In this study we would like to focus on Korean KUMDO which has represented a significant rise in the international KENDO world since 1990.
The purpose of this study is to indicate the direction of the international expansion of Japanese KENDO through the following two points of view, while clarifying the conflict and the course between Japanese KENDO and Korean KUMDO. One point is an approach toward cultural universalism, which means that Japanese KENDO should be transmitted to the world and root in other countries as itself, and the other is an approach to cultural relativism, which means that not only Japanese KENDO but also other KENDO from other countries should be admitted with mutual approval of cultural properties. This discussion consists of the following
3 parts:
1. Conflict between Korean KUMDO and Japanese KENDO
2. Trend in the international KENDO world
3. Challenges for the international expansion of Japanese KENDO
On the basis of the course and the conflict between Korean KUMDO and Japanese KENDO, KENDO takes the position of cultural universalism, on the other hand KUMDO has the position of cultural relativism and it tries to find a way to internationalize KUMDO for their competition.
For the international expansion of KENDO, it is inevitable to construct the Modern KENDO by reconstructing Japanese KENDO with reviewing the tradition of KENDO thoughts and its principle, objectify and verbalization of KENDO skills and referees, while taking consideration of the different cultures, not just a KENDO spread abroad by ambiguous domestic recognition.
