Why kendo?

[damocles]

Why did people pick kendo as something to study?

I think I've personally run across a few reasons, so I'll pose this question to the forum.

For Japanese it could be a school thing, or it's part of a job requirement.

For Westerners... hmm. I've heard a few: General interest in swords. Interest in Japan. Interest in Martial Arts or getting fit. Or my favourites; it was seen in a movie or documentary or in anime or some other info/entertainment media. Or even a combination, like myself.

I briefly considered Tai Chi as my friend trains with a chinese straight sword, but it would have taken me too long to get to that level of development.

Personally, I walked past sensei's travel agency when I was in high school for about 2 years and he had a manaquin in the window with the bogu on, and I thought it looked kind of cool. But I could not afford it.

It was only in 2nd year Uni that I actually wrote down number and called in... incidentally this was right after the release of Star Wars Ep1, and I do watch anime on occasion - though I had not seen any good samurai themed ones or any live action samurai movies.

In any case it was a combind interest in learning how to use a sword in a martial sense, rather than a purely sporting sense... and I had stars in my eyes.

So, how/why did people here get started?

[alexpollijr]

For the sake of Kendo, really. i've got no specific reasons.

[damocles]

yeah, that's what keeps me learning, but something had to spark the interest, don't you think?

[GMason]

One of the main reason's I started Kendo was, because I did Judo and damaged my knees. I then saw the National Geographic Documentary about the eight Dan grading in Kyoto and it interested me. Luckly there was a Dojo about five minutes from my house.

I actually got to train at the Dojo from the Documentary In February which was really somthing. It was like a pilgrimage.

[Boso]

I kind of liked the idea of making a lot of noise while getting to hit someone with a substitute for a sword. And not causing actual damage, of course.

[mingshi]

Hey Boso,

We're not HITTING people, nor HURTING people, but KILLING them with a sword!

Umm, actually this is what I doubt. As we are supposed to be killing each other out (okay, the "without causing actual damage" part is right), Kendo should be very violence!?

What attitude should you have when you're fighting? (Obviously I was often referred to as being too agressive, although I'm not a hard men-cutter.)

:P

[nzkiwi]

Hmmm I think some guy once said <the true way is just to kill your enemy>Miyamoto Mushashi?..Which is why sword dancing<kendo>
does not cut it for me, sorry about the pun.

The glimpie One

Hey hamish, alex.. bet ya know who this is from!!

Kisses and cuddles

[Alex]

Yeah but, I wonder if you've ever actually met Miyamoto Musashi. He sounds like a psychotic murderer to me. But, if you want to take his advice why don't you just go out a kill someone, and see where that 'way' takes you nowadays. It's not the 16th/17th century any more, but some romantic disillusioned dills still have erotic fantasies of the joy of hacking somebody's head off, and imagining that they are real samyuuraiz. I think I'll stick to sword dancing. It's a lot more healthy for everyone concerned. If I ever do have to go to war, I'll take an Uzi and a few grenades.

Hi Dean?:p

[Jklak]

For me is important that when I practice kendo I have to confess to myself that I have many shortcomings. So kendo is honest mirror to watch my reflection.

Jklak

[ben]

Does anyone else remember a book called "Rules of the Game"? Produced in the 70s, it was a compendium of (not quite all) world sports and their basic rules. Had lots of exotic sports like korfball and jai alai, as well as every class of sailing. It even differenciated between American and Canadian football (?:D )
I think that's where I first saw kendo. But for the life of me I can't remember how I finally came to be in a dojo doing it.
It's like I've always done it.
I think Star Wars (ep iv) is partly to blame.
The Book of Five Rings soon followed.
And Frank Miller's "Ronin"
Then all Kurosawa's jidai-geki films.
Then DT Suzuki.
Then Takuan Soho.
Then Kagoshima Chuo Keisatsu Budokan.
And my first bogu.
Then endless tenegui designs.
Then competition.
Then Makahannyaharamitashingyo.
Then teaching...
until..?

[KhawMengLee]

Hmmnnn....I think it was watching this ultra violent samurai flick called Lone Wolf and Cub. Lots of cool sword fights etc. Then came Kurosawa films.

Then I happened across Eiji Yoshikawa's book Musashi and I was hooked.

Didn't really kick in until Uni when one of my japanese friends (who was teaching our club) asked me to check out Kendo. After a year I kinda got lazy but I started again and am going full on.

[deanoclark]

I first found Kendo through my partner, who did Kendo as part of Bukatsu when she was an exchange student. Then, when we travelled through Japan and visited her old town, we went and visited the Kendo club. After that, I was hooked.

[lewis]

Primarily three reasons. One, as a former collegiate wrestler, I missed the one-on-one competition. Kendo does a good job of reproducing this level of competition, although without the physical strenuousness (and levels of injury that accompany it) that I found in Judo, and the other 'competitive' martial arts.

Two, after wrestling and playing judo for so long, I particularly wanted to learn swordsmanship or some other weapon system. Iaido/kendo was taught at my university and all the other arts I investigated (tai chi, karate, aikido, etc.) wanted me to practice for many years before teaching weapons, and even then it was clear weapons were a distant cousin to the weapon-less forms.

Lastly, I was drawn to the inherent focus on spirituality in iaido and kendo. After twenty years of doing something for 'sport', or as I see it, for external purposes (i.e. winning and other visible achievements), I wanted and still want something with more personal meaning and more akin to a way of life.

That is why I got into it in the first place. However, as so many respondents have said, those initial needs/reasons have faded and now I am just in it for the 'kendo'. It fills that spot in my life.

[Hagakure]

I CAN ADMIT THIS!!

I'm going to go ahead and dig my own grave.

I originally got interested in Kendo after reading Hagakure. It made me think. I wasn't some idiot though, I knew I wasn't going to be commiting seppuku or chopping heads off (a la www.realultimatepower.net whoever posted this, THANK YOU! It was good for some latenight laughs!)

Then I saw Rurouni Kenshin the anime and I thought "well, I've been thinking about Kendo, why not go ahead with it. I want to learn about discipline etc." And no, I didn't expect to be doing the Ryu Tsui Sen. I have half a brain.

I then read "Gorin No Sho" and I became really interested. I have always been very idealistic and societal (and a visonary), and I thought to myself that Kendo would be the perfect road to self-improvement. I began to realize and seek self-discipline through Kendo.

I e-mailed Shindogakuin to find out about class. I went to watch a class one day, and my father and I were totally engossed by it. I bought my shinai and signed up excitedly.

I have come to greatly appreciate all that kendo has taught me about myself, and its gone from a meager interest to a lifetime of work and improvement, all with great and ardent effort.

Regards,
Mark

[Confound]

Originally posted by Alex
It's not the 16th/17th century any more, but some romantic disillusioned dills still have erotic fantasies of the joy of hacking somebody's head off, and imagining that they are real samyuuraiz. I think I'll stick to sword dancing. It's a lot more healthy for everyone concerned. If I ever do have to go to war, I'll take an Uzi and a few grenades.


Amen to that. i have a buddy in the marines, and from what i've seen of him, killing people can do nasty things to your psyche, even if you're doing it in war, not as part of some already bizarre idealistic crusade to prove your skill with a sword. Though that kind of activity was beneficial to society several hundred years ago, I'd like to think that our institutions have progressed to a point where the safety of t he average citizen is ensured by laws rather than the brute force of a single sword.

all this is pretty prattle. it comes down to this: i don't study kendou to injure other people. it seems rather counterproductive. i study kendou because it is beautiful. That seems like an odd reason compared to the other ones in this thread, but it's my reason.

c

[PlaygroundLegnd]

I began Kendo because at first, I was interested in European fencing. Sure it was great fun, but I just didn't like the idea of poking people with metal rods. Just not my kind of sport. Then I found Kendo. XD

[Kenshi]

Quality of movement, and individual expression of intent are my main reasons, closely coupled by friendship and cammeraderie.

Hitting people is a bonus.

Of-course, in the beginning it was the Star Wars + Monkey Magic combination that put me on the path of BUDO .....

[Confound]

Originally posted by GeorgeMcCall

Of-course, in the beginning it was the Star Wars + Monkey Magic combination that put me on the path of BUDO .....

What is this monkey magic of which you speak?

c

[GMason]

Monkey Magic was a Japanese (I think ????) series that was on TV in England back in the eighties. Every young boy had to watch it, or they just weren't cool.

Now this part is difficult to explain.

Monkey was the god of Mischief (I think) and pee'd on the Buda's peach tree, so he was banished to earth. Where he had to escort a monk (Who was played by a girl), who rode a horse that was really a dragon and helped by a half pig half man and a half fish half man.

Monkey could fight, fly on clouds and had a pluck a hair from behind his ear which would then turn into a staff that he kicked ass with.

Basically Monkey ruled, he was also

Cue cheesey funky music

"Born from an egg on a montain top
The funkyist monkey that ever was "

You are probably even more confused now so here is a website

Monkey Magic (http://www.monkeyheaven.com/)

Sorry I know this is really of topic !!!

[Kenshi]

....... just on my way out but - briefly - "Monkey Magic" was a japanese drama based on a chinese novel of the 16th century. In japanese its called SAYUKI (ask your friends). I think its still aired on japanese tv, as I saw it last time I was there, about 1 and 1/2 years ago ..... its just been released onto vid again here in the U.K.

Anyway, now I study kendo :)

btw It showed in Scotland too, Mr Mason ....

[mingshi]

holy jesus christ!! I read the original novel when I was 9!!!

The original "Sayuki" (as in the TV --"Monkey Magic") is a Chinese 100-chapter story. It was written by Wu-Zhing-Yin around the Yuen/Ming Dynasty. At that time on the street you can find people telling stories as a living. Sai (West) Yau (Journey) Gei (Record)!! The novel version is translated as "Journey to the West". It is considered as one of the best 4 "special novels" from ancient China, together with "Legend of the Three Kingdoms", "Sui-Hu" and "Dreams of the Red Chambers".

You can compare the 1st series of Dragon Ball to Sayuki. The original characters bear the same names.

Sorry for the off topic material, and a lecture on Chinese Literature.

[GMason]

I'm sorry Mr McCall :(

I suppose your going to kick my arse at the Bowden now !!! :eek:

[Kenshi]

Mr Mason - I'll try!

Another Japanese drama based on a chinese story was "The Water Margin" (Sui-Hu) which has a similiar production feel to "Monkey." Its about "108 heroes" living as rebels in Liang Shan Po and fighting the corrupt system... good stuff!

Do not despise the snake for having no horns, for who is to say that he will not become a dragon

Anyway, I wouldnt be surprised if other Monkey fans cite The Water Margin as a budo influence. Ive recently re-watched episodes (it was re-released too) and they dont compare to Monkey at all!!

I never knew BBC2 was so powerful ....

[Fighter]

Hello. I have to say that I have been practising kendo for 2 years and have attained the rank of shodan. Well, to be frank I am reflecting on the reasons on why am I doing it. Initially the attraction to kendo for me was basically the thrill of combat. I love the exertion and the kiais which I think is really a good manifestation of my personality. I love the feeling of a hard, vigorous training session afterwhich The aftermath would be the sheer feeling of bliss in giving all out in combat. I love the sounds of fury and energy when 50 or more kendokas get together and engage in furious and unrelenting combat. The thrill for me is just that...the opportunity to engage in such an intense activity. However, now after 2 years into it ...I found myself appreciating kendo more. It is not about violence or the resulting thrill of fighting. Its deeper than that and I cant express it in words. FOr me the greatest rewards were overcoming myself..defeating the enemies of kendo..which is fear, doubt, suprise and confusion. Sometimes these factors win over me...but sometimes I overcome that. I have practised other martial arts before like taekwondo, silat, boxing and even Marathon running but I have never found something which demands such singularity of effort, perserverance and most importantly a great degree of acceptance of oneself, one must accpet ones weaknesses and strengths and forgive oneself. Rage and hatred are powerful tools in fighting and initially I used them and felt strong...even unconquerable but I always ended up hurting my friends and myself....instead of being more violent, practising kendo has allowed me in certain ways to achieve more harmony with my spirit. Using anger and violence is always counterproductive and I guess the Japanese among all people have understood this and have attained a certain realization in their psyche that the dark side of humanity , given free reign, would indeed be terrible.

[KhawMengLee]

uh...that was very...deep.

I took up Kendo as a way to discipline myself. I've done a bit of muay thai and I sometimes get so frustrated at the continued men, do, kote cuts from seniors that I just want to kick them...grr.

haha

But then again, kendo is also about control, right?

Meng

[Fighter]

hahaha...yeah that happens...everytime I do a kote I bruise the bugger's wrist...and end up owing him a round of beer after training!!!damn it.

[Confound]

Originally posted by Fighter
hahaha...yeah that happens...everytime I do a kote I bruise the bugger's wrist...and end up owing him a round of beer after training!!!damn it.

how infantile! i used to think highly of kendouka, then I started posting here, and realized what a sorry lot you are! kendou isn't about violence, or intentionally bruising people, and life surely ins't about seeing girls' tits!?

why do i bother. Why do i even bother. I should let you continue with your stupidity, it might absorb your attentions and prevent you from procreating....

c

[damocles]

Confound> that's rather harsh...

From the types of posts you see here, you see that people seem to initially have very immature reasons for starting up kendo... most of the time for this forum, anyway. I include myself in that statement.

Let's look at the demographic... most of the posters in this forum are, let's see... in the age range ovf 18-26... male... and computer literate? yes?

Obviously there's a lot of maturing to go, and most of the people posting in this forum would realise that their training is incomplete and will be for much of their lives.

I think Fighter... would realise that he's doing wrong by his training partner and buys him a drink in apology. Better that he work on his tenouchi so he doesn't have to do it... but I think he was trying to find the humour in the situation.

[Confound]

Originally posted by damocles
Confound> that's rather harsh...


Is it harsh really? What would your sensei say if they understood your motivations? Wouldn't that be quite disrespectful? Perhaps I still have some of this 'maturation' to undergo, i'll let you guess how old i am, but at the same time, a person with that approach to martial arts is both a disgrace to their sensei and a danger to other students. (unless you're studying at the mortal combat school of enemy liquidation.)

if you want to plumb the sewers of my mind and find out my motivation for studying kendou... I don't study for some high flown purpose of 'meditating on my own self-actualization' or to leave bruises on people, I took up kendou because it was a martial art that was more art than martial. If you watch a shiai between two highly skilled kendouka, especially two that fight often, it is beautiful.

yes, it's loud, and occasionally painful, it's competitive and sometimes ego-bruising, but it can be beautiful. i study kendou to reach the fluidity of motion and grace that my sempai have.

</rant>

c

[David J]

Originally posted by Confound


Is it harsh really?

Well, I think you might have to concede that "what a sorry lot you are" is rather unfair. In any case, Fighter's point was pretty ambiguous.

And remember - all generalisations are wrong :D

<rei>

Dave

[Confound]

Originally posted by David J


Well, I think you might have to concede that "what a sorry lot you are" is rather unfair. In any case, Fighter's point was pretty ambiguous.

And remember - all generalisations are wrong :D

<rei>

Dave

honestly, i've been pretty darned disappointed. it's just another boys club.

c

[David J]

Originally posted by Confound


honestly, i've been pretty darned disappointed. it's just another boys club.

c

Well, I guess I know what you mean, but if you tar all with the same brush you're bound to have your lowest expectations confirmed.

In fairness, my gender is male, as evidently is that of many, but not all members of this forum. Maybe males are more likely to want to waste time typing about Kendo <discuss>. I would say in general a far higher degree of intelligence, honour and consideration is shown in the postings here than the majority of internet forums. There is virtually no abuse, no flaming, and IMHO some good topics of conversation. This is a Kendo forum after all - we're not aiming for any great depth per se, but still some deep topics emerge. I also think its very valuable to have a place to debate stuff like definitions of kakari vs uchikomi, if only to save us from boring the other people in our lives with no interest in the subject.

If you have been pretty disappointed so far, I have to ask what you were expecting. And if you think there's more interesting topics not being raised, post em up. The ones from you so far have been pretty interesting (at least to me). I hope you dont desert the forum just yet.

<rei>

Dave

[KhawMengLee]

Well said Dave!

We all know how hard it is to talk to those uninterested in our art. This forum is great because everyone loves this art. Yes, it is a "boys" club at times(not helped by me) but note that veryone is treated equally here.

There is no patronising of opposite sexes here and though the mindset is male, female members are spoken to at the same level. This is a good forum so far, what more do you want?

Meng

[alexpollijr]

Oh boy,

Things are getting ugly again.
I've been observing the posts of late, and while I certainly agree that some people take up kendo for different reasons, but important point is what keeps them on the path.

Down here in southern brazil the youngsters come for different reasons, which may seem infantile or inocuous or etc. Most come, i've seen, because they like japanese cartoons, kurosawa movies, RPG, or the three together. Other come for the art in itself, drawn by an unknown force ("invisible seme anyone?") that is simply irresistible. That is why i could not anwer the topic of this very thread. i don't really know what has drawn me to kendo. I believe it's the challenge of it, but I can be wrong.

So, while I certainly disagree with the views of some, I refrain of doing open criticism because I lack the authority for that. my grade is not high, my experience is not vast and my will for arguing is small.

I don't see reasons for disappointments; However, great expectations are said to produce great frustrations.

So, i quote gentle Hyaku to finish

"come on, lighten up guys" :D

Alex Polli

[ben]

Here, here Dave. This forum is the most respectful and thoughtful unmoderated NG on the net, at least as far as MA goes. You want to see a real "boys' club"? Try 'rec.martial-arts'. The day I see a post from "GichokeREMOVE" or "DraindeeznutsREMOVE" on KWF is the day I stop posting.
;)

b

[Fighter]

To clarify ...that happened a long time ago when I was just a beginner. I am rather surprised at some people who jump to conclusions and make generalizations in this forum. Nevertheless I would like to say that I would agree that Kendo is indeed an art and abusive violence must not be condoned. One learns from experience and I think many people in this forum have great appreciation for the art. Such slamming is not a good reflection of values reflected in the by practioners of such a noble martial art.

[damocles]

Originally posted by Confound

Is it harsh really? What would your sensei say if they understood your motivations?

He knows. And he respects the reasons that many of the students have. Quite frankly he doesn't care -- to a point: he refuses to teach anyone who has psychopathic tendencies

He feels it's his job to get students to understand and train diligently in kendo, and to do that, you have to begin to understand kendo and its effects on a person and their mindset.

And for me personally, that was the reason I STARTED which was a long 3 years ago. The resons for continuing, as have been said before, are for the challenge of improving and focusing myself

Wouldn't that be quite disrespectful? Perhaps I still have some of this 'maturation' to undergo, i'll let you guess how old i am, but at the same time, a person with that approach to martial arts is both a disgrace to their sensei and a danger to other students.

So it is the other students and the sensei's job to teach that the point is not to overpower or injure. I think learning kendo is an individual and group effort.

And that's much of what I have to say on the matter.

breathe deep, seek peace. :)

[Hyaku]

I have had inumerable problems in the past with Japanese Sensei over various reasons. I perhaps expected a little more from them as they were Budo no Sensei.

I had complained to one aged teacher who did say to me, "Please don't expect to much of us we are only human."

This is why a lot of Japanese people consider kendo barbaric in the sense that you can learn a lot of these things in life with out beating each other over the head with sticks. I have met some really nice people who have wonderful personalities. Kind but strong and have never so much as touched a shinai. Kendo is just "one" way.

That's why when someone said Kendo is my life I jokingly said "Get well soon"

I must admit this forum up to now is light in comparison with some other Budo forums.

Really you guys have to live over here in Japan to appreciate Confound having to put up with the bovine mentality that thrusts its way forward. Last week I had a meeting where a plan was rejected. Today we have a meeting to possibly agree to agree to the idea of the same plan!

Hyaku

[Confound]

Originally posted by Hyaku

That's why when someone said Kendo is my life I jokingly said "Get well soon"

I must admit this forum up to now is light in comparison with some other Budo forums.

Really you guys have to live over here in Japan to appreciate Confound having to put up with the bovine mentality that thrusts its way forward.
Hyaku

Thank you, hyaku. As usual, you put it quite nicely. The bovine mentality really dies drive me crazy, it did even in north america.

I have seen the same thing from japanese senseis, Hyaku. there is a culture of 'incompetence'. In japan the peter principle (people rise to the level of their incompetence) has been refined and turned into a social practice. People are incompetent (or feign incompetence) from the start!

c

[inner_cent]

I think, everyone has their own good reason why they started doing kendo, regardless what their true purpose is. But at the end, you are just trying to understand yourself more.

The time i was in Singapore. Started off with me been in the club as beginner, till i left Singapore. I seen huge amount of people (young and old) join the club, endure 6 months of basic beginner training, before earning the rights to wear the Bogou. In the progress, the initial 20 odd people becomes only 8 make it to the Bogou class. After these new fresh blood join the main group, even more people left. 3 years since I was beginner, only me and another guy left in my batch of 20 people.
The whole point is. why do we still continue, where other 18 people has left ? well, the answer is all within ourselves. we have a purpose and understanding what we want, and what we like to do. I learn kendo to learn about myself. And it is an on-going learning process. For both physical side of things, and mental side of aspect as well.
Some people sometimes don't understand, but does it matter? are you out to prove them ? or training for yourself ?
Once you have get over that, you will find that things are not hard to udnerstand as you believe....


PS - Something interesting. Somehow, the ratio of people who continou kendo in Singapore after long time, Women have higher ratio than Men.

[Kenshi]

Hi all,

I liked inner_cents post. What may seem a childish or silly reason to start may turn into something else. An 8 year old who loved "Monkey Magic" and wanted to be some sort of "Ninja Master" or something now leads a dojo, is a national team member, looks after the national website, etc etc etc. A few years ago I would have been embarrassed to admit about my pre-budo history, but now I am confident in my budo-rationale and can laugh and say "yup, that was me" .... I still love Monkey too!

You cant tell when someone walks in the door who they will walk out as.

As inner_cent said, its the WHY ARE YOU STILL that is more indicative of the person (for me anyway) than the WHY DID YOU START question, though both are interesting (and fun).

I, for one, *really enjoy* kendo :)

[Confound]

Originally posted by GeorgeMcCall

You cant tell when someone walks in the door who they will walk out as.

As inner_cent said, its the WHY ARE YOU STILL that is more indicative of the person (for me anyway) than the WHY DID YOU START question, though both are interesting (and fun).

I, for one, *really enjoy* kendo :)

that's nicely put, george. yet, at the same time I still have misgivings about some reasons for starting kendou. hopefully people gain better reasons for sticking with it as they continue to study. considering where i study and how, I don't really get to see that as muc h as the rest of you.

c

[mingshi]

Wow,

Confound still does not satisfy with our answers to "Why Kendo?"...remind me of some Christians explaining "Why God?" to others.

I still haven't got your answer to "Why Kendo?"... did you say "maybe it's an odd reason comparing to the others, but I think it's beautiful..."?? Yes I agree Kendo is beautiful. I think Kungfu is beautiful too. So as Ballet. Logically if "I practice Kendo because it's beautiful", I've to take up Kungfu & Ballet.....?? SO~ it's really a matter of personal interest. And finally, "I started Kendo because I like Star Wars" can also be valid.

Mmm, should I extend the question into:-
1) Why start Kendo all of a sudden? (as in "Where do you hear about us?")
2) Why do you keep practising Kendo (even with all the blisters)?

[ben]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by GeorgeMcCall

"You cant tell when someone walks in the door who they will walk out as."


I also find that you can never tell, out of a class of beginners, who will stay and who will drop out. In my experience it's as often the people who, for whatever reason, find kendo difficult who stick with it.

b

[alexpollijr]

Mingshi,


That's just about it. taking up Kendo because

a) I like star wars ( I cant see the relation but Ok)
b) I like <insert japanese cartoon title here>
c) I like <insert martial arts tv series title here>
d) I find it beautiful
e) I find it hard

All sound the very same to me. I don't think any of them is more noble or worthy or anything. Maybe I'm just part of a sorry lot anyway, who knows.

I start to miss the 'my fav waza'-style thread. All this chit-chat of spirit and endeavors suddenly got so repetitive.

Alex

[ben]

OK then alexpollijr - my favourite waza is "sho-men".

Now, back to the spiritual endeavour side of things...

;)

b

[inner_cent]

MMMmm, Mingshi .....

Why we still continou after all the blistering ?????
Maybe, as a human, we need some place to release our stress and anger. Where would you get a place but kendo, where motodachi will offer their head to hit (and as hard as you like), or Do (where you can always "accidentally" missed and hit the armpit) ... etc etc .... Just kidding haahaa

The answers we search for, are mostly within ourselves. We just need to dig deep to find it. SOmetimes, the answer IS infront of us, but we just don't know how to interpret it. Question like "Why are we still continouing, even we are about 1/2 dead?", who but yourself ha the answer, and no one else.

I used to think alot about kendo in my spare time. Very often, i got stucked on certain thing, when i approaches the sensei, somehow the answer just came out of my mouth without me knowing. And the sensei, often just smile and tell me "There you go, you already have your own answer." (can you imagine how embarrassing sometime :P )
Form those point on, i understand the one point a sensei which has told me before. Kendo is about Self learning. Sometime, whenever someone explain something to you, you might not understand still. But once the idea/understanding sinks in, you will be able to apply/answer the problem without thinking .....

(Suddenly, i feels like a temple monk........ doing all of those philosophy thinking..... and seems keep on going through a circle .....)........

[alexpollijr]

Ben,

Oh, I know, you're the orthodox type aren't ye? Well, some kendoka like to be different you know? Some try Nitoryu, some fight in Jodan, some wear those nice rave green do-dai...

... and some who are really extreme and switch Shomen for the dreadful, fearsome and often ear-popping..

..yokomen. That ought to be my fav, it's so spiritual when it misses the point and stikes the ear :D

[lewis]

I get most of my points with men debana kote but there is nothing like the feeling of a good men nuke do .

[Kendoka]

I started kendo to -
* get fit;
* didn't like the gay boys behaviour in the changing room; where I swam;
* didn't like the thought of blood and broken noses (Karate);
* liked the theatre and samurai related stuff (I think I thought I was one !);
* needed some disciplne;
* running got me knowhere, except back to where I started at!

As to why I continue, well best for another thread I think !

[eddiez]

I stumbled upon it quite accidentally. My daughter goes to Chinese school (my wife is from Taiwan) and I had to spend 3 hours a week there which was easier than driving back and forth. My wife suggested I take one of the adult classes..perhaps a karate class which I used to do before I got married and lazy. As fate would have it, they didn't offer karate...but they did have this thing called kendo which I had never heard of before.

I went to check out the class which was populated by about 15 folks wearing strange outfits, screaming at each other, and brandishing sticks at each other. I was completely mezmorized!! Then one of them walked up to me and said "You try.", stuck a stick in my hands...I don't recall even being asked... ..and there has been no turning back.

I kinda feel like one of the other posters who shared his "deep" feelings. In a very short amount of time, I immersed myself totally in the art and it has become something that I never would have expected.

Karate never cam close o having this kind of an impact on my life. Life can be strange.

[KENSHIN]

I think for me my influence to having started kendo was fron having watched crouching tiger, hidden dragon...after having watched that I said to mayself I have to learn some kind of sword art...because I had always done hand-to-hand combat, like wing chun, but I got bored of it after 3 months, and in my heart I was looking for siomething new to do....but to tell you the truth I had no idea that kendo as a sport even existed...I mean after having finsihed watching C.T.H.D. I went online in serch of a sword fighting club, I guess I was in search of something more chinese style sword fighting, but funnily enough I was brought to a kendo site...and from there I downloaded some vids etc, and the energy that I saw on the very short vid clips was just amazing, even listening to someone do a 'kiei' (sp?) is quite inspirational, anyhoo, I said to myself i have to visit a club of some sort just to check it out, went down to the club, and just watched the first lesson, boy, oh, boy was I blown away, I finally felt I had found what was the right sport for me to do, just on that one night the energy that was being projected to me was just too intence (gees, I am getting all emotional and I can feel my spine tinggling as I am writing this) and the following week I was a memeber. and I am not gonna evebn budge from this sport.

[David J]

Originally posted by KENSHIN
just on that one night the energy that was being projected to me was just too intence (gees, I am getting all emotional and I can feel my spine tinggling as I am writing this) and the following week I was a memeber. and I am not gonna evebn budge from this sport.

I think this is the first post that mentions what I felt the first time I went to a Kendo dojo. I just felt shivers when all these serene figures suddenly exploded in kiai and shinai strikes. I think "wow" is the word. Seeing Jeff fight Geoff (both 6th dan) was just amazing too - big shivers down the spine.

There is just something about Kendo isnt there?

<rei>

Dave

[dr_evil]

:D it's all about the outfit baby, YEEEAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[kendokev]

funny one should say kendo is all about self learning... i'm finding out the hard way that uni is too, and man i wish i were back in high school now.... but then again maybe not.

i too practically stumbled upon kendo. one of the seniors of the local dojo asked if i wanted to join in the beginners course. the instructor said "In your career in kendo....", looking back? hell no!

[AlexM]

Kendo is by far the best excuse in the world to hit people with bamboo swords. It's also a good place to meet people you can get moderately drunk with (hiccupp!). Plus the girls are really cute.
More seriously it's probably about having something interesting to work at and improve outside of studying and working. And I need(ed) to get into shape....badly.

[saki_wooah]

hm... I wanted to do kendo after my mom told me I had to do some martial art /sport to get into shape. She, and my lil bro are already doing taekwondo and I didn't want to do that. I remembered see a bit of kendo in Utena and so decide to watch a practice one day. My first impressions were:
1-woa, cool outfit,
2-looks cool to hit people with bamboo swords
3-a bunch of so-so-cute guys and nice guys
4- i'm hungry, almost 11:00
5-i'd like to try!
I tried and now I love it! I come at every practice even if a have a big exam the next day or when i didn't finish my homework! For me it's a place where I can relax, have fun, talk with people, meet friends and whack back the people that hit me before ;) (just kidding...)

[sparc]

I've only been doing kendo since February of this year, so I'm still rather new to it really. But I got into it for the following reasons.

1. Fun
2. Physical Fitness
3. A better frame of mind.
4. Didn't want to get broken bones, black eyes etc.

We all get on really well and have an awesome sensei who has taught us a fair bit and spent a lot of hours promoting the art as well as helping all of us.

[Dobedog]

For me, it started with a fascination with Japanese swords as a boy, through my metalurgist father telling me about the advanced steel making of the Japanese sword smiths - works of art (gruesomely paradoxical that their purpose was to kill efficiently and through their use by the samurai to bring a sort of order to society.)
2nd, add interest in the finess of fencing - requiring skill, intelligence, speed and some strength - a beautiful, "noble" sport that you can do young or old (again that gruesome paradox that it's roots and ultimate core is to learn to kill someone who's equally trying to kill you, though with obsolete weapontry - still functional, but not usually practical). I mean, like I wrote my 3rd grade school paper on westerner style competitive fenceing, but never had the opportunity to do any of it.
. . .

[Dobedog]

. . .
3rd, as an established adult, in thinking of finally getting or learning to make one of said works of art, I thought I'd better learn how to handle it or I'd hurt myself and feel pretty uselessly silly about owning a sword.
4th, I saw that kendo, with its emphasis on improvement of character, could be a good tool to improve self discipline, mind body control, be an avenue to think about/analogize about principles in life generally, use of strategy in personal & business dealings (Thanks Musashi!), etc. + it's great fun on the physical competition, with only the occasional bruises to pay.
So here I am, doing what I can!

Dobedog

[kendo_chick]

For myself, I actually started Kendo in a weird way. My boyfriend started kendo after seeing a poster advertising for classes that were starting at our university. He decided that it looked interesting and so he tried it.

Myself, I unfortunately had a bad knee problem from an old injury and couldnt' start right away, even though I didn't even really want to start. I figured that it was my boyfriends thing and not for me (considering how few women there were).

I started doing weight training and swimming in order to nurse my knees back into shape and finally, last August I had full range of movement in my knees again.

I had decided to get back into something, I used to be an archer and since I moved I hadn't been able to find somewhere to practise. I wanted something like archery that was calming and still physically demanding at the same time. Then I found out about Iaido. It seemed like just the thing for me. Our kendo instructor knew a few things about Iaido so I started doing some of the kata. I enjoyed it, however I found it very difficult because my instructor did not know much about Iaido, and I was the only person in the club doing it.

So, after much deliberation I decided to try Kendo on for size. I enjoyed the atmosphere, the social aspect of the club. I also liked the idea of self improvement and realizing that you can be 90 and still be an amazing kendo player. And as they say, the rest is history. I am now an ikkyu, going for my shodan in December and very much inthralled in Kendo.

[munenmuso]

i hate clubs who want me for a member. but when i joined a kendo club that charges only US$9.00/month with a 7th dan and 6th dan Japanese senseis, i think it's better than any coplains you can think of.what could you ask for?and to think that we are the only kendo club in the country!!!

[Matthew Lagden]

like many people i started because i wanted to do some exercise and learn something new. i went to the kendo dojo because there was an article in the newspaper about it and the people seemed nice (they are).

my biggest fear had been that any club would be either cliquey and excluding, or full of hyper aggressive bone breakers and ex military types making you do 5000 press ups.

but then once you watch a session....

how could you not want to be as good as you possibly could at it?

[toreisu]

I started kendo because I was dragged to a kendo class by a couple friends who insisted kendo would be ideal for me - and they wouldn't take no for an answer. So I agreed to observe a class, but warned that I really didn't think it was for me.

I was more attracted to aikido or judo because of the closer contact with the opponent, and the fact that I thought kendo would be too awkward with all the armour, having to hit with a sword instead of hand to hand combat...

In the end, I was impressed by the sensei and students in the class and decided I had to try it. I still think kendo is more awkward to learn than something like judo or aikido (I'll find out soon - since I'm trying a few classes of aikido), but it's worth it!

[Kendoboy]

When I was like 5, I saw a national geopgraphic that had 2 kendoka on the cover, and thought it was really cool. then around I did karate that was based on kendo. I was in new jersey for a seminar/tourney, and saw the armour of the guy that developed the style. Eventually, university got in the way of time, and I moved to the uk. I had been missing doing martial arts, and thought about doing the same style of karate, but decided, why not practice the art that the style was based on? and I had also had an interest in it for a long time. So here I am.....

[Kendoboy]

by the way, if anyone knows the issue number of that national geographic.....

[A. Henriksson]

Sorry for going OT but I´m just curious about what style of karate it was you practised kendoboy?

[AlexM]

Kendoboy:

The issue you're looking for is October 1980. The article is actually about bamboo. And yes, it is a nice picture.

[munenmuso]

your right AlexM.Saw that magazine too and it was only for covers and all about bamboo.I saw it 6 years ago.

[nodachi]

I decided to learn Kendo for a lot of reasons.

I just recently came to Japan and one of the things that I want to learn while I am here are martial arts. Taking some Tai Chi classes in America was a great experience, but it seemed very distant from its origins. I have taken classes from an instructor from China at college but after graduation I had to take classes at some dojo in the local town. The instructors were good and I learned quite a bit, but there was still this feeling that the teaching I was recieving from the American instructors was somewhat dilluted. Not quite as skilled and well taught as my college instructor. Now that I am here, it is a great chance to learn budo directly from the source.

At first I wanted to learn Kyudo, but I had difficulty finding a dojo nearby since I am not in a rural enough area. Then I learned about a Kendo club, showed up to their practice, and asked in very poor Japanese if I could join not knowing much of the language. After one practice I was hooked and the instructors do an unbelievably good job of teaching, even without verbal communication!

Sword fighting has always been glorified in my head. Not the killing and all that, just the challenge and competition of it. Now each practice that I go to I learn so many things that I need to adjust and correct. It is almost like attempting to achieve perfection at something, knowing that it is impossible, but still striving towards it anyway. Something about chasing an impossible goal seems quite challenging and inspiring to me.

Doing Kendo is also a great chance to learn about the culture here, practice the language, and meet friends so it is not such an overwhelming and lonely place.

[Kendoboy]

The style is called kimura shukokai karate (hope I spelled it right). the footwork is almost the same, in that you can strike from long distances if you want, and also, you often strike tou render your opponent unable to hit back, then run through. Relaxation is a big part as well. At that seminar I spoke of, there was a sensei from (can't remember, I think South Africa) who did this thing where he showed us a stance very similar to kendo, but longer, and held his fist out. He asked a really big guy to push on his arm, then pull, and the guy couldn't move him. Then he did this other thing where he held his arms outstraight sideways, and got two big guys to lift him (no problem). then he told us the benefit to relaxation is that it is harder to be thrown by an opponent, etc. Then he asked them to lift him again. They couldn't do it. These guys were struggling, and the sensei wasn't budging.

Sorry for the off topic stuff.

btw, weird coincidence, but october 1980 is the month and year I was born......

[FastEd]

Simple, I started Kendo to help me better understand the concept of distance and timing in my Iai...Ya...simple....

[Confound]

I was under the impression that ikkyu in kendou is required to study iai... or at least it is where i live.
c

[FastEd]

Its not required here, but you are encouraged to study more then just one art.

[Nishi]

I believe if you study martial arts to better yourself, then Kendo is a great vehicle. I am in the pursuit of "KI development" and besides some forms of aikido (i have also studied), i find Kendo one of the most applicable. There are few styles left in Budo where the spirit can be developed, refined, tested, and a greater understanding of "the self" can be aquired. For me, the deeper things in life can be seen through vigorous training in kendo....but thats just my path.

[saki_wooah]

Is anyone doing another martial art than kendo while practicing it?
I mean, doing it full time, like kendo (2 practices a week of each or something like that)

[nodachi]

I try to keep up with my Tai Chi while doing Kendo. It is not too difficult because they are completely different. Also, one is rather intensive and very excercise-like while the other is calming and stretching like. They don't get confused in my head because they are so different and they give me active time and relax time. It is a nice balance for me.

[A. Henriksson]

Yes Saki, I do other MA. Kendo 4 times/week and karate (wadokai) 2 times/week.

Tuesdays it´s both. I was in the dojo from 4.30 pm to 10 pm today... But one of those hours are just resting between sessions.

Hmmm 00.30 now. Tired. Should go to sleep. Nah, must read at this forum and other forums first! :D

[KATSUJIN]

well i used to do karate before ( for abt 4 years before my exams absorbed me)......then i picked up kendo abt 3 & 1/2 years back...honestly...i donno y.....but....i only know that i joined kendo without even thinking abt anything.......weird..isn't it?????so now i am hooked......no....i am enjoying my practise untill i am training abt 5times a week...

[Ishii]

I started practicing Kendo not as MA or sport. Kendo have some kind of Spirit in it. I like Reiho, tradition, swords, developement of mind and finaly: the way that Bogu looks like :)

[Seta]

I've always been a lover of Japanese language, music, culture, etc... , but I decided to practice kendo because I was looking for a way of, how can I put this, evolving myself. We all strive to do really well in many areas of our lives but do we actually take the time to stop and think of what exactly are we trying to achieve, and if we're really benefiting as much as we'd like to from what we do in our everyday lives. Like our sensei once told me ‘You can’t practice kendo and not become a better person’. There is no downside to kendo, when practiced properly, it literally turns you into the best person you can be.

[Rawoo]

Why Kendo? Why not?
Simply: Kendo is health for ur body and mind.
U might say Yoga is health for body and mind as well, but I think that is a woman's idea of health body and mind.
Kendo is a very manly thing although lots of female are doing it as well.


cheer :smiley: