To Enrich and Be Enriched by Way of the Sword

Kendo, the ancient Japanese martial art of fencing with long bamboo swords, is attracting increased attention from foreigners even as its popularity wanes among the Japanese.

The spread of kendo abroad has been driven in part by 65-year-old Akira Kubo, the sensei who directs Kyumeikan Kendo Dojo, whose martial arts academies extend from Tokyo to China and Hong Kong, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Israel, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Lithuania.

Mr. Kubo, who holds a 7th dan ranking in kendo -- just below the top-ranking 8th dan -- has traveled to more than 50 countries to teach and promote kendo since 1970 when he took over the leadership of Kyumeikan, the dojo started by his father. "The Wall Street Juornal"...