I study Kendo because...

[Hinokuni]

I am interested to hear your motivation for studying kendo. Why do you go to the dojo every week? What's the reason you keep coming back? Why do you endure 'the pain of gruelling practice?'

Simple enjoyment? Something deeper?

Can you finish off this sentence:


I study Kendo because...


Keep it short, keep it pithy, keep it coming.

[Haowen]

I study kendo because it allows me to say, "I like doing big men!" with a straight face.

[YAMAFELL]

hahaha.. doing big men..

yeah.. i like men too.. I can also say there are many smelly men in my dojo.. and say it eaither about the guys or the actual equiptment.

[Paikea]

...I can.

...others are willing to teach me.

...I want to improve my physical and mental condition.

...I get to whack my son in keiko and not go to jail.:wink:

[KingCanute]

I like to know that if i'm ever in a bar brawl then as long as I can reach a pool cue nobody is going to touch me without loosing consciousness.
And hell I'm no good at anything else.
And the ladies quite like it.
And you always get the reaction "What? swords bloody hell"

[Lloromannic]

It allows me to wear skirt-like trousers, scream at the top of my lungs and hit people with sticks, all my favourite hobbies in one great combo (and with less risk of getting thrown out from my house or be put in a straight-jacket).

[Pan-Chan]

Because it's something that I will never be completed with, I will always have something to work towards. And it gives me something to do until I die... in a long, LONG time.

...Hakama are very comfy, too. XD

[YAMAFELL]

Since many guys like the feel of the hakama....

(this is a bit of a personal question but I know none of you are shy..)

How many of you free ball under And just wear the hakama and nothing else?

That seams to be the trend of every guy at my dojo in japan, or every japanese in japan and i have seen many a butts while they change. ^_^ whoo hoo.

And with girls, how many don't wear bras? I know that is common also at my dojo because the straps move and just cause problems..

I just wanted to see how things were outside of Japan on these topics..

[Hinokuni]

Maybe it was a stupid question, but I look at the majority of these responses and think 'Why bother posting on this forum'?

I am not going to waste my time here any longer.

[Nanbanjin]

Maybe it was a stupid question, but I look at the majority of these responses and think 'Why bother posting on this forum'?

I am not going to waste my time here any longer.
I play kendo because I find it helps me keep my sense of humour.

Bye!

[Andoru]

Haven't we already established that many of us do kendo for the chicks? :D

[YAMAFELL]

I don't do it for the chicks....

I do it for the MEN! errr... maybe not..

[niji]

I study Kendo because...
well..... cos i wanna see just what i can do :smoker:
and make friends of the same interest....

[not-I]

Since many guys like the feel of the hakama....
How many of you free ball under And just wear the hakama and nothing else?

And with girls, how many don't wear bras? I know that is common also at my dojo because the straps move and just cause problems..
Freeballin' ? :shocked: We call it "freedom kendo." The definitive thread is here: http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143

And the ladies started their own thread after that: http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=284

Let freedom ring! :lick:

[webjunkie401]

In keeping with the general insanity:

I do kendo because it fits my general progression of doing martial arts/sports that require a growing amount of clothing/equipment.

First was wrestling... wore a singlet...
Then judo for a few years... wore a judo-gi....
Now kendo... kendo-gi, hakam, and bogu.

Yay for more clothing!

[not-I]

Maybe it was a stupid question, but I look at the majority of these responses and think 'Why bother posting on this forum'?
Take it easy. It's not a stupid question, it's just:

1.) Been asked several times in many different formulations (try forum search for "motivation");

2.) Not very easy to answer without sounding flippant.

I think a lot of us see kendo as something deeper, but the deeper things tend of dawn on us gradually.

When you're dog-tired and demotivated after work or school and still get up and go to practice in the evening, you don't really think about it. It turns into a question of commitment and discipline. And there's also the faith that you won't regret it.

Hence: I do kendo because i do kendo. :wink:

[Haowen]

Maybe it was a stupid question, but I look at the majority of these responses and think 'Why bother posting on this forum'?

I am not going to waste my time here any longer.

I am sorry, I thought the request to be pithy was an invitation for one-liners. I would not have made fun if I had thought you were deadly serious.

Well, my reasons for doing kendo are pretty much summed up in the official Concept of Kendo established in 1975:

http://www.kendo.or.jp/english-page/english-page2/concept-of-Kendo.htm

I know I'm borrowing their words, but I believe in every line of that statement, and it is remarkably concise yet inclusive of many aspects of kendo.

[silvnari]

...keeps marriage harmonious (we get to beat on each other weekly) :wink:
…the best part is the 30lb child that had encircled my mid section has now departed!!! :smiley:

[YAMAFELL]

30lb child?!?!?! I hope you mean a beer baby or food baby.. For a woman that just sounds painful! 9_9 No kids for me.. lol

[Reina]

Why? I get to wear a skirt-like object without looking valley-girl-ish, yell and scream at people, and beat people with a bamboo stick. What more could you want? :wink: Oh yeah,.....and its fun! Thats why. :silly:

[nalogg]

Haven't we already established that many of us do kendo for the chicks? :D
hahahaha i was just thinking about that the other day....
"I wonder if any of my sensei get kendo groupies?"

but in reply to the actual thread

because...

... I need the physical, mental, and spiritual activity
... I like swords and swordsmanship
... adventure/new experience
... i have the money
... I like the virtues within the roots of kendo and samurai

... I GET THE CHANCE TO WEAR COOL ARMOR AND BEAT ON PEOPLE WITH STICKS!

[Lloromannic]

Keep it short, keep it pithy, keep it coming.
I thought this meant it was a not very serious thread.

I find it amusing that most of the reasons people have posted are quite similar to what most FAQs say that Kendo is not like.

[akumalkenshi]

The concentration and focus you require to practice kendo, lets you get lost in it. but I guess you can say that about anything that you get passionate about.

But there is also the ki from keiko, cranks me up. I always leave the dojo feeling way better than when walking in. It energizes me.

[Tholon]

Lot's of reasons.

It's a great way to spend time with my two boys and to have a mutual interest.
Good training and also good motivation to other physical training.
To clear my mind - a total focus on Kendo during training.
Meet new people with other backgrounds.

But the most important reason is that it's great fun!