This may seem odd. How
can a sport/martial art that uses full contact sparring be irrelevant
in a potentially dangerous situation?
There are several reasons, big and small.
First of all, Kendo is
practiced only with swords:
bokken and shinai. Both can inflict
injuries, especially the sturdy bokken, but people usually don't carry
wooden swords with them.
Even if one did, most attacks like muggings and brawls take place in a
matter of seconds and in close quarters.
As a martial art, Kendo does not put emphasis on aggressive response
and pain tolerance, which are necessary for any self-defense technique;
the goal of matches isn't to do as much damage to your opponent or to
incapacitate him.
Although Kendo increases awareness, this will only help in recognizing
potentially dangerous situations, not in dealing with them.
The sad thing about self-defense in general is that only experience in
this kind of situations can help you; experience that was learned
through pain.
Street fights and similar events are equally about how much pain and
damage you can take as well as deal out.
Of course, all of this is only relevant to bare hand fights. Don't
forget knives, screwdrivers, bottles, bricks and guns that are also
ever present.
If you want to learn how to defend yourself - take up boxing.
But
remember: it's always better to avoid violence altogether.
