Kendo and aikido
Kendo (剣道, kendō?), or "way of the sword", is the martial art of Japanese fencing. Kendo developed from traditional techniques of Japanese swordsmanship known as kenjutsu.
Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sporting-like physical elements.
Practitioners of kendo are called kendoka (one who practices kendo) or kenshi (swordsman).
Kendo is "played" by kendoka, wearing traditionally styled clothing and protective armour (bogu), using a shinai or two as weapons. Kendo may be seen as a Japanese style of fencing. The movements in kendo are different to European fencing because the design of the sword is different, as is the way it is used. Kendo training is quite noisy in comparison to other martial arts or sports. This is because kendoka use a shout, or kiai, to express their spirit and when a strike or cut is performed, the front foot contacts the floor in a motion similar to stamping.
Around eight million people world-wide practice kendo with approximately seven million in Japan.
Kendo is one of the Japanese budo and embodies the essence of Japanese fighting arts.
Kendo is practiced using a shinai as a weapon. One, or more rarely two shinai, are used. The shinai is the practice "sword" and is made up of four bamboo staves, which are held together by leather fittings. Kendoka also use bokken/bokuto (wooden swords) to practice more formal, set forms known as kata. Protective armour (bogu), is worn, to protect specified target areas on the head, arms and body. The clothing, worn under the bogu comprises a jacket, or kendogi/keikogi and a hakama, which is a trouser-like garment with wide legs.
Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendo
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