Hello

[Bokuto no Ryu]

Hi there! This is my first post so I decided I'd use it to say hello to all the kenshi here. I started practicing kendo in October so I'm really, really new to this. I was wondering - is kendo just a sport for most of you, or is it a way of life? I started practicing because of the mental/spiritual(?) part of it. What about you guys?

[emitbrownne]

Hi, Welcome.

Honestly?

I started because it looked cool.
I came back because it was a challenge.
I stay because of its simple intricacies. (I realise the paradox)

Kendo is neither a sport nor a way of life to me... its an obsession.
I do have a romantic view of it, but I would classify it more as an activity which I parctice wholeheartedly.

cheers,
Paulo

[aikanaro]

As you, I'm also new in the practice of kendo... I don't think there's a main reason, but a mix of several for having chosen it. Here they go, in no particular order:

a) I've always liked japanese culture.
b) I've always liked weapons, particularly swords.
c) The physical training. I'd practiced karate some years before and thought that kendo was "easier": less targets, shorter steps, only arms involved in striking... kendo has proven this opinion wrong, it's a real challenge to do it correctly.
d) the focus on skill rather than force
e) the longer "life cycle" a kendoka has compared to other sports - you're not too old too soon ;)
f) the mental training involved, IMHO I think it helps to develop this "combative spirit" and an attitude of "facing and engaging" situations, and quick thinking under pressure.
g) I feel it's a more straightforward yet "intrincately simple" martial art... ;)

Nevertheless, these (and curiosity) are the reasons that attracted me to kendo.... why do I keep practicing? It's more like a "drive" to keep doing it even when there are times the real challenge is just getting to the dojo :)

As sensei says, "we do kendo by God's will..."

what do you think?

[Will]

I'M A NINJA!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!

[steliosk]

I'M A NINJA!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!
Hahahaha!
Sorry, could not help myself there.:D
I would concur with what aikanaro said (minus the karate stuff).

[Jin-e]

Yep ,,, It's an obsession to me to. But that's just one of them all . (They're all japan related though)