Category: Kendo

An image of Tozando Kendo craftsman assembling Men mask

10 Things to Check When Buying Kendo Bogu

Buying bogu is often a daunting task, not only is it a significant investment, but information about it can be difficult to track down. This is the same for beginners and veterans alike. In this article we take a look at ten key things for you to check; either before Read More

Reflections from Tozando’s 2018 Renseikai

Members from the Japanese National Kendo Team including All-Japan Championship winners Nishimura hidehisa and kiwada Daiki cross shinai with participants from all over Japan and the world at Tozando’s annual Renseikai. The visiting teachers all impart importants lesson that can be applied in shiai and everyday keiko. Tozando’s Annual Renseikai Read More

Memorable Kendo Matches 17: Ryoichi Uchimura (2006 All Japan Championships)

“I want to become No. 1 in Japan” Uchimura Ryohei attributes his first All Japan Kendo Championship title to all the hard work and unending effort that he put in everyday. Appearing in the All Japan Championship for the first time in 2005, Uchimura lost to Harada Satoru in the Read More

Kendo Kyoshi 7-dan Hayashi demonstrating Kendo

Thus spoke Hayashi – Vol. 2

Evaluating budo equipment can be very difficult, especially as a newcomer to martial arts. We thought who better to ask than our resident kyoshi 7-dan Hayashi Sensei: he not only has a great understanding of his chosen art (kendo), but he also actively works in product development. Let’s take a Read More

Where did your fascination with budo come from?

We have another of our essay contest winning entries to kick off this week. In this article Arash explores how his connection to Japanese budo developed and also shows how it now manifests in his sons. We all have our own experiences with discovering budo, but many of us did it alone.

Kendo practice Keiko in the sunset

Kendo as a way of life is hard

This article by Mihai Dutescu(Tozando 2019 Essay contest Winner) takes a look at the objectives of kendo and why we should embrace the difficulty that lies ahead on our chosen path. Kendo as a way of life is hard Choosing to practice kendo as a way of life as opposed Read More

Hayashi Takahiro Kendo Kyoshi 7-dan

Thus Spoke Hayashi

I have also learned to put more weight on the mental side of the game Hayashi-san, you taking Kendo Kyoshi 7-dan while still being in your 30s without once failing an examination. How do you feel about it now? Well, previously I was thinking primarily about my own kendo, but Read More

Image of Kendo player hitting Do

Olympics and Budo – a Questionable Mix

This article by Tyler Duffield explores the interesting relationship between Japanese budo and the Olympics. The Olympics and Budo: a Questionable Mix With the coming inclusion of Karate in the 2020 Tokyo Games, it is timely to pause and think about the effect of Olympic inclusion on Judo, possible ramifications Read More