Feedback - Thinking of Starting Kendo

[sonickendo]

Hi Everyone,

I have been thinking of starting Kendo for awhile now and I did visit a dojo to see what it was like. However, I am still deciding. The dilemma is that if I start Kendo, I want to do it for a long time, and it's not something I want to just give up after 6 months or a year or even three. I don't want to take it for awhile and think that I didn't get much out of it except some techniques and what not.

I was hoping for some feedback from some of you about your experiences and what part of Kendo makes it really worthwhile for you. Also, I was wondering (if there is any) what differentiated Kendo from other martial arts training besides just preference. Plus, I live in Toronto - I've heard of a few dojos, but any preferences in particular?

Thanks in advance!

[MikeW]

Kendo is like a lot of things in that you can get many things out of it if you want to. If you want to put the effort into it you can learn a great many things form kendo that apply to life outside the dojo (but this is true for many martial arts). Kendo is a traditional martial arts, less commercialized than many. The mental side of kendo is as hard, but fulfilling, as the physical side (once again many martial arts are like this is you want to go deeper than just showing up for practice). IMHO kendo teaches one to be patient, to make decisions on when to act and then act on those decisions, it helps one's mental toughness as well as respect for not only one's self but also your sensei, your dojo, your peers and your opponents. Kendo can make you humble and can give you a feeling of accomplishment. Once again, many martial arts can do this.. so why kendo in particular? well that is more of an individuals choice. Every martial art has it's own upside and down side. I have done 4 martial arts in my life and kendo is the one I have enjoyed most and the only one I still do.

Don't know if any of that answers your questions, but hopefully you can determine for yourself what is best for you because one size does not fit all when it comes to martial arts (IMHO).

[Gideon]

I can't speak as to comparing kendo to other martial arts, but I've found after a year or so of practicing that you are able to get quite a bit from kendo, though as is the case with many things, it correllates to how much you put in. Seeing as there are individuals practicing who are upwards of 80 and 90 years old, I'm guessing this is something one can do their entire life if they so choose. Also, I've found that there's something to take away from every practice if you've half a mind to look.

Good luck.

[Neil Gendzwill]

The short answer is that kendo, while appearing simple at first, is very deep. You can practice it for a lifetime and still believe you have lots to learn. Some people find this discouraging, but that's what I like the most about kendo. If you could master it completely like tic-tac-toe, it would be pretty boring.

Another cool thing about kendo is that the older you get, the better you get. In what other sport do you see 60 year olds dominating 20 year olds? Not even many other martial arts can claim this.

As far as which dojo to pick, in Toronto they're all good and they practice with each other so I suggest you pick the club that fits your location and schedule the best. We have friends in JCCC, Etobicoke, Toronto Kendo Club and U of T and have had a number of Toronto sensei visit us in recent years. I can vouch for all of them.

[Tsunemori]

I say less thinking and more doing.

Everyone likes different things. At first Kendo was just going to be another "hobby" for me, at times I'd skip training (despite it being once a week) to go somewhere else, but now? I go to four sessions a week and even then I feel like sneaking into other dojo's classes to get some extra training.

I say give it a try. A beginner's course should take you 2-3 months. By then you'll be in gi and hakama (uniform), and have a good idea of what Kendo is like. Hopefully you'll be able to rent a set of bogu (armour) and try out full-contact training, and maybe some ji-geiko (practice fighting). If Kendo isn't really for you then, too bad. If you think otherwise... then yay!

As for your question... there are hundreds and thousands of things about Kendo that I love when comparing it to other martial arts. I'll just list some:

o It's not for self defense. Most McDojos would boast about "real awesome self defense technique that *really works*!" And they'd teach like "if this happens, do this and do that". But it doesn't really work in real fighting because your opponent will most likely be bigger, stronger, and be carrying a knife or a broken glass bottle, instead of standing there all nicely and letting you play around with his arm. Kendo doesn't get distracted with this, and instead accepts the fact that the art *imitates* sword fighting, and not promotes that "you can use this in real life!" attitude.

o Full contact is not just recommended, it's required. Kendo teaches you to really give everything you have when you cut, and being able to participate in a full contact fight with the state of mind of "I'm going to cut and kill him" is just plain awesome. Also, being able to mix and fight with the opposite gender, and people of all ages.

o Despite how Kendo fights can look really aggressive and fast, it's actually one of the safest martial arts you can do. In most cases, the worst you can get are some bruises, most likely your arm (kote) or your sides (bad do cuts!). I've seen people get their teeth knocked out in no-contact Karate sparring.

o Mental training. Right from the beginning, Kendo recognises the spiritual side of the art as well (e.g. kiai, channeling strength from hara, etc), as opposed to most other arts where you spend months and years just learning punches and kicks. Most people have said that they don't panic in dangerous situations anymore since we pretty much beat the crap out of each other all the time. And like MikeW said, it also teaches humility. Whenever I start to get back into this "yeah, I'm totally awesome, I'm the best Kendoka in the wooooooorld", all I need is two minutes of jigeiko with anyone in the dojo to realise that "oh poop, I really suck". It's an unending road that only gets steeper the further you get, and no matter how good you are, there's always someone ahead of you.

o There's no bullshitting in Kendo. A higher grade will ~99.99% of the time be able to beat the poop out of a lower grade. You also get to partner up with everyone, including the teachers, whereas in most other arts you have the teacher instructing at the front of the class instead of engaging with the students. There's also no "secrets" or "hidden techniques", there's just a major emphasis on kihon (basics). Not having belts to display also reduces that "e-penis" attitude too, where the incentive to pass your grading is so you can partner with the higher grades more, instead of so you can display your "achievements" and bully people.

o Not to mention Kendo is usually cheaper than other arts. Sure you might spend a bit on your uniform, but you can hire your bogu (armour), and the monthly/yearly membership cost will most likely be a lot cheaper than other martial arts.

Thing is, at the end of the day, anyone can write 300-pages of essay about why they like Kendo. But we don't know you, and we're not you. Just try it out, give it a few months, and if you're still unsure, then maybe it's just not for you. Do talk with the teacher and some of the seniors and ask for their opinions. Again though, at the end of the day, you're the only one that can make you want to do this, and the only way to find out is to just do it.

[Lady_Kitsune]

It all goes to one thing, what do you want and why... If you try kendo and that's what you want then go for it. I can not add anymore appart from what everyone said.

[sonickendo]

Haha, thanks for the advice and the feedback. I know what you all mean and I guess I kind of expected it. I still asked anyway to see if there was something maybe in Kendo that has really struck any of you and also cause I took another martial art for around 7-8 years (on and off) and dropping it to start kendo was something I had to ponder more about. The martial art I did had lots of great qualities and the martial art itself is fun. However, I was looking for more of the mental and "spiritual" side of it and all the "masters" I've had were people I simply could not respect in that regard. Perhaps, I'm somewhat jaded, but I was still hoping to find a master who was a "complete" person, rather than merely competition, or God forbid - create McDojos. Thus, I was looking around and Kendo seemed to have that kind of tradition, formality, and a mental severity dedicated to the art. Thus, the questioning. I guess, I was asking more specifically on the mental aspect.

Nonetheless, I guess it's what I give into it. I'm going to give it a try soon. I'm just trying to organize the times so that I can committ to it this summer. I'll probably ask for more tips later in the future in terms of training and techniques! Thanks again.

[Neil Gendzwill]

I think if you're looking for that kind of instructor, you might enjoy Toronto Kendo Club under Kimura-sensei.

[Kagerou]

I say less thinking and more doing.

5 page dissertation

Again though, at the end of the day, you're the only one that can make you want to do this, and the only way to find out is to just do it.

less thinking and more doing huh? ;)

To answer the original question...Kendo is very rewarding for me and has been since day one. Of course you'll have different experiences than anyone else but I think as long as you're having fun you'll stick with it, so make every class enjoyable.

If you're worried about dropping out don't buy anything except a cheap shinai until you know you're hooked.

[imouto]

I'm someone who took up other forms of martial arts and consequently dropped out of them for various reasons, though the common one was that I didn't enjoy them.

But kendo is different. I have found that I enjoy it. It's not just the "violent" nature of it but the discipline side to it as well. I've found that it's helped my focus in other areas of my life a bit more. Particularly studies.

I am lucky in that I have found a dojo where I feel comfortable to train in and to make a million and one mistakes in only to get back out there and try again repeatedly.

Go, give it a try. You've got nothing to lose. See what you think and feel before buying the gear.

[Tsunemori]

less thinking and more doing huh? ;)
If I can strap him in a bogu and clobber each other, I would!

[imouto]

If I can strap him in a bogu and clobber each other, I would!

You're now starting to worry me a little... :p

[Tsunemori]

Always wear protection before you "cross swords" and "thrust" each other.

[Kagerou]

Always wear protection before you "cross swords" and "thrust" each other.

Didn't know you like to "cross swords". I get uncomfortable when someone else pulls out their sword and wants to play.

[imouto]

Always wear protection before you "cross swords" and "thrust" each other.

Ok....stepping away from the dojo now....

[sonickendo]

haha, you guys are giving me a good idea of what Kendo is now... hahaha

sounds rather exciting... ;)

[tattooedasshole]

I think if you're looking for that kind of instructor, you might enjoy Toronto Kendo Club under Kimura-sensei.
He's also the head sensei for the Mississauga kendo club.

[Wesley Myers]

I can vouch wholeheartedly for what Gendzwill-Sensei said about Toronto Kendo Club and Kimura-sensei!

Just go watch his class and you will see.

That said, every sensei I have met has been awesome and I have been extremely impressed. I do not think you would ever be able to find another martial art with master instructors like Kendo has.