Calgary Kendo Club Established 1972 A Beginner s Guide to Getting Started in Kendo: Expectations and Obligations Version 0.5 Calgary Kendo Club January 2012 1
The Concept of Kendo The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana (sword). The Purpose of Practicing Kendo The purpose of practicing Kendo is: To mold the mind and body, To cultivate a vigorous spirit, And through correct and rigid training, To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo, To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor, To associate with others with sincerity, And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself. This will make one be able: To love his/her country and society, To contribute to the development of culture And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples. (The Concept of Kendo was established by All Japan Kendo Federation in 1975.) 2
Welcome to the Calgary Kendo Club Getting Started Guide!! 5 1.0 What is Kendo?! 6 1.1 The Historical Origins! 6 1.2 Introduction of the Sword! 6 1.3 The Muromachi Period! 7 1.4 The Introduction of Armour and the Rise, Fall and Rise of Kenjutsu!7 1.5 Kendo the Sport! 8 1.6 Kendo the Martial Art! 8 2.0 Kendo Equipment! 10 2.1 Areas of Attack! 10 3.0 Studying the Martial Art of Kendo! 12 3.1 Why Should You Learn About Kendo?! 12 3.2 Why You Should Not Learn Kendo! 13 3.2.1 Special Note to Beginners! 13 3.3 Etiquette and Manners! 14 3.3.1 Dojo! 14 3.3.2 Shinai and Bogu! 15 4.0 The Calgary Kendo Club! 16 4.1 Practice Times! 16 4.2 Equipment! 16 4.3 Membership Fees! 16 4.4 Club Activities! 17 4.5 Outside of Kendo! 17 5.0 Practicing Kendo! 18 3
5.1 Learning Japanese! 18 5.1.1 Japanese Numbers! 18 5.1.2 Japanese Commands! 18 5.1.3 Kendo Commands! 19 5.2 Practice Format! 20 5.3 Grading! 20 6.0 Related Web Links for Further Reading! 21 7.0 More Kendo Terms! 22 4
Welcome to the Calgary Kendo Club! Learning is a Life Long Experience. By the time you read this, you ve probably attended or observed our practices at the Calgary Kendo Club and are curious as to what Kendo is about. Or perhaps you are already somewhat familiar with Kendo and want to know the expectations and obligations in joining the Calgary Kendo Club. Regardless of your experience, the Getting Started Guide that you are about to read will undoubtedly help you gain a better understanding to what Kendo is and what it means to us. Anyone Can Grow Through Kendo. One of the beauties of Kendo is that anybody can learn and experience it, whether you are 8 years old, or 88 years old, boy or girl, man or woman. There is something there for everybody to take away and grow as a person. This guide is by no means an exhaustive guide. It will merely help you get acquainted with Kendo but like anything, it is truly a life long journey. Please take the next few minutes to read more about Kendo, where its historical roots are from, and why you should study Kendo. There are also the wrong reasons for studying Kendo that we will identify as well. We will talk about the rules and etiquette of Kendo, more about the Calgary Kendo Club, what we do inside (and outside) the dojo and some other resources for learning more about Kendo. So sit back, relax and enjoy! Dean Ara, 5th Dan Calgary Kendo Club Chief Instructor (1997-2000) 5
1.0 What is Kendo? Kendo, is the art of Japanese fencing. Sword "Ken" or tsurugi is from the character meaning sword. Way or Path The character for "Do" or michi means way or path. Kendo Kendo translates as "the way of the sword" a path in life which is followed through the training of Kendo.! 1.1 The Historical Origins It is difficult to say when and how Kendo originated. Modern Kendo bears faint resemblance to Kenjutsu the art of swordsmanship, and to its feudal origins of swordwielding samurai warriors who are depicted in movies and television today. Kendo cannot be traced to a single founder or given an exact founding date. The story of the rise of modern Kendo begins with the samurai and extends over the culture of several centuries. 1.2 Introduction of the Sword The sword was introduced to Japan from the Continent around 2nd century BC. They say that the sword was originally a ritual-colored object that symbolized the authority of its owner. At that time, the catapult and bow were used for hunting or tribal warfare. However, the sword gradually became used for fighting in the course of national unification. By the 7 and 8th century, tribal units began forging the sword domestically within Japan. By the end of the 12th century, the authority of the Japanese central government had declined. Bands of warriors grouped together for protection forming local aristocracies. Feudalism had come of age, and was to dominate Japan for several centuries. With the 6
establishment of the Shogun in Kamakura and military rule-controlling Japan, a new military class called Bushi gained prominence. Bushido, the way of the warrior, stressed the virtues of bravery, loyalty, honor, selfdiscipline and stoical acceptance of death. The prototype of the Nihon-toh (the Japanese sword) was developed as was various sword-fighting techniques. The influence of Bushido extended to modern Japanese society and Kendo was also greatly influenced by this thinking. The Japanese warrior had no contempt for learning or the arts. Although kenjutsu, had been recorded since the 8th century, it gained new prominence and took on religious and cultural aspects. Sword making became a revered art. Zen and other sects of Buddhism developed and the samurai often devoted time to fine calligraphy or poetry. The years that followed were filled with civil wars, and it was during these times that schools of kenjutsu began. Master swordsmen started these schools and each school had its own style unique to the originator. As the years passed and more peaceful times prevailed, emphasis was placed on the spiritual aspects through the practice of kenjutsu.!! These moral and social aspects stemmed from Zen Buddhism and Bushido whose principle ideas were based on Confucianism. Since samurai warriors were the only class allowed to carry a sword, mastering the sword was indispensable for any respected samurai. In fact, the sword was considered to represent the spirit of Bushi. 1.3 The Muromachi Period The next great advance in martial arts occurred during the late Muromachi period (1336-1568). This period is often called the age of Warring Provinces because of the many internal conflicts that ravaged Japan. This period brought an increased demand and respect for men trained in the martial arts. Consequently, nearly 200 new kenjutsu schools formed. Real blades or hardwood swords were used in training and since the use of protective equipment was not yet prevalent, many injuries occurred. These schools continued to flourish through the Tokugawa period (1600-1868), with the Ittoryu or one sword school, having the greatest influence on modern Kendo. 1.4 The Introduction of Armour and the Rise, Fall and Rise of Kenjutsu Kendo began to take its modern appearance during the late 18th century with the introduction of protective equipment: the men, kote and doh and the use of the bamboo sword, the shinai. The use of the shinai and protective armor made possible the full delivery of blows without injury. This forced the establishment of new regulations and practice formats that set the foundation for modern Kendo. In the last days of the Tokugawa Shogunate, as the awareness for the need for national defense was growing, kenjutsu became popular even among non-bushi-class citizens. 7
With the abolishment of the shogunate and the introduction of the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the Bushi class became extinct as the formation of modern Japan began. The right to bear a sword was also banned and through this, kenjutsu s popularity declined. This decline was only temporary, however, as interest in Kendo was revived again in 1887 when uprisings against the government showed the need for the training of police officers. The origins of Kendo being a full time employment for modern day police officers in Japan began here. Later the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo- Japanese War (1904-05) again encouraged an awareness of the martial spirit. Consequently in 1895, the Butokukai, an organization devoted to the martial arts was established. In 1911, Kendo was officially introduced into the physical education curriculum of middle schools and in 1912, the Nihon Kendo Kata, a set of regulations for Kendo, was published. In 1939 as Japan prepared for war, Kendo became a required course for all boys. 1.5 Kendo the Sport After the war, because of its nationalistic and militaristic associations, Kendo was outlawed and the Butokukai was disbanded. However by 1952, supporters of Kendo successfully reintroduced a pure sport form of Kendo, called Shinai Kyogi. This excluded the militaristic attitudes and some of the rougher aspects of practice characteristic of prewar Kendo. Today, Kendo continues to grow under the auspices of the All Japan Kendo Federation, the International Kendo Federation, and federations all over the world. Although the outward appearance and some of the ideals have changed with the changing needs of the people, Kendo continues to build character, self-discipline and respect. Despite a sport-like atmosphere, Kendo remains steeped in tradition which must never be forgotten; for here lies the strength of Kendo which has carried it throughout history and will carry it far into the future. 1.6 Kendo the Martial Art Kendo practice consists of several different exercises. Each exercise is aimed to improve different aspects of strength and skill required in Kendo. For beginners, the repetitive practice of basic movements is stressed in order to acquire the ability of moving without thinking. A Kendo player must learn to be able to counter an attack instantaneously whenever the opponent moves. As one progresses, more spiritual understanding is sought through continuous practice in order to be in control of any kind of situation. Besides such training, the practice of etiquette through Kendo is demanded as well, since the goal of Kendo is to develop one's character, i.e. self-confidence, courtesy, and respect for others. This was of utmost importance for all Samurai. 8
Kendo is demanding both physically and mentally. However, many people, regardless of age or sex, are attracted to Kendo and still carry on the tradition that had been handed down from Samurai culture. Although the path is not an easy one, practicing Kendo will surely enable you to attain the willpower to overcome adversity. 9
2.0 Kendo Equipment The equipment used for Kendo practice is the bamboo sword (shinai) and a set of protective armor (Bogu). The bamboo sword is made of four carefully prepared staves or pieces of bamboo that are fitted and held together at both ends by a leather handle, tip, and special string designed to designate the back of the sword. The protective equipment consists of four different parts: Men, Doh, Tare, and a pair of Kote. Men is the helmet which protects the face, throat, top and sides of the head. Doh is similar to a breastplate and covers the chest and stomach. Tare is the waist protector. Finally, Kote are like gauntlets and protect the hands and wrists. 2.1 Areas of Attack In Kendo, there are four general areas to attack, subdivided into left and right sides of the body - each worth one point. These are strokes to the head, the wrist, torso, and a thrust to the throat. In order to be considered successful, the attack is to be a coordination of the spirit, proper usage of the sword, and correct movement of the body so that it would be a clear and proper stroke, as if it were made with a real sword. An official Kendo match is a three-point match and has a five-minute time limit. The player who scores two points first is the winner. If neither player scores two points before the end of regulation time, the one in the lead at that point is declared the winner. If the score is tied after five minutes, sudden death overtime is held. Three referees judge whether or not a point is scored. Kendo tournaments are held in direct elimination form. 10
Kenjyutsu Machidojo in Japan at the beginning of Meiji period (1870-1900) 11
3.0 Studying the Martial Art of Kendo There are a lot of correct reasons and a lot of incorrect reasons for deciding to study Kendo. Please read the following section carefully to see if you are starting Kendo for the right reasons. 3.1 Why Should You Learn About Kendo? Before you start to swing around a shinai and think about how cool it would be to spar against another foe, please look deep within yourself to examine why you want to learn more about Kendo. For this, let us revisit the earlier statement on the Concept of Kendo. It states as follows: The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana. The purpose of Kendo is: To mold the mind and body, To cultivate a vigorous spirit, And through correct and rigid training, To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo; To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor, To associate with others with sincerity, And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself. Thus will one be able To love his country and society, To contribute to the development of culture, And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples. Let us highlight what we at the Calgary Kendo Club feel are the most salient points above: that the purpose of Kendo is to mold the mind and body and to cultivate a vigorous spirit, to hold in esteem human courtesy and honor and to associate with others with sincerity. We at the Calgary Kendo Club hold these qualities in the highest importance. We practice Kendo in the pursuit of highest standards of human kind. To develop respect and loyalty to one another, to foster meaningful friendships, to develop faith in one another, to show humanity, consideration and tolerance to others and to be responsible and courteous to all. 12
3.2 Why You Should Not Learn Kendo If you have seen samurai films, watched Black Rain, watched some ninja films, you will undoubtedly have developed some kind of fascination of Japanese martial arts. But this fascination does not necessarily translate to the right reasons for learning Kendo. If you want to learn Kendo to learn how to fence, to become a ninja, to become an honorary samurai, to swing a stick at people, then you really should be thinking of joining another club. At the Calgary Kendo Club, you will not learn how to become a ninja or samurai, you will not learn how to chop wood with a sword and most important of all, you will not learn how to swing a stick to be used for self-defense purposes. Practices may seem long and hard, sometimes even boring and tedious at first. But Kendo practice consists of several different exercises. Each exercise is aimed to improve different aspects of strength and skill required in Kendo. For beginners, the repetitive practice of basic movements is stressed in order to acquire the ability of moving without thinking. Depending on your progress and commitment, you may do basic footwork drills and exercises for the first 3-6 months. A Kendo player must learn to be able to counter an attack instantaneously whenever the opponent moves. As one progresses a more spiritual understanding is sought through continuous practice in order to be in control of any kind of situation. Above all training however, the practice of etiquette through Kendo is demanded above all, since the goal of Kendo is to develop one's character, i.e. self-confidence, courtesy, and respect for others. 3.2.1 Special Note to Beginners Each semester might be taught by a different instructor so methods and timeframes will vary. The speed at which beginners acquire proficiency also varies widely and changes the style of instruction. What lies ahead in the next thirteen weeks? Please set your expectations. You are at the beginning of a long journey and you have much to learn. You are not only learning the practice of kendo but you are also toughening your feet and hands, becoming physically fit and training your mind. Be patient. Your first months are going to challenge you. For the first two weeks you will not be swinging a shinai, you might not even be holding one. You will be learning dojo rules, etiquette and practicing foot work. Within the two to four week stage you will be learning how to hold and swing a shinai and practicing footwork. 13
Within the four to six week stage you will be practicing techniques for hitting but will only be hitting air, learning control and practicing footwork. Once you and your fellow beginners have reached a level of proficiency you will begin learning to strike a shinai held out as a target. Only once a level of proficiency is shown with striking a target shinai will you be given the opportunity of striking a senior student who is wearing bogu. This might not happen until after the tenth week. It is not until these last weeks that you will be offered the opportunity to wear a hakama and gi. It is not until the twelfth week or so that you will be offered the opportunity to don bogu for the first time if you display enough skill. Your journey is rewarded. Each semester our first practice sessions are crowded with beginners eager to train in this martial art. By the end of each semester there are less than a handful of individuals who complete their training. Each person began training with their own reason for being there and expectations. Those who stopped training might have found out that martial arts training is too hard, that kendo is the wrong art for them, that their schedules did not allow attendance or other more personal reasons. Those who continue to the end have found something in Kendo, or Kendo found something inside them. Practicing Kendo is often painful, exhausting and repetitive. Only someone who can recognize a benefit to pursuing its study would put themselves through the training. 3.3 Etiquette and Manners There are some basic etiquette and manners that you must follow to begin. You will learn more and more about them as you go further, but the following will help you get started. 3.3.1 Dojo The dojo is your training sanctuary. Whether it be in a gymnasium or an athletic compound, you must learn to respect and maintain your dojo. You must: keep it clean by mopping the floors before and after practice; arrange your bags and equipment neatly in the corner; arrange your shoes at the front; never bring in food or drink; never chew gum or tobacco or other foreign substances; The state of your dojo is a reflection of your dedication to training your mind and body. 14
3.3.2 Shinai and Bogu! You should never step over, throw, lean on, your shinai or bogu at anytime. Treat them like you would treat you most precious items. The shinai is the symbol of a samurai s strength and honor. It should well maintained and treated frequented with oil and wax. 15
4.0 The Calgary Kendo Club The Calgary Kendo Club was established in 1972 and has a long history within the Calgary community. Today, the club practices out of the University of Calgary and has open doors to anyone of any sex, race, religion and creed to practice and learn the martial art of Kendo. 4.1 Practice Times! Please check the club website www.calgarykendo.ca or the University of Calgary website to confirm practice times and locations. 4.2 Equipment Beginners are not required to buy the equipment right away. However, they are expected to pick up a shinai (bamboo sword). The shinai will cost somewhere between $35-$55 depending on the quality and length of the shinai. The shinai is mandatory. Soon after you will probably want to buy the Keiko-gi (top) and hakama (bottom). These two pieces of clothing can be bought before the rest of the equipment. You can usually buy the set for about $150 or more for the basic cotton material. The rest of the equipment should be bought if the person stays with practicing for a longer duration. This includes Men Doh Tare Kote The equipment will cost anywhere between $800 and $30,000. The higher priced equipment is made in Japan and is hand-stitched to order. The equipment is optional in the beginning. Practicing Kendo is often painful, exhausting and repetitive. Only someone who can recognize a benefit to pursuing its study would put themselves through the training.!! 4.3 Membership Fees You are expected to pay the University for their term fees. Please check the University website for Sports Clubs -> Martial Arts -. Kendo for current prices. There are NO membership fees to the Calgary Kendo Club for your first four months (one semester). After four months, if you are still practicing with us, you will be expected to pay a fee of $85 per year. These fees go into the club treasury and will be decided by its members on how to spend it. 16
The majority of the fees will be used to pay for advertisements, spare parts, Kendo videos and magazines, and other Kendo-related activities. 4.4 Club Activities The club actively advertises and promotes itself to look for new students. If you wish to get involved in our promotional or advertising activities and want to help out, your support is greatly appreciated. Please contact your Kendo instructor for more information. 4.5 Outside of Kendo We are not just work and no play!! We like to go out and have a great time outside of Kendo. By developing rich friendships outside of Kendo, we can work harder during Kendo and grow together as individuals. 17
5.0 Practicing Kendo Let s get started and start to learn. 5.1 Learning Japanese To get started you ll need to learn a few things in Japanese. 5.1.1 Japanese Numbers Number Sounds like As a digit Ichi Eech 1 Ni Knee 2 San Sahn 3 Shi Shee 4 Go Goh 5 Roku Roke 6 Shichi Sheech 7 Hachi Hatch 8 Kyu Kyou 9 Jyu Jew 10 5.1.2 Japanese Commands Command Sounds like Meaning and Use Oneigaishimasu Oh nay Guy She Mass Please you should say this when bowing as you enter the dojo for the first time each practice, before doing a drill, bowing to each other (o Tagai ni Rei) and before free sparring. 18
! Command Sounds like Meaning and Use Arigatou Gozaimashita Ah ree gah toe Go zai mashta Thank you very much you should say this after each drill to a partner, bowing out to each other and after free sparring and at the end of the practice as you leave Seiretsu Say Ritz Lineup Seiza Say ee zah Sit down Mokuso Moku soh Meditate (Clear or Reflect your mind) Hajime Ha gi meh Start Yame Ya meh Stop Rei Reh ee Bow in respect to one another Shu go Shoe goh Stand in a circle/come together Shomen Show men To the front Otagai O ta ga ee To each other 5.1.3 Kendo Commands Command Sounds like Meaning and Use Sonkyo Sohn Kyo To squat down Kamae Ka ma eh Basic starting position for all movement Suburi Su bu ree Basic building block for learning how to strike Suri-ashi Surry Ashee Sliding feet Uchi U chi To strike Keiko Keh ee ko To practice 19
Command Sounds like Meaning and Use Kiri-kaeshi Kee ri ka eh shee Basis exercise of hitting a men, followed by 9 cross-hits to the head (repeated twice) Uchi Komi Keiko Uchi Komi Keh ee ko Practice where both opponents hit one another quickly to work on speed and endurance Ji-Geiko Ge Geh ee ko Practice where both opponents take targeted methodical hits to practice on patience and accuracy Shiai-Geiko She ah ee Geh ee ko Tournament-like practice 5.2 Practice Format Each practice will start off with some routine running and stretching exercises. It is very important for kendo-ka to take each aspect of the stretching very seriously, especially the Achilles tendon area. The most common and debilitating injury happens in the Achilles tendon area where due to insufficient warmup, the kendo-ka rips or sprains the tendon. The warm up is usually followed by some suburi and suri-ashi exercises where you will learn basic strokes and footwork. Without the proper building blocks and basics, it will be impossible to move on to other drills like swinging and sparring. After this, the instructor might have you do some basic hitting exercises, uchi-komi exercises, ji-geiko or shiai geiko exercises. If your basic suburi and suri-ashi is not perfect, you will not be able to move on to these other exercises. Sparring exercises are only for people who have the full equipment and then only after the explicit approval of the senior instructor. 5.3 Grading You will be allowed to grade for KYU or DAN only after you receive explicit approval either in written form or oral form (usually both) from your senior instructor. This is not only a requirement of our dojo but also the Canadian Kendo Federation who actually awards the rank upon a successful challenge of an exam (1-Kyu and above). When you grade, you are not only representing yourself, but also your peers at your dojo and your sensei. You must be fully aware that your sensei will not allow you to grade until you are ready. 20
6.0 Related Web Links for Further Reading Calgary Kendo Club http://www.calgarykendo.ca Canadian Kendo Federation http://www.kendo-canada.com All Japan Kendo Federation http://www.kendo.or.jp/ Wikipedia Shinai Definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/shinai Taking care of your shinai http://www.shinai.org/housemef/shinaimaint/shinaimaint.html 21
7.0 More Kendo Terms Its not necessary to memorize each one but some of the more important ones are highlighted. Word Meaning or Use Age-kote Aiuchi Bogu Chudan-no-kamae Do Encho Fusei-shinai shiyo Go-No-Waza (Datotsu) Hajime Hakama Hantei Hantei gachi, shobu-ari Hansoku Hansoku Ashi-kake/Ashi-barai Hansoku kosei-o-gaisuru-koi Hansoku jyogai when the kote is held above the pit of the stomach while executing a strike when both opponents make datotsu simultaneously equipment used and worn by a Kendoist. Also referred to as Kendo-gu the basic ready position with the shinai pointed at the opponents mid-upper section the torso protector. Can be made of bamboo or other material an overtime or extension round in a match. Used to determine a winner when no points are scored during the normal match time period the use of an illegal shinai for a match a parry to a valid datotsu made from Tsuba-zeri-ai command start a match the pleated pantaloons or skirt a decision made by the judge or referee for a winner a winner by decision Foul play or illegal act Hansoku for tripping or sweeping an opponent off their feet Hansoku for an illegal act or move Hansoku for stepping outside the court line 22
Word Hansoku oshidashi/tsukidashi Hansoku shinair hanashi Hansoku tsuba-zeri-ai Hasso-no-kamae Hikiwake Ippon gachi, shobu-ari Jodan-no-kamae Jogai Kamae Keikogi Kendo-gu Kote Men Nihon me Nito Nito-no-kamae Rei Ritsu-rei San-Bon-Shobu Sageto Meaning or Use Hansoku for unfair pushing or shoving an opponent out of bounds Hansoku for dropping a shinai Hansoku for stalling at tsuba-zeri-ai without any intention of executing a datotsu the ready position with the shinai held vertically by the right shoulder a draw decision in a match a winner by a single point in a match the ready position with the shinai held over the head stepping out of bounds during a match the basic forward standing guard position the cotton jacket worn under the do equipment used and worn by a Kendoist. Also referred to as Bogu fencing gloves the head gear or "helmet/mask the command to restart a match for the second match point using two shinai, short and long the ready position when using two shinai a bow a bow at the standing position three point scoring in a normal shiai or match holding the shinai at the left side of the body 23
Word Meaning or Use Shinai Chigiri Datotsu-bu Ken-sen Jin-bu Nakayui Saki-gawa Shin Tsuka Tsuka-gashira Tsuba Tsuru Shinai-hanashi Shinpan Shobu Shobu-ari Son-kyo a four piece bamboo or fiberglas sword used for practise and shiai. It must meet minimum weight and length specifications as noted for age and class group the metal spacer in the shinai's hilt which keeps the four bamboo staves from slipping forward or backward the tip portion of the shinai which must make contact for a valid point or yuko datotsu the front "tip" of a shinai the portion from the tsuba to the front tip of the shinai the leather wrap at the front third of a shinai. It keeps the bamboos stave from separating the leather covering at the tip of the shinai the rubber spacer placed at the inside front tip of a shinai the handle portion of the shinai the bottom or handle end of a shinai the hilt guard on the shinai the string or "himo" that holds the nakayui and tsuka-gawa together and keeps the four bamboo staves tight dropping a shinai during a match a referee the command to restart a match for the match point announces a winner in a match the crouching position taken just before and after a match 24
Word Meaning or Use Sosai Taito Tare Tsuki Tsuki-tare Wakki-gakame Yame Yuko Datotsu Zan-shin Zekken an offset when two players commit a foul as the same time and the fouls are offset - no penalty holding the shinai at waist level the waist protector the throat thrust or hit the throat protector on the men ready position with the shinai downward and near the right foot. command to stop. a valid strike or point. Must combine correct call, execution and follow through. the follow through of a strike, a state of energy, execution, and alertness against an opponent. name tag on the front of the tare 25