Kendo is the art of Japanese fencing. The art is practiced with Japanese fencing armor called "Bogu" and with a bamboo sword called a "shinai". The training for kendo is very intense.

 

Iaido is the art of drawing the Japanese sword. Students do not make contact in this art, but visualize imaginary opponents while performing different attacking and defending senarios.

 

Both the arts of kendo and iaido can be defined in this "Concept of Kendo" established by the All Japan Kendo Federation in 1975:

 

The purpose of practicing kendo is: To mold the mind and body, To cultivate a vigorous spirit through correct and rigid training, To strive for improvement in the art of kendo, To hold in esteeem human courtesy and honor, To associate with others with sincerity, And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.