The sword is the mind.
When the mind is right, the sword is right.
When the mind is not right, the sword is also not right.
He who wishes to study kendo, must first study his mind.

—Toranosuke Shimada

The Purpose of Practicing Kendo

To mold the mind and body,
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo,
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor,
To associate with others with sincerity,
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

— All Japan Kendo Federation