So I looked around and couldn't find this topic...

[come_love_sleep]

...though I know for sure it must have been posted a hundred times, and it's related to a couple of the other threads we've got in here right now.
(If you know of the prior thread where this question might sit, point me to it?)

My question is, ladies, what made you decide to take up kendo? Were you led into it by another martial art, or did you stumble on it randomly, did you see someone in hakama on the street and think I must do that!

For me--when I was very, very young, my father was (barely halfheartedly) into kendo, and when he quit, his bokken stayed, to become my (and my multitude of siblings') favourite toy. It slayed dragons, saved dragons, parted rivers, summoned spirits from trees, enchanted ravens, all that fun stuff, until it was lost in a move when I was about ten or twelve. So I started early to love the shape of it in my hand, it made me feel strong, and...better, somehow.
However, I lived in a tiny town in Arizona, so good luck finding any martial arts school at all. I put the niggling dream aside for another fifteen years or so.
Moved to Pittsburgh in my adulthood, and eventually met a fellow. In the course of learning about eachother, we started talking about hobbies, and he said "I am going to become the best swordsman in the world."
"...beg pardon?"
"I do kendo. It's what I'm Going to Do."
"Oh. Well, that's certainly a noble goal."
--wait--
"Where do you do kendo?"

And that was the how. As for the why of it--simply because it is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, because the people I've known who've taken it up and kept at it just seem to have a clarity that a lot of other people lack. And it gives me clarity, too. It feels more right than any other decision I've ever made. I love the aches afterwards, even, because it's like they're a sign of distance that I've come.

But enough, by far enough, about myself! What about you?

[D'Artagnan]

...and he said "I am going to become the best swordsman in the world."...

Not before he takes my head!

There can be only one!!!!

[futabachan]

My question is, ladies, what made you decide to take up kendo? Were you led into it by another martial art, or did you stumble on it randomly, did you see someone in hakama on the street and think I must do that!

I do naginata, so I already had the bogu, and I wanted to learn both sides for isshu jiai. And when I was a kid, I read an illustrated book with rules to many sports right around the time when Star Wars first came out, and the idea of actually being able to do something that looked just like the lightsaber fights with Darth Vader sounded amazingly nifty.

[Miravil]

I have always liked martial arts since I was a kid. Kendo is one of the top in my list but I never really take up the effort to search for a club to join as I though you can only learn Kendo in Japan. Then it started 6 years ago when I joined a Japanese language class and found out that the Sensei is learning Kendo in our local Japan Club. Without a doubt, I just jump in and join the club.

The Sempai(s) think that I will never last just like other girls but I stayed there for 5 years until I got married and moved to a place where I can't get access to a Kendo club.

[Yuralain]

When I was a kid, I use to live one of the worst neighborhoods in town. There were constant drug stings at the corner store and a drive by almost every two weeks. So hear the weapon of choice was the gun and they were carried by the “bad people.”
When I finally learned to read I became enamored with a series of fantasy book where the world was being saved by noble and honorable sword wielding hero. So early on I kind of got this image of the bad guise had the easy to use guns while the good guise had the hard to use swords.
Fast forward to when I came back from college, I had became indecisive about what career to follow a felt I need a way to better my focus and self discipline. For years I had know there was a kendo dojo in my hometown I just never had the initiative to see for myself. After reading up on the subject and going to watch a couple of practices I one again got back that feeling that this was a noble art, one worth pursuing. And though its not one that will never have any actual use in real life other then in practice hall, it would help me to learn the focus and self discipline that I can use in my life. Through hard work and effort comes the satisfaction of doing something good.

[motolorax]

I gave up another MA a few years back after a very long commitment to it, due to the constant injury. Kendo has always interested me as I flatted with a Japanese gentleman several years ago in Oxford who was a dedicated Kendoka but at the time I was engaged with kickboxing and a very busy life. One day whilst heading to they gym here in NZ I bumped into some kendoka and discovered our small local club (for local people - Brits will get it), and joined up. Previous MA experience I think is invaluable for beginning Kendo as grasping the basics takes many months - I've been training a year and only now do i feel that a few strikes are beinging to click properly. I have a feeling I will be a committed practicioner until I am unable to lift a shinai. cheers

Nice post Yuralain, makes me realise what a cosy and sheltered childhood I had in rural Wales, good luck with your Kendo journey.

[come_love_sleep]

Iour small local club (for local people - Brits will get it),

There's a terrifying juxtaposition.
"Ohhhhh, SEN-seiiii...my wife was right about your toilet. It was broken.
But I fixed it."

[shred_lord]

"Of course we'd love you join us!.... You're MY Sensei NOW!"

[D'Artagnan]

... until I got married and moved to a place where I can't get access to a Kendo club.

Surely there must be a way you can get to the Preston club?? its not even that far from Lytham... but if you don't drive its a bit tricky. I know there is a Bus that goes from Lytham to Preston...

Unfortunately I don't live in Blackpool anymore, as I would have given you a lift, but I'm down in London now...

Th real key is to get your husband into kendo, then he will take you!

[come_love_sleep]

"Of course we'd love you join us!.... You're MY Sensei NOW!"

*mute horror*
noooo.

[Alison2805]

cos it looked cool and I dodnt want to do the same old netball/hockey/badminton/soccer stuff. I wanted something I could really get my teeth into. Its a love/hate thing - I love kendo but I hate how I suck at it. Thats what keeps me turning up!

[Miravil]

Surely there must be a way you can get to the Preston club?? its not even that far from Lytham... but if you don't drive its a bit tricky. I know there is a Bus that goes from Lytham to Preston...

Unfortunately I don't live in Blackpool anymore, as I would have given you a lift, but I'm down in London now...

Th real key is to get your husband into kendo, then he will take you!

I've noticed about the Preston Kendo Club before I moved here but since both me and my husband don't own a car, I had to postpone my return to practice. Which took more than a year. I've contacted Andy and we are going to work out a way for me to be able to go and practice. Might even manage to start practicing again this coming Wednesday. Fingers cross...

Maybe... you can move back, then I can get a ride to practice... hahaha... just joking.

Thanks for the details though.

[rottunpunk]

i started when i found out about preston club at uni
this was after having a few goes in bogu with shidokan though
i started iai because it was next door to the judo
the judo i started because it was on blue peter

a yank that appreciates the league of gentlemen?
im impreessed

[come_love_sleep]

a yank that appreciates the league of gentlemen?
im impreessed

Is 'appreciates' really the word? *grin* I lived in Cheshire a couple of years, over in Winsford and in Northwich, so I got a good deal of exposure to it. My then-fiance was a real fan.

[Lady_Kitsune]

In my case was simple, I wanted to practice a martial art, but I thought Judo and Karate was too brutish for me and tai Chi is hard to find here in Chile, suddently i found kendo and there was I, with a bamboo sword on my hand and having the time of my life. And i'm still having the time of my life.