The KENDO | Concept | Equipment | Dojo | Protocol | Grading | Origin

Concept

The only way to learn Kendo is by repeating over and over the techniques taught by a Sensei. The practice of Kendo requires the knowledge of technical principles, but these are not enough to become a good kendoka. The goal of Kendo is not winning competitions. The most important goal a practitioner must try to reach is the achievement of harmony with the three basic elements: the Spirit (KI), the Sword (KEN) and the Body (TAI). Spirit, Sword and Body: KI KEN TAI. The balance between these three elements will not only allow us to achieve victory over our opponents, but also over ourselves.

We must not forget that Kendo, in its actual form, comes from a deep evolution of the swordsmanship of the Japanese sword or katana, developed over centuries by the Samurai warriors. A Samurai would give equal importance to perfecting technique as to spiritual development. As a result, actual Kendo is now presented to us in a form enriched by moral principles inspired by the Mahayana Buddhism, concretely by Zen. Thus we are presented not only with a combat technique , but with a method to perfect both spirit and body. This is the concept that any practitioner must keep in mind when approaching Kendo, as this is the only truly meaning of its practice.