Learning

Welcome to the SYK Sword and Kendo Academy Learning Page, where your journey into the ancient art of Kendo begins.

1. Kendo Equipment

Do-Bok

Juk-Do

Mok-Do

Ho-Goo

A. Ho-Myun
B. Gahp
C. Ho-Wan
D.Gahp-Sahng
E. Ho-Wan

2. How to wear Kendo uniform

Do-Bok
-Jacket-

Left side of the jacket overlaps the right. The ribbon should line up on the right side and be tied firmly.
Pull the bottom of the jacket to smooth out any wrinkles on the front and back.
The collar should be slightly loose so it feels comfortable.

-Trousers-

Put on the left foot first (Take off the trousers with the right foot first.)
The bottom edge of the trousers should hang by your ankle.
The front top edge of the trousers should lay on top of the abdomen.
Wrap both straps around front and then tie on back.
Overlap both back straps on front with the left back strap over the right back strap.
Wrap the left back strap under the front straps and tighten it over the abdomen.
Tie the back straps together.
Tuck the remaining back strap over and inside the trouser.

Note:

Keep your back straight.
Shoulders should be relaxed, and head should remain straight.
Hands should not touch the floor when sitting or standing.

3. How to wear Gahp & Gahp-Sahng

How to wear Ghap-Sahng

1) Place Gahp-Sahng Belt on abdomen and center it.
2) Side Strap wraps around back and lift Small Gahp-Sahng
3) Tie Side Strap over lifted Small Gahp-Sahng
4) Unfold Small Gahp-Sahng

How to wear Ghap

1) Take Right Chest Strap and raise it over left shoulder from back
2) Tie Right Chest Strap on to left Leather Loop
3) Repeat with Left Chest Strap
4) Tie Waist Strap on back using butterfly knot.

4. How to watch a Kendo match

The four main target areas, each worth one point, are struck with cuts (hits to the head (Men), the torso (Do), the lead wrist (Kote), and thrusts to the lead throat (Tsuki). All strikes must be delivered with the upper third of the bamboo sword's blade (Shinai), in a strong voice (Kiai), and blows must be accompanied by correct footwork, powerful Kiai, good posture, and strong follow-through.
The three referees indicate points by snapping blue and white flags overhead; at least two must agree for the point to be awarded. The match is halted after each successful point and resumed at center-court. Two good points scored simultaneously create one awarded point. If no points are scored, penalties give soft penalties. In the course of a match, one point is awarded to the opponent. Individual matches requiring two out of three points scored over a time period of 3-5 minutes, a scored point, or a red-hand man, may be extended until a point is scored.
Team competitions are ordinarily comprised of five-member teams whose opposing pairs face each other in turn, finishing with the team captain. The winning team is determined either by a majority of winners or the total number of points scored.

5. Additional Information