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Shihan-Ryu Kendo

Shihan-Ryu Kendo, (the Master's Way of the Sword) has great depth which goes much further then mere competitive sport. The aspect of the traditional moral values underlie the training of Shihan-Ryu Kendo. Traditionally the sword represents the Samurai warrior's soul. In the early days of Japan, if someone other than the owner touched the sword without permission, even accidentally, it was a great insult and was often punished by death if the offender was a commoner.

Unlike Western fencing, Japanese sword fighting consists of a series of complicated cuts, or sometimes just one downward slash, to gain the victory over an opponent or enemy. At first, Japanese Kendo schools sought to teach realistic techniques to train their warriors, without actually using a real blade. Mistakes in training with real swords proved to be very costly in terms of human life. The heavy wooden sword (boken) was invented, but this also caused injuries. In an effort to reduce injuries, a bamboo sword called a "shinai" was devised during the early Tokugawa period from about 1600 to 1750.

Today, the bamboo shinai is the weapon used in modern competition fighting. Kendoka (student of Kendo), when training or in competition wear protective armor called "bogu". The "armor" consists of a heavy helmet called a "men" (which weighs approximately six or seven pounds). A breastplate called a "do" and thick padded gloves (kote) and a lower waist protector (tare) make up the basic protective armor of Kendo. The traditional hakama (divided skirt) completes the Kendoka's uniform.

Shihan-Ryu Kendo's main purpose is not the execution of technique, but instead the improvement of personal character and one's moral conduct.

Shihan-Ryu Kendo Rank Requirements - coming soon

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