Kendo is one of the elements of Japanese culture, not only as a sport but it is also artistic and spiritual. It attracts foreigners and is expanding in the world. In this article I will introduce the 5 attractive points that foreigners can feel in kendo.<\/p>\n

*I put a questionnaire to the Facebook group “World Kendo Network”, and 165 foreign swordsmen and ladies responded. I will introduce this questionnaire result. (Multiple answers possible).<\/p>\n

How much \u201cKendo\u201d is spread worldwide?<\/h2>\n\n

The International Kendo Federation was founded in 1970, and currently has 57 member countries (as of May 2015).
\nThe World Kendo Championship Tournament is held every three years, and the 16th tournament was welcomed in Japan in 2015 (* 1).
\nIt is said that the occupation of Japanese people is more than 70% of the world’s Kendo population, but further expansion in overseas will be expected in the future.
\nAmong them, Kendo is very popular in Europe where 32 countries are members of International Kendo Federation (* 2).
\nThere are also 15 dojos in Netherlands where I am staying currently. The area of \u200b Netherlands is almost same as the territory of Kyushu in Japan, so there are so many dojos.<\/p>\n

How is Kendo accepted in the world?<\/h2>\n

So, how is kendo accepted among foreign swordsmen and ladies? What is regarded as charm? I will introduce you TOP 5 attractive points of Kendo, asked by 165 foreign swordsmen.<\/p>\n

No. 5: Real Japanese sword\u2019s beautiful performance, \u201cNihon Kendo Kata\u201d<\/h3>\n

\u201cNihon Kendo Kata\u201d is a form of practice in Kendo so we can learn various basic behaviors from it. For example, rules of decorum, stance, posture in Kendo …and so on.<\/p>\n

It is a form prescribed by choosing the most fundamental action, and it is supposed to be mandatory along with Shinai practice, but in recent years there is a tendency to practice for Dan exams and public performance.<\/p>\n

For foreign people, performance by real Japanese sword seems to be attractive.
\nOne American man gave an opinion that “The charm of a \u201cNihon Kendo Kata\u201d is a real, serious performance. I feel I am attracted to this serious artistry.”<\/p>\n