Kendo is the first book in English to provide an in-depth historical, cultural, and political account of the Japanese martial art of swordsmanship, from its beginnings in military training and arcane medieval schools to its widespread practice today as a global sport. Alexander Bennett shows how kendo evolved through a recurring process of inventing tradition, which served the changing ideologies and needs of Japanese warriors and governments over the course of history. Kendo follows the development of Japanese swordsmanship from the aristocratic-aesthetic pretensions of medieval warriors in the Muromachi period, to the samurai elitism of the Edo regime, and then to the nostalgic patriotism of the Meiji state.

"A thorough, engaging, and well-written survey that will remain a classic for decades to come." 

Autorentext
Alexander C. Bennett is Professor at Kansai University. He also serves as vice president of the International Naginata Federation, member of the International Committee of the All Japan Kendo Federation, director of the Japanese Academy of Budo, and head coach of New Zealand's national kendo team. He is cofounder and editor in chief of Kendo World.

Zusammenfassung
Offers historical, cultural, and political account in English of the Japanese martial art of swordsmanship. This book shows how this martial art evolved through a recurring process of "inventing tradition," which served the changing ideologies and needs of Japanese warriors and governments over the course of history.

Inhalt
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Conventions
Prologue

Introduction

1 • The Art of Killing: Swordsmanship in Medieval Japan
2 • The Art of Living: Early Modern Kenjutsu
3 • The Fall and Rise of Samurai Culture: Kenjutsu's Nationalization
4 • Sharpening the Empire's Claws
5 • Kendo and Sports: Path of Reason or Cultural Treason?
6 • Crossing Swords and Borders: The Global Diffusion of Kendo

Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index