Kendo

Budo Gala - Kendo demo

In the modern era, Kendo is known as a modern martial art, as a sword-handling method, a sport where each swordsman (equipped with a suitable armor) aims at achieving a decisive and immediate blow to the opponent. Training in Kendo as an activity stems from a deep tradition of the Japanese civilization and is inspired by the observance of the natural laws in the battlefield, reminding us of an ancient saying: 'Victory is survival, Defeat is death.' In 1952, the association 'All Japan Kendo Federation' is formed, having as its pricipal aim the spreading of Kendo, mainly as an educational and adult educational sport.

There are three stages in Kendo training:

The path of the body: practice in the correct sword grip and the maintenace of the correct distance between two opponents.

The path of the sword: practice in the execution of the correct slicing with the sword and the search for the ideal moment for that.

The path of the mind: practice in the correct mental (spiritual) stance.

Budo Gala - Kendo demo

Although this classification constitutes a theoretical understanding of the fundamental elements of Kendo, in practice there exists an interaction between the above mentioned elements which creates in this way the general image of the swordsman, who, through Kendo, cultivates a spirit of self-denial with a view to the creation of a superior human existence by assimilating his physical, mental and social development.