Kendo is the way of the sword, Japanese fencing. About 8 million people world-wide participate, 7 million of them in Japan. Kendoka wear armour protecting the head, throat, wrists and abdomen; these are the only legal targets. The split-bamboo practice sword, called a shinai, is wielded two-handed. Kenjutsu is the art of winning real fights with real swords is The primary goal of kenjutsu is victory over opponents; the primary goal of kendo is to improve oneself through the study of the sword. Kendo also has a strong sporting aspect with big tournaments avidly followed by the Japanese public. From JAPANESE SWORD ARTS FAQ VERSION 2.7 (c) Neil Grendzill 1998 Used with permission of the author