Tag: do

image of Gyakudo

Why is Hidari-do Called Gyaku-do? Vol.2

So that it could be employed in the regular curriculum under these conditions, a kind of ‘Bujutsu Calisthenics’ was developed. The responsibility for the instruction for these fell to Ozawa Unosuke. Ozawa would publish the ‘Bujutsu Calisthenic Method’ in the 30th year of Meiji (1897). By taking the then regular Read More

image of Gyakudo

Why is Hidari-do Called Gyaku-do? Vol.3

Still more, in the first year of Taisho (1912) the Great Imperial Japanese Kendo Kata (the modern Japanese Kendo Kata) were enacted and, as I’m sure you’re aware, only the right-do is used. In 1922, Kaneko Chikatsugu, having studied at Koshi, announced that the reason for left-do being omitted in Read More

image of Gyakudo

Why is Hidari-do Called Gyaku-do? Vol. 1

Striking points (datotsu-bui) like men and kote, the rules of shiai, the flow of keiko, and proper etiquette…For everyone reading this, these are all common sense things when it comes to how kendo is and how it is to be done. Have you ever stopped and wondered how it is Read More

Kendo Equipment – the Mune

Amongst kendo equipment, one of the most distinctive parts is the do (胴). This protects your chest and stomach and is made from two main components: the curved plate that covers the stomach called the dodai (胴台), and the piece that covers the chest called the mune (胸). In this Read More

An image of special Kendo Mune and Do order

Kendo Equipment Knowledge – Too basic to ask: DO

In kendo, the do is used to protect the body. The do covers the body from the stomach up to the chest, and is rich in design. There are all kinds of embroidery and colors, which makes the do the easiest part of kendo equipment to express individuality. The do Read More

Is Kendo a sport?

Kendo existed before WWII but it used to be called “kenjutsu” and was considered a type of ancient martial arts, today around the world many people view Kendo as a sport. Back then, it was different from the form we have today; the wooden sword was used in place of Read More