How Dangerous are Kendo Strikes with a Sharp Katana?

Or to put it differently, would a Kendoka be ready for a zombie apocalypse? Nah, it doesn't always have to be zombies...

Kendo can be seen as a sporterized relative of Kenjutsu, the traditional Japanese art of sword fighting. Sort of like Olympic fencing and historical rapier fencing, although that may not be an entirely accurate comparison. Either way, the focus on speed and comparatively light contact (or so it may seem) makes some people doubt its martial validity.

Personally I don't have a dog in the fight either way, but I was curious to see what a katana might do to a ballistic gel dummy head with one of those quick strikes, and my friend Sindri offered to help with his Kendo experience.
The skulls are anatomically correct and pretty realistic overall, although the gel doesn't simulate flesh and skin very well.

I also tried a lunging thrust with a narrow bladed Spanish rapier, which turned out better than I expected (the second attempt, that is).

And finally he went to town with a large two-handed cutting sword, to finish off the mayhem.

The swords shown here:

Shirasaya / Shikomizue by Hanwei
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/...
(affiliate link)

Tizona - 17th century Spanish cup-hilt rapier by LK Chen
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/...
(affiliate link)

Battle-ready version of Inosuke's serrated sword from the Demon Slayer anime series
https://minikatana.com/products/beast...

Supreme Cutter Classic by Lancelot Chan
https://lancelotsword.com/classic

The head analog:

https://ballisticdummylab.com/collect...


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