ABOUT KENDO

LA CAÑADA KENDO ACADEMY,

The La Canada Kendo Academy (LCKA), is affiliated with AUSKF (All United States Kendo Federation). AUSKF is affiliated with International Kendo Federation (IKF). All rankings awarded through AUSKF are honored and accepted by the other affiliates.

Kendo - The Way of the Sword

The purpose of Kendo

To mold the mind and body.
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through proper and rigid training,
To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo.
To hold in esteem: human courtesy and honor.
To associate with others with sincerity.
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

This will make one be able
To love his/her country and society.
To contribute to the development of all cultures
And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.

Understanding Kendo

Refer to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendo

Equipment

Protective equipment is used in Kendo. This equipment is called Bogu in Japanese but is referred to as Hogu (호구) in Korean. The practice sword is called Shinai in Japanese and referred to as Jukdo.(죽도)in Korean.

Clothing

The clothing worn under the bōgu (kendo gear) comprise a jacket (kendogi or keikogi) and hakama, a garment separated in the middle to form two wide trouser legs.
A cotton towel (면수건,手拭い tenugui) is wrapped around the head, under the men ( head gear ), to absorb perspiration and provide a base for the men to fit comfortably.

Levels/Ranks

Kendo practitioners start at the lowest level of the 9th Kyu (Geup (급)) and progress upward, until the 1st Kyu (Geup). The requirements for each Kyu (Geup) progression, depends usually upon the Dojang (Dojo /Studio) and what organization they are affiliated with. After the Kyu (Geup) levels, students reach Dan (단) and start at the 1st Dan level (Black Belt). The students may then go onto higher levels in an increasing increment for their Dan levels. Examinations are usually required in order to proceed to higher levels, and are monitored and observed by members of a respective organization to the Dojang (Dojo/ Studio). The rank that members can apply as follows:

Age by 8 : 7 Kyu (Geup)

Age by 9: 5 Kyu (Geup)

Age by 10: 3 Kyu (Geup)

Age by 11: 2 Kyu (Geup)

Age by 12: 1 Kyu (Geup)

Age from 13: Black Belt

Age of 13 and Over: Limit

*Must be 24 or over to be a master (4^th Dan Black Belt)

Forms (Patterns / Kada / 본)

Kendo Kata are fixed patterns that teach Kendo practitioners the basic elements of swordsmanship. There are two roles, uchidachi (선도), the teacher, and shidachi (후도), the student.
In Kata, the teacher role always moves first. Both the student and teacher use wooden sword (木剣), except in some demonstrations which use blunted katana. The first seven Kata (Pattern) use tachi, a long wooden sword , for both student and teacher. The last three Kata use tachi for the teacher and kodachi, a shorter wooden sword, for student. In general, mastery of the first three Kata are required for advancement to 1-Kyu and more for Dan grades.

Strike points and names

Korean

Japanese

Competition

A kendo match is fought between two competitors in an individual match. In team competition there are three to five persons in each team. In the Continental Championships and the World Championships a team consists of five persons that fight five matches in each team match.
The match time is five minutes for adults and three for juniors. A match is fought one of the kendokas (Players) has scored two points or until time runs out. The kendoka (player) with most points at full time wins the match. If there is a draw there will be a new (encho/ extension) round which ends when one opponent scores the first point.
In a team match the team with more wins on its side wins the whole match. If both teams have an equal amount of wins, then the team that has scored more points wins the team match.
There are four specified target areas in kendo, each worth one point in a match. They are strikes to the head (MEN/ 머리 ), the body (DO/허리 ), the wrist (KOTE/ 손목 ), and a thrust to the throat (TSUKI/ 찌름 ).
The match is refereed by three referees.

Organizations

La Canada Kendo Academy is affiliated with Western Kendo Federation (WKF) and All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF).

Notable Organizations

International Kendo Federation(IKF)
All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF)
Western Kendo Federation (WKF)
Southern California Kendo Organization (SCKO)
Southern California Kendo Federation (SCKF)
Korea Kumdo Association (KKA)
World Kumdo Association (WKA)

The match time is five minutes for adults and three for juniors. A match is fought one of the kendokas (Players) has scored two points or until time runs out. The kendoka (player) with most points at full time wins the match. If there is a draw there will be a new (encho/ extension) round which ends when one opponent scores the first point.
In a team match the team with more wins on its side wins the whole match. If both teams have an equal amount of wins, then the team that has scored more points wins the team match.
There are four specified target areas in kendo, each worth one point in a match. They are strikes to the head (MEN/ 머리 ), the body (DO/허리 ), the wrist (KOTE/ 손목 ), and a thrust to the throat (TSUKI/ 찌름 ).
The match is refereed by three referees.

How to wear Kendo uniform

Jacket

Left side of jacket overlap over right. Ribbon should line up on right side and tied firmly.
Pull bottom of the jacket to smooth out any wrinkles on front and back.
Collar should be slightly loose so it feels comfortable.