During this period, a Samurai named Ise no Kami invented the fukuro shinai for use in his Shinkage ryu. It was the first ever shinai (bamboo sword). During the Mid - Tokugawa period (Eighteenth Century), stability reigned and there were laws prohibiting tests of skill in swordsmanship by dual. Kata (set forms) were the main element of sword training during this time, and although important in the development of swordsmanship, without the full contact duals, swordsmanship was becoming stylized and unrealistic. This led to Yamada Heizaemon (Jiki Shinkage ryu) inventing early bugu (armour), and modifiying Ise no Kami's fukuro shinai, allowing full contact practice and laying the foundations of the kendo we know today.

                 

The Great Japan Martial Virtues Association was established in 1895. It unified sword schools and came up with standardized forms and a rank and title system. Kendo was practiced at schools and colleges and as a hobby for more people than ever. In 1931 kendo was actually a physical educational requirement in Japans schools program. Nationalism gripped Japan as a result of the Depression of 1929, and the situation escalated to make Japan an Enemy of the U.S.A and the allies during World War II. After the War, the American occupiers outlawed kendo among other martial arts. Although training still continued in some Dojo in secret, It was not until 1952 that kendo was allowed to make a comeback. The All Japan Kendo Federation was established in 1953 and took forward the traditions laid down by The Great Martial Virtues Association and nearly 1000 years of Samurai history in which kendo began on the battlefield






            






             

Athletes With Bushido - Sport and Competition

Kendo can be called a sport, where people come together to improve their physical and mental fitness and also to compete with each other if they wish. There is not a lot of difference between budo and sport - in both cases people train to the best of their abilities, thus improving their physical and mental fitness, confidence, belief and spirit. If we approach the competition or ‘shiai’ side of kendo with the attitude that winning is not important then there is no difference at all.

The competition side of kendo can be very important to our development as it helps us to understand what makes a ‘perfect cut’ or yuko datotsu. A point can only be awarded in kendo if the elements of yuko datotsu are observed. These include cutting at the right distance, with the right part of the shinai, on the target with intention, opportunity, correct technique and awareness of our opponent after the attack. These are the same elements which should be present in all of our training. In the dojo, it is helpful to referee matches and take part in them as this helps us understand what correct kendo is. There are many opportunities to take part in competitions in kendo, and even to represent your country as part of your national team - if you train hard and attend national squad training sessions. Here in the UK we have some very highly rated competitions and the UK kendo team take part in competitions all over the world, including The World Kendo Championships which are held every three years. Whether you include competition in your kendo development is up to you and no one is required to compete if they do not want to. At Akai Ryuu, like most clubs we will encourage anyone who wants to compete, and we always enter a team at every major event in the UK.