KENDO

Blows are exchanged with bamboo swords, accompanied by fierce yells. Two swordsmen attack one another. Their movements are just a blur to the eye. This is one of Japan's martial arts. KENDO.

KENDO is a one-on-one martial art. Practitioners wear protective gear modelled after SAMURAI armour, and fight with opponent scores one point. The first to score two points wins the match.

There are several ways of earning a point.
1. The first is a blow to the head- a technique called MEN.
2. The second one is KOTE - an attack aimed at the opponents padded gloves.
3. The last one is TSUKI - This requires the sword to be trust forward, so that its tip hits the opponent's throat protector.

However, simply landing one of these blows is not enough for a point to be awarded. There are three conditions that must be met; these are known as KI-KEN-TAI.
KI means "full of spirit". As you attack, you must give a high-spirited shout to indicate to target point on the opponent's body.
KEN means "swordsmanship". To score a point, the correct part of the sword must strike the target with axact precision.
TAI means "having the correct form". Having landed the blow, the attacker must assume the correct stance, without losing concentration.

KENDO is a sport in which the objective in not simply to defeat your opponent but also to train your own mind. The mental aspect of KENDO that prevails among today's practitioners is thought to have originated, for the most part, in the 17th century. Master swordsman MIYAMOTO MUSASI is regarded as one of the leading figures in the development of the "way of the sword". In the book of FIVE RINGS, MUSASI not only described the essence of combat, but also laid out his philosophy for living. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Perseverance in training is essential. Be better today than you were yesterday, an then strive to become better still.

Continue training so as to develop unwavering self-discipline. MUSASI's philosophy is till very relevant in the world of KENDO today, where emphasis is placed not just on technical refinement but also training of the mind.