Style Boxing Headgear

Style Boxing Headgear

Martial arts equipment may exist to serve the different martial art styles in different ways. For instance, some may be geared toward safety, such as mouth guards or head gear. Other items may emphasize rank. Still other forms of gear are crucial practice elements for specific martial art variations.

Perhaps the most well-known of these variations is kendo. The term means, the "Way of the Sword." Kendo is a modern martial art which is based upon traditional Japanese sword arts, or Kenjutsu.

Swordsmanship has been valued in Japan since before the Kamakura period (1185-1233.) This was the first samurai-dominated government. The military clans of that time were also largely interested in horse riding and archery.

During this same time period within Japan, Zen Buddhism was also growing. Zen philosophies and practices had already been introduced to the region centuries before through both Taoism and the Shinto religion. However, it was not introduced as a separate school until the 12th century.

Due to this, Zen Buddhism had a strong influence on kendo as the martial art developed. For instance, Buddhist philosophy would emphasize the fluidity of the concepts of life and death. This worked well with the warrior ideal of holding one's own life below the importance of overall victory.

These samurai first established various schools of kenjutsu. Each of these schools had different focuses on the application of bladed martial arts equipment. For instance, the school of Itto-ryu emphasized the importance of an original and essential sword cut. The Muto expressed the concept that there was no sword outside of the mind.

It was during the Shotoku Era (1711-1715) that shinai and bogu were introduced to kenjutsu practice. Shinai are bamboo practice swords while bogu is the term for the protective armor.

Shinai were meant to represent the Katana, also called, "the samurai sword." Rather than having the curved and slender, single-edged sword blade, a shinai is made up of four bamboo slats. These are fastened together with leather.

The bogu set consists of a helmet, breastplate, faulds and gauntlets. This armor works to protect specific target areas of the body. In addition to this specific protective gear, a jacket will be worn as well as a skirt-like garment. A cotton towel is also often used as extra padding beneath the stylized helmet, or men.

These different forms of martial arts equipment used in kenjustu were carried into the modern kendo. The form of kendo as it is known today began to surface in the late 1700s. The gear allows students to practice with full force thrusts and strikes without any risk of injury.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on parenting, recreation, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on the martial arts, please visit Martial Arts Equipment, supplier of useful information on karate belts, uniforms, and other martial arts supply.

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