"Kendōka" - One Who Practices Kendo
This image is of a student of the Japanese Martial Art of fencing, called Kendo, or "way of the
sword." A type of Samurai sword fighting. Kendo developed from traditional techniques of Japanese
swordsmanship known as kenjutsu.

Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with
sporting-like physical elements. Practitioners of kendo are called kendōka, meaning "one who
practices kendo", or kenshi, meaning "swordsman".

Kendo is practised wearing traditionally styled clothing and protective armour (bōgu), using one or
two bamboo swords (shinai) as weapons. Kendo may be seen as a Japanese style of fencing. The
movements in kendo are different from European fencing because the design of the sword is different,
as is the way it is used. Kendo training is quite noisy in comparison to other martial arts or
sports. This is because kendōka use a shout, or kiai, to express their spirit, and when a strike
or cut is performed, the front foot contacts the floor in a motion similar to stamping.
For more information, visit the club's site at: http://kelownakendo.com/