Kendo Bogu
Kendo-the Way of the Sword
Kendo is one of the few martial arts that necessitates the use of several protective gear aside from the traditional kimono or gi. Practitioners look threatening and quite ominous with their black hakama (wide pants covering the legs), bogu body armor (for the torso, shoulders and part of the head), the men or helmet and the metal grilled mask, and of course, the sword.
The katana, or samurai sword was the centerpiece of Japanese history. Noble samurai held these in almost god-like regard. To these medieval warriors, the sword was an object of profound veneration and is one ot the three sacred treasures of Japan. According to Japanese folklore, when Susa no wo no Mikota, nephew of Amaterasu- the Sun Godess slew an eight-headed dragon, he found a katana in its tail.
The study of the Japanese art of swordsmanship or Kenjutsu was restricted only to those of nobility and included many aspects which included Tameshi-giri or the art of cutting and Iai- the art of drawing a sword. This is where the modern art of Kendo descended from. Derived from the words ken, or sword and do or way of life, Kendo literally translated means ‘The Way of the Sword’. It reflects the spirit of the Samurai whose aim it was to cut through their opponents in one initial blow. Being able to achieve such a feat needed a combination of speed, strength and flexibility.
Because the design of the sword used in Kendo is quite different from the traditional Western sword, so too are the movements used in the sword strikes. For obvious reasons, the razor-sharp katana is replaced by wooden bamboo swords called shinai or sometimes boken or wooden swords. Strikes are allowed on specific targets like the top of the head, the upper-left and upper right areas of the head, the right wrist, the left wrist when it’s raised, and either side of the torso. Thrusts to the neck are only allowed for kendokas (practitioners) who have reached advanced levels to avoid risking accidental injury.
Kendo training sessions are relatively noisier because in addition to the kiai shouts, stomping-like fumikomi-ashi are also performed every time a strike is executed. These are essential as improperly-timed steps result in invalid strikes- meaning no point is awarded for the hit.
With approximately 8 million people around the world practicing Kendo, it is hardly a secret martial art. Its combination of strong martial arts values and competitive and physical aspects have earned it a huge following in throughout the world. Kendo halls or dojos has been a long-time symbol Japan and its culture and movies have been using Kendo scenes to add Japanese flavor to the film.
About the Author
Allen Owen has been practicing martial arts of one form or another since he was in grammar school. Check out his eBay store at: http://stores.ebay.com/The-Sublime-Tao-Martial-Arts-Supply
Kendo101: How to wear a Kendo Bogu?
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Kendo Bogu Travel Bag with wheels $19.99 |
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FREE SHIIPING!! JAPANESE KENDO Text ColorBook Sword Shinai Kenjutsu bogu Hakama $39.00 |
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(BH-06) 2.5 Bu Hand Stitch Kendo Bogu Japanese Material $748.00 |
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(BM-01) Top 3mm Kendo Bogu Armor Japanese Material $899.00 |
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(BM-02) =Best Sell= 2mm Machine Stitch kendo Bogu Armor $500.00 |
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(BM-04) Deluxe 4mm Kendo Bogu Armor Japanese Material $599.00 |
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(BM-05) Standard 4mm Kendo Bogu Armor $489.00 |
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(BM-06) General 4mm Kendo Bogu Armor $470.00 |
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(BM-07) Standard 5mm kendo Bogu armor $470.00 |
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(BM-11) General Beginner Kendo Bogu Armor $350.00 |
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(BM-12) 4mm Kendo White Bogu Armor $470.00 |
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(BM-13) 6mm White Kendo Bogu Armor $380.00 |
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(BMM-02) 2mm Machine Stitch kendo Bogu Armor Men Only $210.00 |
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(BM-02) 2mm kendo Bogu with FREE Do Upgraded $550.00 |
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(BM-06) 4mm Kendo Bogu Armor Wtih Black IBB MEN!!! $460.00 |
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(BM-14) 6mm Kendo Bogu Armor Set $260.00 |
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(BMM-06) 4mm Kendo Bogu Black IBB MEN only!!! $170.00 |
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(BMM-11) Beginner Kendo Bogu MEN only with B1 Embroider $130.00 |
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(BMM-11) Beginner Kendo Bogu MEN only with B2 Embroider $130.00 |
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(BMT-11) Beginner Kendo Bogu Tare Blue Color $44.00 |
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(BMT-11) Beginner Kendo Bogu Tare Purple Color $44.00 |
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=LOWEST PRICE= (BMK-11) Beginner Kendo Bogu Kote $65.00 |
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kendo 1.2bu handmade Bogu SET $1,199.00 |
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kendo 4.0mm Bogu SET $430.00 |
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kendo 5.0mm WHITE BOGU SET $430.00 |
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Vintage Japanese Kendo Bogu Large $190.00 |
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Kendo Men Bogu 4mm stitch Excellent cond helmet top quality armor armore armour $90.00 |
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Kendo Tare Bogu armor Excellent condition groin protector armore armour $85.00 |
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2 complete used kendo bogu from e-bogu: 1 used and 1 worn only once $125.00 |
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kendo 5.0mm Bogu SET $350.00 |
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kendo bogu + hakana pants $260.00 |
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Kendo Bogu Armour size large $195.75 |
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SAMURAI KENDO ARMOR BOGU 460 cc DRIVER HEADCOVER JAPAN $68.00 |
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KENDO BOGU EQUIPMENT 3LINE NAME PLATE ZEKKEN $30.00 |
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KENDO BOGU PARTS 400 KOTE INDIGO COW LEATHER $84.00 |
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KENDO BOGU PARTS 400 KOTE INDIGO COW LEATHER $84.00 |
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Beginner 6mm Kendo Samurai Bogu Armor Set $259.99 |
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(Bm-05) Standard 4mm Kendo Bogu Immitation Leather $387.75 |
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(Bm-04) Dignified 4mm Kendo Bogu Japanese Deer Leather $509.45 |
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BM-01 Dignified Top 3mm Japanese Martial Art Kendo Bogu $760.00 |
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KENDO BOUGU BOGU ARMOR SET 1.5BU(4.5MM) HANDMADE $1,560.00 |
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KENDO BOUGU BOGU ARMOR SET 1.5BU(4.5MM) HANDMADE $1,878.00 |
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KENDO BOUGU BOGU ARMOR SET 1.5BU(4.5MM) HANDMADE $1,624.00 |
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KENDO BOUGU BOGU ARMOR SET 1.5BU(4.5MM) HANDMADE $1,942.00 |
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KENDO BOUGU BOGU ARMOR SET 1.5BU(4.5MM) HANDMADE $1,560.00 |
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KENDO BOUGU BOGU ARMOR SET 1.5BU(4.5MM) HANDMADE $1,878.00 |
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KENDO BOUGU BOGU ARMOR SET 1.5BU(4.5MM) HANDMADE $1,624.00 |
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KENDO BOUGU BOGU ARMOR SET 1.5BU(4.5MM) HANDMADE $1,942.00 |
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KENDO BOUGU BOGU ARMOR SET 1.5BU(4.5MM) HANDMADE $1,560.00 |
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KENDO BOUGU BOGU ARMOR SET 1.5BU(4.5MM) HANDMADE $1,878.00 |
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Kendo Principles – Part I: Basics – VHS This video can be a guide for Kenshis starting Kendo for self trainning. Dojo Instructors can also take full use of this video as an additional instruction material for their students. Main topics discussed in this video are the following: Basic Feet Movements (Ayumi Ashi, Okuri Ashi, Fumikomi) Basic Positions (Seigan-no-Kamae, Yasume, Sonkyo) Basic Shinai Movements (Furikaburi, San-Kyodo Men-Uchi… |
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(BMK-06) Dignified 4mm Kendo Kote Korean Material $170.45 (BMK-06) Dignified 4mm Kendo Kote Korean Material This Kote used indigo cow leather for the kote head, the Kote palm can comes with nice smoked deer leather by option. This is a very good Kote for beginner to start with. Material and Design Detail Kote– Cow Leather (palm), Indigo Cow Leather (head) (BMK-06) ????????4mm ?? |
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Top Quality Short Bokuto (55 cm) $19.99 … |
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(Bmk-01) Dignified Top 3mm Deer Leather Kote $257.15 (BMK-01) Dignified Top 3mm Deer leather Kote This Kote comes with all Japanese material. The indigo deer leather we used in this Bogu are imported from Japan, the indigo deer leather will look nice and last long. All the decoration leather and side leather are hand sewing. This will be the higest standard for Machine stitch Bogu. Material and Design Detail Kote– Smoked Deer Leather (palm), Delu… |
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Kendo Vinyl Decal small $13.95 Cut from high quality vinyl that has an outdoor life expectancy of 5-8 years. The decal will be white, the background will be whatever you are putting the decal on. This is a single color decal. Each decal will come on clean transparent transfer tape (not paper)for very easy application. Can be applied on outside of any smooth, flat, clean and dry surface. Great on laptops, glass, car windows, use… |
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E-bogu Tenugui $5.99 Top quality tenugui. Double sided print on top quality 100% made in Japan cotton cloth. “The writing says “Ko-Ken-Chi-Ai” which means, “You learn love by crossing the swords together”, which is my philosophy about Kendo. I think the best way to make friends is by practicing with each other…. |
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Navy Blue Single Layer Kendo Kendogi (Top Only) $45.00 High quality Single Layer Keikogi (Top) 100% cotton Navy Blue. This item does not comes with Hakama. For more details and size on this product and our newest product line, please contact us with our toll free number 866-365-3636…. |
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Complete Kendo Shinai with Green Traditional Bag for 1 Shinai $30.00 High Quality complete Shinai with leather parts (Sakigawa, Tsuru, Tsukagawa, Nakayui). Tsuba and Tsuba Dome (Tsuba Stopper) included. Green Shinai bag for 1 Shinai included…. |
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High quality 6 mm Machine Stitched Bogu Set $345.00 For Sizing details, please contact 866-365-3636. Top Cost Performance Kendo Bogu e-bogu.com Inc. has always been spending a great deal of effort in the research and the development of new products, such as Uniforms, Bogu and Shinais. For the price you can not get a better detail. “This is not a fancy Bogu, but it is very durable, and is probably the best cost performance that is around in … |