Meaning "the way of the sword", kendo is Japanese fencing using either a long bamboo weapon, the shinai , or a lethal metal katana blade. This fighting skill has the longest pedigree in Japan, dating from the Muromachi period (1392-1573), then developed as a sport during the Edo period, and is now watched over by the All-Japan Kendo Federation , Nippon Budokan, 2-3 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (tel 03/3211-5804), near Kudanshita subway station. Practice sessions are not generally open to the public, but you might be fortunate enough to catch the All-Japan Championships held in Tokyo each December at the Budokan.