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This style was used in training and exhibitions, often more freely than formal kata. It emphasized practical, full-contact sparring — essentially the forerunner of modern kendo.
That began to change in the early 1800s, when a major innovation transformed how the sword arts were practiced. Chiba Shūsaku, founder of Hokushin Ittō-ryū, introduced widespread use of the shinai — a split bamboo sword — and bogu, or protective armor. This allowed practitioners to safely strike one another at full speed. Chiba’s dojo in Edo became a beacon for this new form of gekken — a dynamic, combative, and practical approach to swordplay.
Gekken took on a life of its own. In addition to being used for training, it also became a popular spectacle. Traveling troupes of martial artists held public exhibitions, thrilling crowds with their fast-paced matches. These were both demonstrations of skill and subtle political theater—showcasing the fading samurai class in a time of change.
In 1856, the Tokugawa shogunate founded the Kōbusho, a military academy that adopted gekken as an essential part of samurai training. This move institutionalized shinai practice, giving it formal standing within the samurai establishment.
The Meiji Restoration in 1868 abolished the samurai class, but it did not extinguish their martial arts. Many former swordsmen found new roles in the police, where their skills were still valued. Gekken flourished in this context, with police dojos adapting and preserving sword training. Sparring with shinai became increasingly systematized.
By the 1890s, Japan was modernizing rapidly, and there was a push to preserve traditional martial values within a modern framework. In 1895, the government established the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, a national martial arts organization. It played a critical role in formalizing martial disciplines. Under its influence, kendo — "the way of the sword" — emerged as a new, unified discipline. It absorbed elements from many kenjutsu schools, but standardized terminology, forms, and ranking systems.
Through the early 20th century, kendo became a part of military and police training, as well as school curricula. It was no longer just a combat skill, but a moral and physical discipline aligned with the nation’s values.
After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the Allied occupation banned kendo as militaristic. But former practitioners reframed it as a sport and cultural practice. By 1952, kendo was reintroduced in Japanese society under the name "shinai kyōgi" before regaining its original name and broader cultural respect.
Today, kendo is practiced worldwide — not as a combat method for war, but as a discipline that hones the mind, body, and spirit through the echoes of the samurai’s blade.
Japan. Possibly no country in the world has undergone such rapid changes during recent years as has Japan. Modern Japan goes back only a few decades. In 1853 Commodore Perry rudely awakened the old Empire from its slumber. The "Great Restoration" occurred in 1868. Today the old and the new civilizations exist side by side but the modern inventions and new ways of living are rapidly pushing the old culture into the background. The transition from the old to the new can be seen on every hand and in every sphere of life but we are interested here in only the changes that have taken place in recreation.Leisure and RecreationThe native sports of Japan consisted of: Gekken (also called Kenjutsu or Kendo), the art of handling a sword, which corresponds to European fencing and is as old as Japanese history; Jujutsu (or Judo), a kind of wrestling peculiar to Japan, which was introduced during the middle of the seventeenth century; Sumo, another form of wrestling performed chiefly by professionals; Sojutsu, the art of handling a spear; Kyujutsu (archery), which has had periods of popularity and decline; Bajutsu, the art of horsemanship; and Hojutsu (gunnery) which was introduced into Japan in 1543 by the Portuguese. Since 1868 foreign sports have come in, especially baseball, association football, lawn tennis, hockey, boxing, wrestling, golf, track and field sports, rowing, swimming, skating, skiing, and sleighing.
Physical culture is given not solely with the object of strengthening the bodily frame of the pupils, but also with the aim of preventing them from falling into inactive and idle habits. With this aim in view encouragement is now given in most schools to such exercises. The hours for gymnastics were increased in 1886, and in addition to common gymnastics, drill was made a part of the regular lessons, by which means it was hoped that habits of order and discipline would be fostered. Then, as extra exercises, on the one hand, such games and sports were adopted as are in vogue in Europe and America, while, on the other hand, the military arts of old Japan were added. In this way a thorough disciplinary training was established. "Gekken" (fencing) and "Jiujutsu" (the art of self-defence), military exercises of our samurai from the most ancient times in Japan, in particular, were encouraged, not merely as an accomplishment but as a help towards maintaining the national spirits, because these exercises had much to do with the development of old Japanese chivalry. Our middle schools teach these exercises more or less at present; and in some schools regular lessons are given in them.Education in Japan
Tengu are legendary creatures in Japanese folklore and mythology. They are often depicted as supernatural beings with human and bird-like characteristics. Tengu have a long history in Japanese culture and are considered both Shinto kami (spirits or gods) and yōkai (supernatural creatures).
Tengu are commonly portrayed with human and bird-like attributes. They have human-like bodies but are often depicted with beak-like noses or long noses that resemble bird bills. The bird-like aspect varies, and Tengu can be associated with different bird species. Many depictions of Tengu include wings, which enable them to fly. The type of wings may vary, ranging from small wings to large, feathered wings.
While Tengu can be protective, they are also known as mischievous tricksters. In some stories, they play pranks on humans or lead them astray. Despite their trickster nature, Tengu are not purely malevolent beings.
Tengu are often associated with mountainous regions and are believed to reside in the deep woods or secluded areas. They are sometimes considered protectors of these natural environments.
Tengu have appeared in various forms in literature, art, and popular culture throughout Japanese history. They are a fascinating and multifaceted part of Japanese folklore, embodying both the mysterious and mischievous aspects of supernatural beings. Tengu are often associated with martial arts and swordsmanship in Japanese folklore. They are depicted as skilled warriors and, in some legends, are considered the teachers of martial arts and sword techniques.
Tengu are commonly portrayed as highly proficient martial artists. They are skilled in various forms of combat, including hand-to-hand combat and the use of weapons such as swords and fans. Tengu are sometimes depicted carrying weapons such as fans or magical scrolls. Some legends portray them as protectors of the mountains and forests.
In certain legends, Tengu are believed to be the instructors of swordsmanship, providing training to humans who seek to master the art. These supernatural beings are thought to impart both physical and spiritual aspects of sword techniques to their disciples.
Some Tengu are associated with carrying feathered fans called "tengu uchiwa." Legend has it that these fans possess magical properties and can be used to control the wind. In the context of martial arts, the fans may symbolize the mastery of a martial artist over their opponent.
Tengu are often linked to mountainous regions, and legends tell of martial artists or swordsmen seeking out Tengu in secluded areas for training. These mountain retreats are portrayed as places where Tengu impart their knowledge and wisdom to those who are worthy.
While Tengu can be mischievous tricksters, they are also considered protectors of certain areas, including mountains and forests. In this role, they may safeguard the natural environment and its inhabitants, including those who practice martial arts.
The term "tengu" has its roots in Japanese language and etymology. The characters for "tengu" in Japanese are 天狗.
天 (ten): This character means "heaven" or "celestial."
狗 (gu): This character means "dog."
The combination of these characters, 天狗, literally translates to "heavenly dog." It's worth noting that despite the inclusion of the character for "dog," Tengu are not usually depicted as canine creatures. The choice of the term "heavenly dog" may be more symbolic, emphasizing the supernatural and otherworldly nature of these beings.
The association with the term "dog" might stem from the idea that Tengu were originally thought to be dog-like spirits or that they had a connection to Shugendō, a Japanese mountain asceticism that incorporates elements of Shinto and Buddhism. In Shugendō, the "tengu" may have been seen as supernatural beings inhabiting mountainous regions.
The word "tengu" and its association with these mythical creatures have evolved over centuries, and today, Tengu are recognized as iconic figures in Japanese folklore and cultural traditions.