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Introduction
Kendo
is, essentially, a traditional Japanese martial art of
fencing. The word is constructed from the character "Ken" (tsurugi) and the character ''Do"(michi) - the first one means "sword" and the second ''path''. Combined, these two character represent Kendo, or ''way of the sword." Like all traditional martial arts, the development of this discipline lasted several centuries, and unlike modern sports, it has incorporate a lot of different influences. Its roots are found in the Bushi, or the warrior cast of ancient Japan - for them, the skill of master swordsman meant the difference between life and death on the battlefield. But, as the centuries passed and the warriors became interested in poetry, literature and other non-lethal arts, religion and philosophy also made a permanent mark - be it the mental attitude of Zen Buddhism, or the warrior etiquette described by the famous ''Bushido'', Kendo grew into something bigger.  |