am i even saying it right?

[kydavis]

let me start of by saying hello everybody. so, hello everybody. as my title states, i am not even sure i am saying the word "kendo" right, which should point out how new i am to this sport and what this thead is about. i wish to know the proper pronunciation(did i spell that right?) of the items, techniques, and other important subjects regarding the art. also i would enjoy all the information on anthing that has to do with kendo would be appreciated.

[Anime12478]

Welcome to the boards! I hope you find the answers to all of your questions here.

As far as pronounciation, it would be a little hard to do it without face to face contact. But if you do a little searching on the forums, you are bound to find an answer here.

[Kaoru]

Hi!

Welcome to the forum! :)

Here it is, phonetically:

Kendo

k-eh-n-d-oh = Kehndoh = Kendo

Hope that helps! :)

Kaoru

[Will]

Ken, like in street fighter
Do, like dough or d'oh.

[kydavis]

thanks guys and girls. thanks for the help, but would you mind if you helped me learn the history of kendo . i have to say i haven't even held a bokken let alone even seen a class,:redface: but i'm willing to put my heart to it. that said, the general info that all you experienced kendoists have probably forgotten, please remember and let a bright eye'd,wet behind the ears boy know of this culture.:)

[Kaoru]

Hi!

You are welcome! :) I don't know what part of the state Bluffton is, but there is only one Kendo dojo in your state, and it is in Charleston. I suggest you go visit it. :) But, please call the sensei first, to ask if you can watch a practice. Here:

SEUSKF
Charleston Kendo and Iaido Club (http://saluki.cee.citadel.edu/kendo/ckic/)
Charleston, SC
Contact: Makio Ogawa (ogawam@musc.edu) Office: (843)577-5011 x6712

Kendo history? Here:

http://www.btinternet.com/~lewes/bkr/history.htm (http://www.btinternet.com/%7Elewes/bkr/history.htm)

http://www.karateinternational.net/kendo.php

I highly recommend this book:

"This is Kendo: The Art of Japanese Fencing" Here:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0804816077/104-9088591-8227914

These pages should get you started. hehehe, You could have done this yourself by typing "History of Kendo" in your search engine. ;)

Please understand that you cannot learn Kendo on your own. You cannot learn from books and videos or online, just so you know. Well, I just wanted to point that out before you think of asking, just in case. :)

I hope you will try to visit the Charleston dojo. I think you would enjoy it.

I hope this helps! :)

Kaoru

[kydavis]

thank you, and by the way, bluffton is on the southern tip of s.c, 20 minutes from savanna and 90 minutes from charleston(but if i enjoy kendo than that doesn't matter.):smiley:

[nalogg]

thanks guys and girls. thanks for the help, but would you mind if you helped me learn the history of kendo . i have to say i haven't even held a bokken let alone even seen a class,:redface: but i'm willing to put my heart to it. that said, the general info that all you experienced kendoists have probably forgotten, please remember and let a bright eye'd,wet behind the ears boy know of this culture.:)
Man you asked a dangerous question there....

the (not so) short answer is, kendo WAS originally the sword style taught to the warriors of japan. it's evolved since then despite our efforts to keep it pure.

"samurai"

They used wooden swords called bokken to teach the proper way of fighting with a sword... the years this started is fuzzy, and some will argue that it originates before the development of the curved blade and that is why the shinai (bamboo practice swords) are straight.

I don't believe that myself,

but as time went on too many people were getting hurt (and even dying in practice) from using wooden practice swords, so they switched it to bamboo and added bogu (kendo practice armour)...

originally kendo included a lot of extra techniques, like leg sweeps, kicks and checks... but it was toned down around the time following WW2 and those extra things are now illegal. Since wars are fought with guns and bombs now, kendo is taken less seriously as an essential required training, and is practiced in the spirit of honour and sportsmanship now while still stressing respect, dicipline and the cultivation of character.

I'm likely to get flamed for this little description because i've left out something someone might think is important, or didn't tell it exactly the way someone agrees with, but as you'll see that's common in this forum.

An easy way to avoid most flames is to ask your sensei the obvious questions, and leave the ones he/she can't answer for you to the forum.

[Kaoru]

thank you, and by the way, bluffton is on the southern tip of s.c, 20 minutes from savanna and 90 minutes from charleston(but if i enjoy kendo than that doesn't matter.):smiley:
You're welcome!

Ok... I looked on a map, and yup! it is not that far. You're lucky it is only 90 min. away. :) If you can drive yourself or talk a parent into driving you, you can go either once a week or once every other week(I do the 2nd option.) If you can, you can do more, but this is better than no Kendo at all. :)

Remember, getting there is just part of the training. :) Good luck!

Kaoru

[Kaoru]

Man you asked a dangerous question there....

----------

An easy way to avoid most flames is to ask your sensei the obvious questions, and leave the ones he/she can't answer for you to the forum. hehehe, Yeah, he sure did! It was such a huge question, I just decided to find some websites for him instead! No way was I going to tackle that one! Well, he hasn't a sensei yet, so that's why he asked.

BTW, Is your avatar hoarding Endamame?
I really like your avatar! Kawaii desu ne! If it is hoarding what I think it is, no fair! I love them!! :D

Kaoru

[nalogg]

BTW, Is your avatar hoarding Endamame?
I really like your avatar! Kawaii desu ne! If it is hoarding what I think it is, no fair! I love them!! :D
Kaoru
That's the way ninja eat! :) when they see something they like, they steal it very stealthily and disappear!
Um, i don't know what's in the bowl.. i thought it was just some type of green salad.
you mean, "Edamame" right? the green pods they usually serve as an appetizer before sushi? hmmm it could be edamame.