Kendo World

05/08/2025

Hi folks! Here is the latest!

Making hay while the sun shines. In this Budo Beat No. 31 blog post, Alex Bennett unpacks the idea of levity in the dojo. Is it okay to have fun?

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What's wrong with a bit of fun?

05/08/2025

https://budobooks.jp/?p=2358
Budo Beat 31: When Martial Arts Meet Mirth
The lastest entry in the Budo Beat Blog by Alex Bennett discusses the value of humour in the dojo and budo!
"Looking back through the annals of budo history, levity has quietly served as a gentle ally to the greatest of masters. Miyamoto Musashi’s humour, for example, was certainly dry, subtle, and edged with irony rather than outright laughter or comic frivolity. His writing in the Gorin-no-sho never gives way to overt jokes, but it does exhibit flashes of sardonic wit and sly commentary about human foibles."
#武士道 #武道

03/08/2025

Budo Bite is a mini-podcast series about Japanese martial arts culture. The series is envisioned as a digestible and diverse exploration of all aspects of bu...

28/07/2025

https://budobooks.jp/?p=2328
Budo Beat 30: Duelling Crabs and Lessons in Kufū
The latest entry in the Budo Beat Blog is up on the Budo Books homepage now!! In this instalment, Alex discusses his recent visit to the Nito Seminar in Idaho and the importance of "kufu", or "working it out for yourself".
-- The word captures that spirit of personal experimentation, adaptation, and continuous refinement lurking at the heart of budo practice. If I had to render it into English, I’d say something along the lines of “trial-and-error refinement” or “innovation”. --
#武道 #武士道

21/07/2025

📣 Call for Participants!
3rd International Kendo Without Borders Gasshuku in Koyasan

Beginners and experienced kendoka welcome!

🔥 The Way of the Sword is the Way of the Heart

Join us in the sacred and serene surroundings of Koyasan, Wakayama Prefecture, for a special two-day gasshuku focused on returning to the fundamentals of kendo. This is a chance to refine not only your technique, but also your state of mind. Step away from everyday distractions and face yourself through kendo.

Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, this is a rare opportunity to reconnect with the essence of the art.

🥋 Overview

Event Name:
3rd International Kendo Without Borders Gasshuku in Koyasan (Focus on Fundamentals)

Dates & Times Saturday, September 27: 13:00–17:00
Sunday, September 28: 9:00–13:30

Venue: Gymnasium of Learning, Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

Eligibility: All levels welcome — from beginners to advanced practitioners (dan holders)

🗓️ Schedule
Saturday, September 27

10:00–11:30: Optional Keiko (for those interested)

13:00: Registration & Gathering

13:30: Opening Ceremony

13:40: Warm-up

14:00: Nihon Kendo Kata

15:00: Kihon Instruction

16:10: Jigeiko

Sunday, September 28

9:00: Opening

9:10: Nihon Kendo Kata

10:00: Kihon Practice

11:00: Shiai Practice & Discussion

12:00: Jigeiko

13:30: Closing Ceremony

🌿 What You'll Gain
- A chance to revisit and strengthen the core fundamentals of your kendo

- Mental conditioning and introspective training

- A unique training experience in the spiritual environment of Koyasan

- Interaction with both Japanese and international instructors and participants

📩 How to Apply
Please fill out the application form using the link below.
Registration will close once capacity is reached.

🔗 Application Form
https://x.gd/QN0jE.

👤 Message from the Organizer
Kendo is not just a sport — it’s a lifelong journey of cultivating character, discipline, and resilience. Why not take a step deeper into its essence, surrounded by the silence and spiritual air of Koyasan?

We look forward to training with you.

21/07/2025

In this episode, we delve into the concept of Hyakuren Jitoku, or Self-Discovery Through Repetition—however, it's much deeper than it initially appears. More than just doing something a hundred times, Hyakuren Jitoku is about forging true skill and character through relentless, mindful practice. Drawing from traditional dojo experiences, personal stories, and the wisdom of old-school training, we unpack how deep repetition leads to lasting mastery.

Budo Bite is a mini-podcast series about Japanese martial arts culture. The series is envisioned as a digestible and diverse exploration of all aspects of bu...

18/07/2025

https://budobooks.jp/?p=1759
"Strategy and the Art of Peace - Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto-ryu" by Otake Risuke-sensei (1926-2021), is now available from online bookstores such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many more! You no longer need to pay postage for it to be sent from Japan!
It is also available in e-book format on the Budo Books app and Kindle.
See the Budo Books homepage for details!

16/07/2025

https://budobooks.jp/?p=2292
Budo Beat 29: “Ken-Tai Itchi” and Turning Trouble into Triumph
The latest Budo Beat Blog is up on the Budo Books homepage now!
In this article, Alex Bennett discusses "ken-tai itchi" - unity of attacking and waiting.
The famous Edo period sword expert, Minamoto Kiyomaru wrote regarding ken-tai, “If you merely wait, it becomes difficult to transition into an attack. If your intention is solely aggressive, your mind becomes restless. Therefore, attack within waiting, and wait within attacking.”
Alex discusses this concept by also drawing upon works by Miyamoto Musashi and Yagyu Munenori, as well as similar ideas found in other budo such as karate and judo.
#武道 #武士道 #空手 #剣道

12/07/2025

More details on the KW homepage about the 9th Kendo World Keiko-kai! The keiko-kai will be held at the Sakura Seishonen Gymnasium on October 25, 2025!

9TH KENDO WORLD KEIKO-KAI (July 12 Update) The 9th Kendo World Keiko-kai will be held on October 25, 2025, in Sakura City, Chiba prefecture, a castle town where the culture and buildings of the samurai remain to this day. The keiko-kai venue will be the historic Sakura Seishonen Gymnasium, a beautif...

08/07/2025

The Kendo World Keiko-kai is back!! Details are still being finalized, but for now, put October 25, 2025, in your diaries!
See the homepage for more information!!

Ladies and Gentleman,The Kendo World Team is pleased to announce that the Kendo World Keiko-kai is back!After a break of six years, we will be holding the 9th keiko-kai on Saturday October 25, 2025, in Chiba prefecture. The details are being finalized at the moment, but for now, please put October 2...

08/07/2025

New article up on the KW homepage now!

Toda Tadao-sensei (1939-2016) was a two-time winner of the All Japan Kendo Championships (1962 and 1964) and a member of Team Japan at the 1st WKC in 1970, finishing 2nd in the individual championship. As an employee of Toray, Toda-sensei also won and placed in several jitsugyodan (corporate) kendo....

06/07/2025

The second episode of the Budo Bite is out!

Budo Bite is a mini-podcast series about Japanese martial arts culture. The series is envisioned as a digestible and diverse exploration of all aspects of budo—from philosophy and history to practice and culture that shape the Japanese martial Way.

In this episode, we explore the concept of heijōshin—a calm, steady mind—in the context of budō and daily life. Often translated as “equanimity” or “mental composure,” heijōshin is not just a state to be achieved in combat, but a way of moving through the world with clarity and balance. We’ll look at where the idea comes from, how it appears in traditional martial arts, and why it matters today.

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よろしくお願いいたします！

Budo Bite is a mini-podcast series about Japanese martial arts culture. The series is envisioned as a digestible and diverse exploration of all aspects of bu...