Figure 1.-Here we see a boys' kendo team we think in the 1930s. There are no photo credits or inscriptions, but the banner at the right of the image says that the boys have won a championship. This does not look like a school group, but a club/association group.

Kendo, is a traditional Japanese combat competition, a kind of fencing with a wooden sword. It is bndished with two hands. It is based on the fighting skills of the ancient samurai. The unification of Japan (about 1600 AD) reduced violence and damyo warfare. In addiion fires arms became common, This mean actual sword combat lageky ended. This was a shock to the samurai who saw thesword as here most piced andhonorable possession. As result, the samurai did not want to give up their swords. (The Japanese even used swords in World War II. Banzi chrges were always led by officers brandishng swords.) The samurai turned swordsmanship into a martial art. It became a means of deveoping discipline, patience, and skill. It was seen as developing character. While wooden swords were used it was still dangerous. Gradually practice armour and the shinai 9a light weightbamboo sword) were developed. This allowed forv realistic fencing without the danger od actul wounds. The study of kendo was made compulsory in some Japanese boys schools, mostly at the secondary level. There seem to have what look like clubs/associaions which included boys in the early-20th century. Kendo was discouraged during the American occuption following the Pacific War. The All-Japan Kendo Federation was founded following the end of the occupation (1952).

Created: 7:32 PM 12/30/2024
Last updated: 7:32 PM 12/30/2024