What is Kendo?
Simply put, Kendo is fencing – Japanese style. It is based on the legacy of classical Japanese swordsmanship, that is as old as Japan herself. Bushi or samurai used the sword to establish and maintain order from the 9th to the 19th centuries. These men and women followed an unwritten code called Bushido. Bravery, honesty, and integrity were at its core. Today, the kendo student has the unique opportunity to study an art that has been handed down through the centuries, its theory and methods slowly evolving through generations of great swordsman. Although modern kendo only faintly resembles its feudal origins, it still retains its bushido concepts of dedication, hard work, calm-mindedness, patience, and seizing the moment.
Over the years, like most other martial arts of Japan, the emphasis has changed from killing ones enemy to training for self-discipline, and mental/physical fitness. Kendo can help develop posture, poise, grace under pressure, agility, quickness, clarity of thought, and the power of concentration.
Kendoists use a lightweight split bamboo sword, and a set of protective armor that consists of a helmet, gloves, chest protector, and a waist flap-groin protector. The armor is not needed for the beginners, for they will practice the basic swings of the attacking motions with their shinai (bamboo sword). They learn the correct footwork and then combine it with their swinging strike, together with the ki-ai (shout). Then time is spent attacking and practicing on their seniors. After weeks or months they are finally allowed to wear bogu (armor), and freely practice with others. Finally they can now freely practice the full delivery of their attacks without injury to certain target areas on their opponent’s body. Later one can enter tournaments and participate in matches, with judges.
Ranking in kendo is similar to other martial ways, with six levels below black belt and ten levels above. In contrast though, there are no colored belts, or outward sign of rank. Certification is under the All U.S. Kendo Federation, and registered in the International Kendo Federation. Also in contrast, the art doesn’t have to compete with many schools and traditions for the self-defense dollar the average person is looking to spend. Instructors in this country rarely profit from their activity, usually giving up their own time, merely for the love of kendo. Kendo is not recommended for those who are looking for a flashy or even a practical style of self-defense.
Kendo, like its ancient ancestor, benefits the practitioner forever with the ideals of the formidable warriors of the past. It builds character, adds strength, tones bodies, relieves stress, and teaches one to shoulder responsibility for ones actions. It is for those who desire to become strong in spirit, quick in action, gentle in preserving life, but above all, kendo is from the heart.
Click to learn more about the history of Miyoga Kendo Club / JKA Chicago
Miyoga kendo club was founded in 1998 as the Sugiyama Dojo Kendo Kai and was initially formed to provide kendo training to senior karate sempai and instructors of the Japan Karate Association of Chicago. Over time, the club has expanded and today is open to anyone interested in practicing kendo.
The Japan Karate Association of Chicago has taught Shotokan karate in Chicago since 1963 under head instructor Shojiro Sugiyama. Over the years, Sensei Sugiyama has established himself as one of the finest teachers that the JKA has produced. His unique ideas on how to develop students have produced some of the highest-quality karateka in the JKA worldwide. Sensei Sugiyama has long held an interest in kendo and its relationship to traditional Japanese karate, and has encouraged his yudansha to supplement their karate training with kendo.
A legacy: Choyokan Kendo
In 1979 Sensei Yutaka Miyazaki joined with Sensei Sugiyama to bring a strong kendo program to the JKA Chicago Dojo. Sensei Miyazaki founded Choyokan Kendo and the JKA Chicago Dojo was the first home of the Choyokan.
The teachings of these two highly innovative and exceptional instructors have formed the base for the training at Miyoga Kendo today.