with a unified swordsmanship style. This led to the rise of the Battotai (抜刀隊, lit. Drawn Sword Corps), consisting mainly of sword-wielding policemen. However, it proved difficult to integrate all sword arts, leading to a compromise of ten practice moves (kata) for police training. This integration effort led to the development of modern kendo.{{cite book |last1=Guttmann |first1=Allen |title=Japanese Sports: A History |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lbOau1trIMMC&q=kawaji+toshiyoshi |isbn=9780824824648 |pages=106–107 |access-date=29 October 2018|year=2001 }} In 1878, Kawaji wrote a book on swordsmanship, Gekiken Saikō-ron (Revitalizing Swordsmanship), stressing sword styles should not disappear with modernization, but should be integrated as necessary skills for the police. He draws a particular example from his experience with the Satsuma Rebellion. The Junsa Kyōshūjo (Patrolman's Training Institute), founded in 1879, provided a curriculum that allowed policemen to study gekiken during their off-hours. In the same year, Kawaji wrote another book on swordsmanship, Kendo Saikō-ron (Revitalizing Kendo), defending the significance of such sword art training for the police.{{cite book |last1=Sanchez Garcia |first1=Raul |title=The Historical Sociology of Japanese Martial Arts |date=2018 |publisher= Routledge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GwxpDwAAQBAJ |isbn=9781351333795 |access-date=27 November 2018}} While Junsa Kyōshūjo remained active only until 1881, the police continued to support such practice.

File:FENCING AT AN AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.jpg

File:Lee Teng-hui younger.jpg, later President of Republic of China (Taiwan), wearing kendo protector as a junior high school student in Japanese Taiwan]]

The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK) was established in 1895 to promote martial arts in Japan. It changed the name of the sporting form of swordsmanship, gekiken, (Kyūjitai: {{lang|ja|擊劍}} and Shinjitai: {{lang|ja|撃剣}}, "hitting sword") to kendō in 1920.{{cite book| last1 = Green| first1 = Thomas A.| last2 = Svinth| first2 = Joseph R.| title = Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=P-Nv_LUi6KgC&pg=PA600| volume = 2| year = 2010| publisher = ABC-CLIO| isbn = 978-1-59884-244-9| pages = 600–1 }}

Kendo (along with other martial arts) was banned in Japan in 1946 by the occupying powers. This was part of "the removal and exclusion from public life of militaristic and ultra-nationalistic persons" in response to the wartime militarization of martial arts instruction in Japan. The DNBK was also disbanded. Kendo was allowed to return to the curriculum in 1950, first as {{nihongo|"shinai competition"|竹刀競技|shinai kyōgi}} and then as kendo in 1952.{{cite journal |first=J. R. |last=Svinth | url=http://ejmas.com/jcs/jcsart_svinth_1202.htm| title=Documentation Regarding the Budo Ban in Japan, 1945–1950 |journal= Journal of Combative Sport |date=December 2002 |issn=1492-1650}}Matunobu, Yamazaki and Nojima (1989), {{lang|ja|剣道}} (Kendo), Seibido Sports Series (27), Seibido Publishers, Tokyo (in Japanese)

The All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF or ZNKR) was founded in 1952, immediately after Japan's independence was restored and the ban on martial arts in Japan was lifted.{{cite book | title = Budo. The Martial Ways of Japan | publisher = Nippon Budokan Foundation | date = 2009-10-01 | location = Tokyo, Japan | page = 141 | url = http://www.nipponbudokan.or.jp/ | access-date = 12 June 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070827195809/http://www.nipponbudokan.or.jp/ | archive-date = 27 August 2007 | url-status = dead }} It was formed on the principle of kendo not as a martial art, but as educational sport and it has continued to be practiced as such.{{cite book| last = Ozawa| first = Hiroshi| title = Kendo: The Definitive Guide| date = 1997-07-31| publisher = Kodansha International| location = Tokyo, Japan| isbn = 978-4-7700-2119-9 | page = xiv }}

The International Kendo Federation (FIK) was founded in April 1970. It is an international federation of national and regional kendo federations, and the world governing body for kendo. The FIK is a non-governmental organization, and it aims to promote and popularize kendo, iaido and jodo.[https://web.archive.org/web/20180106153250/http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-page2/What-is-IKF.htm International Kendo Federation].

The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF), established in Kyoto 1952, was the first international organization founded since [[World

War II]] to promote the development of martial arts worldwide. Today, IMAF includes kendo as one of the Japanese disciplines.{{cite web| url=http://www.imaf.com/faq.html| title= FAQ | date= 17 June 2024 |publisher= International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF)}}

Practitioners of kendo are called {{Nihongo|kendōka|剣道家}}, meaning "someone who practices kendo",{{cite book| last = Allison| first = Nancy| title = The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Body-Mind Disciplines| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5199jcnbqwEC| year = 1999| publisher = Taylor & Francis | isbn = 978-0-8239-2546-9| page = 293 }} or occasionally {{Nihongo|kenshi|剣士}}, meaning "swordsman".{{cite book| last = Tokeshi| first = Jinichi| title = Kendo: Elements, Rules, and Philosophy| url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780824825980| url-access = registration| year = 2003| publisher = University of Hawaii Press| isbn = 978-0-8248-2598-0| page = [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780824825980/page/271 271] }} Additionally, the old term of kendoists is sometimes used.{{harvnb|Sasamori|Warner|1989|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=9PgWBhKrg00C&pg=PA69 69]}}

The Kodansha Meibo, a register of dan graded members of the AJKF, lists (as of September 2007) 1.48 million registered dan graded kendōka in Japan. According to a survey conducted by AJKF, the number of active kendo practitioners in Japan is 477,000, including 290,000 dan holders. From these figures, AJKF estimates that the number of kendōka in Japan is 1.66 million, with over 6 million practitioners worldwide, with registered dan holders and active kendo practitioners without dan grade.{{cite web|script-title=ja:全国剣道人口調査の結果まとまる 平成20年05月号 |title=Zenkoku kendō jinkō chōsa no kekka matomaru Heisei 20-nen 05 tsuki-gō|publisher=All Japan Kendo Federation |url=http://www.kendo.or.jp/column/250.html |date=March 2008 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825221423/http://www.kendo.or.jp/column/250.html |archive-date=25 August 2009 }}

In 1975, the All Japan Kendo Federation developed and published "The Concept and Purpose of Kendo" (reproduced below).{{cite book

| last = Sato

| first = Noriaki

| title = Kendo Fundamentals

| publisher = All Japan Kendo Federation

| date=July 1995

| location = Tokyo, Japan

}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kendo.or.jp/en/knowledge/kendo-concept/|title=Concept of Kendo|publisher=All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422022320/http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-page2/concept-of-Kendo.htm|archive-date=22 April 2017|url-status=live}}

Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.

:To mold the mind and body.{{Cite web |title=Kyoto Kendo Federation｜Gyms & Fitness in Japan |url=https://gymhop.net/branch/kyoto-kendo-federation |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=gymhop.net}}

:To cultivate a vigorous spirit

:And through correct and structured training,

:To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo.

:To hold in esteem courtesy and honor.

:To associate with others with sincerity.

:And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

:Thus will one be able:

:To love one's country and society;

:To contribute to the development of culture;

:And to promote peace and prosperity among all people.

Kendo is practiced wearing a traditional Japanese style of clothing, {{nihongo|protective armor|防具|bōgu}} and using one or, less commonly two, {{nihongo|shinai|竹刀|shinai}}.{{cite book

| last1 = Sasamori |first1 = Junzō

| first2 = Gordon |last2=Warner

| title = This is Kendo: the art of Japanese fencing

| publisher = Charles E. Tuttle

| year = 1964

| location = Japan

| pages = [https://archive.org/details/thisiskendoartof00sasa/page/71 71]–76

| url = https://archive.org/details/thisiskendoartof00sasa

| url-access = registration | isbn = 978-0-8048-0574-2 }}

File:Shinai.jpg|{{nihongo|Shinai|竹刀|}}

File:Various_bokken_or_bukuto.jpg|{{nihongo|Bokutō|木刀|}}

File:Men (kendo).jpg|{{nihongo|Men|面|}}

File:Do kendo.jpg|{{nihongo|Dō|胴|}}

File:Tare.jpg|{{nihongo|Tare|垂れ|}}

File:Kote.jpg|{{nihongo|Kote|小手|}}

File:Kendo uniform - parts.svg|Armour and clothing components

The shinai is meant to represent a Japanese sword (katana) and is made up of four bamboo slats which are held together by leather fittings. A modern variation of a shinai with carbon fiber reinforced resin slats is also used.{{harvnb|Sasamori|Warner|1964|p=70}}{{Cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2709857-best-worst-uses-of-kendo-stick-in-wwe-history-ahead-of-alexa-bliss-vs-bayley|title=Best, Worst Uses of Kendo Stick in WWE History Ahead of Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=16 May 2017|work=Bleacher Report|access-date=2018-07-20|language=en-US}}

Age Group Shinai Size{{Cite web |access-date=April 20, 2024 |title=A Beginners Guide To Shinai. |url=https://www.ninecircles.co.uk/news/beginnersguidetoshinai/}}

Kendōka also use hard {{nihongo|wooden swords|木刀|bokutō}} to practice kata.{{harvnb|Sasamori|Warner|1964|p=52}}

Kendo employs strikes involving both one edge and the tip of the shinai or bokutō.

Protective armor is worn to protect specified target areas on the head, arms, and body. The head is protected by a stylized helmet, called {{nihongo||面|men}}, with a {{nihongo|metal grille|面金|men-gane}} to protect the face, a series of hard leather and {{nihongo|fabric flaps|突垂れ|tsuki-dare}} to protect the throat, and padded {{nihongo|fabric flaps|面垂れ|men-dare}} to protect the side of the neck and shoulders. The forearms, wrists, and hands are protected by long, thickly padded fabric gloves called {{nihongo||小手|kote}}. The torso is protected by a {{nihongo|breastplate|胴|dō}}, while the waist and groin area are protected by the {{nihongo||垂れ|tare}}, consisting of three thick vertical fabric flaps or faulds.

The clothing worn under the bōgu comprise a jacket (kendogi or keikogi) and hakama, a garment separated in the middle to form two wide trouser legs.{{harvnb|Sasamori|Warner|1964|p=71}}

A {{nihongo|cotton towel|手拭い|tenugui}} is wrapped around the head, under the men, to absorb perspiration and provide a base for the men to fit comfortably.

Kendo training is quite noisy in comparison to some other martial arts or sports. This is because kendōka use a shout, or {{nihongo||気合い|kiai}}, to express their fighting spirit when striking. Additionally, kendōka execute {{nihongo||踏み込み足|fumikomi-ashi}}, an action similar to a stamp of the front foot, during a strike.

Like some other martial arts, kendōka 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 wooden sprung floor, suitable for fumikomi-ashi.

Kendo techniques comprise both strikes and thrusts. Strikes are only made towards specified {{nihongo|target areas|打突-部位|datotsu-bui}} on the wrists, head, or body, all of which are protected by armor. 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. {{nihongo|Thrusts|突き|tsuki}} 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 kendōka.

File:Wikikendo3.JPG|Kendōka perform sonkyo after combat.

File:Kendo EM 2005 - taiatari.jpg|Two kendōka in tsuba zeriai

File:Kendo - target areas.svg|Kendo target areas, or datotsu-bui

File:Kendo EM 2005 - nito.jpg|Two kendōka, one (left) is playing in nitō (two sword style) and the other (right) is playing in ittō (one sword style).

File:Kasahara Cup 2013 - 20130929 - Combat Kendo 9.webm

Once a kendōka begins practice in armor, a practice session may include any or all of the following types of practice:

;Kirikaeshi {{nihongo||切り返し}}

:Striking the left and right men target points in succession; practicing centering, distance, and correct technique while building spirit and stamina.

;{{nihongo|Waza-geiko|技稽古}}

:Waza or technique practice in which the student learns and refines the techniques of kendo with a receiving partner.

;{{nihongo|Kakari-geiko|掛稽古}}

:Short, intense, attack practice which teaches continuous alertness and readiness to attack, as well as building spirit and stamina.

;{{nihongo|Ji-geiko|地稽古}}

:Undirected practice where the kendōka tries all that has been learned during practice against an opponent.

;{{nihongo|Gokaku-geiko|互角稽古}}

:Practice between two kendōka of similar skill level.

;{{nihongo|Hikitate-geiko|引立稽古}}

:Practice where a senior kendōka guides a junior through practice.

;{{nihongo|Shiai-geiko|試合稽古}}

:Competition practice which may also be judged.

File:Kendo-Swordsmanship-Nishiki-e-Tsukioka-Yoshitoshi-1873.png (1873)]]

Techniques are divided into shikake-waza (仕掛け技; to initiate a strike) and ōji-waza (応じ技; a response to an attempted strike). Kendōka who wish to use such techniques during practice or competitions often practice each technique with a motodachi. This is a process that requires patience. The kendōka and motodachi practice the technique slowly at first; as familiarity and confidence build, they increase the speed to the level used in matches and competitions.

These attack techniques are used to create an opening in an opponent by initiating an attack, or striking boldly when the opponent has created an opening. Such techniques include:

;Tobikomi-waza (飛び込み技)

This is a technique used when one's opponent has weak kisei (spirit, vigor) or when they yield an opening under pressure. Always hold kisei and strike quickly.

;Hikibana-waza (引き鼻技)

Body and shinai will lose balance as the initiator strikes or when being attacked. This technique takes advantage of this to help execute a strike. A good example is Hikibana-kote when a strike is made to an opponent's kote as they feel threatened and raise their kensen as the initiator pushes forward.

;Katsugi-waza (担ぎ技)

This provides a surprise attack by lifting the shinai over the initiator's shoulder before striking. Here a skillful use of the kensen and spirited attack is crucial for effective katsugi-waza or luring the opponent into breaking their posture.

;Nidan-waza (二段技)

There are two types. The first is for moving to the next waza after a failed first strike, and the second holds the opponent's attention and posture to create the opening for a second strike. The former requires a continuous rhythm of correct strikes. The latter requires continuous execution of waza, to take advantage of the opponent's opening.

;Harai-waza (払い技)

This can be used if one's opponent's stance has no opening when the opponent tries to attack. The opponent's shinai is either knocked down from above or swept up from below with a resulting strike just when their stance is broken.

;Debana-waza (出鼻技)

This technique involves striking the opponent as they are about to strike. This is because their concentration will be on striking and their posture will have no flexibility to respond. Thus debana-waza is ideal. This can be to any part of the opponent's body, with valid strikes being: debana-men, debana-kote, and debana-Tsuki.

These counter-attack techniques are performed by executing a strike after responding or avoiding an attempted strike by the opponent. This can also be achieved by inducing the opponent to attack, then employing one of the Ōji-waza.

;Nuki-waza (抜き技)

Avoiding an attack from another, then instantly responding. Here, timing has to be correct. A response that is too slow or fast may not be effective. Therefore, close attention to an opponent's every move is required.

;Suriage-waza (刷り上げ技)

If struck by an opponent's shinai, this technique sweeps up their shinai in a rising-slide motion, with the right (ura) or left (omote) side of the shinai. Then strike in the direction of their shinai, or at the opening resulting from their composure's collapse. This technique needs to be smooth. That is, do not separate the rising-slide motion and the upward-sweeping motion or it will not be successful. Valid strikes include: men-suriage-men, kote-suriage-men, men-suriage-do, kote-suriage-kote, and Tsuki-suriage-men.

;Uchiotoshi-waza (撃落し技)

This waza knocks an opponent's shinai to the right or left. This neutralises a potential strike and gives the ideal chance to strike as an opponent is off-balance. For success, the distance between oneself and the opponent has to be correctly perceived, and then one knocks down their shinai before their arm fully extends. Valid strikes include: do-uchiotoshi-men and Tsuki-uchiotoshi-men.

;Kaeshi-waza (返し技)

This technique is a response. As the opponent strikes, the opponent parries their shinai with the initiator's. They then flip over (turn over the hands) and strike their opposite side. Valid strikes include: men-kaeshi-men, men-kaeshi-kote, men-kaeshi-do, kote-kaeshi-men, kote-kaeshi-kote, and do-kaeshi-men.

File:Kendo EM 2005 - kote.jpg.]]

A scorable {{nihongo|point|有効打突|yūkō-datotsu}} in a kendo competition (tai-kai) is defined as an accurate strike or thrust made onto a datotsu-bui of the opponent's kendo-gu with the shinai making contact at its datotsu-bu, the competitor displaying high spirits, correct posture and followed by zanshin.{{cite book

| title = The Regulations of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan

| publisher = International Kendo Federation

| date=December 2006

| location = Tokyo, Japan

| page = 5 |ref={{harvid|FIK Regulations|2006}}}}{{Clarify|date=January 2014}}

Datotsu-bui or point scoring targets in kendo are defined as:{{harvnb|FIK Regulations|2006|p=6}}

• Men-bu, the top or sides of the head protector (sho-men and sayu-men).
• Kote-bu, a padded area of the right or left wrist protector (migi-kote and hidari-kote).
• Do-bu, an area of the right or left side of the armour that protects the torso (migi-do and hidari-do'').
• Tsuki-bu, an area of the head protector in front of the throat (Tsuki-dare).

Datotsu-bu of the shinai is the forward, or blade side (jin-bu) of the top third (monouchi) of the shinai.

{{nihongo||残心|Zanshin}}, or continuation of awareness, must be present and shown throughout the execution of the strike and the kendōka must be mentally and physically ready to attack again.

In competition, there are usually three {{nihongo|referees|審判|shinpan}}. Each referee holds a red flag and a white flag in opposing hands. To award a point, a referee raises the flag corresponding to the color of the ribbon worn by the scoring competitor. Usually, at least two referees must agree for a point to be awarded. Play is stopped after each point is awarded.

Kendo competitions are usually a three-point match. The first competitor to score two points, therefore, wins the match. If the time limit is reached and only one competitor has a point, that competitor wins.

In the case of a tie, there are several options:

• {{nihongo||引き分け|Hiki-wake}}: The match is declared a draw.
• {{nihongo||延長|Enchō}}: The match is continued until either competitor scores a point.
• {{nihongo||判定|Hantei}}: The victor is decided by the referees. The three referees vote for victor by each raising one of their respective flags simultaneously.{{harvnb|FIK Regulations|2006|p=94}}

{{See also|All Japan Kendo Championship|World Kendo Championship|European Kendo Federation|World Combat Games}}

The All Japan Kendo Championship is regarded as the most prestigious kendo championship. Despite it being the national championship for only Japanese kendōka, kendo practitioners all over the world consider the All Japan Kendo Championship as the championship with the highest level of competitive kendo. The World Kendo Championships have been held every three years since 1970. They are organised by the International Kendo Federation (FIK) with the support of the host nation's kendo federation.[https://www.kendo-fik.org/wkc World Kendo Championships] The European championship is held every year, except in those years in which there is a world championship.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ekf-eu.com/disci_page.cfm?type=3&disc=1 |title=European Kendo Championships |access-date=4 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222180420/http://www.ekf-eu.com/disci_page.cfm?type=3&disc=1 |archive-date=22 February 2015 |url-status=dead }} Kendo is also one of the martial arts in the World Combat Games.

Technical achievement in kendo is measured by advancement in grade, rank or level. The {{nihongo||級|kyū}} and {{nihongo||段|dan}} grading system, created in 1883,{{cite book| author = Active Interest Media, Inc.| title = Black Belt| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fdcDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA64| year = 1991| publisher = Active Interest Media, Inc.| page = 64 }} is used to indicate one's proficiency in kendo. The dan levels are from {{nihongo|first-dan|初段|sho-dan}} to {{nihongo|tenth-dan|十段|jū-dan}}. There are usually six grades below first-dan, known as kyu. The kyu numbering is in reverse order, with {{nihongo|first kyu|一級|ikkyū}} being the grade immediately below first dan, and {{nihongo|sixth kyu|六級|rokkyū}} being the lowest grade. There are no visible differences in dress between kendo grades; those below dan-level may dress the same as those above dan-level.{{cite book | title = Standard Rules for Dan/Kyu Examination | publisher = International Kendo Federation |date=December 2006 | location = Tokyo, Japan }}

In Japan, kyu ranks are generally held by children. The exam for 1st kyu (ikkyū) is often their first exam and grade. Adults generally will do their 1st dan (shodan) as their first exam.{{cn|date=April 2022}} In most other countries outside of Japan, kendoka go through every kyu rank before being eligible for dan ranks.

{{nihongo|Eighth-dan|八段|hachi-dan}} is the highest dan grade attainable through a test of physical kendo skills. In the AJKF, the grades of {{nihongo|ninth-dan|九段|kyū-dan}} and tenth dan ({{nihongo|十段|jū-dan}}) are no longer awarded, but ninth-dan kendōka are still active in Japanese kendo. International Kendo Federation (FIK) grading rules allow national kendo organisations to establish a special committee to consider awarding these grades. Only five now-deceased kendōka were ever admitted to the rank of 10th-dan following the establishment in 1952 of the All Japan Kendo Federation. These five kendōka, all of whom were students of Naitō Takaharu at the Budo Senmon Gakko,Asahi Picture News, February 1958 are:

• Ogawa Kinnosuke 小川 金之助 (1884–1962)- awarded 1957
• Moriji Mochida (aka Mochida Moriji) 持田 盛二 (1885–1974)- awarded 1957
• Nakano Sousuke 中野 宗助 (1885–1963)- awarded 1957
• Saimura Gorou 斎村 五郎 (1887–1969)- awarded 1957
• Ooasa Yuuji 大麻 勇次 (1887–1974)- awarded 1962

All examination candidates face a panel of examiners. A larger, more qualified panel is usually assembled to assess the higher dan grades. Kendo examinations typically consist of jitsugi, a demonstration of the skill of the applicants, Nihon Kendo Kata, and a written exam. The eighth-dan kendo exam is extremely difficult, with a reported pass rate of less than 1 percent.{{cite web|url=http://www.kendo.or.jp|script-title=ja:全日本剣道連盟|title=Zen'nihon kendō renmei|publisher=kendo.or.jp|access-date=27 May 2014}}

{{nihongo|Titles|称号|shōgō}} can be earned in addition to the above dan grades by kendōka of a defined dan grade. These are {{nihongo||錬士|renshi}}, {{nihongo||教士|kyōshi}}, and {{nihongo||範士|hanshi}}. The title is affixed to the front of the dan grade when said, for example {{nihongo||錬士六段|renshi roku-dan}}. The qualifications for each title are below.

{{main|Kendo Kata}}

Kata are fixed patterns that teach kendōka the basic elements of swordsmanship. The kata include fundamental techniques of attacking and counter-attacking, and have useful practical application in general kendo. There are ten {{nihongo||日本剣道形|Nihon Kendō Kata}}. These are generally practiced with {{nihongo|wooden swords|木刀|bokutō or bokken}}. Occasionally, real swords or swords with a blunt edge, called {{nihongo||形用|kata-yō}} or {{nihongo||刃引|ha-biki}}, may be used for display of kata.{{cite book

| title = Nippon Kendo Kata Instruction Manual

| publisher = All Japan Kendo Federation

| date = 2002-03-29

| location = Tokyo, Japan

}}

All are performed by two people: the {{nihongo||打太刀|uchidachi}}, the teacher, and {{nihongo||仕太刀|shidachi}}, 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 to gain confidence.

Kata one to seven are performed with both partners using a normal length wooden sword. Kata eight to ten are performed with uchidachi using a normal length weapon and shidachi using a shorter one (kodachi).

The forms of the {{nihongo||日本剣道形|Nihon Kendō Kata}} were finalized in 1933 based on the Dai nihon Teikoku Kendo Kata, composed in 1912.{{cite book| last = Budden| first = Paul| title = Looking at a Far Mountain: A Study of Kendo Kata| year = 2000| publisher = Tuttle | isbn = 978-0-8048-3245-8| pages = 9, 12, 14 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i5KxDxLttt0C&pg=PA9 }} It is impossible to link the individual forms of Dai nihon Teikoku Kendo Kata to their original influences, although the genealogical reference diagram does indicate the masters of the various committees involved, and it is possible from this to determine the influences and origins of Kendo and the Kata.{{harvnb|Budden|2000|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=i5KxDxLttt0C&pg=PA9 9]}}

In 2003, the All Japan Kendo Federation introduced {{nihongo||木刀による剣道基本技稽古法|Bokutō Ni Yoru Kendō Kihon-waza Keiko-hō}}, a set of basic exercises using a bokuto. This form of practice is intended primarily for kendōka up to {{nihongo|second dan|二段|ni-dan}}, but is very useful for all kendo students who are organized under FIK.

Kata can also be treated as competitions where players are judged upon their performance and technique.{{cite web|url=http://www.kendo.org.uk/taikai-rules-kendo-kata-taikai/|title=Kendo Kata Taikai|publisher=British Kendo Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221130204/http://www.kendo.org.uk/taikai-rules-kendo-kata-taikai/|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kendo.org.uk/files/2009KataTaikaiRules.pdf|title=Kendo Kata Taikai Rules|publisher=British Kendo Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109043313/http://www.kendo.org.uk/files/2009KataTaikaiRules.pdf|archive-date=9 November 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=5 February 2013}}

{{See also|Kendo around the world}}

Many national and regional organizations manage and promote kendo activities outside Japan. The major organizing body is the International Kendo Federation (FIK). The FIK is a non-governmental international federation of national and regional kendo organisations. An aim of the FIK is to provide a link between Japan and the international kendo community and to promote and popularize kendo, iaido and jodo. The FIK was established in 1970 with 17 national federations. The number of affiliated and recognized organizations has increased over the years to 57 (as of May 2015).{{cite web|url=http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-page2/IKF-affiliates/IKF-affiliates.htm|title=International Kendo Federation|publisher=kendo-fik.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621003750/http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-page2/IKF-affiliates/IKF-affiliates.htm|archive-date=21 June 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=13 August 2015}} The FIK is recognized by SportAccord as a 'Full Member',{{cite web |url=http://www.sportaccord.com/en/members/ |title=SportAccord Members |publisher=SportAccord Members |access-date=17 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727070320/http://www.sportaccord.com/en/members/ |archive-date=27 July 2013 |url-status=dead}} and is also recognized by the World Anti-Doping Agency.{{cite web |url=http://www.wada-ama.org/en/World-Anti-Doping-Program/Sports-and-Anti-Doping-Organizations/The-Code/Code-Acceptance/Outside-the-Olympic-Movement/ |title=Alliance of Members of Sportaccord |publisher=WADA |access-date=17 September 2012 |archive-date=20 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020181631/http://www.wada-ama.org/en/World-Anti-Doping-Program/Sports-and-Anti-Doping-Organizations/The-Code/Code-Acceptance/Outside-the-Olympic-Movement/ |url-status=dead }}

Other organizations that promote the study of Japanese martial arts, including kendo, are the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK) and the International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF). The current DNBK has no connection to the pre-war organization, although it shares the same goals. The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) was established in Kyoto in 1952 and is dedicated to the promotion and development of the martial arts worldwide, including kendo.

{{Portal|Martial arts|Japan}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Chanbara
• Angampora
• Banshay
• Bataireacht
• Bōjutsu
• Fencing
• Gatka
• Gendai budō - modern Japanese martial arts
• Geography of kendo
• Iaidō - sword drawing
• Jōdō - a martial art using a short wooden staff, or stick
• Jūkendō
• Kalaripayattu
• Kenjutsu
• Krabi–krabong
• Kumdo - Korean kendo
• Kuttu Varisai
• Mardani khel
• Miyamoto Musashi
• Miyamoto Musashi Budokan
• Naginata - a martial art using a glave-like weapon
• Silambam
• Silambam Asia
• Swordsmanship
• Tahtib
• Thang-ta
• Varma kalai
• World Silambam Association

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• [http://www.kendo-fik.org/ International Kendo Federation (FIK)]
• [http://www.kendo.or.jp/ All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF)] {{in lang|ja}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060719150631/http://www.dnbk.org/ Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK)]
• http://www.ekf-eu.com/ European Kendo Federation

{{Japanese martial arts}}

{{Martial arts}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Dō

Category:Gendai budo

Category:Japanese swordsmanship

Category:Sports originating in Japan