In the martial art of Kendo, matches are held using bamboo swords called shinai. However, winning in Kendo requires far more than mastering techniques. Themost important thing is to develop a strong and fearless spirit, and this is a major factor in judging contests. With its origins in samurai sword training, Kendo strives for the mental attitude of the warrior, but because the goal today is to develop character and self-discipline rather than win in combat, the rigoroustraining is valued as much as the contests. An essential part of this tradition is thedeep and respectful relationship between teacher and student.
