Kendo has a certain uniform. Before you do this kind of martial art, you must be well covered with a proper face mask and body armor. The aim of Kendo is to be vigilant in reacting to the target in front. Mostly two people practice this marshal art together in order to earn how to act when surrounded by an enemy and how to attend to danger and uncertainty.

This type of martial art is now being taught in many schools that focus on physical training and physical upgrading of students.  Kendo requires consistency in attacking the target in front. The real art lies behind the strikes that you do by the help of the sword. One you hit the right place, keep up the pace and stay focused. Never lose temper and stay calm.

Kendo is a way of learning how to discipline your life. It requires one to be calm in any situation and deal it with open arms. As Kendo helps us learn how to be patent in times of danger, this is how we must be in real life to. This is actually an aid to out mental and physical state and helps in testing the body to its limits before the body gets weak and tired. Kendo will keep you focused throughout helping you hit the target every time you confront it. In real life, one you focus on something you are bound to achieve it.

Kendo training can be done only when the armor is out on. With the armor, the moves do become difficult and the focus is bound to divert but this is what the training teaches. Kendo training teaches you to focus even when diverted by things around you and in this case a face mask.

The best time for training is early morning. This is the tome when body is active and the mind is alert to absorb all the tricks and right moves against the target. There is a right way to hold the sword in your hands and is must be hit at a specific angle to overshadow the target in front.

Kendo training tells you how to move your legs, feet and arms when you have a target in front to make your moves extra quick and at the same time smooth. This training will help you know how to balance your body when hit by the sword and how to hit back with the same force and at the same target to let the other person lose control of the sword.

This training is a way to maintain patience in you and stay calm and focused at all times and react instantly to any move made against you rather than waiting for the sword to hit and then react.

After throwing the person on the ground the first thing that Aikido makes you learn is regaining your body balance. Since the person you throw on the ground is heavy, you automatically tend to go down with the target but the real art lies in forcing yourself to remain above the ground and hence attack once more to make the target unable to respond back.

In aikido, if you fall down with the target, you need to know all the right moves of arms, legs and hands to lock the enemy in a way that there is hardly any time and energy for the target to fight back. You make the person stay frozen at one place until he or she gives up on fighting and reacting anymore.

The main advantage of Aikido is that you would be able to know all the strengths and weaknesses of your partner and would be able to use the same against them. A disadvantage of Aikido is that you only know how to defend yourself rather than having a way to deal with the attacks and hits.

Aikido is a complete physical exercise that keeps your body fit and healthy and makes your body flexible. Any age group can learn this martial art.

What is kendo?

Kendo is an ancient martial art that originated from Japan. Kendo means “way of the sword” if you translate it from Japanese to English. The style derives its technique from the samurai of ancient Japan. Kendo is not just a sport or technique but it is a way of life that the samurai of old embodies.

Practitioners of Kendo are called “kendoka” or “kenshi.” The kenshi or kendoka uses different kinds of equipment once they engage in the practice of Kendo. The art was developed as a way to hone the mind, body, and sword as one. The Kendo practitioner abides and applies the code of the katana.

The kenshi who puts on kendo equipment embodies the following traits:

• Mushin – means empty mind.
• Fudoshin – means unmoving mind, emotionless.

The Kendo practitioner is at peace with himself and his or her surroundings. Kendo is not only a combat martial art but also a means for spiritual transcendence. Once you put on the kendo equipment, you must be at peace with yourself and your surroundings to be able to conquer your opponents.

There are different kinds of kendo equipment that you should be aware of. You may be asking yourself what are the different kinds of kendo equipment you will need to start practicing.

Equipment for kendo

If you are familiar with Kendo then it would be a cinch to name all of the equipment that you need to have from head to toe. But for the non-practitioners you can read on to find out more about the equipment for kendo.

1. The wooden sword that a practitioner uses is called the bokuto or bokken. You can start out with the bokuto before using the more advanced sword for higher ranking techniques. You can use the bokuto to practice moves and strikes that you will need to lay the foundation for higher level techniques. The bokuto is also used to practice the different forms of kata in kendo.

2. Another weapon in your arsenal as a kenshi is the bamboo sword or the shinai. The shinai is also used to hone your skill at wielding a sword. You can switch between the shinai and bokuto to practice your striking and piercing techniques in kendo. Kendo teaches its students to use the shina and bokuto for one-edge strikes or piercing movements with the tip.

3. Kendo practitioners also wear protective gear for certain parts of the body. The protective helmet is called the “men” and has a metallic grill that protects the face but still allows the practitioner to see. The flaps that surround the helmet also serve as protective armor for your shoulders. They are called “men-dare.” The protective padding that protrudes from your neck protects your throat; it is called the “tsuki-dare.”

4. The protective gear that a kenshi wears on his breast and body is called the “do.”

5. The armor that shields the waist and the groin area is called the “tare.” The tare has 3 pads  that protect both sides of the waist and the groin area.

6. Your forearms, wrists and hands are also covered in armor called “kote.”

The Kendo practitioner is protected with a full gear of armor and matching bamboo sword. But as a beginner you will only need the shinai or bokuto as you progress in your training you will start to wear the armor.

Kendo and kendo equipment is deeply rooted in samurai tradition. It embodies the martial art and the way of life of the samurai.