What is Kendo

Kendo is the art of Japanese swordmanship and its

etymological meaning is the road of the sword
(Ken= sword, Do= road).
The trainees in the art of Kendo are calledKendokas
and instead of the Japanese katana they are using
bamboo swords called shinai. The targets of Kendo
are the following : Men (head), Kote (wrists), Do
(flanks of the body) and Tsuki (neck) and are
covered by bogu (special protective equipment).
The devising of shinai 200 years ago approximately
and of the protective equipment bogu, allowed the
safe and free practice.
In Kendo you are trained how to observe the
movements of the opponent, to react immediately
and to use the brains and the body at the same
time, Taking advantage of every opportunity for
attack that comes up. Through practicing in Kendo
you learn to perceive the environment, to
recognize the various situations and, maintaining a
state of stand-by, to react directly to everything
that is happening and to make fast and correct
decisions. Kendo techniques follow strict rules and
require the existence of unity between the body,
the spirit and shinai, in order for an action to be
considered as successful (Ippon) and to be
reckoned as a victory.
Jodo helps in developing self-discipline and self-

control, in developing the coordination between the

body and the spirit and constitutes an excellent
physical exercise for both men and women of all
ages.
It is a martial art that comes straight from the era
of the samurai warriors and as such, is still keeping
the spirit of budo.
The structure of the practice
Training in Kendo starts by learning kihon datotsu
(basic techniques), and ashi sabaki (mode of
movement). When the trainee achieves a
satisfactory level in these, he/she proceeds to
practicing against an opponent and this practice
includes a number of different forms with the final
form being the practice in jigeiko (free match),
always with the safe use of shinai (bamboo sword)
and bogu (protective equipment). At the same
time, Kendokas are practicing in Nihon Kendo Kata,
10 pre-defined forms that are carried out in pais
using bokuto (wooden swords).
Attire and equipment
During practice the trainees wear the hakama
(traditional large trousers), and keikogi (traditional
coat). The attire is usually blue and made of cotton.
The protective equipment (bogu) consists of the
head and neck protection (men), chest protection
(do), pelvis protection (tare) and gloves (kote).

In the front part of tare a zekken is worn, which has

the name of the trainee and the name of the school
to which he/she is a member.
Federation
Practice in Jodo follows the standards of the
Hellenic Federation Kendo Iaido Naginata
(.....), under which the school comes.
E.O.K.I.N. is a member of the European Kendo
Federation, EKF and International Kendo
Federation, FIK and through them it is associated
with the Pan-Japanese Federation Kendo (All Japan
Kendo Federation Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei),
which constitutes, from the point view of
technique, the directional vector for Kendo at an
international level.
Pan-Japanese Federation of Kendo in 1975 issued
an official announcement pertaining to the purpose
of practicing Kendo:
The purpose of practicing Kendo is : the shaping
of body and mind and the cultivation of vigorous
spirit. Through proper training and strict practice
we are searching to improve the art of Kendo, with
dignity, kindness and honesty, we associate our
fellowmen sincerely and constantly seek selfimprovement. As a consequence we achieve to
promote kindness, honesty, love for the country
and society, the development of art and we
enforce peace and progress among all people .

Games
Kendo is particularly competitive. Every match has
a normal duration of 3 up to 5 minutes. The
successful move is called Ippon and 2 Ippons are
required for the match to end prior to the
termination. If upon the completion of the period
the result is 0-0 or in case of draw 1-1 the match,
depending on the case, will either end as a draw or
extension is given until the first Ippon is achieved.
There are several national and international racing
activities with leading ones being the World
Championship held every three years and the
European Championship which is held the two
years in-between.