The Rules of Kendo - EXPLAINED!

Ninh explains - The Rules of Kendo. This is a Japanese Martial Art and Sport based upon Samurai Swordsmanship or Kenjutsu. It’s contested worldwide and is popular in Japan.

Specific to International Kendo Federation Rules - watch this short beginner’s tutorial video guide on how Kendo is played, Kendo rules, and how to play Kendo
Learn about ippon, men, kote, do, tare, zanshin, ki, ken, tai, tie, shinai, sword and more.

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Also discuss on Reddit!

Video: Copyright NHK (I do not own video footage and claim fair use).
Images: Google (Various)
Music: ‘Imperial Theme’ by Great Japanese Empire, ‘Samurai Warrior’ by Derek Fiechter
Narrated, Directed and Produced by Ninh Ly

[NinhLyUK]

Ninh explains - The Rules of Kendo. This interesting Japanese martial art is popular worldwide.
I have been reliably informed that normal matches are usually 5 minutes long.
I took this footage from the All Japan Kendo Championships where matches are 10 minutes long, and thus quoted this in the video.
Anyway, be sure to like, share and subscribe :)

[joejackson]

I always found this to be one of the most interesting sports. Great amount of discipline to compete at that level.

[ryryhc]

"Its not about the killing, its about the art of the killing."

[matthewboiser]

So just like in Anime, you need to Shout your attack before executing it

[matlacking]

“you got happy for a point?” Guess you don’t get a point anymore.

[komilithon]

The point is cancelled for disrespecting the opponent. Ok, this rule needs to be applied in other sports too. Specially in football, and simulating to be the first considered as disrespectful.

[Vesseli_]

Ok. Now I am 100% sure that I want to try this

[danielmulcahy]

Great video! One amendment - two hands are not required for ippon. In fact, many Jodan players use primarily katate (one-handed) techniques. The reason two-handed strikes are more likely to score is because they have power and sae (crispness or sharpness), another prerequisite of ippon. There is actually a great video of a young man fighting a Jodan player (his dad!), where he manages to land a cracking katate migi kote - an extremely unusual attack, but as it had sufficient power and the opportunity and timing was good, the point was awarded.

[neilgendzwill]

Thanks for posting about kendo. A few corrections: Kendo is fought in both individual and team formats, and team is generally considered just as prestigious as individual, more so in some cases. Zanshin is not something that is judged throughout the match, rather it is the display of physical and mental alertness at the end of a point. The kid who was penalized for fist pump was considered to have shown disrespect to his opponent, not broken zanshin. You missed the point of ki-ken-tai-ichi entirely: it is the coordination of mind (shown by the yell), sword (shown by the hit) and body (shown by the stomping of the lead foot). Also one nit-pick: match length varies by tournament. 10 minutes is quite long, you would see that at the all-Japan championships or something like that. Most tournaments have 5 minute matches.

[himajin]

I am a junior high school student in Japan.
I'm in the kendo club.

[thbshlr]

Finally someone explains and points out the honour and respect part of kendo. Honor, respect and swordsmanship (called the way of warrior 'bushido') of kendo. Domo arigato Ninh-sensei.

[mojo_joju]

I like how showboating loses you a point.
That's drastically different from western sports, where celebrating a score is a big deal.
Here, discipline is key. I respect that.

[daichisawamura]

After seeing NHK's documentary on Nishimura Hidehisa, I was so inspired that I'll be enrolling at my local kendo club by the end of this month. But as a beginner I still have so much to learn about kendo, and this video just cleared things up a bit. Thanks for posting it!

[reptilesgamers]

2:55 Look at the head of the other fighter. He's like Really, you canceled his point? Nods in respect.

[newchannel]

Nice, a simple report for beginners, yet there is alot to explain :)

[gregmcdonald]

Very good video - I purchased my 1st Shinai today and will pursue instruction. Thank you Sir

[recsporteducation]

Thanks for this. I have a few students in my fencing club that are interested in trying this, and your video helped me get a clearer idea of what is expected in the rules.

[rossyvy]

I just started playing kendo this year, January. Zanshin is really important (actually everything he mentioned is very important). Other sports or contest doesn't usually count your personality such as the fist clenching as a foul but yes in kendo, it really counts as foul.
That's what I like about Kendo, it's not only the body that you need to train but you have to train your mind too.

[egnition]

Super helpful man, you made it seem super simple, I'm starting my first kendo practice on Saturday, wish me luck!

[Koggelxander]

Thanks Ninh Ly. This will be my go to video if anyone wants to know the rules of Kendo Kai-Tai/Shiai. Good video for total beginners.