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102-457: Ono-ha Ittō-ryū ( 小野派一刀流 ) is the oldest of the many Ittō-ryū styles which descended from Ittōsai Kagehisa's original art. It continues to be one of the most influential of the traditional kenjutsu styles today, exerting a major influence, along with Hokushin branch, upon modern kendo 's kata , tactics, and aesthetic. Ono-ha was founded by Ittōsai's immediate successor, Mikogami Tenzen (also known as Ono Jiroemon Tadaaki, 1565–1628), from whence

204-589: A Vairocana Buddha statue kept within the castle. The castle was also known as Suginome Castle ( 杉妻城 ) . It is believed that in this time period the area's name was changed from Minekoshi to Suginome ( 杉妻 ) to reflect the concentration of political power in the area. During the Azuchi–Momoyama period , in 1591 Gamō Ujisato gained control of the Shinobu and Date districts, and under him Kimura Yoshikiyo ( 木村吉清 ) took control of Ōmori Castle ( 大森城 ) , which

306-462: A datotsu-bui of the opponent's kendo-gu with the shinai making contact at its datotsu-bu , the competitor displaying high spirits, correct posture and followed by zanshin . Datotsu-bui or point scoring targets in kendo are defined as: Datotsu-bu of the shinai is the forward, or blade side ( jin-bu ) of the top third ( monouchi ) of the shinai . Zanshin ( 残心 ) , or continuation of awareness, must be present and shown throughout

408-423: A motodachi . This is a process that requires patience. The kendōka and motodachi practice the technique slowly at first; as familiarity and confidence build, they increase the speed to the level used in matches and competitions. These attack techniques are used to create an opening in an opponent by initiating an attack, or striking boldly when the opponent has created an opening. Such techniques include: This

510-554: A typhoon . Cities and towns along the Abukuma River and its tributaries, Fukushima included, suffered 11 people killed or injured, and damage to 14,000 buildings. Later that year, on September 13, the Fukushima Azuma Stadium was completed. The Abukuma Express Line , a 54.9 km (34.1 mi) railway line linking Fukushima to Marumori in the north, began operations on July 1, 1988, and on November 12,

612-406: A compromise of ten practice moves ( kata ) for police training. This integration effort led to the development of modern kendo. In 1878, Kawaji wrote a book on swordsmanship, Gekiken Saikō-ron (Revitalizing Swordsmanship), stressing sword styles should not disappear with modernization, but should be integrated as necessary skills for the police. He draws a particular example from his experience with

714-513: A garment separated in the middle to form two wide trouser legs. A cotton towel ( 手拭い , tenugui ) is wrapped around the head, under the men , to absorb perspiration and provide a base for the men to fit comfortably. Kendo training is quite noisy in comparison to some other martial arts or sports. This is because kendōka use a shout, or kiai ( 気合い ) , to express their fighting spirit when striking. Additionally, kendōka execute fumikomi-ashi ( 踏み込み足 ) , an action similar to

816-696: A license of full transmission. Tadanari-ha (Chuya-ha) Ittō-ryū (忠也派一刀流) was founded by Itō Tenzen Tadanari. Tenshin Ittō-ryū (天辰一刀流) was founded by Suzuki Naonoshin Akemitsu. He learned Yagyu-Shingan-ryu (柳生心眼流), Ono-ha Ittō-ryū (小野派一刀流) in Sendai-Han, and learned Hokushin Ittō-ryū (北辰一刀流) in Edo (1840). In 1857, he was appointed the kenjutsu teacher of the Sendai-han. Then, he founded Tenshin Ittō-ryū (天辰一刀流) from

918-416: A philosophy articulated in the phrase "itto sunawachi banto ( 一刀即万刀 ) " or "one sword gives rise to ten thousand swords," meaning that a thorough understanding of the fundamental technique of cutting will lead one to understand the myriad variations. Although formally established as a system for unarmoured fighting, the techniques maintained an awareness of the demands and tactics of armoured fighting, making

1020-437: A point to be awarded. Play is stopped after each point is awarded. Kendo competitions are usually a three-point match. The first competitor to score two points, therefore, wins the match. If the time limit is reached and only one competitor has a point, that competitor wins. In the case of a tie, there are several options: The All Japan Kendo Championship is regarded as the most prestigious kendo championship. Despite it being

1122-618: A register of dan graded members of the AJKF, lists (as of September 2007) 1.48 million registered dan graded kendōka in Japan. According to a survey conducted by AJKF, the number of active kendo practitioners in Japan is 477,000, including 290,000 dan holders. From these figures, AJKF estimates that the number of kendōka in Japan is 1.66 million, with over 6 million practitioners worldwide, with registered dan holders and active kendo practitioners without dan grade. In 1975,

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1224-512: A rising-slide motion, with the right ( ura ) or left ( omote ) side of the shinai . Then strike in the direction of their shinai , or at the opening resulting from their composure's collapse. This technique needs to be smooth. That is, do not separate the rising-slide motion and the upward-sweeping motion or it will not be successful. Valid strikes include: men-suriage-men , kote-suriage-men , men-suriage-do , kote-suriage-kote , and Tsuki-suriage-men . This waza knocks an opponent's shinai to

1326-462: A stamp of the front foot, during a strike. Like some other martial arts, kendōka train and fight barefoot. Kendo is ideally practiced in a purpose-built dōjō , though standard sports halls and other venues are often used. An appropriate venue has a clean and wooden sprung floor , suitable for fumikomi-ashi . Kendo techniques comprise both strikes and thrusts. Strikes are only made towards specified target areas ( 打突-部位 , datotsu-bui ) on

1428-476: A strike after responding or avoiding an attempted strike by the opponent. This can also be achieved by inducing the opponent to attack, then employing one of the Ōji-waza . Avoiding an attack from another, then instantly responding. Here, timing has to be correct. A response that is too slow or fast may not be effective. Therefore, close attention to an opponent's every move is required. If struck by an opponent's shinai , this technique sweeps up their shinai in

1530-480: A technical standpoint this style consists of more than 150 techniques for both long and short swords . Kiri-otoshi , which translates simply as "cutting down", is still the defining technique, like that of its parent style. Characteristically, practitioners often feel that they have the ability to strike freely due to their technique of cutting down the center line during an opponent's cut in order to displace their attacker's sword and gain victory. The style adheres to

1632-405: A variety of fruit orchards. The highest point within the city limits is Mt. Higashi-Azuma , a 1,974 m (6,476 ft) peak of Mt. Azuma, located on the western edge of the city. The lowest point is the neighborhood of Mukaisenoue ( 向瀬上 ) , which is in the northeastern part of the city and has an elevation of 55 m (180 ft). Mt. Shinobu, 276 m (906 ft) a monadnock , lies in

1734-571: A voluntary surrender of swords, the government banned the use of swords by the surviving samurai and initiated sword hunts . Meanwhile, in an attempt to standardize the sword styles ( kenjutsu ) used by policemen, Kawaji Toshiyoshi recruited swordsmen from various schools to come up with a unified swordsmanship style. This led to the rise of the Battotai (抜刀隊, lit. Drawn Sword Corps ), consisting mainly of sword-wielding policemen. However, it proved difficult to integrate all sword arts, leading to

1836-588: A well known educator, was able to introduce swordsmanship into the public school system in Japan and was instrumental to the development of the Nihon Kendo Kata. Kogen Ittō-ryū ( 甲源一刀流 ) was founded by Henmi Tashiro Yoshitoshi, a student of Sakurai Gosuke Nagamase, who in turn was an exponent of the Aizu branch of Mizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū. The Henmi dojo still stands in Saitama Prefecture. This

1938-548: Is Ryūnosuke Tsukue's sword school in the 1966 historical drama The Sword of Doom (大菩薩峠). Tatsuya Nakadai played the part of Ryūnosuke in this film. Hokushin Ittō-ryū (北辰一刀流) was founded in the late Edo period (1820s) by Chiba Shūsaku Narimasa (1794–1856). He was one of the last masters who was called a Kensei (sword saint). Ittō Shōden Mutō-ryū ( 一刀正伝無刀流 ) was founded by Yamaoka Tetsutaro Takayuki, better known as Yamaoka Tesshū , an exponent of Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, Nakanishi-ha Ittō-ryū and Hokushin Ittō-ryū, in which he received

2040-442: Is a technique used when one's opponent has weak kisei (spirit, vigor) or when they yield an opening under pressure. Always hold kisei and strike quickly. Body and shinai will lose balance as the initiator strikes or when being attacked. This technique takes advantage of this to help execute a strike. A good example is Hikibana-kote when a strike is made to an opponent's kote as they feel threatened and raise their kensen as

2142-452: Is also a group of practitioners in Kōbukan kendo club (Nakano, Tokyo) led by Hiroshi Ozawa sensei that regularly demonstrates Mizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū at annual Kyoto Enbu Taikai. Although Takeda Sōkaku , the founder of Daitō-ryū , claimed to maintain the traditional teachings of the Aizu clan, according to his son, Tokimune, the core of his approach to the sword, although modified, was based upon

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2244-547: Is attributed to Naganuma Shirōzaemon Kunisato ( 長沼 四郎左衛門 国郷 , 1688–1767) during the Shotoku Era (1711–1715). Naganuma developed the use of this armor and established a training method using bamboo swords. Yamada Heizaemon Mitsunori (Ippūsai) ( 山田平左衛門光徳(一風斎) , 1638–1718) , third son of Naganuma and the 8th headmaster of the Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū Kenjutsu, is credited with improving

2346-411: Is broken. This technique involves striking the opponent as they are about to strike. This is because their concentration will be on striking and their posture will have no flexibility to respond. Thus debana-waza is ideal. This can be to any part of the opponent's body, with valid strikes being: debana-men , debana-kote , and debana-Tsuki . These counter-attack techniques are performed by executing

2448-607: Is held every year, except in those years in which there is a world championship. Kendo is also one of the martial arts in the World Combat Games . Technical achievement in kendo is measured by advancement in grade, rank or level. The kyū ( 級 ) and dan ( 段 ) grading system, created in 1883, is used to indicate one's proficiency in kendo. The dan levels are from first-dan ( 初段 , sho-dan ) to tenth-dan ( 十段 , jū-dan ) . There are usually six grades below first-dan, known as kyu . The kyu numbering

2550-454: Is in reverse order, with first kyu ( 一級 , ikkyū ) being the grade immediately below first dan, and sixth kyu ( 六級 , rokkyū ) being the lowest grade. There are no visible differences in dress between kendo grades; those below dan-level may dress the same as those above dan-level. Fukushima, Fukushima Fukushima ( 福島市 , Fukushima-shi , [ɸɯ̥kɯꜜɕima] ) is the capital city of Fukushima Prefecture , Japan . It

2652-474: Is located in the northern part of the Nakadōri , central region of the prefecture. As of 1 August 2023 , the city had an estimated population of 275,850 in 122,130 households and a population density of 359 inhabitants per square kilometre (930 /sq mi ). The total area of the city is 767.72 square kilometres (296.42 sq mi). The present-day city of Fukushima partially consists of most of

2754-486: Is marked by its wide stances and deliberate movements, which confer a feeling of power and dignity. This style, like the Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, employs the use of the heavily padded glove known as the "onigote," to allow forceful finishing strikes practiced as the denouement of each kata. Many famous swordsmen have emerged from this ryū, some founding schools of their own. Some of the more prominent among them were: Takano, as

2856-428: Is meant to represent a Japanese sword ( katana ) and is made up of four bamboo slats which are held together by leather fittings. A modern variation of a shinai with carbon fiber reinforced resin slats is also used. Age Group Shinai Size Kendōka also use hard wooden swords ( 木刀 , bokutō ) to practice kata . Kendo employs strikes involving both one edge and

2958-609: Is the name of his headquarters school, which was founded by Sasamori Junzo in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan. Mizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū ( 溝口派一刀流 ) was founded by Mizoguchi Shingoemon Masakatsu, who was a student of the second headmaster of Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, Ono Jiroemon Tadatsune, before creating his own style, the Mizoguchi-ha. Ito Masamori, a student of Mizoguchi's, visited the Aizu clan and taught Edamatsu Kimitada an incomplete version of

3060-490: Is widely practiced within Japan and has spread to many other nations across the world. Swordsmen in Japan established schools of kenjutsu (the ancestor of kendo). These continued for centuries and form the basis of kendo practice today. Formal kendo exercises known as kata were developed several centuries ago as kenjutsu practice for warriors. They are still studied today, in a modified form. The introduction of bamboo practice swords and armor to sword training

3162-486: The Abukuma Express Line resumed limited service from Fukushima on April 28. On April 1, 2018, Fukushima City became a core city . Fukushima is located in the central northeast section of Fukushima Prefecture, approximately 50 km (31 mi) east of Lake Inawashiro , 250 km (160 mi) north of Tokyo , and about 80 km (50 mi) south of Sendai. It lies between the Ōu Mountains to

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3264-501: The All Japan Kendo Federation developed and published "The Concept and Purpose of Kendo" (reproduced below). Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana . Kendo is practiced wearing a traditional Japanese style of clothing, protective armor ( 防具 , bōgu ) and using one or, less commonly two, shinai ( 竹刀 , shinai ) . The shinai

3366-625: The Bandai-Azuma Skyline tourist roadway opened. In January 1966, the Kitamachi Route 4 bypass was completed, and on May 29 the 2,376 metres (7,795 ft) Kuriko Tunnel ( 栗子トンネル ) on Route 13 was opened. The very first Waraji Festival ( わらじ祭り ) was held on August 1, 1970. In the festival participants parade a large waraji straw sandal through the streets of Fukushima. Two months later, on November 1, Route13's Mt. Shinobu Tunnel ( 信夫山トンネル ) . The Iizaka East Line

3468-614: The Fukushima Race Course held its first horse race. On August 30 of the same year, rice riots occurred in the city. On April 13, 1924, the Fukushima Iizaka Electric Tramway, precursor to the present-day Iizaka Line , began service linking Fukushima Station to Iizaka Station (present-day Hanamizuzaka Station ). Three years later, in 1927, the line was extended further north to its present-day terminus of Iizaka Onsen Station . 1927 also saw

3570-479: The Great Heisei Merger , Fukushima and the towns of Kawamata and Iino held merger talks, however on December 1, 2006, Kawamata withdrew from the talks. Negotiations between Fukushima and Iino continued, and on July 1, 2008, the town of Iino was incorporated into Fukushima. On January 4, 2011, Fukushima officially opened a new city hall to replace the previous one built in 1952. The new city hall, as

3672-800: The Miyahata Site . In the 5th century AD, Kumano Atai ( 久麻直 ) was appointed by the Yamato court ( 大和朝廷 ) to be the Shinobu Kuni no miyatsuko ( 信夫国造 ) , giving him control over the Fukushima Basin. Under the Nara period 's Ritsuryō system, stations were established along the Seven Circuits so that officials could change horses. One of the stations, the Tōsandō , passed through

3774-476: The Satsuma Rebellion . The Junsa Kyōshūjo (Patrolman's Training Institute), founded in 1879, provided a curriculum that allowed policemen to study gekiken during their off-hours. In the same year, Kawaji wrote another book on swordsmanship, Kendo Saikō-ron (Revitalizing Kendo), defending the significance of such sword art training for the police. While Junsa Kyōshūjo remained active only until 1881,

3876-617: The Shimomura Domain ( 下村藩 ) was established in the present-day Sakurashimo area in the western part of Fukushima. This domain was later abolished in 1823. On November 17, 1868, Itakura Katsumi ( 板倉勝己 ) , the head of the Fukushima Domain, surrendered to the Satchō Alliance and handed over control of Fukushima Castle to Watanabe Kiyoshi ( 渡辺清 ) . The Fukushima Domain was abolished the following year. In line with

3978-464: The Surikami , Matsukawa , and Arakawa rivers. These rivers flow eastward through the western side of the city until joining up with the Abukuma River in the central parts of the city. The irrigation from these rivers were formerly used for the cultivation of mullberry trees ; however, in the latter half of the 20th century cultivation was switched from focusing on mullberry trees, and instead growing

4080-765: The Taira clan in the Genpei War . In 1413, Date Mochimune ( 伊達持宗 ) shut himself inside Daibutsu Castle ( 大仏城 ) in defiance of the Kamakura kubō . This is the first known historical mention of Daibutsu Castle, which was near the confluence of the Abukuma and Arakawa rivers at the present-day location of the Fukushima Prefectural Offices. It is said that the castle was named after the "Suginome Great Buddha" ( 杉妻大仏 , Suginome Daibutsu ) ,

4182-565: The Tōhoku region of Japan. In ancient Japan , the area now known as Fukushima City was called Minekoshi ( 岑越 ) . The mountain in the middle of the city, present-day Mt. Shinobu , was also formerly called Mt. Minekoshi ( 岑越山 ) . During the Jōmon period , for around 2,000 years there was a large settlement on the eastern bank of the Abukuma River . This area has since been excavated and named

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4284-579: The Yamagata Shinkansen resumed limited service and the Ōu Main Line resumed full service. By April 7 the Tōhoku Main Line was reopened in both directions, however it was closed again following a strong earthquake later that night . The Tōhoku Main Line was again reopened in both directions from Fukushima on April 17. The Tōhoku Shinkansen reopened with limited service on April 23, and

4386-541: The Yūji Koseki Memorial Museum was opened. The Fukushima Mutual Bank changed its name to Fukushima Bank in February 1989, and on September 27 Route 115 's 3,360 m (11,020 ft) Tsuchiyu Tunnel ( 土湯トンネル ) was opened. On July 1, 1992, the Yamagata Shinkansen opened, connecting Fukushima to Yamagata . In 1995, the 50th National Sports Festival of Japan was held, primarily at Azuma Sports Park in

4488-577: The abolition of domains and introduction of the prefecture system , the first iteration of Fukushima Prefecture came into being on August 29, 1871. The prefecture at the time consisted of the Shinobu, Date, and Adachi districts. With permission from the Ministry of the Treasury , on September 10, 1871, the village of Fukushima ( 福島村 , Fukushima-mura ) changed its name to the town of Fukushima ( 福島町 , Fukushima-machi ) . Fukushima Prefecture

4590-496: The 3 schools. The school still stands in Sendai, Miyagi. Kendo Kendo ( 剣道 , Kendō , lit. 'sword way', 'sword path' or 'way of the sword') is a modern Japanese martial art , descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts , swordsmanship ), that uses bamboo swords ( shinai ) as well as protective armor ( bōgu ). It began as samurai warriors' customary swordsmanship exercises, and today, it

4692-752: The Abukuma River in the northern part of the city. Another major tributary of the Abukuma River is the Surikami River, which originates along the Fukushima-Yamagata prefectural border near the Moniwa area in the northwest of the city. From there it flows into Lake Moniwa, a reservoir created by the Surikamigawa Dam . From there it continues flowing southeast before meeting up with the Abukuma River in northern Fukushima, thus completing its 32 km (20 mi) run. Other tributaries of

4794-664: The Abukuma River which flow within Fukushima are the Kohata ( 木幡川 ) , Megami ( 女神川 ) , Mizuhara ( 水原 ) , Tatsuta ( 立田川 ) , Shimoasa ( 下浅川 ) , Tazawa ( 田沢川 ) , Iri ( 入川 ) , Ōmori ( 大森川 ) , and Hattanda ( 八反田川 ) rivers. The Oguni River ( 小国川 ) also flows through the city and is a tributary of the Hirose River ( 広瀬川 ) , which itself is also a tributary of the Abukuma River, however the Oguni River does not meet up with

4896-529: The Date district, the village of Yuno ( 湯野村 ) absorbed the village of Higashiyuno ( 東湯野村 ) , the villages of Kamioguni ( 上小国村 ) and Shimooguni ( 下小国村 ) merged to form the village of Oguni ( 小国村 ) , the villages of Tatsukoyama ( 立小山 ) and Aoki ( 青木村 ) merged to form the village of Tatsuki ( 立木村 ) . In the Adachi district, the village of Shimokawasaki ( 下川崎村 ) absorbed the village of Numabukuro ( 沼袋村 ) . In

4998-608: The Fukushima Prefecture Police Department was dismantled and the Fukushima City Police formed. On April 27, 1948, at 12:04 am, a train on the Ōu Main Line bound for Ueno derailed upon exiting a tunnel between Akaiwa and Niwasaka stations, killing three crew members. Upon inspection of the crash scene it was determined that someone had removed from the track two connecting plates, six spikes , and four bolts. The perpetrator

5100-526: The Ono-ha Ittō-ryū rather than Mizoguchi-ha. Nakanishi-ha Ittō-ryū ( 中西派一刀流 ) was founded by Nakanishi Chuta Tanesada who studied under either the 5th or 6th generation headmaster of Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, before establishing his own style. His son revolutionized practice by implementing the use of shinai , a bamboo mock sword, in conjunction with bōgu , a protective armor. (Shinai were already used in Shinkage-ryū, Nen-ryū, and Tatsumi-ryū by this time.) Using

5202-495: The Ono-ha Ittō-ryū tradition thereafter. The Tsugaru family also taught the system to members of Yamaga family, and they worked together to preserve the line of their art. Sasamori Junzo, a well known and high ranking kendo practitioner, succeeded the system as the 16th headmaster during the Taishō period , followed by his son, Sasamori Takemi as the 17th headmaster, and Yabuki Yuji as the 18th and current headmaster. Reigakudō ( 礼楽堂 )

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5304-521: The Shinobu district, the village of Kamiiizaka ( 上飯坂村 ) became the town of Iizaka ( 飯坂町 ) . The Shinobu district reduced one town and 70 villages down to two towns and 26 villages. 1890 saw the opening of the Tri-District Joint Association Hospital ( 三郡共立組合病院 ) , which was the predecessor of Fukushima Medical University . On March 19, 1893, Mt. Azuma's Mt. Issaikyō peak erupted, and on May 15, 1899, Fukushima

5406-600: The area of present-day Fukushima, and Minekoshi Station was established on the route. Minekoshi Station was located south of the Surikami River and north of the Matsukawa River , which at the time flowed to the south of Mt. Minekoshi. The area south of the Matsukawa River was then, as it still is now, known as Suginome ( 杉妻 ) . Thus it is believed that the station was located north of the area around

5508-412: The art with Japanese wooden and bamboo swords, according to his gravestone's inscription. He is also credited with refining the armor by adding a metal grille to the headpiece (面; men ) and thick cotton protective coverings to the gauntlets that cover the wrists and hands (小手; kote ). Naganuma Sirozaemon Kunisato ( 長沼四郎左衛門国郷 , 1688–1767) inherited the tradition from his father Heizaemon in 1708, and

5610-453: The art. Ikegami Jozaemon Yasumichi, a student of Edamatsu, was sent by the daimyō (feudal lord) to study the sword methods to be found in Edo (present-day Tokyo ). Combining methods learned there with the original teachings of Mizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū, he created a distinct Aizu line of the Mizoguchi-ha school with many significant differences in technique. This is the line that survives today, as

5712-646: The battle flowed south of Mt. Shinobu. It is said that the Battle of Matsukawa's battlefield extended from the southern base of Mt. Shinobu and extended into the center of modern-day Fukushima. In 1664 the Uesugi clan lost control of the Shinobu district, and the area became directly ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate . In 1702, the Fukushima Domain was established and governed from Fukushima Castle, and in 1787,

5814-417: The coastal Hamadōri area) and Wakamatsu Prefecture ( 若松県 ) (consisting of Aizu in the west), thus creating present-day Fukushima Prefecture. Fukushima continued to serve as the prefecture's capital. In 1879, the Shinobu district's government offices were moved to Fukushima. On November 3, 1881, National Route 13 ( 國道13號 , Kokudō Jūsan-gō ) , which generally followed a portion of the old Ushū Kaidō ,

5916-516: The end of the Edo period , the use of bamboo swords and armor as a form of practice became popular. Modern kendo techniques, such as Suriage-Men and Oikomi-Men, were originally Hokushin Ittō-ryū techniques, were named by Chiba Shūsaku. After the Meiji Restoration in the late 1800s, Sakakibara Kenkichi popularized public gekiken for commercial gain, resulting in increased interest in kendo and kenjutsu. In 1876, five years after

6018-561: The equipment to allow swordsmen to practice techniques freely and engage in sporting matches, foreshadowing the rise of modern kendo, led to the rapid popularity of the Nakanishi branch of Ittō-ryū. Stylistically the Nakanishi branch is said to more closely resemble its source, the Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, than do any other branches of the Ittō-ryū. The kata practiced on the surface appear to be identical in form but differ in such aspects as timing, breathing, and use of distance. The Nakashima branch

6120-404: The execution of the strike and the kendōka must be mentally and physically ready to attack again. In competition, there are usually three referees ( 審判 , shinpan ) . Each referee holds a red flag and a white flag in opposing hands. To award a point, a referee raises the flag corresponding to the color of the ribbon worn by the scoring competitor. Usually, at least two referees must agree for

6222-496: The former Shinobu and Date Districts and a portion of the former Adachi District. The city is located in the Fukushima Basin 's southwest area and nearby mountains. There are many onsen on the outskirts of the city, including the resort areas of Iizaka Onsen , Takayu Onsen , and Tsuchiyu Onsen . Fukushima is also the location of the Fukushima Race Course , the only Japan Racing Association horse racing track in

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6324-445: The initiator pushes forward. This provides a surprise attack by lifting the shinai over the initiator's shoulder before striking. Here a skillful use of the kensen and spirited attack is crucial for effective katsugi-waza or luring the opponent into breaking their posture. There are two types. The first is for moving to the next waza after a failed first strike, and the second holds the opponent's attention and posture to create

6426-491: The kata seem more overtly instructive in their orientation, teaching tactics to the left and then to the right. The curriculum consists of five long-sword and three short-sword techniques with omote (outside/surface) and ura (inner/more sophisticated) versions. Being a traditional school of the Aizu clan, which was based in Fukushima , it is currently maintained by the Fukushima prefecture and local kendo federations. There

6528-466: The name of the art is derived. Oral tradition indicates that Ittosai made Tadaaki fight a serious duel with another student, Zenki, in order to establish a successor to the style. Serving as an instructor to both the second and third shōguns , along with Yagyū Munenori of the rival school the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū , Tadaaki was able to continue to give his art wide exposure. It was said that Tadaaki

6630-590: The national championship for only Japanese kendōka , kendo practitioners all over the world consider the All Japan Kendo Championship as the championship with the highest level of competitive kendo. The World Kendo Championships have been held every three years since 1970. They are organised by the International Kendo Federation (FIK) with the support of the host nation's kendo federation. The European championship

6732-413: The opening for a second strike. The former requires a continuous rhythm of correct strikes. The latter requires continuous execution of waza , to take advantage of the opponent's opening. This can be used if one's opponent's stance has no opening when the opponent tries to attack. The opponent's shinai is either knocked down from above or swept up from below with a resulting strike just when their stance

6834-804: The opening of Fukushima Building ( 福島ビル ) and with it the prefecture's first elevator. In 1929 the Fukushima City Library closed and the Fukushima Prefectural Library ( 県立図書館 ) opened in its place, taking over the Fukushima City Library's collections and facilities. 1929 also saw the beginning of bus service within the city. In 1937, a section of the village of Noda ( 野田村 ) was absorbed into Fukushima, and in 1939 Yumoto Credit Financing Association ( 湯元信用無尽株式会社 ) took over Fukushima Finance Association ( 福島無尽株式会社 ) , changed its name to Fukushima Finance Provider ( 株式会社福島無尽金庫 ) , and moved its head office to Fukushima. This

6936-405: The opponent parries their shinai with the initiator's. They then flip over (turn over the hands) and strike their opposite side. Valid strikes include: men-kaeshi-men , men-kaeshi-kote , men-kaeshi-do , kote-kaeshi-men , kote-kaeshi-kote , and do-kaeshi-men . A scorable point ( 有効打突 , yūkō-datotsu ) in a kendo competition ( tai-kai ) is defined as an accurate strike or thrust made onto

7038-493: The opponent's neck, thrusting techniques in free practice and competition are often restricted to senior dan graded kendōka . Once a kendōka begins practice in armor, a practice session may include any or all of the following types of practice: Techniques are divided into shikake-waza (仕掛け技; to initiate a strike) and ōji-waza (応じ技; a response to an attempted strike). Kendōka who wish to use such techniques during practice or competitions often practice each technique with

7140-616: The original line has disappeared. Watching a demonstration of the Mizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū it easily distinguishable from its parent art, the Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, and the Nakanishi-ha and Itto Shoden Muto-ryū. The kata used in these styles bear a close resemblance to each other. The Mizoguchi-ha at times looks like an entirely different art rather than just a different branch of the Ittō school, although employing some similar tactics. Many of

7242-511: The police continued to support such practice. The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK) was established in 1895 to promote martial arts in Japan. It changed the name of the sporting form of swordsmanship, gekiken , ( Kyūjitai : 擊劍 and Shinjitai : 撃剣 , "hitting sword") to kendō in 1920. Kendo (along with other martial arts) was banned in Japan in 1946 by the occupying powers. This was part of "the removal and exclusion from public life of militaristic and ultra-nationalistic persons" in response to

7344-677: The present-day prefectural office, in the Kita-gorōuchi area ( 北五老内地域 ) . The implementation of the Ritsuryō system also resulted in administrative changes, with the area of present-day Fukushima and Date being combined to form the district of Shinobu. This was the northernmost point of the Mutsu Province and held responsibility for preventing the southern expansion of the Emishi , a people who lived in northern Honshū . After 718, and

7446-412: The right or left. This neutralises a potential strike and gives the ideal chance to strike as an opponent is off-balance. For success, the distance between oneself and the opponent has to be correctly perceived, and then one knocks down their shinai before their arm fully extends. Valid strikes include: do-uchiotoshi-men and Tsuki-uchiotoshi-men . This technique is a response. As the opponent strikes,

7548-683: The same population. This was accomplished both through administrative changes and forced population relocations. With Mutsu Province viewed as reclaimed land by the Imperial Court, the area saw a significant amount of reorganization. In the late Heian period , almost the entirety of the Tōhoku region was ruled by the Northern Fujiwara clan . Relatives of the Northern Fujiwara clan, the Shinobu Satō clan ( 信夫佐藤氏 )

7650-437: The side of the neck and shoulders. The forearms, wrists, and hands are protected by long, thickly padded fabric gloves called kote ( 小手 ) . The torso is protected by a breastplate ( 胴 , dō ) , while the waist and groin area are protected by the tare ( 垂れ ) , consisting of three thick vertical fabric flaps or faulds . The clothing worn under the bōgu comprise a jacket ( kendogi or keikogi ) and hakama ,

7752-506: The south of Fukushima is the town of Nihonmatsu , to the east are Kawamata and Date , and to the north is Koori . The Fukushima Basin is created by the surrounding Ōu Mountains in the west and the Abukuma Highlands in the east, with the Abukuma River flowing through the center of the basin, from south to north. Multiple tributaries to the Abukuma River source in the Ōu Mountains before flowing down into Fukushima, namely

7854-543: The south to Morioka in the north, via Fukushima. The Route 4 South Bypass opened on November 11, 1983, and the Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art and Prefectural Library were completed on July 22, 1983. Fukushima hosted the first East Japan Women's Ekiden road relay race on November 24, 1985. On August 4 and 5 of 1986 the Abukuma River and its tributaries flooded due to Nakdōri receiving from 200 to 300 mm (7.9 to 11.8 in) of rain from

7956-487: The southeastern section of the Fukushima Basin and is a symbol of the city. The Abukuma River flows south to north through the central area of Fukushima and joins with many tributaries on its journey through the city. The Arakawa River originates from Mt. Azuma and flows eastward, eventually flowing into the Abukuma River near the city center. The Matsukawa River, which flows eastward from its origin in Mt. Azuma and also joins with

8058-511: The techniques adaptable to such circumstances. The transmission of the system passed out of the Ono family briefly and was maintained by the feudal lord Tsugaru Nobumasa . The second headmaster from this family taught Ono Tadakata, allowing the Ono family to continue preserving the line while the Tsugaru family continued their practice of the art, thereby having two families maintain the main line of

8160-412: The tip of the shinai or bokutō . Protective armor is worn to protect specified target areas on the head, arms, and body. The head is protected by a stylized helmet, called men ( 面 ) , with a metal grille ( 面金 , men-gane ) to protect the face, a series of hard leather and fabric flaps ( 突垂れ , tsuki-dare ) to protect the throat, and padded fabric flaps ( 面垂れ , men-dare ) to protect

8262-631: The track. No one was ever convicted of the crime. 1949 also saw the opening of Fukushima University . In 1952, a new city hall was opened in the Gorōuchi ( 五老内町 ) neighborhood. The Seventh National Sports Festival of Japan was also held in the city, and in 1954 the present-day Fukushima Prefectural Office's main wing was completed and the Fukushima City Police were integrated into the Fukushima Prefecture Police. In March 1959 NHK began television broadcasts. Later that year, on May 11,

8364-531: The two of them collaborated to improve what would become modern kendo training armor. Shūsaku Narimasa Chiba ( 千葉 周作 成政 , 1792–1855) , founder of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō (北辰一刀流兵法), introduced gekiken (撃剣) (full contact duels with bamboo swords and training armor) to the curriculum of tradition arts in the 1820s. Due to the large number of students of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō at

8466-399: The wartime militarization of martial arts instruction in Japan. The DNBK was also disbanded. Kendo was allowed to return to the curriculum in 1950, first as "shinai competition" ( 竹刀競技 , shinai kyōgi ) and then as kendo in 1952. The All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF or ZNKR) was founded in 1952, immediately after Japan's independence was restored and the ban on martial arts in Japan

8568-746: The west and the Abukuma Highlands to the east. Most of the city is within the southeast area and nearby mountains of the Fukushima Basin. Mt. Azuma and Mt. Adatara loom over the city from the west and southwest, respectively In the north, Fukushima is adjacent to the Miyagi Prefecture cities of Shiroishi and Shichikashuku . In the northwest, Fukushima borders the Yamagata Prefecture cities of Yonezawa and Takahata . Within Fukushima Prefecture, to

8670-447: The west of the city. The dam completion ceremony for the Surikamigawa Dam in the Moniwa area was held on September 25, 2005. April 1, 2007, was the 100th anniversary of Fukushima becoming a city, and to celebrate, a dashi ( 山車 , a type of parade float) festival was held on June 30. Dashi representing the former towns and villages that make up modern-day Fukushima paraded and gathered in front of Fukushima Station. During

8772-477: The widening influence of the Yamato Imperial Court, Mutsu Province was expanded northwards into present-day Miyagi Prefecture . Along with this redrawing of boundaries, present-day Fukushima Prefecture was separated from the new Mutsu Province (approximately present-day Miyagi) and split between the newly formed provinces of Iwaki in the east and Iwase in the west. However, by 724 Mutsu Province

8874-412: The wrists, head, or body, all of which are protected by armor. The targets are men , sayu-men or Yoko-men (upper, left or right side of the men ), the right kote at any time, the left kote when it is in a raised position, and the left or right side of the dō . Thrusts ( 突き , tsuki ) are only allowed to the throat. However, since an incorrectly performed thrust could cause serious injury to

8976-404: Was Munenori's superior in swordsmanship, but that his severe character led him to be the less favoured and respected of the two. Known as a dueling style which focused upon the sword rather than a more multifaceted, multi-weapon, battlefield style, Ono developed a mock split-bamboo sword called a fukuro-shinai in order to reduce training injuries and allow more committed fighting practice. From

9078-453: Was absorbed into Nihonmatsu Prefecture on November 2, making Nihonmatsu Prefecture consist of approximately the entirety of the Nakadōri area. On November 14, Nihonmatsu Prefecture's name was changed to Fukushima Prefecture. Fukushima City was named the prefecture's capital. Nearly five years later, on August 21, 1876, Fukushima Prefecture merged with Iwasaki Prefecture ( 磐前県 ) (consisting of

9180-577: Was given domain over nearly the entirety of present-day Fukushima Prefecture's centrally-located Nakadōri area and eventually expanded their control to include Aizu to the west as well. It is said that the Shinobu Satō clan is one of the reasons for the Satō surname spreading throughout and eventually becoming the most common surname in Japan. In 1180, Minamoto no Yoshitsune , was accompanied by Shinobu district residents Satō Tsugunobu ( 佐藤継信 ) and Satō Tadanobu ( 佐藤忠信 ) on his way south to Kantō to fight

9282-430: Was in the southwest of present-day Fukushima. The following year he moved from Ōmori Castle to Suginome Castle. It is said that, inspired by the recent renaming of Kurogawa-jō ( 黒川城 , "Black River Castle") to the more joyous-sounding Wakamatsu-jō ( 若松城 , "Young Pine Castle") , he changed the name of his new residence to Fukushima-jō ( 福島城 , "Lucky Island Castle") . This castle, like many others in Japan,

9384-511: Was later demolished at the beginning of the Meiji period. In 1600, Date Masamune and Honjō Shigenaga , who was under the Uesugi clan and head of Fukushima Castle at the time, fought the Battle of Matsukawa ( 松川の戦い ) . At the time, the Matsukawa River flowed in a different riverbed than it does now, as the current Matsukawa River is north of Mt. Shinobu, while the Matsukawa River at the time of

9486-647: Was lifted. It was formed on the principle of kendo not as a martial art , but as educational sport and it has continued to be practiced as such to this day. The International Kendo Federation (FIK) was founded in April 1970. It is an international federation of national and regional kendo federations, and the world governing body for kendo. The FIK is a non-governmental organization , and it aims to promote and popularize kendo, iaido and jodo . The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF), established in Kyoto 1952,

9588-483: Was linked to Yonezawa by rail via the opening of the Ōu South Line ( 奥羽南線 ) , part of the present-day Ōu Main Line . The opening of Niwasaka Station corresponded with the opening of the line. Also in 1899, a Bank of Japan branch was established in Fukushima, the bank's first branch in the Tōhoku region. On April 1, 1907, the town of Fukushima officially became the city of Fukushima ( 福島市 , Fukushima-shi ) . It

9690-602: Was never found. This became known as the Niwasaka incident . On August 17, 1949, at 3:09 am the Matsukawa incident occurred. In a scene highly reminiscent of the scene from the previous year's Niwasaka incident, a train bound for Ueno derailed, killing three crew members. Inspection of the tracks revealed that connecting plates and spikes had been removed. Furthermore, a 25 m (82 ft) 925 kg (2,039 lb) section of rail had been moved 13 m (43 ft) from

9792-413: Was opened and linked Fukushima to Yonezawa , approximately 45 km to the northwest. On December 15, 1887, the section of the Tōhoku Main Line running through Fukushima, connecting Kōriyama Station in the south to Iwakiri Station in the north, was opened. In Fukushima, this saw the opening of Fukushima Station and Matsukawa Station . In 1888, there was a large-scale merger of municipalities. In

9894-590: Was shut down on April 12, 1971, leaving the Iizaka Line the only remaining railway operated by Fukushima Transportation . The same year Fukushima Prefectural Office's west wing was completed, making it, at the time, the tallest building in the prefecture. The section of the Tōhoku Expressway linking Kōriyama in the south to Shiroishi in the north, via Fukushima, opened on April 1, 1975. The Tōhoku Shinkansen opened on June 23, 1982, and connected Ōmiya in

9996-471: Was the first international organization founded since WWII to promote the development of martial arts worldwide. Today, IMAF includes kendo as one of the Japanese disciplines. Practitioners of kendo are called kendōka ( 剣道家 ) , meaning "someone who practices kendo", or occasionally kenshi ( 剣士 ) , meaning "swordsman". Additionally, the old term of kendoists is sometimes used. The Kodansha Meibo,

10098-737: Was the precursor to the present-day Fukushima Bank ( 株式会社福島銀行 ) . In 1941, NHK opened its first broadcast station in the city. Near the end of World War II , in which Japan had initiated wars with a number of Pacific powers to create the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere , on July 20, 1945, a United States Army Air Forces Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombed the Watari area. In 1946, Toho Bank moved its head office to Fukushima, on June 18, 1947 Fukushima Prefecture Girl's Medical School ( 福島県立女子医学専門学校 ) became Fukushima Medical University, and on March 7, 1948,

10200-668: Was the previous one, is located in Gorōuchi-machi, next to National Route 4 in the center of the city. On March 11, 2011, the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami occurred, with the earthquake causing ruptures in multiple water mains originating from the Surikamigawa Dam, which supplies much of the city's water. This resulted in the majority of the city losing access to running water. Train services were also stopped due to damage caused to railway infrastructure. The Iizaka Line reopened two days later on March 13, and on March 31

10302-478: Was the second municipality in the prefecture and 59th in the nation to become a city. At the time, Fukushima had a population of 30,000. On April 14, 1908, the Shintatsu Tramway Company ( 信達軌道会社 ) opened a light rail system that connected Fukushima Rail Stop ( 福島停車場 ) to Yuno ( 湯野 ) via Nagaoka ( 長岡 ) . Also in 1908, the Fukushima City Library ( 福島市立図書館 ) opened. On June 28, 1918,

10404-476: Was unable to deal on its own with the economic costs of holding back the Emishi, so Iwaki and Iwase provinces were merged back into Mutsu. In the first half of the 10th century, the Date district was separated from the Shinobu district. As a reform to the sōyōchō ( 租庸調 ) tax on rice, labor, and textiles, there was a nationwide effort from the Imperial Court to split up districts so they each had approximately

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