Freedom kendo poll

[cklin]

how many guys practice kendo sans underpants?

i ask this because it seems that this is done in japan, but not elsewhere.

as a corrollary, is "freedom kendo" inherently more powerful than "restriction kendo"?

in my experience, once you taste freedom, you'll never go back.

r,
ckl

[Hyaku]

Well...........I did but............. I had a mishap with the inside leg seam of my hakama causing a rather serious injury. I now wear undergarments for support.

clin, if you had to sit on ice for a considerable time I am sure you would appreciate my problem. I do have kakari geiko/taiatari of another kind and I have to consider going back there too!

My University Kendo Dojo was right next to the pool. Swimwear, then after I finished teaching I used to dive in for a while.
In August that sure was nice....

So I cant do your poll

Hyaku.

clin, who washes your hakama?

[cklin]

>
> clin, who washes your hakama?
>

Why, my manservant, of course.

(read: I wash it)

An observation: freedom kendo is no good when wearing polyester hakama.

[alexpollijr]

"freedom kendo" is a nice term, did you fetch it from the top of your head?

Anyway, freedom kendo with brand new indigo dyed hakama may also not be a good idea :D

[KhawMengLee]

[QUOTE]alexpollijr- Anyway, freedom kendo with brand new indigo dyed hakama may also not be a good idea [QUOTE]

Yes...certainly adds new life to the term "Blue Balls".:D

******************

Incidentally. do you know why they geld (cut balls off) race-horses?

Because when the horse runs too fast it is actually quite painfull when the potatoes bang against each other. The horse therefor, wont run as fast...this is no joke.

So I think the same could be said for kendo...so underwear/briefs are a better option than gelding.

Meng

[mingshi]

Hey Meng,

Does that mean that race-horses should wear undies if they don't want to be gelded? :P

[KhawMengLee]

Actually, they should be given that option...have you ever seen a horse after the chop? pure trauma.

That is why I dont agree with racing horses...

[cklin]

alexpollijr wrote:

>"freedom kendo" is a nice term, did you fetch it from the top of
>your head?


Yeah, I thought it was a catchy phrase... maybe I should copyright it...?

Have the folks who responded "Yech... it's uncivil!" ever tried freedom kendo? Maybe I should have added another poll answer: "Tried it but didn't like it."

While I brought up this question as a light-hearted point, I also wanted to use it as a subtle segue into a larger issue of imposing foreign cultural values on kendo (NOTICE I say "kendo" specifically and NOT Japanese culture). Why do people insist on wearing underwear when it's traditionally not done?

I've encountered a lot of immediate and strong resistance when I suggest freedom kendo to people playing in the States (esp, when people complain of discomfort from profuse sweating), and I can only surmise that this type of knee-jerk response is a result of a specific type of cultural inculcation here.

It makes me wonder what other things do we end up saying "Yech... that's uncivil!" to because of this type of unexamined bias?

[mingshi]

"Why do people insist on wearing underwear when it's traditionally not done? " --cklin

well, as far as I concern, TRADITIONALLY hakama is worn by Japanese middle/upper class male. I suppose they had the nappie-style cloth to wrap around their lower wrist. Sweat? Don't blame Calvin Klein. Now what kind of "comfort" do you prefer?

btw, I voted "Yech..." to represent the minority female kendo population. :)

[Achilles]

I started wearing underwear, but I stopped because it got *really* disgusting after a hard practice. Now I am underwear free when I practice and I *love* it. For one thing, it lets you disapate heat MUCH faster, and it's more comfortable.

The only complaint I have is that sometimes. . .ahem. . . my boys slam into my thigh and it hurts and sometimes when my opponent shoots for my songmok (kote) and misses and goes low. . . . yikes.

[Confound]

Originally posted by mingshi

btw, I voted "Yech..." to represent the minority female kendo population. :)

mingshi, that was cute, but when will you understand, we females are supposed to be serving TEA, not voting!

c

[Hyaku]

Thats why I had a problem. Good cotton hakamas are stiff. They get stiffer when wet. Whats wrong with fundoshi anyway?

Hyaku

[alexpollijr]

Well, I said 'yech.." but in fact i don't mean it, you know. I've tried it, it's ok, but I still think that undies are ok too so I'll stick with them. Maybe it'll make me more spiritual.

Hyaku: this story of yours has made me look at the hakama's inner seam in a completely new and menacing way :eek:

[Kendoka]

Seriously, a visiting Japanese 8th dan told a group at a seminar that I attended (when he was asked the question) that males should wear underwear during kendo as a means of support and protection.
I noticed that he did, as have all the other senior sensei that I have trained with over the past decade, so I dispute the traditional bit.

Achilles wrote that his is "*really* disgusting after a hard practice" Mine too, for that reason I change to fresh pair and wash the ones that I wore for keiko!

[cklin]

Mingshi: Sorry for the confusion, but by "traditional" I meant "kendo tradition", not "Japanese tradition."

Kendoka: Not sure what to say to your observations, except that mine have been quite to the contrary.

I'll go ahead and question the hachidan's advice: honestly how much protection from an errant strike do a pair of tighty-whities give? If doubtful of the effectiveness of a tare, then why not go all the way and wear a cup?

[inner_cent]

This thread is REALLY cracking me up today.

The thread is about "Freedom Kendo Poll", suddenly we have the "gelded horse" and "Gelded Kendoka"...... Sorry, but I can't help laughing.

But one thought For the male kendoka here.....
Some feel its "extra"protection wearing undie ..... but, does it REALLY give extra "Support or Protection if you wear one ? But I find, quite afew people wear "Boxer" style of undie, how much of "support" is it really giving ? (Since your Balls still dangling form the side of the boxer's divider anyway), protection ??? how much protection is that when someone accidentally "Tsuki" you there .... (trust me, it hurt like hell, with or without undie)......

[Kenshi]

Being Scottish, I obviously go for the FREEDOM method. :D

I think most guys def. wear their undies ..... when I suggest that they try going Commando there is usually a look of horror on their faces.

My bet is most people dont even try it.

[Antonin]

Hie folks,
I wa taught in the old style in France by JP Raick NOT to wear underwear, it seemed so natural to him that I did not even question it at the time ( naive, as always, but that's me...). i think it is a question of personal prefrence, but as for the protection problem, i don't think a small bit of coton will make a difference to a cut going through the tare, folks... never had any problems.
Incidently, I happen to know that not only men go commando, so...
Antonin

[Achilles]

OK, I'm going to get a bit graphic here, so please bear with me. . .

First off, Kendoka ;) for the record I DO change underwear after practice. . . ;-)

The problem is not getting hit in the family jewels. The tare pretty much has that covered, and like Antonin says, if you're going to get hit there hard enough to pierce your tare, underwear isn't going to make a bit of difference.

The only real problem with not wearing underwear is that when your crotch gets heated up, your testicles tend to descend farther from the body (just as they bunch close to the body when it is cold) in order to cool off.

So, basically, your balls tend to swing freer than usual. And when you really get moving, they wind up slamming against your thighs, your ass, and even the front of your hakama.

Get enough force going and that can SERIOUSLY hurt.

Know what I mean fellas?

Apologies if I'm grossing anyone out here, but we are having a discussion of underwear so . . .

[Hyaku]

Has anyone seen some of the old Japanese guys? Some of them hang down to almost to their knees. Next time you see you aged sensei in a sort up squatting standing kamae you will know why!

Hyaku

[cklin]

Achilles: polymorphism in physiological ... amplitude ... aside, the keikogi should really be covering your groin area (otherwise it may be too short?) and this could conceivably help alleviate your "slamming" problem.

[richard haly]

Greetings,

I think this thread is about what "tradition" is. It seems to be about showing others that one is "part of what they do" by doing similar things, without asking too much as to it's function. At best, "going commando" seems ok as long as one isn't likely to incur any damage in the process. If there is no identifiable advantage to one's kendo, then, I'm not sure I see an advantage in "following tradition." Moreover, the whole concept of "tradition" is suspect as people assume that it means transmitting ideas and practices that do not change, when in fact interpretations of the same text or action change all the time. In early kendo, was there an option? I must confess an ignorance to the history of Japanese undergarments - or to European ones as well. When they became popular, they must have served some purpose. Probably a social one first. But to do kendo sans cullotes, I doubt it makes one more "authentic" if it means accepting an practice uncritically. Uh oh. I think I've done it now. Late summer night. Finally cooling down. Coyotes calling. Gatte Gatte....

Richard

[olaf]

I must confess, I don't know a great deal about the traditional aspects behind the question you pose, cklin, but I don't understand why so many of you poll respondents consider such a practice "uncivil." Is it rude? Or disrespectful?

Then again, I can certainly see how it can become unpleasant - I recall practicing at a kendo dojo where many people preferred to forgo wearing underwear, and after practice, there would be many hairs - of suspicious origin - covering the floor. Yes, people practiced very hard and energetically.

I should mention, however, that I was once advised by a fellow peer - a strong advocate of "freedom kendo" I might add - that not wearing underwear during kendo improves your overall performance by a factor of 50%-60%!!! Where he got the exact figures I do not know.

[cklin]

Olaf: To be fair, the poll only has the 'uncivil' option so I'm guessing that people who wanted to answer 'No' had to pick that one.

As to improved performance, I have also heard other people mention those same numbers. On my part, I don't know how you would measure such performance increase...

[Li Pin]

wow! - guys are really, really strange

[olaf]

cklin: Thank you for the clarification about the "uncivil" wording; after reading your post I was considering giving "freedom kendo" a chance when I practice kendo next time, but I wanted to make sure I wouldn't be offending anyone in the dojo. After all, achieving the 50%-60% improvement is tempting, isn't it?

I would suspect that while those numbers seem arbitrary, they are probably true to some extent. I wouldn't be surprised if the new "freedom" one felt translated into a transitory boost in agility, not to mention confidence. I know some of the younger members in my dojo prefer this "freedom" method because it heightens their sense of masculinity. I suppose they feel better about their kendo then.

I have heard that playing kendo with a new set of bogu often has similar effects in augmenting performance.

Perhaps it is all psychological...

[alexpollijr]

Oh no, come on
'heightened sense of masculinity" or 'new bogu', I don't buy this stuff guys. It's all about confort anyway.;)

Now someone will jump out of the shadows and say that the spirit is bound within the undies and it goes wild when you let him away :rolleyes:

[olaf]

alexpollijr: Keen observation about the spirit in the undies. The real question is, do you WANT it to go wild while you're doing kendo?!

As I said previously, I think it all comes down to a tentative self esteem boost. You feel tougher though you're more exposed, and you're willing to try things you've never dared before. New and ever-more creative waza, I suppose. But all that about playing 60% better, I don't know...

alexpollijr & cklin: you want to see Cantonese at its scariest? London Chinatown, my friends...

[olaf]

Funny how 380+ people have read this thread yet less than 30 have voted.

Come on fellas it's anonymous. :)

[mingshi]

yeah this thread should come under "what's your favorite waza?"...

[Ian Russell]

Originally posted by olaf
Funny how 380+ people have read this threadIt's not necessarily that 380 people have viewed the thread but that the thread has been viewed (opened) 380 times by people http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Sup]

Confused you are...
Have fear for your mother you still do..mmmm....
Take off the undies, know freedom you will...

may the force be with you

[Confound]

A little story on freedom kendou...

In one of my practice groups, the adult men change into their kendou clothes in the middle of the dojo, or wherever the fancy strikes them. One of them doesn't wear underwear during kendou. As you may imagine, I was a little surprised to see him pulling up a pair of underwear after practice.

"You don't wear underwear!" I exclaimed.

"Well, my [respectful] genitals...." he submitted awkwardly.

That only made me laugh. It didn't help that three or four of my sempais were standing around in their boxers when he said that.

c

[Kendoboy]

I just read this thread. I have never laughed so hard in all my life! As for me, I've never tried.

[Tato]

I don't know how I missed this tread until now. It's both hilarious and interesting, you discover cultural difernces even between occidental people (re-read the posts, it's amazing). :p

I don't think that many people from southern Europe will bother about the issue, it's more a mather of personal comfort than enything else, and in my dojo you can find both options.

In my case I do depending on the day and the gi I war (one of mines is too short, if a don't put something people will see too much of myself) :eek:

Rei

[Abe Froman]

I have been practicing "Freedom Kendo" since I started, I will never practice otherwise.

[Fantasia]

Revive this old puppy- it was linked from a more recent thread.

My question for people who practice freedom kendo is...

How many of you enjoy such "freedom" in your normal daily lives?

[SirFingerLickin]

I've practiced Freedom Kendo once or twice. Nowadays I dont though because for the most part I change in the dojo in front of most everyone. The restrooms are too full and smell too funny, so I'd rather not bother changing there. It didnt seem particularly fun, but the idea of improving my performance 50-60% does sound nice, although I doubt its THAT big of a difference if any at all.

[pchen911]

OMG.... This thread is too funny...

To be honest, I never have and thought I would never go Freedom Kendo.... Until this post.

Now I have got to try it.... (to test the theroy of improving 50-60%).

This thread has created yet another monster.

[Craig Jones]

I am not sure you wil; experince 50-60% increase if your kendo, but I persoanlly find it much more comfortable to go commando. When i first started my old gi was far to short so I was 'forced' to wear the undies or give the ladies in the club a bit more of a show that I was willing to do and likely they were willing to see. But since getting a new gi i have always gone commando. I think much of the performance enhancement is psychological. Another added benefit that I think has been mentioned before is the disipation of heat. I find it MUCH cooler going commando than wearing underware.

[Hiryu]

Ok, this is a copy from the "Gi Pants under Hakama" thread....
=================
As a kendoka, I went to a seminar with Obata Toshishiro, where I was expecting to only do some sword work. If you have never seen this guy cut in person, it's an experience!
Anyway, He also teaches Aikijutsu, and started into some of these techniques and wanted me to try, so.... forgetting that I had no underwear under my Hakama, I proceeded to allow myself to be thrown. (Ugly Visual) But when you go flying Ass over teakettle, your Hakama legs kinda fly open and balloon out. with no support, "The Boys" start slamming around in an uncomfortable way.
Needless to say, the women in the class were looking at the ground trying not to laugh too loud...... Gi Pants, dont need em in Kendo.....Underwear, don't need em in kendo, But never fly without em.

As to the "Freedom Kendo" I don't think you can say that it is a "Kendo Tradition". A tradition is usually something that is prepetuated by verbal establishment and verbal prepetuation. Is it common place, yes, but not a tradition. I have never heard anyone walking through the locker room suggesting this, if they did, I would wonder about them. In the Scottish circles, it is stated as being "Regimental" as in "Don't go regimental to a scottish dance when your preforming on a stage four feet above peoples heads" that is if you don't want to expose yourself to the ladies.

I have seen alot of both, have's and have nots along with some of the old sensei wearing fundoshi. Fact is, that if your practicing in Tokyo in August w/o airconditioning, you'll do anything to get a bit cooler.
Anyway, when you get a new hakama, it creats a whole new meaning to "Blue Balls".

[Tachi]

I think freedom Kendo is fine...as long as Woody doesn't show up to practice and everyone wonders who the new "nito" player is!! :bored: :eek:
HA HA!

[Hiryu]

Has anyone seen some of the old Japanese guys? Some of them hang down to almost to their knees. Next time you see you aged sensei in a sort up squatting standing kamae you will know why!

Hyaku


OOOhh my god, UUUUGLY visual I coulda done without!

[isi]

My solution may not be traditional, but I find it works: Nike Dri-Fit.

[ALI G]

Aren'tz der Japaneze Undwearz called "Fudoshins" dat youz wearz whenz goingz freez styzlez??????????

[pchen911]

Well, I am about to go try Freedom Kendo for the first time in my life... (Gulp!!).... all because of this post.

I will settle it once and for all whether or not your kendo will improve 50%-60% by tomorrow!

[kendomushi]

Freedom is the only way.
Those who are in favor of it say that it is better because the sweat is allowed to run down the body and you aren't collecting it along with heat around the middle. Having at first thought the support issue was more important and heat disipation I started kendo beleiving in the latin maxim, "semper ubi sub ubi" - jokingly translated as "always wear underwear." My fist summer doing kendo in the heat and humidity of Japan dispelled that belief very quickly.

[pchen911]

Well, I am about to go try Freedom Kendo for the first time in my life... (Gulp!!).... all because of this post.

I will settle it once and for all whether or not your kendo will improve 50%-60% by tomorrow!


Ahh.... I wussed out!!!

Just couldn't bring myself to do it!........

:cry:

[Koushinkuma]

It's all personal preference. If you want to do Liberty Kendo then do it. I don't think it is going to make a huge difference. But I know someone that is a big proponent.

Is this advocated for women too? Seems like it would benefit them even more :D After all they don't have to worry about being gelded by a low-flying shinai. :shocked:

[moetl]

Then again, I can certainly see how it can become unpleasant - I recall practicing at a kendo dojo where many people preferred to forgo wearing underwear, and after practice, there would be many hairs - of suspicious origin - covering the floor. Yes, people practiced very hard and energetically.

huh..
now i know where these hairs came from i encountered when cleaning the dojo... already wondered ;)

i thought this could be hair form the (mens) legs? *g*

[bubbles35]

Hey me too. I always wondered whether it was that kinda hair or not.
the worst part is I noticed it while sitting seiza a couple times.


BTW. a little girl asked me why I don't wear shirt and pants under my keikogi hakama. And a sensei leaned over to me one day and said in a laughing way " you can wear a white shirt under your keikogi hahaha" :(
Am I supposed to wear more clothes underneath then just underwear???

[Phlebas]

Quote: "Am I supposed to wear more clothes underneath then just underwear???" -- bubbles35

Good heavens no. It's hot enough with the keikogi, hakama, and bogu... there's NO WAY anyone could make me wear more than I already do! My advice is to wear as little as discretion will allow, to maximize your natural cooling system. When you overheat your performance suffers.

If you haven't already guessed I'm a supporter of Freedom Kendo... I'm a Scot by lineage if not by location, so naturally I believe underwear is for girls.

FREEDOM KENDO!

[litige]

For the 50%-60% increase, I have an hypothesis.
the thing is that the balls are the heaviest part of the body (just kidding) and when you push your waist foward, your heavy balls drag you full speed forward and the pain just wan't you to do a perfect men.

I've never tried it, i think i won't, but you can still buy silk boxers if you don't want to go under-exposed, they breath a lot and it feels soooo nice, they are a bit expensive, but gives you a feeling of being naked.

[not-I]

Ok, i had noticed some, usually senior, kendoka did it, and didn't really think twice about it. then i happened across and read this thread, tried it for the first time tonight, and i'm never going back!

Thanx all! and....

Let Freedom Ring! :smiley:

[Bleda]

Act fast for only 9.95 + shipping you too can experience a new boost in your performance never thought obtainable until now. When you order the new freedom kendo kit not only will you learn ancient long lost technique of the past sensei but we guarantee a "refreshing" new look at martial arts. If you act fast we will also include the freedom iaijutsu and freedom jujitsu kits for only the price of shipping!

Seriously though i do both freedom kendo and freedom iaido and the difference in heat dissipation and confidence is amazing. As for the stray hairs i don't have that problem since i believe in baby smooth skin for all my private areas!

[Wark 1978]

i went freedom style for the first time last week and let me tell you, it was like a breath of fresh air.

being british and obviously terribly reserved, i scoffed at the idea of going commando until the week before last when i had to pull my boxers out from the crack of my arse just one too many times. i vowed then that the next time would be with an unfurnished basement. there can be no turning back now.

it's cooler and more comfortable but be rest assured, the boys go back into the barracks after practice. it's also much better to walk home with dry undies.

to quote kendomushi, "freedom is the only way."

[Stimpson J. Cat]

Let's see
hakama: folded up and squished about a bit in plain cold water
underwear: cleaned in the washing machine in hot water and soap

Even after washing my uniform as well as I have the patience to, it never seems to get as clean as clothes done in the wash machine, in other words, I believe the underwear get a much more thorough cleaning. Doesn't the hakama get pretty nasty after a while without something which would get a harder scrubbing to protect it from a sweaty bare arse and dangly bits? Somebody mentioned silk boxers on here, those might be worth a try.

[AlexM]

Let Freedom Ring! :smiley:

No, if you hear ringing you should probably see a physician immediately. That's just not natural.

[Wout]

hahaaha lololol


*dies laughing*

this thread is really too much,

[not-I]

No, if you hear ringing you should probably see a physician immediately. That's just not natural.
you canadians always have to take the mickey out of traditional american pariotic slogans, EH? :pirate:

[AlexM]

you canadians always have to take the mickey out of traditional american pariotic slogans, EH? :pirate:

I'm from Québec, I only live in Canada.

[not-I]

I'm from Québec, I only live in Canada.
Agggh! French Canadian no less. More attitude than Texans.

/me flees the scene......

[AlexM]

Agggh! French Canadian no less. More attitude than Texans.

/me flees the scene......

I keep telling you I'm from Québec... No one speaks French in "French-Canada" (also known as New Brunswick and parts of Manitoba).

[Stimpson J. Cat]

Is this advocated for women too? Seems like it would benefit them even more :D After all they don't have to worry about being gelded by a low-flying shinai. :shocked:

Seems like it would make less difference for women than men, since they don't have as many dangling body parts :cool:

That said, I am generally in favor of anything that involves women wearing less clothing :cheeky:

[litige]

since they don't have as many dangling body parts :cool:



Ha... you could be surprised with some ;-)

[Serenity]

My opinion about freedom Kendo is -> :eek: . Since I'm the only girl in the club and I have to share the same locker room as the boys, I would stop training kendo if there were any freedom Kendo signs. :emb: (Notice: I really love Kendo! :wink: )

Stimpson J. Cat -> :mad2: I understand that every man likes the idea of women wearing as less clothes as possible, but what has this to do with kendo. There are other forums where you can discuss this. :puzzled: But let me tell you something; :devious: we girls need some support around the chest area, ohterwise it hurts! :dead: And I won't go into the discusson about women not wearing undies. :spchless:

Serenity :mad:

[not-I]

[...]we girls need some support around the chest area, ohterwise it hurts! [...]
Hi Serenity,

Regarding this point, you might want to check out the "women and do" thread in the bogu forum. I think it was started with: "Well, since the men have their freedom kendo thread....". :wink:

Anyway, I'm surprised there isn't some priviledge accorded to you as the only woman in your club during changing time. It sounds like something out of "Starship Troopers." After practice in my dojo, the women shower first and change in the shower room, then it's the men's turn, so the boys don't get free peeps and the ladies don't have to witness the male freedom kendo practicioners taking off their keiko-gi. :lick:

[Stimpson J. Cat]

but what has this to do with kendo. About the same amount as AlexM being from Quebec, so guilty as charged:redface:

[nollaig]

had my first real taste of kendo freedom......

NEVER again will I waste 3 seconds putting on undies

I will go into my back garden and make a bonfire of ALL
my underwear

LONG LIVE FREEDOM.....and long tailored kekiogi's

it also make taking a leak while wearing a tare much easier!!!!!

[moetl]

please, DO NOT let IT hang onto the floor while sitting in seiza!!!!
:D :D

[Serenity]

Martina-chan good argument :grin: (and it’s very funny too)! :D



had my first real taste of kendo freedom......

NEVER again will I waste 3 seconds putting on undies

I will go into my back garden and make a bonfire of ALL
my underwear

LONG LIVE FREEDOM.....and long tailored kekiogi's

it also make taking a leak while wearing a tare much easier!!!!!

This happens, when man taste freedom. :tongue:

Serenity :devious:

[Kendo-Militia]

I've done both. Commando Style was done only because I was in Japan and everyone there does it that way. Also because the humidity it makes sense to take your keikogi and hakama off and jump into the shower.

Here I were boxers. Never like wearing butt hugger underwear so my boys get the same freedom. Besides the last time i had blue balls I don't remeber it being a pleasant feeling. HAHAH

[LNGUYEN]

Never like wearing butt hugger underwear so my boys get the same freedom.

Duh! how many boys do you have, I only have one boy and I think it is normal.

[D'Artagnan]

Perhaps, he has 5 'Boys'

freaky, but your pants would fit like a glove, he he he

[Kendo-Militia]

Duh! how many boys do you have, I only have one boy and I think it is normal.
I've got Junior and his two twins.

[don quixote]

if you hear any noise

it's just me and the boys

:wink:

[Stimpson J. Cat]

Doesn't the hakama get pretty nasty after a while without something which would get a harder scrubbing to protect it from a sweaty bare arse and dangly bits? Somebody mentioned silk boxers
After experimenting with this for a while I would recommend the silk boxers, they move with you a lot better than polyester, I haven't tried cotton as both the polyester and silk seemed "slicker" like they would move against the skin better. Only drawback I have found to the silk boxers is they have a limited lifespan (sonkyo *rip* - back to bare arse on the hakama:eek: ) or maybe that's just due to my big, fat butt. Anyway the silks will move with you like they're not there and take care of the cleanliness issue, at least until they split from the waist to the crotch:spchless:

[nalogg]

Tightie whities, for this here kenshin

-good support
-equal breathability as boxers (in my opinion)
-DAMN STYLISH :D

dont go with jockey shorts.... they're hotttt

[not-I]

I've said it before and i'll say it again:

Let freedom ring!

:jaguar:

[delphideo]

Exactly how do you practice? Me and my comrades rarely sweat below the waist not even after a tournament...

[not-I]

wow, either you're really used to the climate, or you're not training hard enough. :ko:

seriously though, i find it's not so much about the sweat down there, it's about the unvented heat when wearing underwear.

just try freedom kendo once and you be the judge.

[nalogg]

Exactly how do you practice? Me and my comrades rarely sweat below the waist not even after a tournament...
do you guys.... shave.... down there?

[taganahan]

do you guys.... shave.... down there?
now that's getting too personal...lol ask someone else, i'm not answering that. haha

~taganahan

[Munnin]

After discussions of where and when the boys are colliding and what they are hitting and the nature of hair on the floor suddenly something is too personal? Well I guess we have to draw the line somewhere :)

[taganahan]

haha....those previous stuff had something to do with kendo, somewhat and somehow. but asking if someone shaves their hair down under is just way off. i mean what does that even have to do with kendo. less friction and smoother feel?

~taganahan

[Munnin]

Hey reduction of friction is a good way to increase speed :)

[taganahan]

and that's where silk boxers come in

~taganahan

[nalogg]

just kidding about the shaving thing guys
it was meant to be sarcastic like

you know since it can get hot, maybe a little shave would help cool junk down
but i mean, who aside from porn-stars would do that?

don't get all "chudan kamae" on me now.

[LNGUYEN]

a little shave would help cool junk down

Now, you really make me mad by calling my Stallion a Junk

Anyway, I have tried both with and without undie and I don't see the different at all.

[Anime12478]

I'll probably start when I get older. Since I am in my teen years, I don't want to have any "embarrassments"

[kanyil]

anybody had an episode where their hakama opened during jigeiko?

with the bogu on it's pretty hard to notice (until you feel the draft). while such an episode is embarassing enough on its own, I imagine it would be doubly so when doing freedom kendo.

[Hai_hai]

That would not happen if you know how to tie your hakama. In addition, the tare also holds the hakama in place.

[DanDan]

@ the dojang i went to in korea, no one wore underwear...they said that your underwear would soak up the sweat and make it harder to move. also it is more traditional and you won't sweat as much.

sorry ladies...probably grossed out by 'freedom kendo'

[Paburo]

well well, we're gonna have to analyze some (mis)concepts on this post.

first of all, who said commando was the traditional way?? as far as i know from my aikido experience, old samurai not only wore the white diaper looking thing, but also they wore over it the pants karateka wear today, and then the hakama. yup, 3 layers. sure its comfy and warm on winter... but how did they manage to survive during the hot, humid, scorching summer in japan? no clue.

now, i've tried both methods, and for security and higiene reasons, UNDIES IS THE WAY. and that myth about speed and performance???? for goodness!!!!

it's like saying a normal chested athlete woman will run 70% faster without a support sports bra, and a 100m flat champion would beat his own record if he went commando!! instead, what would happen is that he would probably end up squishing his 'treasure' in mid race whilst trippin in a terrible way... aawwww man, just picture that... the family jewels should be protected in their case when doing any harsh, physical contact work (wait... theres an exception... lol ... well, ya know what i mean)

now higiene. if its hot, and im gonna sweat anyway, i would rather store my lost liquid in my undies, which can be easily replaceable later after keiko. ive seen some nasty and dodgy looking stains in some hakamas in my dojo from the guys who go commando. AND as you may guess, they do NOT wash their hakama after each session. therefore the stains grow in mass and ewwness with time. DONT YOU DARE TAI ATARI ME WITH THAT THING. and well, the thing about the mysterious appearance of lower body hair on the dojo's floor has been covered before, so there's that.

also, i dunno in your dojos, but on mine, all the girls are a bunch of smartasses and have a detailed list of the boys who go commando... what could be more dangerous in the world???

[kanyil]

That would not happen if you know how to tie your hakama. In addition, the tare also holds the hakama in place.
true, but there seems to be two accepted ways of tying your hakama in my dojo, one of which involves a simple cross-knot (aka butterfly knot), I'm told, is more prone to fall down after a vigorous training session. at least that's what the more conservative of my sempais told me when they persuaded me to adhere to the "old" way of tying hakamas.

[Nanbanjin]

How can you seriously respect a guy who wears undies when playing kendo?
It's like guys who refuse to use the urinal and end up pissing on the toilet seat. Be a man for Christ's sake!

Where in any kendo instruction on chakusoh do you find mention of the correct way of putting on your undies????? That's right; nowhere! Because wearing undies never has been and never will be a part of kendo. Sure ancient warriors wore nappies, but that's because they crapped themselves on the battlefield. There is no need for this in kendo.
If you have a medical condition you are free to wear strapping or a supporter if needed (indeed, at time in the past I have had to improvise with a knee brace and drainage pipe, but I don't have time to explain here....). If you find you can't find a supporter small enough then fashion one out of dental floss or something. But remember, undies are definately NOT ON!

[taganahan]

also, i dunno in your dojos, but on mine, all the girls are a bunch of smartasses and have a detailed list of the boys who go commando... what could be more dangerous in the world???
bottom line is, just do whatever you want. there's no way i'm not going to wear undies!......it's your own preference.

~taganahan

[DanDan]

man...i dont think anyone @ my dojo does freedom kendo so i don't do it anymore cuz it'd b kinda awkward to be the only 1...but man...i sweat like 3 times more than bfore now...

[rin-chan]

im just going to say one thing....do what ever makes you feel better

[Siglith234]

Whatever floats your boat..... no pun intended

[Wifenmummy]

interesting topic.. read it all last night.. doesnt really apply to me being female.. i can say that if ur female and a beginner my advice is wear sensible comfortable underwear.. leave the ones that give u wedgies at home! :) lol! :)

[Wark 1978]

nearing my freedom aniversary. there's still no thoughts of turning back.

[Andoru]

Thread revived!

I'm going to give it a go tonight.

By the way, this thread contains some gold-quality in-jokes!

[tanueirin]

Oh Andrew, you just couldn't resist, could you? :)

I just have to add: guys that go with freedom K, for the love of all that's holy please have the decency not to bend over when there are other people around. :spchless:

Sisters, I have to go with what Wifenmummy says, and on top of that, try lycra bike shorts...

[Andoru]

Oh Andrew, you just couldn't resist, could you? :)


I have to be a MAN as per Nanbanjin's post :D

There is this dojo that I train at which is extremely humid in the summer. Everyone sweat buckets there. Perfect setting for a natural "freedom kendo" experiment.... will report result tonight!

[Darkefaerie]

I have to be a MAN as per Nanbanjin's post :D

There is this dojo that I train at which is extremely humid in the summer. Everyone sweat buckets there. Perfect setting for a natural "freedom kendo" experiment.... will report result tonight!
I knew there was a reason I was not going to training tonight >_<

[Nanbanjin]

I have to be a MAN as per Nanbanjin's post :D

There is this dojo that I train at which is extremely humid in the summer. Everyone sweat buckets there. Perfect setting for a natural "freedom kendo" experiment.... will report result tonight!
Andoru, I promise you will never look back. Shiatsuman was a train-in-undies man till he came up here. He claims to have experienced a marked improvement in his kendo since going commando. Might have something to do with ballast.

[Darkefaerie]

Andoru, I promise you will never look back. Shiatsuman was a train-in-undies man till he came up here. He claims to have experienced a marked improvement in his kendo since going commando. Might have something to do with ballast.
Im going to have to start to wear a blindfold after training from now on because the majority guys dont use locker rooms and I dont really need/want to see anything swinging in the breeze...

x_X

[Reikon]

well well, we're gonna have to analyze some (mis)concepts on this post.

first of all, who said commando was the traditional way?? as far as i know from my aikido experience, old samurai not only wore the white diaper looking thing, but also they wore over it the pants karateka wear today, and then the hakama. yup, 3 layers. sure its comfy and warm on winter... but how did they manage to survive during the hot, humid, scorching summer in japan? no clue.
as far as keeping cool, the hakama and other traditional japanese clothing was very loose (or big) and kept air pockets, which kept the body cool.

Personally if i took kendo, i'd rather everyone wore underwear, and went commando on their own damn time. I don't feel like slipping on your crotch sweat or picking up your pubes on the soles of my feet.

[sparc]

Personally if i took kendo, i'd rather everyone wore underwear, and went commando on their own damn time. I don't feel like slipping on your crotch sweat or picking up your pubes on the soles of my feet.

Hmmmm, well it usually takes a lot more that that to gross me out, but congratulations, you did it in under 30 seconds. :laugh:

I'll think I'll just carry on wearing underwear under my hakama. When it gets really damn cold like it does wayyyy down the bottom of the globe here, then a pair of bike shorts seem to work well.

[Future Head]

I'm not going commando in my tetron hakama... yowza...

[Andoru]

HALELUJAH!!! I BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!

FREE WILLY!!!

Didn't improve by 60% mind, but heat dissipation is top notch!

[Reikon]

Hmmmm, well it usually takes a lot more that that to gross me out, but congratulations, you did it in under 30 seconds. :laugh:

I'll think I'll just carry on wearing underwear under my hakama. When it gets really damn cold like it does wayyyy down the bottom of the globe here, then a pair of bike shorts seem to work well.
Sowy :x lol


HALELUJAH!!! I BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!

FREE WILLY!!!

Didn't improve by 60% mind, but heat dissipation is top notch!
Most of your heat is dissipated through your head...

Otherwise underwear would help catch sweat, your body's natural cooling mechanism, and help keep you cool, and then the underwear would also act like an insulator, keeping you cool once you got that way.

[Wout]

Personally if i took kendo, i'd rather everyone wore underwear, and went commando on their own damn time. I don't feel like slipping on your crotch sweat or picking up your pubes on the soles of my feet.

I believe underwear was invented for a reason other than not putting it on, and now I have a good reason :D.

As thin as the material of boxers might be I think the cherish the feeling of safety provided by that extra layer.

[tanueirin]

HALELUJAH!!! I BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!

FREE WILLY!!!

Didn't improve by 60% mind, but heat dissipation is top notch!

GAK - thanks, Andrew! Great, someone else that I won't be able to make eye contact with at the Nationals...
:D

[Darkefaerie]

GAK - thanks, Andrew! Great, someone else that I won't be able to make eye contact with at the Nationals...
:D
Your lucky you dont have to train with him... x_X

[Andoru]

Just don't look at my zekken ladies...the kanji on it stands for "long". :D

j/k

Becki - what's so bad about training with me? :devious:

[Darkefaerie]

Just don't look at my zekken ladies...the kanji on it stands for "long". :D

j/k

Becki - what's so bad about training with me? :devious:
No glomps for you unless you are dressed in everyday clothes >_<

[Andoru]

Hmm...how the heck do I change my vote?

[Nanbanjin]

Andrew,

Glad to accept you into the fold.

In all seriousness, undies are not part of the kendo uniform so should not be worn during kendo training.
From my limited research, most guys in Japan do not wear undies. Most girls on the other hand do. Don't ask me how I researched this.

If you are shy about putting on and taking off your undies then use the Mr. Bean method.
If you have a high quality keikogi it should be long enough to save any embarrassment when changing.

[goh]

damn,thats sick:confused2

[tanueirin]

Heard a story on the weekend about how one of our senseis got his scrotum torn by a misdirected shinai during jigeiko. Just another one of the casualties of freedom kendo... :)

[Koki]

When i go commando, i feel unrestricted... and natural.

Plus, I don't like wet underwear after a long hard practice.

As for sweat and pubes someone complained about earlier.... geez whiz... sweat and hair are the same every where... it s not different from those on the top of your head and somewhere else...

[senki-kendo-jos]

Seems like it would make less difference for women than men, since they don't have as many dangling body parts :cool:

That said, I am generally in favor of anything that involves women wearing less clothing :cheeky:

But if you really think about it... women are in need of support in other areas:D ... and i would know, i am one! I think an armour plated bra is a good idea for the girls:silly: , esp after some TWAT smacked me in the chest when we were practicing kata no 7.... OWWWWWWWWW!:shocked:

[mingshi]

Laura: No tsure if this is universal, but I was told by a number of senpai/sensei that, at Kendo Kata Nanhonme, shidachi's bokuto should NOT have contact with uchidachi's body at all. :rolleyes:

[Koki]

Wearing underwear would not give you any more protection than not wearing any... unless you wear a metal jock strap like karate people (believe me... even so... it would still hurt like hell... )

[Reikon]

When i go commando, i feel unrestricted... and natural.

Plus, I don't like wet underwear after a long hard practice.

As for sweat and pubes someone complained about earlier.... geez whiz... sweat and hair are the same every where... it s not different from those on the top of your head and somewhere else...
Actually yes, the both pubic sweat and hair is very different from any other on your body. Look it up.


Wearing underwear would not give you any more protection than not wearing any... unless you wear a metal jock strap like karate people (believe me... even so... it would still hurt like hell... )
The protection is for us.

[Charuzu]

'ello,
I just had to resurect this.
My question is: How do you pervent the embarresment of normal kenjutsu turning into "Nito-ryu". Becuse We dont want any new targets that are standing straight out and are very important to the Kenjutsuka?

[Richmond-san]

Thats just disgusting.

[Light Samurai]

Thats just disgusting.
Amen.. dude. please wear some under-clothing while doing kendo. I mean come on people, this is just SICK.
Peace.

[Charuzu]

Well their is not any real way of putting it kindly so I myght as well attempt to say it w/ humor (but it seems I failled)

If my question is so bad.... here. Wash your eyes and mind.
http://home.iprimus.com.au/wmdkeith/images%20cats/Rosie's%206%20kittens%2003-02.jpg

[Charuzu]

Oh now come on!
It's a real question. I'm sorry if it was taken wrong but ya gotta understand, If I were to know that I would get this kind of reaction I would of never posted.
My post does relate and in my opion does add something to this post. For one who has never gone "commando" and is quite shy but is always looking for ways to improve I think that this question was OK. It's just that I thought asking it straight out would be odd so I tried my best to add humor to my question.
Are you that uncomfterable with my question??

If so sorry. But please just think about it.

[Anjin-san]

Stop staring at female kendoka and focus on your practice. Else think of Margaret Thatcher naked. That'll take care of any nito ryu problems you're having.

[Charuzu]

It's not that simple. Becuse of this type of fear I skipped all of my schools swimming lessons and almost failed Gym. (I only passed becuse I did make-up work.... intrestingly enough they are on kendo and kenjutsu)

I just guess that I'll wear my breafs untill one day when this won't be a worry


PS - Anyone have reviews in Fundoshi?

[h2o]

As long as you are wearing tare, I guess it wouldn't be a problem. Unless your "sword" is very "powerful" that is. :D

Haven't tried doing kendo commando before, but I am sure going to try it since a lot of people at my dojo do it. I mean, it's less laundry ;)

[Charuzu]

Well the problem their is I dont wear tare becuse I take Kenjutsu not kendo. I guess that when I am at the dojo i'll just wear my underwear and save freedom kendo for home.

PS - Sorry for offending Light Samurai and Richmond-san. I'm really really sorry. (*Whack* hits self w/ bokken)

[Commander]

Man i've never laughed so much! :D

Here in Scotland your used to "going commando" not that i've done it.

Since im the only girl in my dojo i doubt it would be very wise rofl!

[h2o]

Here in Scotland your used to "going commando" not that i've done it.
And, adding to that, the whole population is already used to wear skirts, so the hakama must feel very natural to the people of Scotland:D

[Charuzu]

And, adding to that, the whole population is already used to wear skirts, so the hakama must feel very natural to the people of Scotland:D

Kilts are not skirts and Hakama are not dresses! >o<

[h2o]

Kilts are not skirts and Hakama are not dresses! >o<
And my post was dead serious... :rolleyes:

[Berugijin]

My sensei once told me in dressing room: "you don't wear undies in kendo". So I don't.

Now to avoid that uh embarassing problem of the keikogi always crawling upwards and revealing a little bit too much of myself that I'm comfortable with...

[Anime12478]

If I were to start going commando, I'd have to wait until I'm in my 30s or 40s when those spontaneous happenings supposedly stop (that's what I heard).

[Charuzu]

If I were to start going commando, I'd have to wait until I'm in my 30s or 40s when those spontaneous happenings supposedly stop (that's what I heard).

Just my point!

[ben spain]

In the process of buying a cotton Hakama - and ditching my horrid Polyestor/Rayon one.

Bring on Freedom Kendo!

[ChaShu]

I just have this horrid vision of severe chafing and skid marks. :gasmask:

[Eiliries]

If you get aroused by a bit of brisk jigeiko, perhaps you are a little overzealous about kendo. Is that seriously a problem for guys? Or are you just joking around?

[Charuzu]

If you get aroused by a bit of brisk jigeiko, perhaps you are a little overzealous about kendo. Is that seriously a problem for guys? Or are you just joking around?

Yes, It is a problem. It does not happen that often but when it does it is almost always at a very bad time.

[Anime12478]

It's definately a problem with younger people. Sometimes, you don't even need to be aroused about anything before something happens.

[Light Samurai]

Well the problem their is I dont wear tare becuse I take Kenjutsu not kendo. I guess that when I am at the dojo i'll just wear my underwear and save freedom kendo for home.

PS - Sorry for offending Light Samurai and Richmond-san. I'm really really sorry. (*Whack* hits self w/ bokken)
Dude, don't feel to bad. I kind of get the point, it's not that disgusting, this thread was un-expected XD
Peace and love dude.

[Kendonator]

Hi!

When I started kendo, a 8-dan kendo sensei visited our club.
He said that the official line was to recommend using underpants,
but he also suggested that we might like doing kendo without.

We have been freedom fighters ever since... (10+ years)

:cool2:

[Moe-Swordsaint!]

The only real problem with not wearing underwear is that when your crotch gets heated up, your testicles tend to descend farther from the body (just as they bunch close to the body when it is cold) in order to cool off.

So, basically, your balls tend to swing freer than usual. And when you really get moving, they wind up slamming against your thighs, your ass, and even the front of your hakama.

Get enough force going and that can SERIOUSLY hurt.

Know what I mean fellas?

Apologies if I'm grossing anyone out here, but we are having a discussion of underwear so . . .


same happened with me, i once went "commando" except i was wearing a (men's) night gown(sp?) and i decided to do a little excercise, skipping the details, but then it was too late to regret...:ko:

so, UNDIES FOREVER!

[Anjin-san]

There's enough room in a hakama to make sure you don't get chafed, crushed, squished or otherwised dismembered.

In the words of those who've been doing it in kilts for centuries 'You may take our lives, but you'll n'er take, OUR FREEDOM!'

[Paburo]

There's enough room in a hakama to make sure you don't get chafed, crushed, squished or otherwised dismembered.

heh... anjin-san, i would like to see you telling that to one of my dojo fellows, who got 17 stitches on his weenie after an accident past the tare inside his hakama (tamago tsuki).

most probably would have been avoided if his jewels have been hold properly in a slip, and not on the loose.

...just a warning for all of you commando free kendo lovers.... you might be the next :D (jk)

[don quixote]

You will sweat quite a lot less in that area if you don't use underwear, and besides I agree with whoever it was that said that one kind of sweat is not much worse than another.. with the exception of foot sweat of course:gasmask: , but still noone wears socks, do they?

Anyway, you have to be extremely unlucky to end up with 17 stiches! I can't even imagine how that could happen.. What sort of damage was it? Torn, cut or sort of split? Damn, not sure I want to think about it at all. That has got to be as unusual as the take in the eye accidents.

Regarding the painful consequenses of uncontrolled swinging of balls, I personally find that this is not a problem as they seem to get out of the way when hanging around casually gets risky. Dojomates have reported the same thing. From an evolutionary point of view it makes sense that your balls would get out of harm's way when you are running for your life, fighting etc.
However, if you have never engaged in intense physical exercise without keeping your balls well wrapped up they may not react in this manner at once. ;)

[Seiza_Seizure]

I prefer the term, "Commando Kendo" rather then "Freedom Kendo."
Anyone agree?

[piggy]

heh... anjin-san, i would like to see you telling that to one of my dojo fellows, who got 17 stitches on his weenie after an accident past the tare inside his hakama (tamago tsuki).

most probably would have been avoided if his jewels have been hold properly in a slip, and not on the loose.

...just a warning for all of you commando free kendo lovers.... you might be the next :D (jk)



Ouch....
I was actually considering trying it but now, I think that I will reconsider...

Maybe I will wear a cup. Just to be safe.:dead:

[LarsCW]

I've always practised in the freedom way and I wouldn't wanna wear undies while wearing hakama. I sweat too much.

[ahmed61086]

I have never been Free. I have allways been enslaved by the undies.


BTW, is that what William Wallace(Mel Gibson in Braveheart) was talking about when he said, "They may take our lives, but the will never, take OUR FREEDOM!!!!!!." The wore the kilts and such....hmmm.

I might try FK one day, when the Moon is full and the night is dreary, with a kendo practice coming neary. Quote the Raven my friends. Quote the raven......

Ahmed.

[Nokori 3byo]

I'm often in stiuations that require me to change in front of other people young and old, male and female. This is particularly true of my iai dojo where I typically find myself putting on my hakama while a gaggle of college girls play volley ball accross the gymnasium from me. I guess it's partly an aspect of living in Japan: men don't seem to care who gets to see them in their gitch. So, to get back to your question, no, I do not go commando when I pratice kendo. I don't think anyone wants to see my wedding tackle before a tough practice. Well....maybe they do, but I'm not showing. I'll save that for the onsen.

[KhawMengLee]

and here's a haiku:

Free is my Kendo
Strong footwork during men cut
The breeze feels so good

[ahmed61086]

lol, thats a good one. Let me try.

My balls sway gently
fifty percent increase since
I pulled off my undy.

Ahmed.

[ahmed61086]

Damn, i messed up the haiku, its supposed to be undies, DAMN this cruel, cruel world.

[KhawMengLee]

Ahmed...nice one!


I'm often in stiuations that require me to change in front of other people young and old, male and female. This is particularly true of my iai dojo where I typically find myself putting on my hakama while a gaggle of college girls play volley ball accross the gymnasium from me. I guess it's partly an aspect of living in Japan: men don't seem to care who gets to see them in their gitch. So, to get back to your question, no, I do not go commando when I pratice kendo. I don't think anyone wants to see my wedding tackle before a tough practice. Well....maybe they do, but I'm not showing. I'll save that for the onsen.


Nokori...here's one for you:

Volleyball girls jump
Their baruma(bloomers) visible
shinai rise chudan

[taganahan]

i'll give this a try in reply to the haiku above:

chudan is no good
chicks don't even prefer it
they like it jodan

~taganahan

[KhawMengLee]

i'll give this a try in reply to the haiku above:

chudan is no good
chicks don't even prefer it
they like it jodan

~taganahan


That one mighty shinai!!! hahaha

[Nokori 3byo]

Nokori...here's one for you:

Volleyball girls jump
Their baruma(bloomers) visible
shinai rise chudan

Not a shinai but..
A shaft of upward curving
Steel and rayskin (ouch)

I'll get cracking on a Japanese translation of that.

[don quixote]

Taganahan, that was great poetry!

Now here's a summary of my view on freedom kendo, with alliteration since I am a descendant of the old norse poets.

Fighting for freedom,
fear not for your friends below!
free forever soon.

[Ipp-on Ipp-off]

A wind of change
The hakama unpolluted
Fare-well crotch sweat

[Nokori 3byo]

Not a shinai but..
A shaft of upward curving
Steel and rayskin (ouch)

I'll get cracking on a Japanese translation of that.

All right. This is in no way an accurate translation, but it's all my current level of Japanese will allow:

しないではない
長くて堅い
居合刀だ

Or perhaps:

しないじゃないよ
上に曲がって
はがねの剣

Yeah. The second one's much closer. Though grammatically a bit off, I'm sure.

[ahmed61086]

Thank KML. Im going to give it another go, but this one has some hidden meaning, so read carefully, lol.


When I use freedom
Jodan no kamae destroys
all my dignity.


Ahmed.

[Fonsz]

As of now the poll result says that the majority thinks it's "Yech... that's uncivil!" 61% last time I checked. Apparently you guys are the only ones here in favor of this odd habit.

[taganahan]

not your cup of tea?
maybe you should try it then.
feel the "lighter" side!

~taganahan

[Fonsz]

When I forget to bring clean underwear with me. I change into my clothes without underwear. Doesn't feel free just odd. But when I get home I put on clean underwear.


I must say that without ,
underwear it doesn't feel right
there's something missing
............:redface:

[Anime12478]

I've worn jeans without underwear on the rare occasion that I run out before I realize that I was low. But because of the material, it feels a bit on the uncomfortable side.

I actually did freedom Kendo during the summer once. I was at home and I wanted to do suburi to make sure that I wasn't gonna get too rusty and I decided to try it out. The problem is that I only have a tetron hakama so I couldn't "breathe" as well as cotton would make it. I might try it again once I finally get the money and the necessity to upgrade to a better hakama.

[Fonsz]

I meant that I forgot to bring along clean underwear to practice. Before weird haiku's show up. And yes in jeans it is uncomfortable, the more reason to abstain from this habit.:ermm:

[Hisham]

Some guys, me included need to keep there stuff together out of nessecity, freedom kendo would be more like torture kendo :D

[Ipp-on Ipp-off]

Free at last
Free at last
Thank god I'm free at last

[Ignatz]

Ok, this is a copy from the "Gi Pants under Hakama" thread....
=================
As a kendoka, I went to a seminar with Obata Toshishiro, where I was expecting to only do some sword work. If you have never seen this guy cut in person, it's an experience!
Anyway, He also teaches Aikijutsu, and started into some of these techniques and wanted me to try, so.... forgetting that I had no underwear under my Hakama, I proceeded to allow myself to be thrown. (Ugly Visual) But when you go flying Ass over teakettle, your Hakama legs kinda fly open and balloon out. with no support, "The Boys" start slamming around in an uncomfortable way.
Needless to say, the women in the class were looking at the ground trying not to laugh too loud...... Gi Pants, dont need em in Kendo.....Underwear, don't need em in kendo, But never fly without em.

As to the "Freedom Kendo" I don't think you can say that it is a "Kendo Tradition". A tradition is usually something that is prepetuated by verbal establishment and verbal prepetuation. Is it common place, yes, but not a tradition. I have never heard anyone walking through the locker room suggesting this, if they did, I would wonder about them. In the Scottish circles, it is stated as being "Regimental" as in "Don't go regimental to a scottish dance when your preforming on a stage four feet above peoples heads" that is if you don't want to expose yourself to the ladies.

I have seen alot of both, have's and have nots along with some of the old sensei wearing fundoshi. Fact is, that if your practicing in Tokyo in August w/o airconditioning, you'll do anything to get a bit cooler.
Anyway, when you get a new hakama, it creats a whole new meaning to "Blue Balls".

Always had a chuckle when new students came to the jujitsu classes and wore jock straps. Traps the boys between your thighs when you land, exactly where you don't wantthem to be. After almost 20 years of jujitsu I have never squashed the boys and have always worn boxers (as I do in kendo).
That being said, how do I vote when there is a fundamental difference between tighty whities and boxers?

[xvikingx]

I am surprised to see that the majority here doesn't free-ball. I used to be a non- believer but now my boys have seen the light! Free the lads, it's the only way to go.

[Newbie]

for that reason I change to fresh pair and wash the ones that I wore for keiko!

You mean guys wash there undies? Wow. I'd heard rumours but didn't think it was true.

We've had this discussion so many times it's getting a bit old. Some people like undies, other people don't. It's fairly simple. Ooh.. but didn't I hear/read somewhere that in shiai underwear is a requirement? Someone help me out, I can't be stuffed looking it up.


I'll go ahead and question the hachidan's advice

errr...ummm... what?!

Sorry, I've just never heard anyone ever say that before.


honestly how much protection from an errant strike do a pair of tighty-whities give?

You're kidding right? Well, for a start they're not flying about free and easy waiting for a strike that's gone skew-whiff. Take my.. bustier regions for example (behave smuttettes). They're protected by my do. Nice. Aint no shinai getting through that fibreglass baby. I still wear a bra. In fact I wear the strongest sports bra on the market Why, though, cos a white scrap of cloth aint gonna protect my two friends from anything - cos I don't want 'em bouncing about. Painful.


If doubtful of the effectiveness of a tare,

I think there's a couple, rather painful videos you need to see....

[Anime12478]

Here's an interesting quote I found on a site about Chanbarra here (http://www.samuraisports.com/chanbara/articles/QA.html).

Q: What is the difference between traditional kendo and chanbara?
A: To put it in layman's terms, kendo is traditional ballet and chanbara is like jazz dance. Traditional kendo is all very rigid with no room for mistakes. With strict tradition, you are not even allowed to wear underwear with the Kendogi (uniform) and they do check to see if you are wearing something! This is a very linear offensive martial art, where the head, wrist, stomach and throat are attacked. The bamboo shinai (sword) or yotsuwari is about one meter in length and can easily break bones. The kendo armor is thick, heavy, and cumbersome and takes time to put on. There are strict rules to be followed and no smiling faces.

Chanbara, on the other hand, has no rules. The same rules that apply on the battlefield or the street apply in the dojo. There is always the joke we say when people ask, “Who wins?” We say, whoever cries first looses. We also have many different weapons to choose from. Knives (tanto), kotachi (short sword), chogen (long sword), yari (spear), naginata (long spear), and the bo (staff). There are five basic points of contact: head, arms, legs, stomach and throat but all parts of the body are OK. In real battle, a thrust to the leg will stop most any adversary. Look at the great warrior Achilles and what a blow to his heal meant! Therefore, chanbara is very realistic.

I'm not sure if stuff like this actually goes on in Japan though so I can't vouch for anything. I couldn't imagine putting on my kendo gear and having someone tell me to take off my underwear.

[kartoffelngeist]

I always smile during kendo! Comes from feeling free ;).

Wouldn't that be funny though, "well you would have passed this hachidan exam, but unfortunately your underwear doesn't meet the strict prerequisites..."

[xvikingx]

"well you would have passed this hachidan exam, but unfortunately your underwear doesn't meet the strict prerequisites..."

At which point you look him in the eye, lower your voice, and ask "What underwear?"