Kendo, meaning "The Way of the Sword", is based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship and is today a modern Japanese martial art.
Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.
Kendo is a lifelong activity. Age and gender doesn’t matter. The purpose when you practice kendo is not only to improve your techniques but also your mind and physical fitness. Kendo is practiced wearing traditional Japanese clothing and armour (bogu), using bamboo swords (shinai).
A practitioner of kendo is called kendoka, "one who practices kendo", but is sometimes also called kenshi which means "swordsman". Kendo is different from European fencing in the way the sword is handled. The sword is usually held with both hands and employs strikes involving both the edge (cut) and tip (thrust) of the shinai.
In 1970 the International Kendo Federation (FIK) was established and today around 60 national or regional federations are members.
Kendo is practiced worldwide and there are more than 6 million people training in kendo.