Category: Budo Articles

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

A-1 Alpha 5mm BioCLEAN Hygienic Kendo Bogu Set

A-1 Alpha picks up from where our A-1 leaves off. Light, easy to use and optimized for training These are the concepts that the legendary A-1 Series Bogu were built upon. As a collaboration between Tozando and Kanagawa Hakkodo, the A-1 concept was further refined and the new A-1 Alpha Read More

Kendo Men side view

Kendo Equipment Knowledge – Too basic to ask: MEN

In kendo equipment, the men is used to protect the head and the throat. The men, apparently, was first made by a man named Naganuma Shirozaemon Kunisato. Naganuma and his father Yamada Mitsunori were trying to develop equipment such as the men and kote so that kenshi could strike each Read More

A girl wearing Kendo Men

“Kyu” and “Dan” in Budo

In Japanese Budo such as kendo, judo, kyudo, there are levels named “kyu” and “dan”. Each has its own characteristic, but many people wonder what the difference is between the two. Kyu is a word that describes the quality or the condition of objects as in “ikkyuhin”, “nikyuhin” and “sankyuhin” Read More

Kendo practice Keiko in the sunset

If everything is my teacher, anywhere can be my dojo

In today’s article we are looking at how we can work on our training outside of our regular dojo.  If you are struggling to make it to regular training and want some ideas on how to make it up outside of the dojo then this is the article for you. Read More

Meditation controlling breathing

Control your breath, control the match

In sports, many believe that breathing is important, and that is the same in Japanese Budo. Moving in the rhythm of your breathing gives your greater strength and speed, and brings out the best of your abilities. Moving with your breathing is necessary for a high level of performance. There Read More

The Correct Way to Maintain Your Iaito Sword

In this article we take a look at how to take care of your iaito and keep it in good condition. Caring for your equipment is an important part of budo after-all! The iaito is a sword designed specifically for practicing iaido and uses an alloy blade instead of a Read More

Kusarigama Image

Kusarigama

In Japanese ancient martial arts, there are many unique weapons and techniques. Among them, the kusarigama is an especially famous and popular weapon. In Yoshikawa Eiji’s novel Miyamoto Musashi, there is a character named Shishido Baiken who shows a strong personality. And his combat is one of the most famous Read More

Young Musashi Face

The “Eye” for Winning in Martial Arts Part 2

Look at your opponent’s face, as taught by young Miyamoto Musashi Let us also break down Miyamoto Musashi’s teaching on the eye too. Musashi is known for his teaching on “Kanken no me” but long before his famous “Gorinsho”, he wrote the following at the age of 24, after defeating Read More

Hitting Kendo Men image

The Danger of Kendo

In kendo, sometimes you can get injured during practice or during the match. Because it’s a match where you are facing an opponent, so that increases the risk of injury. Using the shinai and protective gear means that it probably has less risk of injury compared to other martial arts, Read More