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Kendo, a traditional Japanese martial art, has a rich and long history. Below is an overview of kendo's history:
Early Period
8th-9th Century: Kendo originated from classical Japanese swordsmanship, known as Kenjutsu. Kenjutsu was used by samurai warriors during the Heian period (794-1185).
Kamakura Period (1185-1333): Samurai began developing and refining their sword skills. Various sword schools emerged and developed.
Muromachi and Edo Periods
15th-16th Century: Kenjutsu continued to develop, with the emergence of many different schools (ryu). Famous swordsmen like Miyamoto Musashi and Yagyu Munenori made significant contributions to this development.
Edo Period (1603-1868): Japan entered a long period of peace. This led to samurai no longer having to participate in battles, and instead, they focused on training martial arts skills and teaching them.
Development of Modern Kendo
18th Century: Bokuto (wooden swords) and shinai (bamboo swords) began to be used for training, reducing injuries compared to using real swords.
19th Century: An organized training and competition system began to develop. Uniforms and protective equipment (bogu) were introduced, allowing practitioners to train and compete more safely.
Modern Era
Late 19th - Early 20th Century: Kendo became an officially recognized sport and martial art. In 1920, the All Japan Kendo Federation (Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei) was established.
After World War II: Kendo was banned for a short time as the American occupation authorities feared it could encourage militarism. However, in 1952, kendo was restored and made a strong comeback.
Kendo Today
Kendo is now considered an international sport with tournaments and competitions held around the world. It is not only a martial art but also a means of training the mind and body, with deep moral values and philosophy.
Kendo not only preserves and develops the samurai sword art but also conveys the spirit of martial arts and traditional Japanese culture to people around the world.