In Kendo, practitioners do not use real steel katanas for safety reasons. Instead, they use a bamboo sword known as a "shinai." The shinai is constructed from four bamboo slats bound together, which provides flexibility and significantly reduces the risk of injury.

For ceremonial purposes or kata (formalized movements or techniques), practitioners may use a wooden sword known as a "bokken" or "bokuto." A bokken is a safer alternative to a steel katana, but it's still solid and can cause injury if not used properly.

Kendo is more about the practice and spirit of Japanese swordsmanship rather than the actual use of a real sword in combat. The focus is on cultivating discipline, respect, and mental strength in addition to physical skill. Therefore, the emphasis is not on the weapon itself, but on the technique and spirit of the practitioner.