Kendo World’s Alex Bennett narrates “A Brief History of Kendo”. Based on Alex’s book, “Kendo – Culture of the Sword”, and his decades of research into kendo, budo, and bushido, this video gives an excellent overview of how “kendo” became “kendo”. Watch it an impress your friends in the “second dojo” with what you know about kendo’s history.
If the video gives you a thirst to learn more, why not buy the book that goes into the subject in amazing detail?
“Kendo- Culture of the Sword” by Alexander Bennett
University of California Press, 2015
ISBN-10 : 0520284372
ISBN-13 : 978-0520284371
TIME STAMPS:
00:00 – 00:44 – Message from author or Alex Bennett
00:44 – 00:55 – Intro
00:55 – 02:35 – Kenjutsu from 14th century
02:35 – 06:45 – Kenjutsu during pax Tokugawa
06:45 – 09:20 – Gekkiken Kogyo
09:20 – 10:35 – Keishicho (Police) kendo
10:35 – 12:34 – Kendo in education
12:34 – 14:16 – Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
14:16 – 15:50 – Creation of Dai Nippon Teikoku Kendo Kata
15:50 – 17:13 – Kendo During the Imperial Expansion
17:13 – 19:26 – Budo Ban and Shinai Kyogi
19:26 – 22:15 – Formation of All Japan Kendo Federation
22:15 – 23:21 – Kendo Goes International
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— ABOUT US —
Kendo World is devoted to Japanese budo (martial arts), and the dissemination of its vast practical, philosophical and historical aspects to the non-Japanese speaking community.
Although our primary focus is kendo, we also cover iaido, naginata, jodo, jukendo and tankendo, as well as other koryu (classical martial arts). Kendo World publishes books and articles of cultural and historical significance on various subjects related to budo.
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40 Comments
The only problem I have with this video is that I wish it was a an hour longer.
Thanks for all the hard work that goes into making these.
They are much appreciated and looked forward to.
Thank you Alex and Marko. You put lots of effort to make this video both funny and substantial. Besides, after watching this video my personal oppinion was only strenghened that everything in kendo ( or any other old traditon) was invented quite recently.
great video!
Fantastic, thanks for taking the time to do this Alex.
Just finished reading your book Alex. Thoroughly enjoyed it and so many fascinating insights. Thanks too for this video, will be sharing widely here in Victoria, Australia.
Auspicious timing on the release of this video, I finished your book a few days ago – this is a great way to recap! Thank you for putting this together.
Make cake not war!
This video is so amazing. It’s the standard that other arts should strive to meet. I commend your commitment to history.
Excellent video! I love your work!
Amazing!
Sharing
Very nice Alex. Thanks for that. Clearly defines gekiken and other factors such as unconventional Kendo that people get confused with.
Well done, Alex!
Great video, very concise. It touches on the most important points in the development of Kendo in an austere and clear way.
However, I still find the idea of budo and sport in Kendo somewhat vague. It doesn't seem definite whether it is a sport or Budo. I understand that the values of virtue, honor and self-development are part of Budo, however, they also apply to sportsmanship in a certain way.
Bennett Sensei, it would be wonderful to know your opinion about it, about what points in the discipline of Kendo define it as Budo from a more technical and practical sense.
Thanks a lot. Cheers.
Great overview. I teach Japanese history at the university level, and practice Iaido. I was wondering: you did not include Iai in this overview? (Although Nakayama Hakudo does appear in a picture you show)
Excellent video, educating and it's fun to watch. Thank you Bennett sensei!
Only problem I have is with the FIK affiliated federations map shown towards the end. Turkiye is affiliated to FIK since 2014 and participated in 16th and 17th WKC.
Bellissimo!
amazing video, thanks you very much!
Great work. Thanks to all who helped put it together!
Got the book. Haven't finished it yet though. 😂 Started it on my honeymoon and then we had two kids…
Thank you Alex and Marko!!
This was a lot of fun and of course, very informative.
I have added Kendo Culture of The Sword to (the top of) my summer reading pile.
A beautiful mini documentary. Excellent work:)
Great Video there .. Been a while .. hugs and kisses.. Deano.
Thank you so much for your hard work and for explaining the history of kendo, which I was curious about, implicitly and very well.
Shinai kyogi looked horrible! I couldnt imagine kendo without kiai
Great video love your work Alex such an inspiration I'm hoping to start kendo soon but it's gonna be a 88mile round trip will all be worth it 👌
thanks you very much
Wow! There is a tremendous amount of love that went into making that amazing video! Thanks a million!
The affiliated countries map is a bit outdated. Turkiye has been affiliated almost a decade ago.
I just got the book and it is Electric!
🎉
Would be interested to know the current scientific consensus on kendo causing brain damage and also hearing loss
Sounds like in 1911 they were training the military
Thank you for the video Sensei.
I will be getting that book
Kendo should be "Kondo" (棍道) instead. Seriously, there is no Ken anywhere, just bamboo sticks. More importantly, it is a hitting sport not a fencing or slashing spot. If you are actually using a sword of any kind, you will not try to hit the opponent with the tip of the sword the way Kendo practitioners do. They tap you on the head or poke you in the chest because that is how hits are scored and slashes are SLOW compared to quick taps and pokes. However, when using a real sword you'll want to slash and cut to do the most damage. Yes, it's a sport and not really a fighting art. I know that. But the name really should reflect what it actually is!
Nice work, Alex, great to hear a Kiwi explain this.
日本の文化である剣道を分かりやすく世界に広めてくれてとても嬉しいです！！これからも共に頑張りましょう！！
Thanks for this explanation. It will be very helpful to deeply understand Kendo for intermediate and upper level Kendoists.
Can kendo be useful for self-defense?
Well, sadly Mr. Bennett forgot (either by accident or willingly) to mention the deep influence of Chiba Shūsaku (Hokushin Itto Ryu) to modern kendo since most techniques in simplified way are based on his teachings. Mr. Bennett showed a old photography of the committee responsible for the Dai Nippon Teikoku Kendo Kata, but didn't mentioned their corresponding ryuha's. These are the members of following ryuha's: Takano Sasaburo (Ono Ha Itto Ryu/Nakanishi Ha Itto Ryu), Mona Tadashi (Hokushin Itto Ryu), Naito Takaharu (Hokushin Itto Ryu), Tsuji Shinpei (Shingyoto Ryu), Negishi Shingoro (Kanto Ha Shindo Munen Ryu).