General Kendo FAQ

• What is Kendo exactly?
  Kendo literally means "The way of the sword" - contradictorily enough that Kendo does not involve live blades. What Kendo practitioners use are called Shinai (bamboo swords) and wear full body protective armor called Bogu. Although, Kendo shares the same origin as other old sword arts such as Kenjutsu and Iaido; which both still use live blades for practicing cutting.
  
  Kendo was developed during the Shogunate period to practice swordsmanship without necessary injuries or deaths. The goal of Kendo is to practice sword combat in a safe and protective environment. Today's Kendo had evolved into a more of mix of sport and martial art form which is standardized and governed by the International Kendo Federation around the world. Kendo focuses strongly in developing etiquette, mold the mind and body, cultivate a vigorous spirit, and practice courtesy and honor.

• 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/Bokken (wooden swords) to practice the 10 Kendo Kata (forms), and occasionally real Katana for demonstration purposes only. 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.
  
  Why? First of all that we are living in the 21st century, carrying a sword around is now called "Illegal Procession of Weapon" or something like that along the line, and there are also criminal charges called "manslaughter", "attempted murder", and "murder" in the U.S. court of laws.  Besides that, there are no more Samurai's and Ninja's to battle with anymore.
  

• What are benefits and why practice Kendo?
  Kendo was a combat training method for the Samurai back in ancient Japan.  Since there are no more Samurai, Ninja, and swords are not as effective as modern weapons, Kendo is a way to preserve an ancient tradition and art.  Also, a way to mold the mind and body, cultivate a vigorous spirit, practice courtesy and honor, and self discipline.
  

• Kendo seems very physical, what are the most common injuries?
  The most common injuries are bruises, blisters, calluses, achilles, tendons, wrists, sore arms, and muscle strains. It is very rare to have life threatening injuries.

• 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. Many Kendo practitioners 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.

• Are there any other "styles" in Kendo?

  What you’re referring to are called “schools” (ryu) such as Kenjutsu & Iaido. Kenjutsu & Iaido are called Koryu (old art), 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 Nitoryu (two swords art). 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.

• What is the differences between Kendo and Kumdo/gumdo?
  Kumdo/Gumdo is the Korean term for Kendo. Both use the same Kanji/Hango characters for Kendo/Kumdo, the training methods are also very similar.  The most apparent differentiations are terminologies, Korean Kumdo practitioners do not Sonkyo before and after a match. Lastly, in a Kumdo tournament, blue and white clothes are used to identify the opponents while Kendo uses red and white clothes.
  

• What is Kenjutsu/Iadio, and do you teach that?
  Kenjutsu (sword techniques) and Iaido (sword drawing techniques) are both referred as Koryu (old arts) which have many different styles and derived from different linage of families and dojo.
  
  And... no.  Minnehaha Kendo Dojo only trains in Kendo, we do not train in other Japanese sword arts.  Although, there is a Dojo in Moorehead, MN trains in the style of Musho Shinden Ryu (Iaido) - http://www.musoshindenryu.com/.
  

• I am __ year old, and am _____. Is Kendo right for me?
  That's why we ask anyone who never seen / experienced Kendo before to observe a class beforehand. Try a few classes, if it's for you, you will know it.