While most cultures throughout human history are familiar with the sword as a weapon, not many have developed the making of swords and fencing into an art form, ideology and an entire way of life like the Japanese have done. Kendo is perhaps best explained though its history: how it has come to be and why.

The History

The history of Japan was carved into its soil with a sword over thousands of years. In times of war the wielding of a sword was perfected into a lethal art form. In ensuing times of peace this lethal art was transformed into an ideology and a method for disciplining the human character through a combination of physical effort and Zen meditation.
In the heyday of Japanese fencing culture during the Tokugawa period (1603-1868) there were hundreds and hundreds of sword schools and even more numerous techniques for using a sword. Modern day kendo owes all to these sword schools from which it was developed, even though during hundreds of years it has come a long way from the kenjutsu or sword sword-fighting of olden times. At first, fencing was done either with real swords, katana, or wooden training swords, bokken, but these are both deadly weapons, so a safer method of training was necessary. This was the birth of a discipline called kendo.

At first a bamboo training sword, a shinai was developed. Its looks haven't changed radically since its introduction in around 1710. Some decades after this a set of protectors inspired by traditional Japanese armor was introduced. Further development set the standard for a bôgu, protective gear, which is used in modern day kendo.

The way of fencing using a shinai and bôgu was systematized during the late 19th and early 20th centuries following the example of judo. With the end of the 19th century came the abolishment of the warrior class but their martial arts survived and became used as methods for teaching and developing character. In its modern form kendo became a standard activity for school children, students and public servants. It became part of sports education alongside other modern budo disciplines.

Nowadays kendo combines tradition and sport. World Championships are held every third year, European Championships always two years in a row between World Championships. The most esteemed competitions are fought on kendo's home soil, Japan, where most kendoists still come from.

>>All Japan Kendo Federation: history of kendo