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Kendo is a path to character development through the training of the principles of the sword.

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It is important to check your own physical condition, keep your fingernails and toenails short, and do plenty of warm-up exercises. Check the condition of the tip leather, middle knot, and bamboo pieces of your shinai, and make sure that the strings and leather of your kendo equipment are not torn. Check your hakama and gi for tears and adjust your attire accordingly.

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(Physical) Full-body exercise stimulates metabolism, improves muscle strength, maintains good posture, strengthens cardiopulmonary function, and increases agility.
(Mental) Through interpersonal competition, we cultivate mental strength such as politeness, fortitude, determination, perseverance, and stamina. We develop a spirit of self-discipline that makes the most of people.

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1. Is the tip of the leather torn?
2. Is the knot broken or loose? Is it located about 1/4 of the way from the tip?
3. Are the strings loose?
4. Are there any splinters or cracks in the bamboo pieces? Are there any exposed fibers in the carbon bamboo swords?

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Kirigaeshi combines front strikes with successive left and right face strikes, and is a comprehensive exercise that practices the fundamentals of tegara, distance, footwork, and spirit. Its objectives include learning correct posture, blade line, and breathing techniques, cultivating physical and mental strength, and mastering striking with the unity of spirit, sword, and body. It is always performed at the beginning and end of training, and also serves as a warm-up and cool-down exercise.

[Answer example]
Tsuba-zeriai is when the distance between the two swords is close and the swords are clashing. The bamboo sword is held diagonally to the right, the grip is lowered, and the body is centered by applying force to the lower abdomen.
Points to note: 1. Lower your hands and straighten your waist. 2. Keep your neck straight. 3. Make sure the tsuba touch each other. 4. Don't put the shinai on your shoulders or body. 5. Don't strain yourself too much and don't let your guard down. 6. This determines whether you will use your technique aggressively or not.

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A one-strike technique is when the tip or hand of your opponent's sword changes in response to your attack, creating an opening and allowing you to strike immediately.
Main techniques: 1. The tip of the sword goes down → Men, Tsuki 2. The tip of the sword goes up → Kote 3. The hand goes up → Do 4. The tip of the sword opens to the left → Men, Tsuki 5. The tip of the sword opens to the right → Kote, Men, Tsuki

[Answer example]
Second and third stage techniques are used when the opponent changes position after the first strike, creating an opening, or when you create an opening from a distance, breaking their stance and then striking the vulnerable part of the body.
Two-stage techniques: Kote → Men, Kote → Do, Men → Men, Men → Tai-tari Pull Men, etc.
Sandan-waza: Kote → Men → Do, Kote → Men → Men, Tsuki → Men → Do, etc.

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Debana techniques are techniques that involve capturing the initial movement of the opponent when they are about to attack or strike and then striking them.
Main techniques: Debana Men, Debana Kote, Debana Tsuki

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A sweeping technique is when there is no opening in the opponent's stance, and you sweep or sweep down the opponent's bamboo sword to the right or left to disrupt their stance and then strike.
Main techniques: Swai Men, Swai Kote, Swai Do, Swai Tsuki

[Answer example]
Pulling techniques involve disrupting the opponent's posture by slamming into them or clashing swords, capturing the change in their hand, and striking while pulling back.
Main techniques: Body attack → Hikimen, Body attack → Hikido, Body attack → Hikikote, Tsuba zeriai → Hikimen, Tsuba zeriai → Hikido, Tsuba zeriai → Hikikote

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1. Debana: When the opponent starts to perform the technique
2. Blocked: When the opponent blocks your technique
3. When the technique runs out: After consecutive strikes or when the technique runs out

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Zanshin is the posture and mental state that allows you to remain alert even after striking and respond to your opponent's counterattack at any time. 1. After striking, take distance to prepare for a counterattack. 2. If you cannot take the appropriate distance, place the tip of your sword in the center of your opponent. 3. A strike without zanshin is not considered a valid strike.

[Answer example]
The Three Killing Techniques are ways to control your opponent.
Killing the Shinai: Pressing, sweeping, and rolling the sword to move the tip away from the center
Kill the technique: Attack first and don't give your opponent any time to launch a technique.
Kill the enemy's spirit: Overwhelm them with willpower, seize the opportunity, and crush their spirit.

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Metsuke is where you look. Basically, you pay attention to your whole body while looking into the other person's eyes.
"The eyes of a distant mountain" and "The eyes of autumn leaves": Look at the whole picture, focusing on the other person's eyes, as if looking at a distant mountain or autumn leaves.
"Two eyes of observation and insight": Miyamoto Musashi's teaching: "Strong eyes of observation, weak eyes of seeing." Emphasis on essential insight over superficial observation

[Answer example]
A good opportunity to strike is one where you can seize a gap or change in your opponent's stance or posture and turn it into an effective strike.
Main opportunities: ① Debana ② When the technique is exhausted ③ When the opponent settles in ④ Hikihana ⑤ When the opponent receives a block ⑥ When the opponent takes a deep breath

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To slash means to carefully observe and judge your opponent's actions, and as soon as you spot an opening, strike immediately, throwing away any thought of winning or losing and striking with all your might.

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1. With the right posture, players can boost their energy and attack each other.
2. Seize the opportunity to strike from the appropriate distance and strike with a big move
3. Make sure that each strike is an effective strike that is the unity of spirit, sword, and body.
4. After striking, regain your composure and prepare for the next strike.

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Uchikomi training: A training method in which the person striking catches the strike point delivered by the motodachi and strikes, mastering basic striking techniques.
Kakari training: A training method in which the attacking side actively attacks and breaks down the motodachi to create opportunities for striking, and then uses all their willpower and physical strength to strike in a short amount of time.

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1. Never let your guard down, always respond to your opponent with Aikido
2. Strike from the appropriate distance
3. Providing the right opportunity to strike and highlighting correct strikes
4. Mix and match single attacks, combos, body slams, and pull attacks to create a variety of responses.

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1. It always becomes Aikido, and when the person's energy is waning, it gives rise to rage.
2. Be aware of distance and opportunities to strike
3. When you see a lack of balance or mismatch in the spirit, sword, and body, you need to find a creative way to deal with it.
4. Remain calm and do not take any reckless actions.

[Answer example]
Mitori-gakurei is observing kendo, but it is not just observing; it is valued as a part of kendo training. You observe from all angles the attire, posture, how to hold the bamboo sword, stance, how to use your feet, how to attack, how to execute techniques, spirit, and style, and compare it with your own kendo to use as material for study and reflection.

[Answer example]

1. Middle stance: "Hito no Kamae" (Human stance) or "Usual stance". The foundation of all stances, ideal for offense and defense.
2. Upper stance: "Heaven's stance" or "Fire's stance." An aggressive stance in which the sword is raised above the head.
3. Lower stance: "Earth stance" or "Defense stance." Lower the tip of the sword to defend and then move to attack.
4. Hasso no Kamae: "Kage no Kamae." Hold the sword on your right shoulder and watch your opponent's movements.
5. Wakigamae: "Yang Kamae" (Yang stance). Hold the sword at your right side with your body half-turned.

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1. All footwork is done with "suriashi" (sliding feet), and "fumikomi-ashi" (stepping feet) is not used.
2. When moving forward, the movement starts with the front foot, and when moving backward, the movement starts with the back foot.
3. When striking, do not leave your back leg behind, but pull it towards your front leg

[Answer example]
A match is a way to demonstrate the techniques, willpower, stamina, and attitude acquired through daily training, and through competition, to examine the content of training and explore the future direction of Kendo. The experience of facing challenges on one's own is valuable for character development, generating a strong desire to win and cultivating the spirit to endure intense training.

[Answer example]
Conditions for a valid strike:

1. Full of energy: Full of energy and the ability to overwhelm the opponent.
2. Proper posture: The direction of the strike with the bamboo sword and the posture of the body are in harmony, and the dynamic posture is stable.
3. Striking section: Striking with a bamboo sword
4. Correct striking point: The striking direction and the cutting edge direction are aligned.
5. Zanshin: Shows the mindset and posture after the strike

[Answer example]
The three principles of judging are fairness, accuracy, and speed.
Fairness: Making fair judgments without bias or prejudice
Accurate: Correctly understand the conditions for a valid strike and make accurate judgments.
Speed: Don't miss the moment of the strike and make a quick decision

[Answer example]
Prohibited acts include: 1) any act that endangers the opponent, 2) dropping the bamboo sword, 3) leaving the ring, 4) wasting time, 5) making unreasonable requests to stop, 6) insulting words or actions towards the opponent, etc. Penalties will be applied to prohibited acts, such as "one foul" or "two fouls = one point for the opponent."

[Answer example]
When teaching beginners, the most important thing is to make them feel the joy of kendo and to motivate them to continue. We carefully teach the basics, such as correct etiquette, basic posture, and suburi, while taking safety into consideration. We also convey the philosophy and spirit of kendo and help them understand that it is a path to character development. It is important to cultivate not only technique, but also courtesy and gratitude.

[Answer example]
When teaching kendo to young children, it is necessary to provide instruction that is appropriate to their stage of development and is not too demanding. 1. Safety must come first. 2. Repeat and carefully teach the basic movements. 3. Don't focus too much on winning or losing. 4. Be mindful of teaching that encourages growth through praise. 5. Emphasize character development through kendo. 6. Never use corporal punishment. 7. Value cooperation with parents.

[Answer example]
The motodachi plays an important role in nurturing his opponent. 1. Respond according to the opponent's skill. 2. Provide appropriate opportunities for striking. 3. Enhance correct striking. 4. Always remain alert and respond with aikido. 5. Make efforts to encourage the opponent's growth. As the one teaching, it is important for the motodachi to not take a position of superiority over the opponent, but to practice and grow together.

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In order to spread and develop kendo, it is most important to set an example yourself. 1) Practice correct kendo and set an example. 2) Strive to train the next generation. 3) Hold kendo classes in local communities and schools. 4) Widely spread the appeal of kendo. 5) Create a safe teaching environment. 6) Properly inherit the principles and spirit of kendo. As instructors, 4th and 5th dan holders have a responsibility to contribute to the development of the kendo world as a whole.

[Answer example]
Modern kendo began when various schools of swordsmanship in the Edo period developed the bamboo sword training methods. After the sword ban was imposed in the Meiji period, kendo continued through kendo performances and adoption by the police. The Dai Nippon Butokukai (established in 1895) contributed to the unification and development of kendo, and the All Japan Kendo Federation was founded in 1952, establishing the foundations of modern kendo. In 1975, the "Philosophy of Kendo" was established, clarifying its character as a path for character development.

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Japanese Kendo Kata was established in 1912 (the first year of the Taisho era). Its objectives are: 1) to integrate and pass on the outstanding techniques of each school; 2) to learn the correct principles of swordsmanship, body control, and breathing; 3) to cultivate dignity and elegance in the tense atmosphere of using a real sword; and 4) to understand the principles that form the basis of shinai kendo. Currently, there are 10 kata in total, including 7 kata for tachi and 3 kata for kodachi.

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"Shu-ha-ri" is a term that indicates the stages of kendo training.
Shu: The stage where you faithfully follow the teacher's teachings and thoroughly master the basics
Ha: The stage where you develop your technique by adding your own ingenuity based on the basics
Ri: The stage where you break away from kata and reach your own unique state. Through this process, you grow from form to essence, from imitation to creation. Fourth and fifth dan are the transitional stages from "ha" to "ri," and are important times for establishing your own kendo.

First Dan Examination Questions and Sample Answers

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Judging equipment set

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Judge's uniform and hakama

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