Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, meaning “Way of The Sword”, which uses bamboo swords ( shinai ) and protective armour ( bōgu ). Swordsmanship in Japan started as kenjutsu, the forerunner of kendo. Kendo was banned in Japan in 1946 by the occupying nations, but it was again allowed to be practised in 1950. Practitioners of kendo are called kendōka, or occasionally kenshi, meaning “swordsman”. Kendo was demonstrated at the 1964 Olympics, with 22 different categories, often separated only by the educational level of those demonstrating the art.
| Event |
Status |
Date |
Participants |
NOCs |
| Embusen (Nihon Kendo Kata), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Embusen (Jodo), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
2 |
| Embusen (Naginata), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Embusen (Iaido), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
6 |
1 |
| Embusen (Kobudo), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Renshu (Elementary School), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
4 |
1 |
| Renshu (High School), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - Red-White (1, Seniors), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - Red-White (2, Mixed Combat), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - Red-White (3, Mixed Combat), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - Red-White (4, Women), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - Red-White (5, Women), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - Red-White (6, High School), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - Red-White (7, Elementary School), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - East-West (1, Top level), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - East-West (2, Politician), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - East-West (3, Businessman), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - East-West (4, School staff), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - East-West (5, Police), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - East-West (6, College), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - East-West (7, College), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - East-West (8, High School), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
| Shiai - East-West (9, High School), Open |
Olympic (non-medal) |
15 October 1964 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
51 (44/7)
|
2 (2/1)
|