ABSTRACT
Modern kendō equipment includes the shinai, a split bamboo stick just under four feet long (Plate 1), and the bōgu, a set of light armor (Plate 2). The object in kendō combat is to deliver a strike or thrust with the shinai to prescribed targets on the bōgu: viz., the men (head), including the forehead, the right and left sides; the right and left sides of the kote (forearm); right and left sides of the dō (torso); and the tsuki (throat). Sometimes a thrust to the chest is also permitted. A strike or a thrust is counted only when accompanied by speed, force, accuracy, physical coordination and concentration.
