Japanese Sword Arts FAQ Version 2.7

June 15, 1998

Introduction

This document is copyright 1998 by Neil Gendzwill, all rights reserved. Permission is granted for free distribution in electronic or hard copy, provided that the document is maintained as a complete work. Copying or distribution for profit is expressly denied.

This FAQ is intended to cover all aspects of Japanese swordsmanship. However, my particular bent is towards kendo, so any flames about other arts are probably deserved. Heck, corrections or additions on anything in this document are welcome. Please mail comments to gendzwill@SEDSystems.ca If you have comments, I'll either incorporate your changes or explain to you why I didn't.

Please note that any complaints regarding this web version of the FAQ should be directed towards me, Kjartan Clausen, kjartan@ii.uib.no

This FAQ has been cross-posted to rec.martial-arts, rec.sport.fencing and the iaido-l mailing list. It is also available by anonymous FTP: see section 5 for details.

Table o' Contents

  1. What is kendo?
    1. OK, then what is kenjutsu?
    2. Isn't bokken technique taught in aikido?
    3. What is kumdo?
    4. Are there different styles of kendo/kenjutsu?
  2. What is iaido?
    1. OK, then what is iaijutsu?
    2. Are there different styles of iaido/iaijutsu?
  3. What about batto-jutsu, tameshi-giri, shinkendo and others?
    1. OK, so if they're watered down, why study kendo or iaido?
  4. How do I find a school?
    1. How do I evaluate a school?
  5. Are there any other net.resources?
  6. How did kendo originate?
  7. How did iaido originate?
  8. What are those funny clothes kendo and iaido players wear?
    1. Why do they wear hakama?
    2. What virtues do the hakama pleats represent?
  9. How is a Japanese sword constructed?
    1. How many layers in a Japanese sword?
    2. What are the different types of Japanese swords?
  10. What sort of weapons are used for practice?
  11. What is the armour for kendo?
    1. How much does kendo armour cost?
    2. What are you paying for in those expensive sets, anyways?
    3. What are the two methods used to tie the men-himo?
  12. Are kendo and iaido dangerous?
    1. What are the common injuries?
    2. Does a shinai blow hurt?
  13. How does the ranking work in kendo and iaido?
    1. What are the names of the ranks?
    2. What is the traditional system of ranking?
  14. Kendo competition
    1. World kendo championships results
  15. I want to buy a Japanese sword. What do I do?
    1. How much do they cost?
    2. Where can I find swords to purchase?
    3. How can I tell if it's a good sword?
    4. How can I tell if the sword is right for me?
    5. Are there special concerns for iaido?
  16. Bibliography
  17. Organization Contacts
    1. Kendo Federations
    2. Sword Clubs
  18. Equipment Suppliers
kjartan@ii.uib.no