Kendo Origins
The Origins of Kendo are hard to pinpoint but seem to have developed over time and not by any specific person or group of persons. More research will done on this and we will update this section as we gain more insights.
Origin of the sword:
The sword was introduced to Japan around the second century BC. It is said that the sword was originally a ritual colored object which symbolized the authority of its owner rather than a weapon. At that time, the catapult and bow were used for hunting or tribal warfare. However, the sword gradually became used for fighting through continuous group conflicts in the course of national unification. By the 7-8th century, the sword was being forged domestically within Japan.
After the ninth century, as the Bushi class was established, the prototype of the Nihon-to (the Japanese sword) was formed. Various sword fighting techniques as well as forging techniques had been developed. However, on the battlefield, swords that were longer than six feet along with spears were the main weapons until the fourteenth century.
The kendo schools evolve:
The many wars of the Ashikaga Shogunate (1333-1568) made that the art of fencing, Kenjutsu, got an upsurge as the art of sword warfare became necessary for the samurai to master sword fighting. In this period the first Kenjutsu Ryu (school) were founded and the most famous were Nagahide Chujo (1380), Bunguro Hukida (1437), Choisai Iizasa (1488) and In-Ei (1521). There were two distinct areas of Ryu: Sen-ha Kenjutsu, which concentrated on sword techniques to be used in battle; and Ryu-ha Kenjutsu, which also included a more scientific approach, also to the art of war and war strategy.
The earliest kendo school of which there is a record, is the Nen-ryu founded in 1350 by Sanashirio Yoshimoto. If Yoshimoto originated the style is not for sure, this particular style however was taught until the 18th century by the Higuchi family, but has now disappeared. Also if this was the first school in existence is not proofed as every Damiyo (lord) has a fencing master in his castle.
Today's Kendo:
After World War II, Kendo suffered a major setback. Kendo was regarded undemocratic by the general headquarters of the occupation forces and was officially banned in public. In 1957, due in part to the efforts of many Kendo enthusiasts, Kendo was restored. In the same year, the All Japan Kendo Federation was founded. Kendo grew into a national pastime again. However, it was now more of a martial art concerned primarily with the development of mind and body with the purpose of forging a better life rather than a method for taking life using a sword as it was before.
Since the establishment of the International Kendo Federation in 1970, Kendo has become popular even outside of Japan. People in countries such as Canada, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Korea, the United States and many others have begun to practice Kendo. There are many more federations existing internationally as people in other countries take increasing interest in Kendo. Modern Kendo is the result of many changes, from a purely fighting art, to an all encompassing martial art.