What Is Kendo?

Modern Kendo is a martial art employing body armour and bamboo swords. Kendo translates as 'the way of the sword'.  Kendo allows the practitioner to practice the technique of the katana, or fighting with swords without the threat of the damage of cuts.  The body armour protects the kendoka (someone who practices Kendo) from the damage of the blows of the bamboo swords.

The Kendo wear very similar outfits to one another and grade or seniority is not denoted by the outfit.  When not practising the art of Kendo against a real opponent, the Kendoka may develop their physical and mental aptitudes in a number of 'Kata', a set of patterns of movement that allow the solo practice of Kendo against imaginary opponents.  Katas can also be practiced with partners.

A form of sword practice that requires no partner and is concerned with the deadly art of sword-drawing is called Iaido.