Development of a Smart Kendo Sword and Assessment of Grip Pressure of Kamai Stance and Kote Cut

A Kendo bamboo sword was instrumented with customized grip pressure sensors for right and left hand. The grip pressures were tested in the Kamai stance and during the Kote cut. In the Kamai stance, the grip pressure of the left hand was on average 6-7 times greater than the one of the right hand. In the pre-impact phase of the Kote cut the pressure distribution was similar to the Kamai stance. During the impact period, the grip pressure of both hands increases dramatically and the grip pressure of the right hand is 12% greater in the left hand. The smart Kendo sword is a useful tool for assessing the pressure distribution and feeding it back to the Kendoka.