Etymology Map
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Kendo

2 stages from Japanese to English.

Today it means a modern Japanese martial art of fencing using bamboo swords and protective armor

Where does the word "kendo" come from? It comes from Japanese kendō, adopted directly into English (20th century).

1
Stage 1 of 2
kendō
Japanese · late 1800s
"the way of the sword; bamboo-sword fencing"
literally 'way of the sword', a modern sport codified from older samurai swordsmanship
2
Stage 2 of 2
kendo
English · 20th century
"Japanese fencing practiced with bamboo swords and armor"
borrowed as the sport spread internationally through martial-arts federations
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