Kendo
Contributors: Rina Ishii, Ayumi Nogami Mami Shimoyama
Kendo
is a traditional sport in Japan. It is popular as a military art.
There are many kendo clubs throughout the country and many people
learn it in high school.
Kendo
uses a special uniform called a "hakama" which has long
pleated trousers. The hakama is cotton and the color is indigo.
Other parts of the uniform include: "men" a face cover
to protect the head and shoulders, "kote" protective gloves,
"do" which protects from the wrist to the elbow and "tare"
which protects the stomach and lower back. Each player uses a "shinai,"
or bamboo sword.
There
are four attack points: the face, the trunk, the forearm and the
throat. However, it is prohibited to attack the throat in practice,
as the throat is a vital organ.
The
practice area is a wooden floor that is 9 to 11 meters square or
rectangular. Each play lasts 5 minutes. The game is scored in "hon."
Each game has 3 hon. The player who reaches 2 hon first, wins.
|
