A normal contest lasts five minutes but many extensions are allowed and often the championship matches will last half an hour or more before a single cut is made and the point taken. Hiki-waki or 'drawn matches' rarely occur and contest is not normally required for grading until 3rd Kyu.

This section gives you an introduction to Kendo but many advanced aspects have been ignored. The student is advised to begin training and see whether or not he enjoys it. Kendo is utterly absorbing and fascinating to those who practise and a new field of technique or different aspect of thought is always beginning. The basic conception of cutting is very simple and the main study is in co-ordination, timing and the mental aspects of training.

There are currently several dozen clubs scattered over the country, three of them being in London. Not all clubs originate in the same school or theory and some remain independent. Information can always be given on all known clubs at the headquarters of the British Kendo Council, 10 Stuart Road, Acton, London W3 (tel 9929454).

Most established clubs have a limited amount of equipment on loan to the novice. Buying equipment is rather a problem since it comes from Japan, but it can be obtained.