Kendo Art of the Samurai, complete learning guide

There are several martial arts that involve learning the way of life with the sword, such as the Japanese arts of Iaido, Battodo and Kendo or the Korean art of Kumdo. Iaido is the art of drawing and sheathing the sword, Kendo is the art of fighting with the sword after it is already drawn and Battodo is the art of quickly drawing and cutting with the sword. Kumdo is the Korean version of Kendo, which was introduced to Korea during the Japanese occupation of that country. 

Many sword instructors do not include other sword techniques in their teachings. This may be because they are concerned about diluting their student’s techniques by introducing “bad habits”. In other words, studying Iaido while studying Kendo may alter the student’s execution of the Kendo techniques.

There is certainly justification for this concern; however, it is imperative that all aspects of the sword are understood in order to be a true swordsman. Learning other techniques may require students to spend more time practicing in order to understand and perfect the pure Kendo techniques. 

Although requiring the learning of other sword techniques may delay the student in their quest for a Black Belt, this is a small price to pay relative to the well-rounded training the student will receive. NOTE: In most cases youth are taught kendo in the Japanese school system, but Iaido is mostly studied by the older population who want to incorporate a bit of history into daily life. 

Also many adults who studied Kendo in their youth have a tendency to start practicing Iaido later in life, such as after they have become successful in their career. In this curriculum, Iaido, Tameshigiri Kombat Kenjutsu and Chanbara are included as requirements so that the student will not be deficient in his sword training. 

In other words, to do Kendo (fighting with the sword once it is drawn from the sheath), you need to know how to draw the sword from the sheath (Iaido) and understand how a real blade cuts (Tameshigiri). 

Kombat Kenjutsu and youth Chanbara (practice fighting with full contact combative swords) are included because they allow the student the ability to integrate many sword techniques in practice. 

Kombat Kenjutsu and youth Chanbara emphasizes “to hit without being hit”, which more accurately depicts how you would behave in a real sword fight. Integrating these studies boosts the understanding of a way of life through the sword and teaches respect of other martial arts, history, styles, cultures and people.

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