Alex in Wonderland

Alex continues his rant about no zanshin in judo.JPG

The question of etiquette or ‘rei’ is a crucial element in budo. Without it, budo is pure violence at worst, and just another competitive sport at best. A couple of weeks ago I was very fortunate to have been asked to participate on a ‘Budo Panel Discussion’ at the well-known National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya. Kendo buffs will have heard of this university as it boasts a large number of Japanese national collegiate titles. The theme of the symposium was ...

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• Alex presenting.JPG (124.7 KB, 492 views)
• Miyazaki Masahiro teaches the kids.JPG (139.4 KB, 560 views)
• Sitting next to Judo legend Yamashita Yasuhiro in a sleazy bar (2).JPG (152.1 KB, 545 views)
• Yamashita Sensei looking rather amused at Alex's rant about how uncouth Judo has become (2).JPG (123.6 KB, 537 views)

Pontus.jpg

Bruce Lee, Steven Seagal, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mr. Miyagi. Well, we can leave Mr. Miyagi out, but on the whole, most people have preconceived ideas of budo being the domain of rough, tough, staunch, and cut individuals. The cool image of the athletic warrior serves as an incentive for many people to start the martial arts, but at the same time it prevents many others from taking that first step into the dōjō.

Of those who have ...

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• Pontus second from right.JPG (99.0 KB, 949 views)
• Pontus speaks.JPG (82.0 KB, 911 views)
• The New Japan.JPG (45.4 KB, 922 views)

College Women's Association of Japan Speech
“Japan’s Spiritual Sports”
CWAJ Speech 1.JPG

Last week (Nov. 19, 2008) I was asked to give a speech on the beauty of kendo to a rather remarkable group of ladies. Formed in 1949, the CWAJ is a nonprofit organization consisting of Japanese and non-Japanese women who get together regularly for volunteer activities in the wider community.

The CWAJ currently has a membership of 550 women from over thirty countries ...

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• I ain't Komoto.JPG (124.0 KB, 522 views)
• The flag.JPG (130.4 KB, 499 views)
• The peaceful respectful art of kendo.JPG (127.5 KB, 493 views)

Musashi Meets a Green Beret

Our mortality is our greatest fear and also in many ways our greatest fixation. The number of TV networks that broadcast series exploring topics from state-of-the art weaponry to survival techniques, historical battles and stylized combat traditions is on the rise. Maybe the enthusiasm to scrutinize violence is a consequence of the barrage of graphic images of destruction and carnage that we see on the news every day. In view of that, there also seems ...

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• Alex Bennet and Terry Schappert.JPG (40.6 KB, 1366 views)
• Relax your shoulders.JPG (43.7 KB, 1409 views)
• Terry explaining the cut.JPG (42.8 KB, 1330 views)
• Terry has a crack.JPG (47.8 KB, 1321 views)