What do you seek from Kendo?

[2SwordStyle]

I've heard as many answers to this question as people I have asked.

So I figure it would be an intresting Thread

!!! I must ask that people please respect other people's answers to these questions. There is no right or wrong answer in this so there is absolutly no reason to flame anyone about their answer no matter what it may be !!!

!!That means the folks in the kouen-gumi too, you know who you are. no flaming the otaku-gumi members either, lets keep it friendly!!


The prime question:

In Kendo/Kenjutsu/Iaido/Iaijutsu/Kumdo or whatever your sword style training may be. What is it you seek as an individual to gain from your experience and training?

Secondary question:

What got you started in your sword training? What influanced you to take up training in the deadly sword arts?

my personal answer:

In my training I seek the efficent use of the Japanese sword in combat. I seek the personal confidence of knowing I can use a blade to protect myself and the ones I love.

I started into Kendo after having an accident with a Paul Chen sword that was given to me as a present. After some time in Kendo I decided to seek out the Kenjutsu arts to learn more adaptive combat techniques. I stumbled across my current school by accident and feel very much that my personal goals are being satisfied in my training.

[Kumdo-Star]

I want to excel in my study of sword arts and to be my teachers best student.

i orginally wanted to be in kumdo becuase of Bushido i have a high respect for it and well frankly i would love to be , well if they still existed, a samurai to live for the people of japan and to be kind and serve the country with honor.

[Seiza_Seizure]

World Peace.

[SkippyDaStudent]

First off, I train in kendo and AJKF Seitei Iai/MJER Iai-jutsu.


In Kendo/Kenjutsu/Iaido/Iaijutsu/Kumdo or whatever your sword style training may be. What is it you seek as an individual to gain from your experience and training?

I look to increase self-development. I wish to become a better human being, and I also wish to learn more of Japan's history and culture through the practice of kendo and iai.


What got you started in your sword training? What influanced you to take up training in the deadly sword arts?

I started because I have been very interested in Japan's culture for most of my life, and had always been fascinated with the katana. I would say, most of all, that I took up kendo and iai for the discipline.

[kuzu70]

I do it to pull all the honeys.

[SkippyDaStudent]

Well, at least you're honest about it. XD

[mark]

I do it to pull all the honeys.

I hope your kidding:) The % in kendo are really bad, something like 80 guys to 1 girl. You should join a choir (1-90), yoga (1-150), or aerobics (1-40).... :)


As for the initial question... it changes year over year...and tends to be related to my current kendo challenge. This year it is En.. learning to stay focused, present, and engaged. A pretty useful capability, in a dojo, at work, or at home.
I find that I am a different person as a result of kendo. I like the change and the process.

[kuzu70]

I hope your kidding:) The % in kendo are really bad, something like 80 guys to 1 girl. You should join a choir (1-90), yoga (1-150), or aerobics (1-40).... :)



Doooooh!! (ala Homer Simpson)

[stephanie dee]

Erm, I took up sword arts because I found it interesting. Interesting to watch, the history of it... and, i have to admit, it was a kick ass thing to say that I did. It was the first Martial Art that I looked into, then when I went to give it a go, I ended up doing it, and haven't really stopped...

I saw my two senseis training (is it called sparring? Well the were practising some kata) in Jodo, and it had me in awe. They were so quick and accurate... I just stood and watched them. So that is probably what I seek to gain. The power and ability that they have.

[Kapplow]

I used to play alot of fighting games(MVC2,tekken, etc.) After a long time I started to be able read my opponents intentions.

Then I found out about kendo and how kendoists have been doing this for hundreds of years.

So I guess my answer would be that I study kendo to attain a higher state of being through metsuke and debana.

I also studied TKD for about 10 yrs. but I renounced alot of it after reading the Tao of Jeet Kune DO. It made me realized how commericalized TKD is. I wanted to study a style more "old school" that put as much emphasis on the mind as the body.

[Yzakj]

I like how kendo isn't commercialized and the Sensei don't do it for money, they do it for the love of kendo. Yes most girls that do kendo here ain't crackin, my dojo has a few good looking ones. BUT MANNN go to freaking Canada hottest girls all live there and practice kendo. That is where you need to go Kuzu.

[Mugu]

In Kendo/Kenjutsu/Iaido/Iaijutsu/Kumdo or whatever your sword style training may be. What is it you seek as an individual to gain from your experience and training?

I do it for:

Cute/hot/sexy guys in bogu....

ahem...

Seriously:

1. Fun
2. Physical and mental improvement
3. Something to tell me life isn't a bitch, like Mingshi's sig goes, "1000 suburis a day can keep all your bullsh!it away!"
4. The challenges


What got you started in your sword training? What influanced you to take up training in the deadly sword arts?

Karate was boring but I needed a sport that can keep me in shape while allow me to do tiny damage in the process. Besides that, Kendo is an unique sport and the main thing is I get to whack people after a week of boring work. A great way to get rid of stress. Also, instead of paying another 30K to go back to school, pay $35 a month to get yell by sensei makes me feel like I'm in school again which I am addicted to. And Kendo by all means is not that deadly.

[Kapplow]

I like how kendo isn't commercialized and the Sensei don't do it for money, they do it for the love of kendo. Yes most girls that do kendo here ain't crackin, my dojo has a few good looking ones. BUT MANNN go to freaking Canada hottest girls all live there and practice kendo. That is where you need to go Kuzu.


yeah alot martial arts "schools" want to charge alot for many reasons(rent,children to support, bills,GREED) and they also have expensive promotion tests. But martial art "clubs" seem to charge only enough to cover their cost and like you said they teach for the LOVE of the art but one of the downsides is you may not get to practice every day with other students.

[Andou]

Kendo is kendo...I can't really sum up what it is without calling it...by its own name. It's been such a relief to go to the dojo and talk to people who have the same interest(s) as I do and be able to have conversations that aren't about how much homework, drugs, or alcohol someone is getting.

I think the only way I can improve the world is to improve my outlook on it using kendo. I'm a lot more calm now and don't throw temper tantrums. Hell...even at school, sometimes, when I'm not thinking, I put my hand up to my side when I walk in front of someone...who returns a pretty blank stare. I don't know...it felt so right being part of something for once. I've never been part of any school sport or club, but kendo has given me feelings of camaraderie.

[Kapplow]

Kendo is kendo...I can't really sum up what it is without calling it...by its own name. It's been such a relief to go to the dojo and talk to people who have the same interest(s) as I do and be able to have conversations that aren't about how much homework, drugs, or alcohol someone is getting.

I think the only way I can improve the world is to improve my outlook on it using kendo. I'm a lot more calm now and don't throw temper tantrums. Hell...even at school, sometimes, when I'm not thinking, I put my hand up to my side when I walk in front of someone...who returns a pretty blank stare. I don't know...it felt so right being part of something for once. I've never been part of any school sport or club, but kendo has given me feelings of camaraderie.

culitvation of spirit is a wonderful thing. I've felt this change in myself as well.

[Nanikure]

I do it for the challenge of sparring people with different styles. It's like chemistry I tells ya.

[2SwordStyle]

yay, i made a thread that didn't turn into an ugly flamefest.

Good responces everyone. Keep it going

[Rouisu]

Prime Question: I practice kendo in order to improve my mind and body. And I must say, even after only 6 months of training, I have never felt better. Not to mention I think my reflexes are bit more acute :) I practice kenjutsu because I have a sincere desire to learn a Japanese sword art. I seek proficiency in how to handle a sword.

Secondary Question: What got me started? When I was a child, I was often fascinated by swordsmen of all types. However, there was a Japanese cultural exhibiton in the city when I was about 10 and I saw not only a kendo demonstration, but also a mock duel with iaito I think. From that moment on, I was taken by Japanese sword arts.

However, I never managed to get started on training until almost 8 years later, due to a lack of information. It was around the middle of last year when is saw a martial arts shop in the town I lived (how did I miss it?!), which started my search for information. My search paid off whem I joined the USYD kendo club and the Mushintodo sword dojo this year. And ever since then, I have never looked back.

[Yzakj]

I do wish that I could practice more often, but it can't be helped sometimes. Training at home is all I have for now, and to hope for the future of kendo. Someday I will be able to practice as much as a want with everyone, instead of having a gay federation that discriminates and won't allow me to freely practice.

[Koki]

Where else can you hit people on the head and they keep saying "thank you"?

[eXact]

hey i like this thread!

I joined because kendo is awesome, it changes people. I like how its a voluntary effort and the sensei's come from work to teach. How when you do it you just feel so dam devoted, and try to incorporate it to part of your life. How i will have something to live up to and be proud of. and ahem japanese girls

[ReKru]

Joined for whatever strange reason I had, but stayed for the beer after the training.
I like the beer after the training.

Maybe the hits on your head and other parts get you to a special adrenaline infused state of pain-no-pain that makes after-kendo-beer so much better than any other beer in the world.

[Kapplow]

I'm not an atheist but kendo has changed things in my life that religion didn't.

[Yiu Fai]

I love the feeling i get after a good keiko and the feeling that you are steadily improving, and sometimes your kendo reflecting that feeling.

[mingshi]

In my training I seek the efficent use of the Japanese sword in combat. I seek the personal confidence of knowing I can use a blade to protect myself and the ones I love.

[Gregory]

I want to be able to go hunting with a wallhanger. Those people who use guns and bows are such tards, I am going to use a sword. Sometimes I pretend that there are evil terrorists in la, Im im all hardcore, so I beat them down with my sword.


Thats why I practice kendo.

Bettering myself?

If by bettering my self you mean becoming a hardcore musashi ninja I guess I am bettering myself.

[ramblingmind]

I practise kendo to push myself to be more disciplined and to be a better person. And it has. I've become more confident (hopefully, not arrogant), more disciplined, my reflexes are better, and I'm in better shape. I also tend to look at everything in terms of kendo now (which drives everyone crazy)

I've always wanted to take it up and regret that I never did so when I was younger - although, I probably wouldn't have appreciated it the way I do now.

[Mokuso]

I use kendo to develop the mind, body, spirit, learning discipline, searching for inner harmony.

To discover myself and to determine what I need to improve in both Kendo and in my person (they both reflect each other).

[dorkusxmaximus]

mugicha, a coke, and a beer :wink:

[bullet08]

>what.. is your quest?
i seek the grail.
>what.. is your favourite colour?
blue.. no, yel.. auuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh!!!

pete

[akumalkenshi]

Kendo has been marvelous for me:


Keeps me slim and fit.
Focus and motivated.
At a time where most of my friends and aquaintances have a beer gut and nasty habits.

there is also the constant seeking of improving yourself, that permeates thru the rest of your activites, and eventually acentuates that aspect of the discipline in oneself.


the joy of a good keiko is hard to explain to someone that doesnt know kendo.
the satisfaction of a good performance or exceptionally good point is extremely rewarding.

[Gregory]

Kendo has been marvelous for me:



Keeps me slim and fit.
Focus and motivated.
At a time where most of my friends and aquaintances have a beer gut and nasty habits.

there is also the constant seeking of improving yourself, that permeates thru the rest of your activites, and eventually acentuates that aspect of the discipline in oneself.


the joy of a good keiko is hard to explain to someone that doesnt know kendo.
the satisfaction of a good performance or exceptionally good point is extremely rewarding.


And being hardcore

[YangJin]

The prime question:

In Kendo/Kenjutsu/Iaido/Iaijutsu/Kumdo or whatever your sword style training may be. What is it you seek as an individual to gain from your experience and training?

I am a Kendoka. What I seek is Discipline, Wisdom and Self-training when I joined Kendo. They teach us about Discipline, the manners and how everything is supposed to be inside and outside the Dojo. Wisdom because it molds our mind and slowly we'll mature as time pass. And Self-training because I'm a little puny so I thought maybe I can buff up just a little bit, I just wanna be fit, I don't wanna get all muscles and stuff.

Secondary question:

What got you started in your sword training? What influanced you to take up training in the deadly sword arts?

What got me interested? After reading Hagakure and watching some samurai movies. Then after that, and I just joined Kendo this year a few months ago. Yup!

[Kmav]

For me, I think its the continuing challenge that I find most appealing. You can never really know all there is to know about kendo. The perfection of your kendo is a life-long pursuit.

[IronMonkey]

I plan on starting Kendo this October, which I'm really looking forward to doing.

In Kendo/Kenjutsu/Iaido/Iaijutsu/Kumdo or whatever your sword style training may be. What is it you seek as an individual to gain from your experience and training?

I regret not making an effort to practice a martial art sooner in life. But now I'm at the point where I can give the appropriate amount of time and energy to a martial art. I'm looking at Kendo for the discipline to achieve perfection, for exercise and stress relief after sitting behind a computer for eight hours a day, and for an opportunity to participate an art so rich in history and tradition.

What got you started in your sword training? What influenced you to take up training in the deadly sword arts?

I've had a long-standing interest in taking up a martial art. I am choosing Kendo, because on the surface, it looks friggin' cool. Beneath that, I admire the discipline and the tradition involved in Kendo.

[Fonsz]

World Peace.
and enlightment for all the people of the world.

[mad_god]

Now, it's just to have a cold beer after keiko!

Keiko tonight.... another cold beer session!

Just enjoying the keiko, everytime...hehe

Maybe the answer would be: enjoy the life and be happy.

[Lloromannic]

I like Kendo because I like Kendo because I like Kendo.

[Andres]

I practice Ten Shin Ichi Ryu and from it I follow a personal philosophy which culminated in my reading of Book of the Five Rings. Miyamoto Musashi instilled in me that to know, study or improve only one aspect of yourself is a flawed ambition. Only through learning all that you can, always looking for improvement and struggle is anything of value achieved.

I had always like martial arts as a kid but disliked the idea of punching and kicking into submission and preferred the very idea of bladed weapons. I liked the idea that instead of the European blades which used their size and power to essentially bludgeon to death an opponent the Japanese focused on the sharpness of the blade. I started training with Shintaku-sensei and love it to this day.

[Gale]

Q:In Kendo/Kenjutsu/Iaido/Iaijutsu/Kumdo or whatever your sword style training may be. What is it you seek as an individual to gain from your experience and training?

A: The dojo, its the only place i can feel myself as a whole being. Not distracted by the situation of crazy bus; running down the hill, brakes free called "Earth". Un-touched by the petty worries of life. Yes it may sound big to you, but honestly thats how i feel.

Secondly: My sensei is great person kind, spiritual and a really good drinker that easily out-drink us all in the table! My fellow kendoka are great people coming from everywhere: University students like me, police officers, jewelers, painters, musicians, housewives, spanish teachers...They are all intresting, cheerful people that i like to meet outside of the dojo time to time. İt makes me a better person both physically and mentally. I left my university, fooled around for 2 years doing nothing but watching tv and eating like pigs. After i joined the dojo i returned back to school, become a organized and active person again and totally shaped up in 1 year my cholestrol reports are not jamming up medical computers and i can walk to my ninth story apartment without a sweat. I read more, spend my quality time on good movies even got my short stories published in magazines. I become more cheerful person...İn fact i can say i become the person i intended to be...Well you might say "yeah right, kendo is the magical stick that converts you into some Brad Pitt/Stephen King thing that rules the universe", no i dont...But i can deal with the issues in my life instead of escaping or delaying them. Kendo forced me to become a better person, physically and i say "why not mentally improve?" well here i am. After 2 months of break from keiko's (our dojo are closed for some construction work) i am really happy to see my sensei and friends again. The schedule is perfectly goes along with my school and i can take shodan exam in 2 months (tough i'm not sure about that to be honest). And i dont like saying it out loud but one day i am planning to go Japan and study Kendo traning in teh Budo University in Chiba. I have a bank account contains my savings from copyrights and misc things, not too much but its the drop that creates the lake heh :)


Well, hope i can write down my reasons without being so naive.

[Naga-San]

Regarding the primary question: One word: Harmony

And the second: Read a book about Samurai, just for kicks, Iraq has its slow moments and got interested in Japanese culture, especially with the dedication to honor and dignity, something most Americans lack because we have no real culture. Anyway, I admired the many aspects of the culture then remembered Kendo from a MMA (not like MMA now) tourney I went to as a kid...the rest it history in progress.

[Mark.T]

answer ?#2 I had toyed with the idea about 12 years ago, but I went back into Rugby instead. But now with my new job as groundskeeper for the uni-köln I decided to give it a try and glad I did, and sad that I didn't start a lot sooner.

answer ?#1... When I first came to the Dojo and introduced myself and said that I was looking for another Sport, I got a very negative answer. This sort of put me off at first, and later made my so mad that I was determined to show this person that, yes I can do this as well if not better as you think.. This really motivated me in the beginning.

Now I like it because its hard and not easy to learn ( for me ), I also believe that one can continue learning this Sport untill health stops you from training, and because its my Kendo..its up to me how good or bad I can be, its not a team sport. But most of all, I find Kendo to be like life itself, you just cant quit because its hard or you dont like some people....if I just quit now I would do so for the rest of my life..

[Musashisson]

From practicing kendo I seek patience. One of my flaws. It takes years to move through the ranks. If that doesn't help me with the utmost desire to achieve my goals quickly, then what will? I will use it to see the world, much like why people join the military. When traveling I will meet new people, help them in any way possible, and broaden my knowlege of various things this planet has to offer. I live by the sword. I practice the things I've learned since following it. By all means it has made life easier. I would like to become profecient with the katana and wakisashi. I love the dedication I feel when attending classes and I feel like I learn somthing every time I attend, even if this is miniscule. I feel like todays culture is living in sin. Change is needed. For me, Kendo helps me forget the troubles of our society. Also I would like to use kendo as a tool to enlighten others in the arts and improve their livelyhood.

[Mitsurugi]

Question 1: I practice Kendo and MSR Iaido. I practice because I like how I put work into something and I see the results of my labor. Its like this seed that grows and bears fruit. I practice because I like what I can look forward to buy. Kendo/Iaido has a lot of cool "toys" (I mean toys in the most light-hearted sense. Equipment is not meant to be played with.) that no other martial arts has. I practiced Soo Bahk Do and we didn't have much to buy (outside of a uniform and earning belts.)

Question 2: For as long as I can remember, I've been enamored with the Samurai culture and the katana. As fate would have it I found out there was a local club and I joined in January.

[Yiu Fai]

In my training I seek the efficent use of the Japanese sword in combat. I seek the personal confidence of knowing I can use a blade to protect myself and the ones I love.

I know you're being sarcastic, but I'll take the bait anyway and say you're doing the wrong martial art! You should be training in the way of the ninja, that way you can use your blade and do backflip waza whilst looking cool wearing headgear et al

[Fonsz]

I know you're being sarcastic, but I'll take the bait anyway and say you're doing the wrong martial art! You should be training in the way of the ninja, that way you can use your blade and do backflip waza whilst looking cool wearing headgear et al
Whilst wearing cool Kendo shoes, you forgot about the cool Kendo shoes. Has anybody already bought them and did the quality of your life improve? World peace is all very nice but you got to have cool shoes.

[Andou]

Whilst wearing cool Kendo shoes, you forgot about the cool Kendo shoes. Has anybody already bought them and did the quality of your life improve? World peace is all very nice but you got to have cool shoes.

Are Jordans or Air Force Ones an acceptable substitute?

[emilie]

just passing time.........

NO xD! just kidding!!! Ive wanted to do kendo since a loooong time ago, like when I was 14 (now 17).

The prime question:

I seek the power of controlling my emotions because sometimes I become hysteric and start yelling and crying and punching everything that is around. It doesnt happen as much as when I was like 14 becuse my karate sensee teached me how to controll it. but still, I did one crisis like this last year and I was just feeling so much shamefull, I taught maybe karate is not enough. now I do kendoooo ^_^!!!

Secondary question:

well, first, I started thinking about kendo when I read the novels from Eiji Yoshikawa, Im sorry I dont know the titles in english, neither in japanese. you know, the stuff about musashi and the way of the warrior. But I had the chance to practice kendo this year in my host school in japan. I took the chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I really dont regret it, really not. I even like that more than karate (less stuff to learn, more practice and practice makes perfect.)

[agimat]

I've heard as many answers to this question as people I have asked.

So I figure it would be an intresting Thread

!!! I must ask that people please respect other people's answers to these questions. There is no right or wrong answer in this so there is absolutly no reason to flame anyone about their answer no matter what it may be !!!

!!That means the folks in the kouen-gumi too, you know who you are. no flaming the otaku-gumi members either, lets keep it friendly!!


The prime question:

In Kendo/Kenjutsu/Iaido/Iaijutsu/Kumdo or whatever your sword style training may be. What is it you seek as an individual to gain from your experience and training?

Secondary question:

What got you started in your sword training? What influanced you to take up training in the deadly sword arts?

my personal answer:

In my training I seek the efficent use of the Japanese sword in combat. I seek the personal confidence of knowing I can use a blade to protect myself and the ones I love.

I started into Kendo after having an accident with a Paul Chen sword that was given to me as a present. After some time in Kendo I decided to seek out the Kenjutsu arts to learn more adaptive combat techniques. I stumbled across my current school by accident and feel very much that my personal goals are being satisfied in my training.

1. Decided to study Kendo to understand and apply principles of a longer, bladed weapon. also to gain more insight into the Japanese culture.

2. I've studied FMA (Filipino martial arts ie. Kali, Eskrima, Arnis) for a long time with an uncle of mine and been taught to fight using blades as my fundamental tools. To broaden my horizon, I realized kendo had much of the same concepts as eskrima but just different expressions. I've been training for about 7 months and its been great. Sure my eskrima bkgnd helps, but i always go to class to learn kendo, not to make a hybrid pseudo martial art.

[Onizuka]

As an answer to the first question I´d say:
My personal goal I try to achieve while learning Kendo is to learn how to control my emotions, almost like emilie. But I understand it more like resting in yourself while nobody around you can harm you or your way.
And I hope to gain control over my concentration right when I need it.
Nevertheless it trains physically!

At first I did Judo for three years and soon after that Taekwondo, but I didn´t like the style of training, which was used. I had the feeling that we only trained for winning tournaments or to gain higher gradings, but not to effectively learn something for your life. Kendo is in my eyes also a competitive sport without question, but at the same time I think it also is some kind of philosophy.

[Fonsz]

Are Jordans or Air Force Ones an acceptable substitute?
I suppose but I haven't got a clue what they look like so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

[Bushidog]

I used to work in a bank and I got in a conversation with one of our clients about fencing. The guy told me that he practised Aikido and at his school they "did something with swords" as well.
I went with him to a Iaido practise and borrowed a (new) judo/karate suit from the sensei. After practise I wanted to return it to the sensei but he said it was used and did not want it back so I had to buyt it... Well..., I got the suit so might as well start coming for practise... That was almost eleven years ago!

So I started training because I had a suit..., now I continue training because I like to be able to handle the katana. I love the kendo-like practises we do with a shinai, and the Chinese sword arts...
The environment of the dojo is great, the people have become good friends.
The process I made in Iai is something I never thought I would be capable off. In Januari this year I started my own training group.

I hope to be practising Iai for many years to come. It is a "sport" were people are never finished learning. You will never reacht the end. But to reach the end is not important; what's important is being on the way. At the end is nothing, on the way is where you learn, meet people and gain experience. And experience is what life and Martial Arts are all about.

[Bushidog]

World Peace.

I am proud to announce that Seiza_Seizure-San has made it MISS UNIVERSE :smiley: [audience applauding]