Evolution of Kendo (split from what do you have on zekken?)

[Charlie]

Hi, guys. Haven't been around for a while. Sorry about that!

I know there's a lot of consternation about the future of kendo because so many Asian martial arts have been corrupted by their spread to the west. Sad but true. Karate and tae kwon do are in a mess, and judo/jujutsu isn't what it used to be, they have all lost some of their authenticity, and the biggest problem is that there are now competing organizations with different criterion for rank, etc. Suffice it to say that in these areas, many charlatans abound, the fighting spirits of the arts have been diluted.

For many, the fear that kendo may head this way is of glaring importance, and when folks start screwing around with the uniform, that's just an outward symbol. I have a little faith that kendo will remain true to itself, though. The reason for that is because judo, for example, is a grappling art, and every country has its grappling arts; therefore judo may take on the coloring of that country. With kendo, however, it is a very specific weapon and a very specific set of circumstances for using it. I don't think anyone anytime soon will start adding western sabre techniques to kendo!

Regardless, I think it's also important that kendo have ONE GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL BODY (sorry for screaming) and that we all adhere to its rules. Look what's happened to judo (another sport I play and love); there are four or five different orgs, and they don't agree on rules and ranks, and cetera.

Now, if the one intntn'l body - the ZNKR - says blue or white and that's it, I'm okay with that! An unspoken value of kendo is that unspoken value of the Japanese society, that special kind of conformity.

[Achilles]

I understand what you're saying Charlie, but that "unspoken value" that translates into a "special kind of conformity" is often at the expense of creativty and freedom.

I'm not Japanese, I'm American. I don't feel a special "unspoken value" that compels me to conform. Conformity and mindless rule following can only breed stagnation. That's not what I want to see happen in kendo.

It's all well and good to propose ONE GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL BODY (sorry for screaming), but what do you do when that body is wrong? What do you do when you disagree with its policies and decisions?

[Charlie]

Hmmm. Well, you got me there. I think its quite possible to be creative within the context imposed by the GOVERNING - okay, no more screaming - by the governing body. After all, kendo becomes "ones own," it's just very subtle. But I see what you're saying.

[David J]

Originally posted by Achilles
I understand what you're saying Charlie, but that "unspoken value" that translates into a "special kind of conformity" is often at the expense of creativty and freedom.

I'm not Japanese, I'm American. I don't feel a special "unspoken value" that compels me to conform. Conformity and mindless rule following can only breed stagnation. That's not what I want to see happen in kendo.

It's all well and good to propose ONE GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL BODY (sorry for screaming), but what do you do when that body is wrong? What do you do when you disagree with its policies and decisions?

Yes, but if everyone can set their own rules, style and format, how is it still Kendo? What if I decide that at my own dojo (yeah, right), that strikes to the knee are valid. Or Meng's allows groin kicks ;-) .That dayglo orange is the only colour for bogu. That...etc etc. Would it still be right to call it Kendo?

Surely a large part of Kendo is the respect for tradition - otherwise why not go make up your own martial art? (you might even think of a better one...). Why should Kendo evolve? It is a martial art, not freeform expression afterall.

Or am I missing the point?

<rei>

Dave

[James]

Well this thread has come a long way since "what do you have on your zekken" - but I like that - just like in the pub!

It seems a lot of this talk comes down to 'Traditional Japanese' v 'Nike Logo'.
I would just like to make the observation that Japanese 'Traditional' budo is evolving - putting a ceiling on the dan grade at 8th dan, and introducing new kata to iaido recently seem like the Japanese are 'okay slowly' shaping kendo in some significant ways.
I wonder what people think about these developments, okay that's another thread, but it seems to tack onto this meandering thread. What happens in the future when Japanese have only 8dans and other countries (okay Koreans :) ) decide to keep 9dans.

oops didn't just start something did I?
james

[Charlie]

Personally, I would be horrified if kendo started behaving the way other martial arts have. If there were two or more competing kendo orgs that disagreed on some of the rules (like knee strikes or whatever). If rank were such an ambiguous thing that you could effectively buy whatever rank you wanted (karate, judo). Uniforms I'm not so concerned about, but I really think they are an outward manifestation of the important issue of changes within kendo.

How can something evolve which reached its pinnacle in the 1800s? Why does it need to "evolve"? It's sword combat - sword combat has hit the ceiling! It's not like judo where, for example, judo meets western wrestling, sees that western wrestling has a cool technique (like single or double leg takedowns) and adopts them (true story). A sword is a sword is a sword (in this case, a specific type of sword, a katana is a katana...); it doesn't need to be messed with, IMO.

Granted, kendo is very restrictive, there's a very clear-cut and rigid hierarchy, and bending rules is very rare. But I think that's too its credit, in the long run.

[Achilles]

How could it evolve? Well, here are some suggestions. . . (let me just caveat by saying I do NOT necessarily agree with all of these, but they are examples of what some people would like to see change):

- electronic scoring as in western fencing. In present kendo, so much is up to the whim of the shimpan, who are frequently wrong. Matches can thus wind up as popularity contests. I always here kenshi (even high ranked Japanese kenshi) complain "that shimpan is blind!" or "I didn't get the point because I'm white" or "The head shimpan was an important man, and the other two didn't want to disagree with him, so they went along with a bad call." We always make fun of the weeble-woble shimpan who raises each arm half way a dozen times while he waits to see what the other shimpan are doing and then goes along with them. Electronic scoring would eliminate this, BUT it would also detract from concepts like zanshin and reduce the sport to the act of merely hitting. However, this could be remedied by making an electronically tracked hit the MINIMUM requirement for a point, and leaving the subjective questions up to the shimpan.

- Getting rid of sankyo during matches. Bowing is enough. Sankyo is redundant.

- Allowing cheering as in other sports. This makes it better for spectators and for some competitors.

- Allowing more diversity in color and decoration in uniforms and equipment.

- Allowing the use of local language in both court commands and zekken/myong-pan identification. There's no objection reason why "hajime" is somehow superior to "begin" or whatever the Spanish equivalent is for Mexican players, etc. . .

Again, these aren't necessarily things that I advocate, just ideas that buddies of mine have kicked my way. The idea that anything reaches a penultimate pinnacle is off. Nothing is ever "perfect".

[KhawMengLee]

- Getting rid of sankyo during matches. Bowing is enough. Sankyo is redundant.

- Allowing cheering as in other sports. This makes it better for spectators and for some competitors.

- Allowing more diversity in color and decoration in uniforms and equipment.

- Allowing the use of local language in both court commands and zekken/myong-pan identification. There's no objection reason why "hajime" is somehow superior to "begin" or whatever the Spanish equivalent is for Mexican players, etc. . .

Hmmnnn....

Ettiqutte is part of the refinement of Kendo. It's like how fencers salute each other with the foil raised to the face.

Cheering...kendo, like tennis, golf, etc requires concentration during shia...people do cheer but only after a good cut or score. If you look at the last hole in the first MAsters that tiger woods won you will notice after his drive he looks back at the crowd in anger. This was because someone had shouted during his swing. Concentration is important.

colour, decoration? Hmmnn...are we allowed to wear coloured do in shia? Hmnnn...or are we talking about coloured hakama and kendogi? Well, the nightmare I have with this is that one day we will see a kendoka in the National Champs with a pink kendogi with the Nike logo splashed on the back.

Language- Kendo is a japanese art that should retain some of its culture, its like taking away thebrazilian music in capoera and replacing it with local music.

Meng

[alexpollijr]

Heh, it's weird.
I personally disagree with all of them.

Electro scoring would eliminate the need for ki-ken-tai and most waza in general, since it's all about reaching the target with force. it'd become a brawl with bamboo sticks.

Sonkyo is beautiful. I like it. The more respect the better.

Cheering is okay after the match has ended, but it would not enhance kendo in any way. If you watched the 11 WKC official tape, you'll hear a lot of cheering in portuguese in the brazilian matches :rolleyes:

Colors and such are a completely irrelevant subject IMO.

The language factor is interesting, but to keep a recognizable pattern everwhere there has to be a common tongue. Else if I was to travel to, say, Sweden, I wouldn't understand anything at all.

By the tone of some of these ideas i can see you advocate for them Achilles, such as the sonkyo one and the colors, which you like so much to mention in other threads.

I'm ok with your views, since you apparently have this sympathy for the korean ways, I just don't think so, because there are no clear reasons to do so.

[Jerry Wellbrock]

I believe the evolution should be in the kendo-ka and not in kendo.....training methods and individuals can always evolve as part of your evolution as an individual....what is your reason for practicing kendo....to score points....to win tournaments.....or to become a better person and contribute to others....as far as using Japanese language in matches that is the easiest way to conduct matches......if one competitior is from Spain and one from the United States.....both should know Japanese commands from the shimpan....the next match may be a Russian and a German....it is logical to use Japanese....those of you who have never refereed in a martial art need to ....it will give you a greater appreciation of the dedication and effort that those individuals give to the art......do we make mistakes...yes....is there not just as much if not more to learn from not winning ( and I emphasize not winning vs loosing) than there is from always winning....kendo has evolved greatly over the years....swordsman no longer use shinken or bokken for matches....can you imagine a match without bogu....do you not win by points instead of who lives.....I think there has been much evolution but lets not forget that we are talking about the oldest and most traditional of Japanese Martial Arts....

[stakenaka]

It is not fair to say that kendo is unchanging. A good book to see the evolution of Kendo is "Modern Bujutsu and Budo" by Donn F. Draeger. Kendo has changed since it's conception in the 1700's. However, most of these changes have been done out of safetly and through evolution of techniques. It is interesting that through the changes, it has one eye always looking at the past remembering it's origins. I believe that this is one of the greatest strengths of Kendo.

Plus, Alex has brought up an excellent point that I have never thought of: having one language ensures universal comprehension.

[tetsuoxb]

As far as cheering goes, at Shoryuhai at Harvard it was rampant. I didn't know what to think......

I wasn't used to the concept of 20 people screaming gambatte and Harvard in almost constant intervals, but I can say it was cool for spectators.

When I faced 2 different harvard teams (home court advantage for the cheering) I can say that the cheering was blocked out in my mind. You can hear it, but you aren't listening to it if you know what I mean.

[Kenshi]

"- electronic scoring as in western fencing. In present kendo, so much is up to the whim of the shimpan, who are frequently wrong"

I think it was Sumi Masatake sensei (http://www.kendo.org.uk/people/sumimasatake.shtml) who - when asked about the Miyazaki Vs Eiga match a couple of years ago (the one where M gets Men-ari without touching E.. who replied with a great Kaeshi-Do) - said (I paraphrase not wordage but content) "if the shimpan said it was a point then then it was a point."

I compete internationally and have "lost" points .... and have "won" others. It happens, get on with it. If part of kendo is to teach humility, then situations like these should be seen as opportunities to better ones-self, not be bitter. If I "win" a dodgy cut, I apologise to my opponent afterwards.

Modern-day electrified fencing is shocking (in a bad way + no pun intended!) to watch. I am sure the modern day fencers predecessors would not be happy that their tradition, in a popular context, has almost faded.

Language - you *must* have a common language (or Jargon)... I would have thought that obvious.

"Sonkyo is beautiful. I like it. The more respect the better."

Nicely put! Alex - I hope you are going to the WKC next year ... I think we have a few points in common! I may even buy you some scottish beer........

[olaf]

Hey fellas - as someone noted earlier, I too am in favor or permitting cheering during matches. Kendo shiai, after all, has acquired a certain spectator element to it.

In the case of the that tetsuoxb (JP) noted, cheering may have been unusually rowdy, but it's somewhat expected, no? A bunch of college buddies cheering each other one is only a natural part of any game/competition setting.

My take is: as long as the cheering was limited to actual "cheers" (gambatte, go Gator Kendo Club, etc.), so be it. As long as spectators or (especially) teammates do not resort to advice or coaching, as in, "JP - go for that open kote shot!", then it shouldn't ruin the spirit of the game in any way.

Perhaps one can even think of the cheering as creating a more comfortable atmosphere for both competitors, even if one has home-court advantage and a cheerleading squad. (!) Don't you think it's much more nervous and tense when you're in a formal, traditional dojo setting, competing in shiai with another person while everyone just sits on the sidelines staring intensely?

I certainly prefer a more dynamic, energetic setting, even if people are cheering primarily for my opponent. At least there is some sense of vitality in the air, and not some somber cloud of dread looming above your head!

[alexpollijr]

George,

If it does not coincide with the Brazilian champ, which I think not, I'm in for scotland for sure. Gotta see those castles you got up there.

Not fighting in the Brazilian team though :rolleyes:
The guys there are out of my league for now, if you know what I mean.

I hope that there'll be an 1,80m x 1m vacant space in your dojo floor for me to sleep in :D

[KhawMengLee]

George, what you just said was beautiful!

You've pointed out how Kendo is more than a sport. In most sports, if not all, winning is the objective.

Your comment on humility, or how you would apologize for a bad call, reflects the philoosphy and teachings of kendo.

sorta says, kendo is more than a sport, its a lesson that can be applied in life.

Meng

[cklin]

Olaf & tetsuoxb:

In re cheering at the Shoryuhai... we did try to discourage it in the past, but it is pretty much impossible. Basically, most of the spectators have no kendo background whatsoever and so they treat it like any other sports game they would attend. If you tell them to quite down, they are kind of taken aback and well, we're trying to promote kendo, not turn people off to it.

In regards to other team members cheering for their teammate, I think this is OK (I take my cue from the WKC), as long as it is what Olaf said -- "gambatte", "fai-to" etc. and not (1) coaching or (2) jeering at the opponent. And so we permit team members cheering on their mates. In the past, we did have people coaching their teammates (b/c they did not know that it is improper) and so now there is a 3-strike system. If a shimpan or court-side official hears a team coaching, the shimpan-cho issues a warning to the team captain; the third time, the entire team is disqualified.

That's as much as we can do with a bunch of enthusiastic and excited college kids! :D

[Charlie]

I actually didn't know about the coaching rule, and was spoken to by a shimpan about it recently. Boy was I embarassed! I think I had kind of gotten used to judo, where everybody's screaming advice to the participants from all sides.

To tell you the truth, I don't think I was coaching that badly. I think I kept yelling things like "Mix up your attacks" and "Keep the pressure on." However, I learned my lesson!

Someone - several someones - made the very important point: winning isn't everything, it's not even the focus, of kendo. Shiai is important, and gives one a visual goal towards one's training, but really I think the most important part of kendo is shugyo, not shiai; doin' it every day, in your heart; leading the kendo lifestyle, whatever your interpretation of that is.

With kendo, I am reminded of boxers. When a boxer wins a match, he (or she!) doesn't usually say, "I'm the better fighter." That person says, "I was the bettery fighter *today*."

[Achilles]

That's silly. If this is "more than a sport" and "winning isn't the objective" and if it's just fine to lose a point unfairly because the scoring system is subjective and inaccurate, then why do we bother to have competative tournaments and award metals and trophies?

If that's the case than Eiga can't *really* call himself the world champion can he? He can only say "well, I sort of won, but winning isn't really the point and the scoring isn't really accurate and I guess it could have gone either way."

Where's the pride in that? If kendo is REALLY not about winning, and scoring is subjective for a reason, then we shouldn't have competative tournaments that have clear winners and losers, and we shouldn't award medals or trophies.

[Kuri]

Interesting point Achilles.

Maybe we should put your thoughts forward to the IKF and ask them to abolish competition. Otherwise, they should change the blurb they use for the purpose of kendo....

[Charlie]

You do have a good point, Achilles. But! I think the way I would word it is that shiai is important, and something to strive for, but not the ultimate goal of kendo. As far as what Eiga-sensei would say, see for yourself:

Question 1: Was becoming the All-Japan and World Champion a goal for you? Or was it a result of your training in Kendo?

Eiga Sensei: Yes, it was simply a result of my training. I never thought of it as a goal. To me, my Kendo training is for my development as a person. Not necessarily is my training geared towards becoming a champion of any sort. Being a champion is merely a part of the bigger picture

From an interview found at: http://www.midwestkendo.com/eiga.htm

Last year's champion, Iwasa-sensei, said something ver similar.

"Winning and losing should not be your focus in Kendo. Kendo is about self improvement. Improving yourself as a human being. That is what is most important in Kendo."

http://www.midwestkendo.com/iwasa.htm

Perhaps another way to describe the attitudes of these champions is: I do kendo because I love it. If I happen to become the champ along the way, great. If not, for whatever reason, no biggie.

[stakenaka]

Interesting topic...
I still think having shinpan is essential. Having a computer keep score is a good idea, but judging is good practice for shinpan as well. Being able to watch both participants and accurately acertain between good and bad hits is essensial to furthering ones skills in kendo. It is no small wonder that judging is part of the yondan examination.

[Achilles]

I hate to constantly take the unpopular approach, but I think Eiga's answer to that question is a bit. . . well. . . far-fetched.

The idea that a sport, even one with metaphyscial underpinings like kendo, is a tool for self-improvement is a nice one, but it doesn't really hold in the long run.

I use kumdo to make myself a better athlete, sportsman, to steep myself in different cultures, to conquer fear and to rein in aggression. I suppose all of that "makes me a better person."

But how does one *really* become a better person? I mean, that's EVERYTHING, isn't it? Marriage and work and religion and therapy and socialization. The idea that kendo is in reality a self-help tool leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I don't want a self-help tool, I want a fun sport.

When I want to reflect on "being a better person", I talk with my pastor, read the bible, pray, call my mom, chat with my wife.

My goal in church is to be a better person. My goal in kumdo is to be a better fencer. It just seems like Eiga is choosing one hell of an indirect method to achieve the goal of character improvement.

[Jerry Wellbrock]

Achilles...what ever your reason for practicing kendo is great with me...but there is much thought out there that the traditional martial arts are a lot about developing character and not just winning as in a sport....if you are only interested in the sport aspect then I wish you all the sucess at being the best kendoka you can be....however you may find much more richness in kendo if you take time to explore other possible benefits from your practice.....there are a couple of good books by Minoru Kiyota on the philosophical aspect of kendo....."The Shambala Guide to Kendo" which is easy to find....(Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.)...and "Kendo: It's Philosophy. History and Means to Personal Growth"....out of print and harder to find a copy....My personal background is 30 years of karate and I am a novice to kendo but I believe in the axiom...."the ultimate goal of karate(martial arts) lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants"....Gichen Funakoshi.....explore the concept of michi or do.......

[durrell4]

There is no question that Kendo is both a sport and an art. Where I think the difference lies is in the ability to train your mind and your body through Kendo practice. I fear that an over emphasis on competition is bad for the future of Kendo. Many of the adults that start kendo at university may never win a competition (except in the kyu ranks).

I they felt that the only measure of their progress was whether or not the win the game. They will soon realize they are never going to win and decide to quit. I don’t know about other experience, but I have seen many example of this phenomenon through the years.

The other drawback to training to win the game or get the (crappy waza) point as the focus is what you get out of it. Which is people pushing their shinai down with only the right hand a total of 1 cm hitting the tsuba and running around like a chicken with their head cut off.

I calculated that I practice around 30 times between each shia, if I lose in the first round am I a failure in the rest of my practice?

Just a though :)

D-

[Charlie]

Oh, not so, Achilles! Truly, I think a heartfelt application to any sport could make you a better person. But think about it. What about kumdo advances you as a person?

In the first place, you learn to work hard. Exercise also makes you better emotionally, mentally. In the next, you pursue, though it is in a much more safe environment, the art of life and death through the way of the sword. Struggle. Sure, it's a sport, but some part of you still has to think of it as a life and death struggle. Then there is competing. To try and win or fail, these things build character, both as a "loser" and a "winner." And it's all unconscious, something that just happens to you over time, rewarding you with what you put into it. Substitute "football," "baseball" or "tennis" for kumdo, and you'd come up with the same thing. IMO.

I'm not saying competition isn't important, it is. But it's one pole in the tent, so to speak. As for shimpan and the subjectivity of grading, I don't have a problem with it, both because competition isn't the top priority AND because I think it's the best system there is. No computer or electronic feedback device can do what a shimpan does, see what a shimpan sees. Also, as Scott said, the shimpan's skills evolve.

May I ask you to read Rudyard Kipling's "If,"* and consider these words by Theodore Roosevelt, which serve as the credo of the United States Judo Association?

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."



*http://www.swarthmore.edu/~apreset1/docs/if.html

[Charlie]

P.S. That said, whenever I go to shiai, I still want to win, and try my damndest!

[Kent Enfield]

Originally posted by Achilles
If this is "more than a sport" and "winning isn't the objective" and if it's just fine to lose a point unfairly because the scoring system is subjective and inaccurate, then why do we bother to have competative tournaments and award metals and trophies?So we have a way to test ourselves and our kendo against people with whom we don't regularly practice and, presumably, don't know how to beat. That's what the "shi" in "shiai" means: testing. I always thought it was obvious that shiai is just another form of training, not the goal of training, but apparently it isn't.

If accumulating shiny baubles is the final goal of kendo, why would anyone continue to train after they've physically peaked and can no longer expect to win? Or why should they even start training in the first place if they know they'll never be a champion?

[stakenaka]

I guess another way to put it is that you are constantly fighting against yourself, not the opponent. Getting that men a little faster and cleaner, stronger seme, etc... is helps to cultiviate yourself since you are always trying to continuously improve oneself (kaisen). This idea that you practice in kendo helps you in every day life as well.

[Achilles]

Kent, that's easy. Because they enjoy the game and want to keep a foot in it. Because physical training helps you stay young. Because they are needed to train others.

Charlie, I appreciate your points, but none of the benefits you cite are unique to kumdo. I can get the same sense of hard work and triumph in the face of a challenge from boxing, a sport that is far less subjective and much less metaphysical than kumdo.

Durrell, you don't have to have a podium finish to enjoy a shiai. I've never gotten a medal. I made the quarterfinals in Cleveland (lost after a minute of encho, GAHH! FRUSTRATING!), but that's the farthest I've ever gone in a tournament. You don't see me dropping the game. Anyone who would do that doesn't really love kumdo in the first place. I like to win, but it's not like I go hang myself for losing.

Jerry, I really appreciate your understanding and that you make room for me to have my own opinions. Just so we understand each other, I'm not exactly speaking from ignorance. I got my shodan in a Japanese dojo before I switched to Korean kumdo. I speak Japanese and have lived in the country. I have read Hagakure, have read Go-Rin-No-Sho, have read the Lone Wolf & Cub series (that's half a joke). Never read the Shambala guide, but I have read This Is Kendo, Complete Guide to Kendo and Secrets of The Samurai. Point is, it's not like I haven't been exposed to the ideas you are bringing forward. It's more that, I've been exposed, considered them, and found that it ain't for me.

That being said, I *have* had the experience of being bowled over by 7-dans using invisible semme. So I know there's something to it. . .

[Charlie]

Achilles, we'll have to hook up at the next Cleveland tourney. I'm usually there. (Wasn't this last year, though, due to commitments.)

Anyway, I see what you're saying. But may I add, you wrote, "none of the benefits you cite are unique to kumdo. I can get the same sense of hard work and triumph in the face of a challenge from boxing, a sport that is far less subjective and much less metaphysical than kumdo."

And I agree. I agreed in the earlier post, which is why I wrote: "Substitute football or baseball or tennis for kumdo and you'd still have the same thing."

As for boxing being less subjective, hmmm, there's still judges involved, and less metaphyiscal, I wouldn't say that, either. It's just that the two disciplines articulate things differently. Although, you're right, boxing tends to be more secular, although there's definitely a philosophy. However, I've known quite a few folks who take their sports quite metaphysically! Yogi Bera, for example, or Vince Lombardi?

[kendokamax]

I don't think winning in kendo is the most important thing it's only a bonus that would boost your confindence(too much maybe). It is also a way to tell yourself that all the training you are doing is giving you something in return.

I won a tournament last week (mudansha division) in Waterloo Ont and everyone have been telling me how good I did etc..but actually after viewing the video tape of it I was concerned about how my kendo looked. Some of the points, I got, were not very clear and I disagree with some of them, so for next time I enter a competition I want to make the most perfect points possible (if i'm able to)! (it's just a way of thinking.) I want the shinpan to raise the 3 flags without hesitation!

A lot of people complaint about shinpan not being good and making bad decisions. I agree some of them are arrogant and think they always give the best decision, sometimes they don't have enough humility: like after raising the flag they wouldn't be able to put it back down (refusing the point, for bad zanshin or whatever)... Others just wait for a shinpan with more experience to wave the flag and do the same thing (that's the worst!).

But these people are also kenshi, they are learning too. A tournament for them is the same thing as for a competitor, they want to(or should) give their best. If I continue kendo for long enough I also want to be shinpan in tournaments, but for my first tournament don't except me to be very fair.

Anyway i'm totaly against using electronic devices in kendo...(...cuz i wouldn't be able to win anymore)

Yo is it just me or I wrote a lot without telling anything?

[Achilles]

Kendokamax,

Were you on the Montreal team at Cleveland? I fought sempo for the NVKC A team and fought the Montreal sempo (it was fun, we spent a lot of time yelling French at each other). Good fight, and a tie. I just could not get a point off the guy.

[alexpollijr]

Kendokamax

In mudansha divisions usually the shimpan is not looking for THAT ippon. Most blows that connect ok (and some that do not) are commonly taken as yuukodatotsu.

In yudansha however they want more of everything, which I believe is fair enough.

(probably I told you things you already know, but just for conscience' sake)

[kendokamax]

nope i didn't go to cleveland :'(
too expensive no money..but i know some people from a club in montreal (montreal kendo club) who went there. They are fun people! btw remember who you fought?

Ah that's true Alex.. I didn't really think about that aspect. (you see; my head got really too big since last tournament) :D
I will have a harder time in dan division :P but I'm up for the challenge!

By the way did any of you guys heard about the tournament in Halifax? I will be going (too expensive but i have money now). People are trying to promote kendo on the east coast, so let's help them!

[Kenshi]

Alex - The Brazillians are pretty good ..... just a matter of time before you are in the team! Remember to cheer for me when I am smashing a kote onto one of your brazillian mates!
Contact my kendo club nearer the time to ask about accomodation. If there isnt floor space we can def. give pointers.
Castles?!?! More here than any other country in europe, or so I read. 400-ish.

Meng - [embarressed]

Cheering - you are not aloud to shout kendoka's names, nor shout advice, but general noise is good methinks! At last years europeans there was some booing ... thats was *nasty* ... I hope the idiots who did that realise what it is they did.

Shimpan - how many people have tried? I recently did my first official shimpan-role at the hizen taikai (ask some of the guys here) ... it was tiring (but not long) and I was nervous! More nervous than fencing an italian 6th dan at the Euros last april!! AND the last point scored (which I gave) was dodgy .... I felt terrible. I had to have 1 or 2 beers to recover.
The point is : try it (in a proper taikai, not your dojo).

General - I think its easy to hit people, if thats all kendo is [to you] then how long will it take before you get bored of it? Same with coloured zekken and other bits and bobs. I have a green tsuru .... it kept me amused for about, oh, 1 hour!

Eiga sensei - just a general comment : myself and another Brit defeated Eiga sensei and [forgot name] sensei at table football last december, 8-3. Heh heh. I told him his kendo was ok, but his table-footbal waza sucked.. he then wrote something on my meishi... I think I am going to get a mashing the next time we meet!

Sorry for the ramble - i'm tired.

Cheers,

[kendokamax]

what is a meishi?

[cklin]

Meishi == Business card

If I remember correctly.

[stakenaka]

That is correct:
Mei - Name
Shi - Calling Card (only in this context).

Meishi = Business Card.