(This article based on an original story written in Japanese by Yoshinori Ishii and translated by David Tharp)

The martial art of “kendo,” is traditional Japanese sword fencing. Literally, kendo means "Way of the Sword," and is based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship that goes back to the 12th century.

Kendo was officially designated a national sport in 1919, and is said to have as many practitioners in this country as judo, another popular martial art in which Japan excels.

On 27-28 July the All-Japan Kendo Dojo Federation held the combined 45th All Japan Youth Kendo Tournament and 35th Individual Kendo Competition at the Budokan Hall in Tokyo. 6,000 participants, parents, and spectators attended from all over Japan.

The event is described as the martial arts equivalent of the very popular Koshien national high school baseball tournament, which is held every summer in Japan.

Boys and girls who gathered at the Budokan for the kendo tournament

The opening ceremony of the kendo tournament included the return of trophies by last year’s individual and team winners. Kendo Federation President Kenji Kosaka encouraged this year’s participants to learn a lot from their experiences in the tournament to sharpen their skills.

This was followed by remarks from several other distinguished guests such as Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, who said he always looked forward to the tournament every year. He added that the bright, shining faces of the young people gathered there embodied the spirit of Japan.

Chairman Sasakawa offers encouragement to the tournament youth

He also encouraged participants to never forget the great memories of being in this tournament.

Then the winner of the kendo federation’s youth composition contest, Mari Kitada, a sixth grade elementary student from Kyoto Prefecture was called to the podium to say a few words about her essay entitled “Purpose.”

Essay competition winner Mari Kitada

She said that while it was tough for her to become really skilled at kendo in the beginning, she had learned a good lesson from watching her blind brother’s experience with the sport.

She said that he had developed a strong mind and heart through the sport, and that this had inspired her to develop her own “eyes of the heart” as a kendo practitioner. In the future, she said her purpose is to be an elementary school teacher and teach kids the importance of seeing things with their hearts.

After the explanation of her essay Chairman Sasakawa handed her the kendo federation’s winning prize certificate for her composition.

Kitada’s comments drew a big response from the kendo participants and audience who appeared greatly moved by her comments.

Budokan Hall filled with participants and spectators

Since the establishment of the All Japan Kendo Dojo Federation in 1962, there are now 2,026 kendo associations throughout Japan.