General Kendo FAQ

  1. Do you use real swords in Kendo?
  2. I've seen people sparred with live blades before at a Kendo venue! Are you sure?
  3. What are some of the benefits of doing Kendo?
  4. Kendo seems very physical, what are the most common injuries?
  5. What is the minimum and maxium age to practice Kendo?
  6. Does Minnehaha Kendo Dojo affiliate with any federation or association?
  7. What is the differences between Kendo and Kumdo/gumdo?
  8. Are there any other "styles" in Kendo/Kumdo?

  1. Do you use real swords in Kendo?

    The goal of Kendo is to practice sword combat in a safe and protective environment. The biggest misconception of Kendo is its meaning – “Way of the Sword”. In fact, Kendo practitioners use Shinai (bamboo swords) and wear Bogu (protective armor), and there are five well protected targets (helmet, left and right wrists, stomach, and throat) to strike. Therefore, Kendo does not involve live blades.

  2. I've seen people sparred with live blades before at a Kendo venue! Are you sure?

    Yes, we are quite certain. The only time Kendo practitioners use Bokuto or Bokken (wooden sword); occasionally live blades for demonstration purposes, is to practice the 10 Kendo Kata (forms). In which the Kata is done in a slow and controlled environment to learn the different techniques in Kendo. Even in other Japanese swordsmanship that involves live blades such as Kenjutsu, they would never spar with blades or wooden swords

  3. What are some of the benefits of doing Kendo?

    To mold the mind and body, cultivate a vigorous spirit, and practice courtesy and honor.

  4. Kendo seems very physical, what are the most common injuries?

    The most common injuries are bruises, blisters, calluses, Achilles, tendons, wrists, sore arms and shoulders. It is very rare to have life threating injuries.

  5. What is the minimum and maxium age to practice Kendo?

    There is none so to speak. Some children started Kendo as young as 4 years old. Although, our instructor does not accept children under the age of 12. Many kendo-ists in the United States started at a later age due to the limited exposure of Kendo, some started as late as the age of 65. You're never too young or too old to start Kendo.

  6. Does Minnehaha Kendo Dojo affiliate with any federation or association?

    Yes. Minnehaha Kendo Dojo is member of the All U.S. Kendo Federation and Midwest Kendo Federation.

  7. What is the differences between Kendo and Kumdo/gumdo?

    They're the same thing. Kendo is the Japanese term, and Kumdo/gumdo is the Korean term. They both used the same characters for Kendo/Kumdo, besides that, the training is pretty much the same excepted some Korean dojang might not sonkyo (the crouching bow) before and after a match.

  8. Are there any other "styles" in Kendo/Kumdo?

    What you’re referring to are called “schools” (ryu) for Kenjutsu & Iaido. Kenjutsu & Iaido are called Koryu (old school - literally) sword arts, they do have different styles, techniques, weapons etc…

    In Kendo, there are no different “schools”, but maybe “styles” and “stances” (Kamae). The two most common stances are: Chuudan (middle guard) and Jodan (high guard), and the so called “style” is Nito (two swords). Unlike Kenjutsu & Iaido, Kendo everywhere is the same everywhere. No matter where you go, every International Kendo Federation affiliated Kendo dojo or Kumdo dojang training methods are extremely similar. Kendo/Kumdo is pretty much an unified martial art.


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