The Kendoka Mould

[KendoPadawan]

Dear fellow Kendoka's,

My friend and I were discussing the kendoka mould - ie the type of people who would do Kendo that were not exposed with a Kendo background (ie Japanese person or Korean living in their respective countries and being brought up).

These are the kind of personality traits that we found common with most other Kendoka in the dojo:

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
2. Plays video games
3. Is in the IT field
4. Can be introverted
5. Wannabe samurais
6. Geeks!
7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
8. Watches Anime

Are you one of these?

KendoPadawan

[ahmed61086]

Im not into all asian things, even though Japanese History is interesting. And since I am into Martial arts, Japanese and Chinese history and culture was a little bit more interesting than most.

I do like some anime.

Im not too much of a Geek.

I am a little bit of an introvert.

I used to play video games alot, but not much anymore.

Not a wannabe samurai.

Not in the IT field.

I like Star Wars, but am not crazy about it.

I hate star trek, and I dont know what firefly is.


I have definitly allways been into the Martial arts and more open minded than most people, and like to learn about many different things. Ever since I was a little kid I allways like watching movies with swordfighting and anytype of martial arts(except wrestling because its boring). As soon as I found out about kendo and the deepness involved in it I was hooked. And I have allways liked 1 on 1 activities more than team sports(even though I played baskeball since I was 5), because I am a huge ball hog.

[Paikea]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)

How, in the 21st century, can "Asian things" be avoided? Sure, I liked "Hero" and "House of Flying daggers", but I don't want to be Chinese.


2. Plays video games

Rarely, by the time the work day is done, I can't stand to look at a computer.


3. Is in the IT field

Define "IT". I use computers as tools, but I'm no tape ape.


4. Can be introverted

Nope, introverts have very little use for a pub.


5. Wannabe samurais

Puhleeze....those don't usually make it past the beginners classes.


6. Geeks!

...and damn proud of it. A PDP-11 and FORTRAN-IV baby, Real Men don't need more than that.


7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly

OK, you got me on "Firefly"...


8. Watches Anime

Gigantor was cool, and Samurai jack rocks, but most anime makes me ill. Thunderbirds are (still) Go.

What you're asking is why would someone not exposed to Kendo or Asian culture growing up want to do Kendo?

Because it's unspeakably cool, of course, and because I can.

[JBouch]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc) - Kind of.
2. Plays video games - Yes, along with probably everybody my age.
3. Is in the IT field - no
4. Can be introverted - no
5. Wannabe samurais - no
6. Geeks! - no
7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly - no
8. Watches Anime - sometimes, though I'd rather read comics.

I don't know if I'm an exception to your rule, but I think I failed this personality test.

[Mr. Donigan]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
Yeah, but other than my kendo things, my house does not look like a tea house.

2. Plays video games
I hate them mostly.
3. Is in the IT field
artist.
4. Can be introverted
only when I'm asleep.
5. Wannabe samurais
maybe on halloween
6. Geeks!
I don't think so... but so few geeks do.
7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
I enjoy them. Don't own any of them.
8. Watches Anime
my not really my bag.

[Ignatz]

FORTRAN-IV baby, Real Men don't need more than that.

Used to paint the code on the walls of my cave!!!

[KendoPadawan]

Puhleeze....those don't usually make it past the beginners classes.



I have to agree with Paikea with this one. Most of the beginners that come on board wanna become samurais because using a sword is cool, watched the Last Samurai blah blah... But I suppose until they hit haisuburi, that's when they all quit. I suppose they don't understand how much determination and motivation is needed to do kendo.

But anyway, looks like so far everyone meets one of the criteria at least.

[h2o]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc) Nah, mostly japanese stuff. I am hopefully going to study japanese for a full year starting next semester.

2. Plays video gamesUsed to, but can't find the time these days.

3. Is in the IT fieldHrrm, yeah... I am studying for a Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering. So I guess I qualify ;)

4. Can be introverted Can't we all sometimes? But generally. no.

5. Wannabe samuraisNot really.

6. Geeks!If you refer to the "good" definition, then yes. If you refer to the "I-smell-bad-and-will-never-find-a-girl-and-I-live-in.my-mothers-basement", then no. :D

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or FireflyWas a huge Star Wars fan, and I occassionally watch Star Trek if it happens to be on when I am by the TV. Never seen Firefly. I prefer MacGyver ;)

8. Watches AnimeYes, but only the good ones ;)


Are you one of these?
No...? :rolleyes:

[Alison2805]

hmmmm...the only I fit into is perhaps the geek - I love my dinosaurs and rocks.

Perhaps you should create a new list? In my slightly totally-non-serious opinion kendoka seem to be people who are geeks, of some description, that drink copiously and are generally bloody funny.

Before or after training is the only time of the week where I am laughing my ass off constantly. Either H. is teaching someone dodgy japanese pickup lines, B. is impersonating riverdance in bogu or E. is in contortions trying to take his jocks off AFTER putting on his hakama. Its gold, I say, GOLD!

[David]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
Well, I've always liked the philosiphies behind most East Asian martial arts, and have always had a soft spot for Japanese history.

2. Plays video games
Well, I'm a 17 year-old guy. You'd be really hard pressed to find one who doesn't.

3. Is in the IT field
Nope. Not in any field; I'm still in high school. Don't have any plans on entering said field either. My goal is to own my own bookstore one day.

4. Can be introverted
Ehh. No more then most I suppose.

5. Wannabe samurais
Not really. While Japanese history, particularly that of the Waring States and Edo periods, fascinate me, I don't consider my self a wannabe samurai. Although, to be fair, how many people here can honestly say that they've never wished that they were born in feudal Japan so that they could atleast have the chance?

6. Geeks!
Well, I like to think that I'm not, but I can't promise anything.

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
Was way into Star Wars when I was younger, but honestly, what little boy wasn't? Never really like Star Trek, and I've never even heard of Firefly.

8. Watches Anime
Ehh...Guilty. Although to be fair, I'm more into comedy anime, and usually don't watch many samurai anime, with only one or two exceptions.

[Anjin-san]

Yeah, this is basically the profile of any online forum user.

[Solinde]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
Well...I'm into kendo and iaido. Does that count? :cheerful: Honestly, I had no interest whatsoever in Asia or Japan before I started iaido. Now I do. Go figure. :silly:
2. Plays video games
No, sorry.
3. Is in the IT field
Not that either.
4. Can be introverted
I think everyone has introverted days. Wouldn't describe myself as introverted though.
5. Wannabe samurais
Well, in the sense that I spend much of my free time in hakama, waving around a sword of some kind: yes. :silly:
6. Geeks!
I don't think so. :paranoid:
7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
Never seen Firefly, but I enjoy the other two. Wouldn't exactly use the word "into" though.
8. Watches Anime
Finally, something that you got right. I sure do...if I can find the time.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Used to paint the code on the walls of my cave!!!I learned Fortran on punch cards and used to know PDP-11 assembler. But my dad has me beat - he actually used to program machine code into an old TI machine by flipping a set of 16 toggle switches to the binary instruction and then hitting an enter switch. Ugh.

[emitbrownne]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
I like Kendo.. does that count ;)

2. Plays video games
Used to.. but my PC is too crud to play anything Decent or recent.

3. Is in the IT field
Yup . High level assembler and Cobol programmer, with object orientated aspirations

4. Can be introverted
and extroverted, and subverted, and perverted :cool:

5. Wannabe samurais
Nope wannabe Medieval Knight!

6. Geeks!
I have D&Ded... I have Larped... I have trekked... I have Vampired... I've Magic'ed... I've dragon diced.. You name it I've geeked it.

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
and babylon 5, and battlestar galactica.. list is too large to fit here

8. Watches Anime
damn no... most of this stuff is bilge.

[Lloromannic]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
Kendo and the occasional Jackie Chan movie. Oh and food, lots of food.

2. Plays video games
I sometimes drag out my Super Nintendo for a game of Street Fighter II

3. Is in the IT field
God no.

4. Can be introverted
Yeah I guess.

5. Wannabe samurais
I don't like samurai.

6. Geeks!
Huge music nerd.

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
Star Wars: not anymore The others: no.

8. Watches Anime
I watched Dragon Ball as a small child.

[Anime12478]

Used to paint the code on the walls of my cave!!!
I learned a bit of Fortran 95 about 2 years ago. Needless to say, that was the last time the class was offered as a "required" course.

[chidokan]

you are excluding old people like me. I was born before a computer was something that sat on a desk, (it filled a room). The company worked for invented CAD software using said object... and it was NOT an IBM. They came later.
You need to add fishing and engineering in general to the list as well... then I become a sad little addition to your list....with the exception of anime. Which EVERYONE knows is Japanese for cartoon porn.:grin:

[h2o]

I learned Fortran on punch cards and used to know PDP-11 assembler. But my dad has me beat - he actually used to program machine code into an old TI machine by flipping a set of 16 toggle switches to the binary instruction and then hitting an enter switch. Ugh.
Sounds like fun. I want to try it :)
But assembly is so high-level. Programming microcode, that is low (and a real pain in the ass, really) ;)

[Neil Gendzwill]

But assembly is so high-level. Programming microcode, that is low (and a real pain in the ass, really)IIRC I did a little bit of that as lab work in school, but the most PITA thing I've done professionally is assembler for pipelined DSP.

[dohrt]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
- Always been fascinated by a lot of the idealism in samurai (and medieval knights), and love old kung fu movies (five deadly venoms!!!!)
2. Plays video games
- Always have liked them - but mainly ones involving swords or magic
3. Is in the IT field
- yep - router/firewall/switch guy mainly, starting to do IP teleophony
4. Can be introverted
- I am both a wildly extroverted person and immensely introverted person. Depends on the setting and the day.
5. Wannabe samurais
- While I think some of the samurai ideals are really great, no, I don't want to be a samurai. I'd marry one, though, if only she'd call me "daimyo" every night and go be victorious in kendo everwhere she went ! hah !
6. Geeks!
- I don't know - I don't think many people would say I'm much of a geek - unless you got me talking about something technical I guess, but I typically don't come across as one.
7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
- when I saw star wars as a kid, I loved the movies, had the toys, but I'm not really a big star wars fan really. Never got into star trek either, and have never seen firefly, though a friend tried very hard, I just couldn't make it through 5 minutes. I don't do TV though, that's probably why.
8. Watches Anime
- someone loaned me Akira the other day. Other than some episodes of Grandizer on ON tv in the early 80s, it's the only anime I've ever seen. Sounds cool though I guess, I dunno.

[KendoPadawan]

IIRC I did a little bit of that as lab work in school, but the most PITA thing I've done professionally is assembler for pipelined DSP.

It looks like as if there are alot of old school IT people here.. But then again, I suppose they will never die.......

[Anime12478]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
- I did take 2 years of Japanese in college after teaching myself on and off for about 3.

2. Plays video games
- Proud player since I was 4

3. Is in the IT field
- Not really, though you are looking at a future engineer

4. Can be introverted
- Can I help it if I am shy?

5. Wannabe samurais
- Nah, as cool as the samurai sound I don't agree with ALL of their ideas, especially the killing yourself part.

6. Geeks!
- I'm in engineering...nuff said.

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
-I've never seen Firefly and I never got into Star Wars and Star Trek. I think I am in the minority when I say that I only saw episode 4 a few years back to go over epic poems and stuff in high school.

8. Watches Anime
- Just look at my screen name.

[yohed55]

Whoa, that's some cool IT stuff. My sempai uses those old "computer" sheets with all the holes punched in them for a bookmark. I'm going to school for software programming myself.

[Ignatz]

It looks like as if there are alot of old school IT people here.. But then again, I suppose they will never die.......
We can't die, not even Chuck Norris can kill a guy that knows Fortran IV.

[ahmed61086]

I thought Chuck norris created fortron IV? Lol

[Omnis]

Are you one of these?

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
Yeah, I suppose. I like japanese hobby-like stuff.
2. Plays video games
Of course. My gaming interests are also very diverse, and gaming is also how I got my first kendo "exposure"
3. Is in the IT field
No, but I'm a huge computer nerd.
4. Can be introverted
If there's such thing as an introverted extrovert, that might be me.
5. Wannabe samurais
Not quite, but samurais are always somewhat interesting.
6. Geeks!
Of course. Nerdcore for life.
7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
The force is strong in this one.
8. Watches Anime
Yeah, but, obviously, it's not all I watch. Samurai Champloo might be my favorite, though; there's an interesting coincidence.

[h2o]

IIRC I did a little bit of that as lab work in school, but the most PITA thing I've done professionally is assembler for pipelined DSP.
We had one microcoding lab (scheduled for 4+4 hours, but took about 14) but we also had a course where we built a processor using PLD:s, and that little sucker was microcoded as well. My friend made a microcode compiler though, so it went smoother than expected. Still a bit of a pain to debug though :)
My assembly skills don't reach outside M68k assembly, which is quite fun. Pipelined DSP:s sound a bit rougher,

[Frame]

.... kendopadawan......i'm chinese do most of those questions count? you're from HK, so if you ask a dojo in hong kong whether they like chinese movies or are "into asian things"......... guess what the answer is.

Plays video games.... are you joking? dunno how old you are but when i was younger i grew up in the arcade. Ok this is a sweeping statement but you are asking whether an entire race of people who play DDR on a regular basis whether they play video games?

Watches anime? last time i was over it was on as regularly as anyother program

[Hai_hai]

Dear fellow Kendoka's,

My friend and I were discussing the kendoka mould - ie the type of people who would do Kendo that were not exposed with a Kendo background (ie Japanese person or Korean living in their respective countries and being brought up).

These are the kind of personality traits that we found common with most other Kendoka in the dojo:

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
2. Plays video games
3. Is in the IT field
4. Can be introverted
5. Wannabe samurais
6. Geeks!
7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
8. Watches Anime

Are you one of these?

KendoPadawan
I'm a ninja. Does that fit in your mold?

[runsyi]

You do know that a good wiping with vinegar and an airing out will take care of that problem?

[Genya]

Asian things are cool (history, budo..)
I used to play video games a lot, but not anymore.
Star wars movies are good. I was a fan when I was about 8 years old.
I´ve only seen all episodes of Hellsing and some random anime...

[Hank]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc) Just kendo and iaido. And food, but I like all food.

2. Plays video games Not really.

3. Is in the IT field Nope.

4. Can be introverted As much as anybody.

5. Wannabe samurais No way. I hate romantisized samurai bs.

6. Geeks! I'm an engineer. I wonder if kendo attracts engineers due to some inherent quality, like the logic of the rules, the one-on-one competition, the use of tools...something.

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly Nope. I don't know what firefly is.

8. Watches Anime Only the good stuff, as any other movie or show. My favorite so far has nary a sword.

Hank.

[Klasnikov]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc) - Yes but the movies are more of a laugh.:cheeky:

2. Plays video games - At the moment, no but once I have enough time I can go for days.:glasses:

3. Is in the IT field - Nope, but i'm trying my best to learn Java, Pearl and a bit of scripting on the side:alien:

4. Can be introverted - Nope:tired:

5. Wannabe samurais - Nope, the movie irritated me senseless. Too many discrepancies with what actually happened.:disapp:

6. Geeks! - Nope.:tired:

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly - Firefly is ok. Star Wars is excellent but star Trek, nope I never set to stun.:robot:

8. Watches Anime - I enjoy spot of good Anime now and again.:nervous:

[rawilliauk]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc) - Yeah, grew up on Bruce Lee movies

2. Plays video games - nope, attention span of a 5 year old child, I get bored too quickly with video games

3. Is in the IT field - Yeah, wannabe geek - I used to programe code, now project manage

4. Can be introverted - um, that's never been a label that I've attracted

5. Wannabe samurais - only in my dreams

6. Geeks! - Yeah.....the medication from my Doctor/Physician helps the symptoms though

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly - Star Wars Yes, the others no!

8. Watches Anime - ah, no I'm not really into Anime/Manga.

I only got into Kendo last year at the ripe old age of 28. I'd tried a number of styles of Japanese and Chinese MA when I was a kid, but had no staying power - i.e. none of them suitably kept my attention/matched my personality. Having researched via books and internet I decided Kendo was for me, it took 3 years and a house move to find a Dojo though ;)

Richard

[Spyder]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc) - Well, I am asian. Although I am also fascinated by many different cultures.

2. Plays video games - Not as much as I used to. I wish I still had the time

3. Is in the IT field - Nope

4. Can be introverted - Only when around strangers...or when I'm sober

5. Wannabe samurais - I wanted to be a ninja turtle, does that count?

6. Geeks! - Yeah, I'm a self-proclaimed nerd

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly - Star Wars only

8. Watches Anime - yes, but I just like cartoons in general

[Lone Kitten]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc) - erm, most definitely! Lone Wolf and Cub rule - if I have a son he will be calle Daigoro!

2. Plays video games - does the sims count?

3. Is in the IT field - erm nope, banking, but i do things with computers!

4. Can be introverted - got me completely wrong there - introverted - me? - HAHAHAHAHAHA!

5. Wannabe samurais - oh yes!

6. Geeks! - erm... well, perhaps i'm a closet geek

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly - nope... sorry!

8. Watches Anime- nope again, do write fanfics tho

[Moe-Swordsaint!]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc) --- YUP! well, just the martial arts,,, and the food, and i love to make fun of the movies!! :silly:
2. Plays video games --- strategy games (Rome total war ROCKS), and a little RPG ,,
3. Is in the IT field --- NO
4. Can be introverted --- umm whats that?
5. Wannabe samurais --- just a little..... hmmm...
6. Geeks! --- NO
7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly --- i like starwars but not really "into it"
8. Watches Anime --- use to but not much anymore..

[Twobitmage]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc):well..I am ethnically japanese so I suppose I cant help it if I like sushi and my mom's cooking.
2. Plays video games:Virtua figher and final fantasy.
3. Is in the IT field:I want to get into a medical or science profession. I cant stand the idea of working in front of a computer all day long.
4. Can be introverted:definetely
5. Wannabe samurais:I used to be, but I see now how silly it was. I still read the ocassional history book about it but thats purely out of curiosity
6. Geeks!:what?
7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly:nope. sorry to say but I usually fall asleep when I watch sci fi
8. Watches Anime:Kintaro oe, and GTO. I hate dramas or action. Comedy is more my bag

[stephanie dee]

These are the kind of personality traits that we found common with most other Kendoka in the dojo:

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
Erm, my dad was heavily into martial arts all my life, I dabbled a little bit in te stuff that he teached but nothing major.

2. Plays video games
Not very often. In fact hardly ever.

3. Is in the IT field
LOL! no.

4. Can be introverted
I don't know what that means but i have been told that I am somewhat extrovert. I don't know that that means either.

5. Wannabe samurais
No....

6. Geeks!
No way, I am cool as...

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
Ok, i like Star Wars but i've only seen one film. I dont know anything about it.

8. Watches Anime
Does Pokemon class as anime? I watched that when I was younger... man that was ace...

Well, I am happy to say I don't think that I fit into the mould of the Kendoka geek! :) I'm the Kendo Bimbo instead!

[D'Artagnan]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)
2. Plays video games
3. Is in the IT field
4. Can be introverted
5. Wannabe samurais
6. Geeks!
7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly
8. Watches Anime

Are you one of these?

KendoPadawan

1. Well I Like Sweet and Sour Chicken, and i used to have a tamagotchi...

2. OK If i'm not at Kendo i do like the old playstation or Xbox

3. No, i'm an artiste

4. You've never met me obviously...

5. No, I wannabe Shogun

6. No I'm far too beautiful to be a geek (my mum says i'm cool!)

7. Star wars is cool purely for the fact it has Lightsabres. Though I could beat the crap out of obi wan, anakin, darth maul, yoda and the rest of 'em, all at once

8. Quite like Kenshin, oh yeah, I agree Pokemon was cool

[Mugu]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc)

I'm Asian, what a coincidence!

2. Plays video games

So little time, so much to do. But yes, I try to play sometimes. Games help me release stress.

3. Is in the IT field

Yes

4. Can be introverted

Yes. People think I'm loud and talkative. But I always hide in the corner of my dojo when I go to practice or anywhere else.

5. Wannabe samurais

Nahhh Ninja's are kewler

6. Geeks!

I don't wear broken glasses with tape in the middle

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly

Star Wars and Star Trek put me to sleep. Firefly was quite enjoyable

8. Watches Anime

Sometimes, not much of a fan anymore. Last I watched was Bleach, episode 78 or something. Can't keep up with so many of them and a lot of them are not as fun as Dragon Ball Z

[IronMonkey]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc) Eh, not in a fanatical sense.

2. Plays video games Computer games

3. Is in the IT field No.

4. Can be introverted And?

5. Wannabe samurais Not really.

6. Geeks! That's speculative.

7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly Not really.

8. Watches Anime Nope.

[Kitsune]

1. Into Asian things (like martial arts, hk movies etc) - Yeah, sure, I love Hero and the house of flying daggers and I think Bruce lee and Jackie Chan rulz the world!
2. Plays video games - No
3. Is in the IT field - I don't even know what exactly is... Is like MIT? If it is it's a BIG no
4. Can be introverted - no
5. Wannabe samurais - definitely no
6. Geeks! - Yes, I don't mind accepting being a lil bit geek, with glasses and all
7. Into Star Wars, Star Trek or Firefly - Love Star Trek,love Star Wars!
8. Watches Anime - Fan of Rurouni Kenshin, Love Hina, You're under arrest, etc.

Well, 4 of 8... Half.:nervous: