Kendo Na h-Eireann. Irish Kendo Federation

drop-d

Hey all,

We just got a new website and the federation is ramping up.

Please stop by and have a look, we are running many beginer seminars over the next few months and weeks for anyone interested in this old art.

www.irishkendofederation.org

If ye have any questions please do pop them in our forum. We have a few nice video's there to help get a better understanding of kendo.

Thanks

focusing

Very nice site.

You could do with an "about Kendo" section (unless I missed it).

The link to the video about the 8th Dan test is worth a look. (1% pass rate after a min of 7 years since 7th Dan.)

What's the highest grade in Ireland?

drop-d

thanks,

No not really an about page, i will feed this back, but generally it was thought there is enough about kendo out on the net...fair point tho'.

Highest in ireland is third i think, but there are a lot of up and comers

yomchi

Can you give us a little run down on what Kendo is?

Looks interesting, is it like fencing?

drop-d

ya, I just updated our site with a bit of info..

You can get more info here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendo

Essentially it is a very hard impact martial art, where you wear armour (called bogu). There is a lot of philosophy and a hell of a lot of training. Its not for everyone as its tough, but those who continue are hooked for life - it is the way of the samurai afterall.

Actually a lot of "other" martial artists, get to high levels in their own art then find they want something more. They usually end up at kendo.
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Kendo (剣 道 Kendō) or "way of the sword", is the martial art of Japanese fencing.
Kendō developed from traditional techniques of Japanese swordsmanship known as kenjutsu.

Since 1975 the Concept of Kendō as stated by the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) is "to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana".
The AJKF state the purpose of practicing kendō as:

To mold the mind and body,
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement in the art of Kendō,
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor,
To associate with others with sincerity,
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
This will make one be able:
To love his/her country and society,
To contribute to the development of culture
And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.

Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sporting like physical elements.

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drop-d

yep. Compulsary in japenese sschools and colleges. Most of the population practice it.

Miles Long

This Bogu armor you guys use, It's kinda hard to tell under that suit/robe/*japanese term*, What does it consist of? Do you have to keep both hands on the sword at all times?

drop-d

actually the people on our forum know a lot more than me.

Swing by and they will answer more accurately all of your questions.

The chest plate (do) is made from fiberglass. Traditionally it was made from bamboo. All the rest ismade from an extremely high rate of stiched fabric, leather and deer skin/fur generally. The face mask (men) has a grille made from titanium.

The full armour (bogu) set ranges in price from $300 to $15,000 hence a big variance in material.

Both hands are used at all times. If its not both on one sword the more advanced used 2 swords and obviously, one hand on each