| On first impressions, Kendo appears to be | | | | The aim of Kendo is for kendoka to react |
| very aggressive and physical, with the | | | | intuitively, with fluency and elegance. Speed |
| dynamics of a fast-striking actiong and | | | | and body movement are of the utmost |
| high-pitched screams. Yet it is an art that | | | | importance in the delivery of a skillful |
| places great emphasis on the development of | | | | technique. Yet the aim is not to be the first |
| high level of skill in concentration, timing, | | | | one to score a point or to win in the Kendo |
| awareness, physical agility, footwork, body | | | | practice, but to work together, striving |
| movement and inherent respect. Kendo was | | | | towards good technique, giving and taking |
| derived from the ancient art of Japanese | | | | along the way. Only in competitions should |
| Samurai swordsmanship. Armour is worn for | | | | this philosophical aim be different. |
| protection and sword, made of 4 sections of | | | | |
| bamboo is bound together to make what is | | | | On first learning Kendo, or any other |
| known as sinhai. | | | | martial, it is very important to tread |
| | | | slowly. It is very essential to tread slowly |
| History: | | | | because it is easy when people wear armour so |
| | | | suddenly to feel they can dive in regardless, |
| Kenjutsu is an ancient martial art, dating | | | | without appreciating the need for continual |
| back to before 1590, followed by Kendo, which | | | | practice to develop the skills to a standard |
| had more intellectual and philosophical | | | | acceptable in the art. It is important not |
| characteristics. Kenjutsu became modern | | | | only to demonstrate proficiency in the art |
| Kendo, which has developed a sport-oriented | | | | but to ensure safe practice, both for an |
| nature that still embodies many of the | | | | individual and his/her partner. |
| traditional values. | | | | |
| | | | Kendo places great emphasis on moral values, |
| While Kendo is very much a modern art that | | | | discipline and self control. Kendo should not |
| has been influenced by Kenjutsu, its roots | | | | be seen as a sport to be participated in for |
| can be traced back as far as AD 789, through | | | | a few years, but as a lifetime's study. |
| the history of the art of the sword which is | | | | Mental and physical controls are of paramount |
| linked inextricably to the history of ancient | | | | importance, since the balance of the 2 leads |
| Japan. It was at this time that Komutachi, | | | | to harmony, not only in the art itself, but |
| the sword exercise, was introduced as in | | | | in the general well-being. It is for this |
| instruction for the sons of the kuge | | | | reason that there are 4 deep-rooted mental |
| (noblemen) in the city of Nara, then the | | | | hurdles that a kendoka ought to overcome: |
| capital of Japan. | | | | fear, doubt, surprise and confusion. |
| | | | Collectively, these are known as "the 4 |
| Aim of Kendo: | | | | poisons of Kendo". |
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