From the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF):
The Concept of Kendo
The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana (sword).
The Purpose of Practicing Kendo
The purpose of practicing Kendo is:
- To mold the mind and body,
- To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
- And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo, - To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor,
- To associate with others with sincerity,
- And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
This will make one be able:
To love his/her country and society,
To contribute to the development of culture
And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.
(The Concept of Kendo was established by All Japan Kendo Federation in 1975.)
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The AJKF doesn’t have numbers in their list. I’ve added them for discussion purposes only.
Many who take Kendo start with the idea of #1~3.
Those who train with me know I place an equal emphasis on points #4~6.
Every student who enters the dojo is told the concept and purpose of Kendo on their first day. I believe this to be important. Everyone has their own reasons for training. My goal is to ensure that the reasons a student brings to the dojo for their training is aligned with the concept and purpose of Kendo.
I have often said “all are welcome” in our dojo. That is true with one condition: that they can train in a way that respects and reflects the purpose of Kendo. I am fortunate to have students with a variety of abilities and backgrounds. It is both a challenge and an honour to train with them. I hope others will find their way to the dojo to join our club, to train in Kendo and to forever pursue the cultivation of their selves.