Kendo is a form of martial art using swords made of bamboo and wood that was developed in Japan and is now practiced throughout the world. Here at the UW, Kendo is taught as a course that serves to integrate liberal arts and martial arts through the philosophy of body/mind integration that is key to the concept of budo – the code of the samurai.

Kendo is practiced at UW-Madison in two different settings. One is an undergraduate class, cross-listed as both East Asian Languages & Literature and Physical Education Activity Program (Dept of Kinesiology) 277 "Kendo-- Integration of Martial and Liberal Arts". The other is the UW Kendo club, a registered student organization.

Our sensei is Professor Minoru Kiyota, and our chief instructors (sempai) are J. Mark Kenoyer (also Professor of Anthropology), Richard Helmeid, and Travis Stronach. Kiyota sensei has practiced Kendo for approximately 65 years, and is now Emeritus, but he still teaches the Kendo class. Prof. Kenoyer has studied kendo for around 11 years and is the faculty advisor for Kendo Club. If the instructors are not present, the next most senior club member will lead practice.

The Kendo club is open to students, faculty and staff of the University, and a valid UW ID card is required to enter the practice facility. We meet in the Natatorium (Gym Unit II) at 2000 Observatory Drive.

Required equipment is a shinai (bamboo practice sword) and a tenugui (towel similar to a bandanna). Both may be purchased from the club for $35 and $10, respectively. Shinai purchased elsewhere are subject to inspection and approval by the instructor. Bogu (armor) is provided by the club once students have learned basic skills.

A typical practice session consists of warm-up calisthenics, footwork and suburi (swinging) practice, basic striking technique with partners (keiko), and ji-geiko (sparring practice). We also practice kata (forms) using bokken (wooden swords). The primary purpose of Kendo is not self defense, but the development of discipline and self control. We do not practice Kenjutsu but we do train in Iaido and Naginata, which will take place during Sunday practices.

We travel annually to Chicago and Detroit for tournaments and sometimes practice with other clubs in Chicago and Rochester, MN. We also participate in a summer camp which has now been held here in Madison for the past two years with many visiting sensei.