Several hundred years ago, in Feudal Japan, fighting by sword, called kenjutsu, was very common and restricted to life and death fights. Over the years the martial art of kenjutsu was transformed into Gikiken as a dueling form. (Kenjutsu continued as a combat form!) Gikiken incorporated a bamboo stick designed like a katana, now known as a Shinai. Over the years more equipment came into play and more formalized "schools" or "ryus" were formed.
Kendo teaches the student how to handle a Katana (sword) in the form of a Bokken (wooden sword) via katas (forms), Shinai, and bogu (armour) competition. This art is a VERY structured and detail oriented form that requires great external and internal fortitude and desire to succeed.
Kendo Bogu
Hasumi Ryu Kendo
In roughly 1825 Yamada Hasumi, a Samurai Warrior formed his own Gikiken dojo in an attempt to raise money for his family as times were changing in his area. In 1895 the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, the Japanese "Overlord" of all martial arts in Japan, renamed Gikiken to Kendo. Over the years his head of the school passed to his son, grandson, great grandson, great great grandson, great great great grandson (Shihan Bell's Sensei), and because there were no more male Hasumi members in the family, Hasumi Sensei passed the school on to Don Bell at his death in 1996, pursuant to Mr. Bell opening his own Martial Arts school. So, effective in October of 2008 with the opening of Circular Wind Ryu, Mr. Bell was named as Soke (Head of Family) for Hasumi Ryu Kendo.
Hasumi Ryu Kendo is now taught in its entirety at Circular Wind Ryu..
**WARNING- The study and practice of Kendo is expensive to initially start up! Each student is required to have their own white Gi (uniform), Bokken (wooden sword), Shinai (bamboo sword), and Bogu (kendo armour). This equipment will cost roughly $582 after taxes and can be bought from Circular Wind Ryu or through your own sources. (Advance notice must be given to Shihan Bell, with advance payment made for the Bogu ($477 after taxes), for any equipment needs, being required!)
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