Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide
Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide
05/15/04
Page 1of 11
Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide
Historical Background When studying the history of Kendo, one way to see how the sport has evolved from a fighting style on the battlefield to the national sport of Japan is to trace its routes through the actual history of Japan itself. The time periods which have had a part to play in the creation of Kendo as we know it today are as follows: ➢
The Heian Era
➢
The Kamakura Era
➢
The Muromachi Era
➢
The Edo Era
➢
The Meiji Era
➢
The Taisho Era
➢
The Modern Era
Heian Era (794-1185 AD) The Japanese sword that emerged in the middle of the 11th Century (middle of the Heian Era 794-1185 AD ) had a slightly arched blade with raised ridges (called Shinogi).
Kamakura Era (1200 – 1299 AD) The original model of sword was presumably handled by a tribe that specialized in cavalry battles in northern Japan during the 9th century. Since then, this sword was used by the Samurai and production technology advanced rapidly during the period of early Samurai-government reign (end of the Kamakura Era in the 13th Century).
Muromachi Era (1392 – 1573 AD) After the Onin War occurred in the latter half of the Muromachi Era (1392-1573), Japan experienced anarchy for a hundred years. During this time, many schools of Kenjutsu were established. The Japanese sword was made using the Tatarafuki casting method with high quality iron sand obtained from the riverbed However, it did not take long before large quantities of firearms were made successfully using this high quality iron sand and the same casting method to produce swords. As a result, the heavy-armored battling style that prevailed up to then changed dramatically to a lighter hand-to-hand battling style. Actual battling experiences resulted in advanced development and specialization of sword-smithing as well as the establishment of more refined sword-handling techniques and skills that have been handed down to the present through the various schools such as the Shinkage-ryu and Itto-ryu.
05/15/04
Page 2of 11
Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide
Edo Era (1603 – 1867 AD) Japan began to experience a relatively peaceful period from the beginning of the Edo Era (1603-1867). During this time, techniques of the Ken(the Japanese sword) were converted from techniques of killing people to one of developing the person through concepts such as the Katsunin-ken which included not only theories on strong swordsmanship, but also concepts of a disciplinary life-style of the Samurai.
Written Teachings These ideas were compiled in books elaborating on the art of warfare in the early Edo Era. Examples of these include: ➢
“Heiho Kadensho (The Life-giving Sword)” by Yagyu Munenori
➢
“Fudochi Shinmyoroku (The Unfettered Mind )” by Priest Takuan
➢
“Ken to Zen (Sword and Zen)” written for Tokugawa Iemitsu
➢
“Gorin-no-sho (The Book of Five Rings)” by Miyamoto Musashi
What these publications tried to convey to the Samurai was how to live beyond death. These teachings were to be used for everyday life. The Samurai studied these books and teachings daily, lived an austere life, cultivated their minds, and devoted themselves to the refinement of Bujutsu, learned to differentiate between good and evil, and learned that in times of emergency they were ready to sacrifice their lives for their Han (clan) and feudal lord. In present day terms, they worked as bureaucrats and soldiers. The Bushido spirit that evolved during this time, developed during a peaceful 246 years of the Tokugawa period. Even after the collapse of the feudal system, this Bushido spirit lives on in the minds of the Japanese.
Shotoku Era (1711 – 1715 AD) As peaceful times continued, while Kenjutsu developed new graceful techniques of the Ken created from actual sword battling skills, NaganumaShirozaemonKunisato of the Jiki-shinkage-ryu school developed a new foundation in techniques of the Ken. During the Shotoku Era (1711-1715) Naganuma developed the Kendo-gu (protective equipment) and established a training method using the Shinai (bamboo-sword). This is the direct origin of present day Kendo discipline.
Horeki Era (1751 – 1764 AD) Thereafter, during the Horeki Era (1751-1764), NakanishiChuzo-kotake of Ittoryu started a new training method using an iron Men (headgear) and Kendo-gu made of bamboo, which became prevalent among many schools in a short period of time.
05/15/04
Page 3of 11
Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide Kansai Era (1789 – 1801 AD) In the Kansei Era (1789-1801), inter-school competition became popular and Samurai traveled beyond their province in search of stronger opponents to improve their skills. In the latter half of the Edo Era (beginning of the 19th Century), new types of equipment were produced such as the Yotsuwari Shinai (bamboo swords united by tetramerous bamboo). This new Shinai was more elastic and durable than the Fukuro Shinai (literally, bag-covered bamboo sword) which it replaced. Also, a Do (body armor) that was reinforced by leather and coated with lacquer was introduced. During this time, three Dojos that gained great popularity became to be known as the “Three Great Dojos of Edo.” They were: ➢
Genbukan led by Chiba Shusaku
➢
Renpeikan led by Saito Yakuro
➢
Shigakkan led by Momoi Shunzo
Chiba attempted to systematize the Waza (techniques) of bamboo sword training by establishing the “Sixty-eight Techniques of Kenjutsu” which were classified in accordance with striking points. Techniques such as the Oikomi-men and Suriagemen and other techniques that were named by Chiba are still used today.
Meiji Era (1868 – 1911 AD) After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the Samurai class was dissolved and the wearing of swords was prohibited. As a result, many Samurai lost their jobs and Kenjutsu declined dramatically. Thereafter, the Seinan Conflict which occurred in the 10th Year of the Meiji Era (1877) was an unsuccessful resistance movement of Samurai against the Central Government that seemed to give an indication of Kenjutsu’s recovery mainly among the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. In the 28th Year of the Meiji Era (1829), the Dai-Nippon Butoku-Kai was established as the national organization to promote Bujutsu including Kenjutsu. At around the same time in 1899, “Bushido” was published in English which was considered a compilation of Samurai’s thoughts and philosophy. It was influential internationally.
05/15/04
Page 4of 11
Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide
Taisho Era (1912 – 1926 AD) In the First Year of Taisho (1912), the Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kendo Kata (later renamed to Nippon Kendo Kata) was established using the word Kendo. The establishment of the Kendo Kata provided for the unification of many schools to enable them to pass on to later generations the techniques and spirit of the Japanese sword, and to remedy improper use of hands which had been caused by bamboo sword training and to correct inaccurate strikes which were not at the right angle to the opponent. It was thought that the Shinai (bamboo sword) was to be treated as an alternative of the Japanese sword. And, in the Eighth Year of Taisho (1919), Nishikubo Hiromichi consolidated the original objectives of Bu (or in other words Samurai) under the names of Budo and Kendo since they conformed to them.
Modern Era After the Second World War, Kendo was suspended for a while under the Occupation of the Allied Forces. In 1952, however, when the All Japan Kendo Federation was established, Kendo was revived. Kendo presently plays an important role in school education and is also popular among the young and old, men and women alike. Several million Kendo practitioners of all ages enjoy participating in regular sessions of Keiko (Kendo training). Kendo is gaining interest all around the world, and more and more international practitioners are joining the Kendo world. The International Kendo Federation (IKF) was established in 1970 and the first triennial World Kendo Championships (WKC) was held in the Nippon Budokan in the same year. In July 2003, the 12th WKC was held in Glasgow, Scotland. Kendo practitioners from forty-one different countries and regions participated.
05/15/04
Page 5of 11
Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide
Etiquette (Reiho): Following proper etiquette when entering and exiting the dojo is an easy way to facilitate respect for everyone involved in your training: ➢
Guard Up!
➢
The Instructor
➢
Your fellow class-mates
Entering / Exiting the Dojo: Japanese
English
Rei
Bow to head of dojo
Start of Individual Practice: Japanese
English
Rei
Bow to partner
"Onegai shimasu" “Please, let's practice” Sonkyo
Crouching "En Garde" position
End of Individual Practice:
05/15/04
Japanese
English
Sonkyo
Crouching "En Garde" position
Rei
Bow to partner
"Domo arigato gozaimashita"
“Thank you very much”
Page 6of 11
Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide
Start of Group Practice: Japanese
English
Sei retsu
Line up
Seiza
Be seated
Ki o tsuke
Attention
Mokuso
Deep breathing and meditation
Mokuso yame
End of breathing and meditation
Shinzen ni rei
Bow to head of dojo
Sensei ni rei
Bow to teachers
Men o tsuke
Put on your men
End of Group Practice:
05/15/04
Japanese
English
Sei retsu
Line up
Seiza
Be seated
Ki o tsuke
Attention
Men o tore
Remove your men
Mokuso
Deep breathing and meditation
Mokuso yame
End of breathing and meditation
Sensei ni rei
Bow to teachers
Shinzen ni rei
Bow to head of dojo
Page 7of 11
Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide
Equipment (Bogu): Japanese
English
Japanese
English
Men
Face mask
Keiko gi
Jacket
Do
Chest protector
Hakama
Trousers
Tare
Hip protector
Obi
Belt
Kote
Padded gloves
Tenogui
towel
Shinai
Bamboo sword
Tsuba
Sword guard
Bokken
Wooden sword
Iaito
Metal practice sword
Counting: Japanese
English
Japanese
English
Ichi
One
Ni-ju
Twenty
Ni
Two
San-ju
Thirty
San
Three
Yon-ju
Forty
Shi
Four
Go-ju
Fifty
Go
Five
Roku-ju
Sixty
Roku
Six
Shichi-ju
Seventy
Shichi
Seven
Hachi-ju
Eighty
Hachi
Eight
Kyu-ju
Ninety
Kyu
Nine
Hyaku
Hundred
Ju
Ten
05/15/04
Page 8of 11
Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide
Concepts: Japanese
English
Japanese
English
Ki ken tai ichi
Spirit sword body as one
Ken zen ichi
Kendo and Zen are the same
Zanshin
Resolute Will
Ken tai ichi
Attack and Defense are the same
Kokoro gamae
Readiness of Spirit
Tamashi
Fighting Spirit
Hei jo shin
Calmness of Mind
Mizu no yonni
Be like water
Fudo shin
Immoveable Mind
Nami no yonni
Be like a wave
Footwork (Ashi Sabaki): Japanese
05/15/04
English
Suri ashi
"Rubbing Feet"
Aiyumi ashi
Alternating stepping
Okuri ashi
Slide stepping
Hiraki ashi
Diagonal stepping
Fumi komi ashi
Attack stepping
Page 9of 11
Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide
Techniques There are several techniques that make up the Kendo form: ➢
Basic Techniques
➢
2-Step Techniques
➢
3- Step Techniques
➢
Reverse Techniques
➢
Air Strikes
➢
Advanced Techniques
Basic Techniques (Kihon Waza): English
Japanese Men uchi
Strike to Men
Kote uchi
Strike to Kote
Do uchi
Strike to Do
Tsuki
Thrust to throat guard
2-Step Techniques (Ni Dan Waza): English
Japanese Kote men
Kote followed by men
Kote do
Kote followed by do
Men men
Men followed by men
Tsuki men
Tsuki followed by men
3-Step Techniques (San Dan Waza): Japanese
05/15/04
English
Kote men do
Kote men followed by do
Kote men men
Kote men followed by men
Tsuki men do
Tsuki men followed by do
Page 10of 11
Historical Weapons: Kendo Study Guide
Reverse Techniques (Hiki Waza): English
Japanese Hiki men
Men retreating from tsubazeriai
Hiki do
Do retreating from tsubazeriai
Hiki kote
Kote retreating from tsubazeriai
Air Strikes (Suburi): English
Japanese Shomen suburi
Basic striking
Nanameburi
Diagonal striking
Jogeiburi
Large motion striking
Hidari katate suburi
Left hand only striking
Advanced Techniques (Oji Waza): Japanese
05/15/04
English
Men debana kote
Intercept of men with kote
Men debana men
Intercept of men with men
Kote nuki men
Evasion of kote with men
Men nuki do
Evasion of men with do
Kote suriage men
Deflection of kote, followed by men
Men suiage men
Delection of men, followed by men
Kote kaeshi men
Block & counter kote with men
Men kaeshi do
Block & counter men with do
Men kaeshi men
Block & counter men with men
Page 11of 11