kendo

[ ken-doh ]

noun

1. a Japanese form of fencing using bamboo staves, with the contestants wearing head guards and protective garments.

kendo

/ ˈkɛndəʊ /

noun

1. the Japanese art of fencing with pliable bamboo staves or, sometimes, real swords: strict conventions are observed

Other Words From

• kendo·ist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kendo¹

1920–25; < Japanese kendō, from Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese jiàn “sword” + dào “way”; Bushido, judo, Tao

Word History and Origins

Origin of kendo¹

from Japanese

Example Sentences

She eventually became a Zen priest herself, and continues to live at the temple today, where she trains in a particularly rigorous form of Japanese swordsmanship called kendo.

From Los Angeles Times

In your time at Chozen-ji you studied kendo — the way of the sword — and chado — the way of tea.

From Los Angeles Times

“Ken” means sword, and “do” means way, so kendo is the way of the sword.

From Los Angeles Times

In our approach to kendo we don’t learn any defensive maneuvers.

From Los Angeles Times

The ideal is that the separation between kendo opponents, between the person and the sword, between the tea host, the utensils and the guest — all those boundaries disappear.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• judo
• karate
• wrestling