In America, the College Football league is hugely popular. Michigan University boasted an average of 100,000 spectators per match in 2017. In English, rugby is famous as a university sport. Japanese universities are also known for their sporting achievements, and that is the same with martial arts. When it comes Read More
Even those seeing a Japanese sword for the first time are captivated by the vividness of the hamon (blade pattern). The hamon refers to the part that is tempered with extra heat, so it is actual proof that the sword went through the tempering process. The swordsmiths could simply stretch Read More
Victorious in Historical High School Kendo Rivalry In 1986, PL Gakuen (Osaka) won the Gyokuryuki boys with fine performances from 2nd grader Takahiro Nabeyama. They were seeking back to back titles the following year with Nabeyama as their key player. Facing PL in the final was Takachiho (Miyazaki), who had Read More
The blade of the Japanese sword is made by heating the tamahagane (steel for making swords) to high temperature then hitting it flat with a mallet. They use a chisel to create the rift in the blades, fold it, then hit it again with a mallet. This process is repeated Read More
Kendo was born in the mid Edo period as a martial art using the shinai and protective equipment, and continues to this day earning as much popularity as to host international competitions. There is another martial art involving the sword called iaido, and in thi edition I would like to Read More
In any sport, it is important to maintain a high level of concentration in order to win. How about in kendo? As you are constantly battling close with your opponent in a short match time, if you lose one moment of concentration you will expose yourself to the opponent. In Read More
The Gyokuryuki crosses the Kaimon strainght for the first time PL Gakuen, located in Osaka, won the inter high games (boys) in 1972 for the first time, and has won it 7 times in total. Especially between 1975-1985 it was considered one of the two top kendo schools along with Read More
Sori – the curve that captures the charpness and beauty of the Japanese sword As mentioned in one of our previous articles about Japanese sword craftsmanship, the katana was originally preceded a straight sword with no curve at all; known by many names including the apt ‘chokuto’ – literally ‘straight Read More
Counter Techniques They spend a lot of time practicing counter techniques. In addition to the usual counter technique practices, they have a practice where all stand in front of one player and strike his/her men one by one, and the receiver tries to pull out counters all in a row. Read More
2018 makes it 55 years since Kyoto Uzumasa Boys Kendo Club was established. In 2011, at the National Dojo Boys Games held by All Japan Kendo Dojo Association at the Nihon Budokan, they became the national champions for the elementary school section. In other years they have reached 2nd and Read More
