JAPANESE SWORD ARTS

FAQ VERSION 2.6

Siteowner's note.....
The contents of this FAQ may be still interesting, all though it's written quite some years ago. The Weblinks and the emailadresses in it might be outdated however.

Key to change index (with respect to version 2.4):

N = new, r = minor revision, R = major revision


i. Introduction ii. Acknowledgements iii. Table o' Contents

1. What is kendo?
a. OK, then what is kenjutsu?
b. Isn't bokken technique taught in aikido?
c. What is kumdo?
d. Are there different styles of kendo/kenjutsu?


2. What is iaido?
a. OK, then what is iaijutsu?
b. Are there different styles of iaido/iaijutsu?

3. What about batto-jutsu, tameshi-giri, shinkendo and others?
a. OK, so if they're watered down, why study kendo or iaido?

4. How do I find a school?
a. How do I evaluate a school? R

5. Are there any other net.resources?

6. How did kendo originate?

7. How did iaido originate?

8. What are those funny clothes kendo and iaido players wear?
a. Why do they wear hakama?
b. What virtues do the hakama pleats represent?

9. How is a Japanese sword constructed?
a. How many layers in a Japanese sword? r 9b. What are the different types of Japanese swords?
c. How is a Japanese sword measured?

10. What sort of weapons are used for practice?
a. What is required for shinai maintenance? r 10b. What are the regulation sizes for shinai?

11. What is the armour for kendo?
a. How much does kendo armour cost?

12. Are kendo and iaido dangerous?
a. What are the common injuries?
b. Does a shinai blow hurt?

13. How does the ranking work in kendo and iaido?
a. What are the names of the ranks?
b. What is the traditional system of ranking?
c. How are the ranks tested and what do they mean?

14. Kendo competition
a. World kendo championships results

15. I want to buy a Japanese sword. What do I do?
a. How much do they cost?
b. Where can I find swords to purchase?
c. How can I tell if it's a good sword?
d. How can I tell if the sword is right for me?
e. Are there special concerns for iaido?

16. Bibliography

17. Organization Contacts
a. Kendo Federations
b. Sword Clubs r

18. Equipment Suppliers


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