The Rules of Kendo
In Kendo points are awarded by striking one of four valid areas on the body. The point areas are the forehead, the wrists, the abdomen, or the throat, or as known within Kendo the Men, Kote, Do, or Tsuki respectively. Simply hitting one of the four strike areas does not necessarily entail a point though. For a point to be valid, as a minimum, there must be proper striking form of the sword, proper form and motion of the body as a whole, and a strong spirit, or as it is known in Kendo, Ki, which is normally manifested through a yell.

A standard Kendo match is played between two players in an approximately thirty by thirty foot square. Points are awarded and the match administered by three observing judges, also known as Shimpan. Each player begins the match by stepping into the court, also known as the Shiaijo, and bowing to one another. After taking three large steps into the court each player will then assume the traditional squatting position of Sonkyo with their foils drawn point to point. Once the head judge calls "Hajime" a match is started and each player will spring into the on guard position, ready to fight. If a player steps out of bounds during the course of the match, their opponent is awarded a half point. The first player with two points or the most full points at the end of the match time limit (normally between 3 to five minutes) wins.     

The Equipment of Kendo
The standard Kendo uniform consists of a pair of skirt-like trousers known as Hakama combined with a jacket known as a Keiko Gi. During sparring practice armor is donned over the uniform. Kendo armor consists of a helmet with steel grill known as a Men, padded gloves with leather palms or Kote, and the lacquer chest piece or Do. Each piece of armor is tied on using fabric cord known as Himo. A Kendoist's fencing foil, also known as Shinai, is constructed from four bamboo pieces held together through a combination of leather and string.

The Ranks of Kendo
Kendo ranks are separated into two divisions. The first level is the Kyu, or non-blackbelt, division. Kyu ranks begin at 9 and proceed to 1. Following the Kyu division is the Dan, or black belt division. Dan ranks begin at one and proceed theoretically to ten. Most teachers, or sensei, will hold a rank of at least third degree black belt, or san dan. In Kendo,  unlike some other martial arts, rank is not displayed through any unique uniform attire. 

Tests for rank or Shinza, are normally given twice a year. For the Kyu division, a Kenshi must demonstrate to a panel of judges mastery of the basic strikes and the fundamental practice drill of kirikaeshi. Judges will also observe a sample sparring match. A kenshi can normally test for a Kyu rank twice a year, pending instructor permission. For the Dan division, a Kenshi is graded based upon sample sparring matches and performance of the basic Kendo forms, known as Kata. Dan ranks may only be tested based upon annual intervals of the previous rank. For example, a third degree black belt would have to wait a minimum of 3 years before testing for their fourth degree rank.            

Kendo Practice
Most Kendo practices follow a similar format. Class length can normally range from one to 2 hours. Class begins with the students, or Kenshi, lining up by rank facing the class teachers, or Sensei. Both sides will then take the traditional sitting position of Seiza. After a moment of meditation, the Kenshi and Sensei will bow to the practice hall, or Dojo, head and then bow to one another. Following a variety of warm up and stretching exercises the students will then perform exercises that practice the multiple facets of Kendo. These can range from drills to improve the required footwork of Kendo to teaching new waza, or sword techniques, or continuous attack drills to improve stamina. Class normally ends with an extended sparring practice known as Jikeiko. At the end of class the students once again line up to face the teachers, assume Seiza, mediate momentarily, then bow to the Dojo head, and then one another.