Why Kendo?

[Tokio Saitou]

Hajime mashite mina ^^
I'm from Guatemala, 19 years old, and my name is Clara.

I was wondering, why you guys decided to practice Kendo?
In my case, I always wanted to practice martial arts, but Karate and Tae Kwon Do were the only ones that I found and I don't really like them.
Finally, I found Kendo n___n

I love the japanese culture and admire Saitou Hajime... I knew about him watching Rurouni Kenshin, then I read about the real Saitou-san and started to search for lots of information about samurai, budo, and specially Kendo. Then I realized that Kendo was what I always looked for. Actually, when I'm not able to assist to the practie, I feel like something is missing U_U

[Sepiraph]

Hey Clara, how big is the Kendo scenes and how many dojos are there in Guatemala? Seeing that it's your first post, I welcome you to Kendo World forum and I hope you'll enjoy your visit here. :) So you are a fan of Saitou Hajime, personally I'm a fan of Okita Souji.

Anyhow, there is already an on-going thread on the same subject so you might want to ask/answer that question there instead:

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6402&page=1&pp=15&highlight=Kendo

[Tokio Saitou]

Sorry... I didn't check the Kendo<Concepts forum ^^U

How many doujos? Hmmm officially 2. But I heard about others.

[joekc6nlx]

Hi Clara,

Like you, I'm also interested in Japanese culture, but I didn't take kendo because of movies like "The Last Samurai". I took kendo because I found it interesting and thought it would be a great way to get some much needed exercise and to meet new friends.

I've found out just how hard kendo really is, and that there is a lot more to it than just whacking someone with a bamboo sword. Still, I keep at it because I've found that many of the things I practice on the dojo floor have crept into my daily life. I have found much more peace in my life, I'm not as stressed as I was before kendo, and I've met lots of great people who share my interest in kendo as well.

I look at my progress in kendo as one step at a time, climbing a path up a mountain. I take time to stop, look around me, and look behind to see how far I've come. Knowing how far I've come also tells me how far I have yet to go, and I doubt I'll ever see the top of that mountain, but that doesn't mean I can't keep going.

[AkuSokuZan]

Kendo.. I don`t really know how I got started. I just know that I had heard of kendo, I wanted to do it, so I found a dojo near me. Nothing really sparked me into it. Just interest, that and wanting to learnhow to handle a sword.

Kendo Soon taught me many things. It:s kendo that keeps me going. Everything within it.

[Gatsu]

I just love staying fit, and i mught as well hit people with sticks while i am at it, thats why i chose kendo. :) The Aquatic windu style i take is fun for the whole...family...then an eye goes missing...then its kind of ackward.

[SerJ]

Hi Clara, that's same question I made to myself, and my (actual) second week of training I was able to answer it to myself. First of all, here in Cuba people likes what could be called "external martial arts", in this category are Kung Fu, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, etc. I practiced when I was younger Judo and Kickboxing, but I feel that something was missing. When I founded that near my home was a kendo dojo I couldn't believe it. That same day I showed up at the Dojo (considering myself a very shy person is a succes!) and talked to the sensei and ask him if I could start taking kendo lessons. I couldn't believe it!!! Kendo, an "inner martial art" that focus on posture, ability and perseverance; that's what I like, instead of smashing my opponent. Now, every time I enter the dojo, I feel an inner peace in me, I started to see life differet, and over all, I started to see all my problems like the mere things that are, superficial and ephemerals. It's not a sport; it's a way of life to me. It's not a martial art... it's bushido.

[karai]

This is an interesting question for me, because I can't really answer in full. In short... "Once upon a time, when looking for a few books at Renfrew Library (the largest library nearest my humble abode), I decided to visit the community centre there and happened to hear what resembled high-velocity wood and loud kiai emanating from inside a door. Peeking inside to investigate, I found a certain group of people practicing a certain martial way which I now know as Kendo :evolved:. I braved conversation with a certain man who seemed to be unoccupied -- and after a few inquiries, I decided in half a moment to take it up."

I'm not sure if it was because I already liked the aspects of Japanese culture I knew about and the people from Japan that I knew/know, because I knew there was something deeper to swordfighting than simply swinging or thrusting a sword and my desire to pursue it, or for another less discernible reason - but whatever it may have been, I was compelled to join this dojo and did just that. :)

[Hai_hai]

I was wondering, why you guys decided to practice Kendo?
I makes me feel more connected to my Hello Kitty collection.

[Seiza_Seizure]

Hajime mashite mina ^^
I'm from Guatemala, 19 years old, and my name is Clara.

I was wondering, why you guys decided to practice Kendo?
In my case, I always wanted to practice martial arts, but Karate and Tae Kwon Do were the only ones that I found and I don't really like them.
Finally, I found Kendo n___n

I love the japanese culture and admire Saitou Hajime... I knew about him watching Rurouni Kenshin, then I read about the real Saitou-san and started to search for lots of information about samurai, budo, and specially Kendo. Then I realized that Kendo was what I always looked for. Actually, when I'm not able to assist to the practie, I feel like something is missing U_U
Hi there Clara,
I too am a first timer on the forum. I took up Kendo about 9 months ago and have been hooked ever since I set foot in the Dojo. Whilst overseas a friend of mine gave me a book to read called Musashi, which was my introduction to the The way of the Sword. My friend an I were obsessed with the book and decided that when we would return home we would investigate more and possibly partake in Kendo or at the least visit a club. For a long time we talked about it, and never investigated. If you have read the book you will know that Musashi, probably the world's most famous samurai had for a brief period, a kind of side-kick named Matahachi, who had some poorer qualities shall we say. Often my friend and I would jokingly claim to be Musashi and the other Matahachi. A year after returning from overseas, my good friend who did the investigating alerted me that a beginners course was commensing the very next day. We attended and I can say that I remained and have continued ever since. I find it a great way to keep fit, motivated, aswell as learn about a culture I have so much interest in. As for my friend, he discovered that Kendo was not for him, as he is already actively, committing to football (Australian Rules). I have him to thank for helping me to find a sport/art I enjoy so much, which is rich in its own values and traditions. When I was younger my mum and school teachers would always tell me to "sit up straight and don't slouch", I wish i had found Kendo back then.They would have approved, and my posture would be so much better then it is now.
By the way... it's a great read... Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa.
yaddayaddayaddayadda.