Zekken

[Kenshi]

Hi,

Glad to see a forum up and running here, hopefully in the next few months we will see some activity.

I'll kick start it with something ive always wondered about ... it might seem trivial, but I want to know!

When were the use of Zekken introduced to kendo practise? As far as I can make out, it must have been quite recent. I have, for example, videos with clips of the senshuken taikai circa 1960's ... the kendoka are zekken-free.

Any ideas/thoughts??

Cheers!

[John W]

Hi George!

Sorry I do not have any idea about when Zekken were introduced to kendo but I do have a question specific to your
location. I used to live in Linlithgow and I wonder if there are any kendo clubs there? If not is the Edinburgh kendo club the only dojo in Edinburgh/ West Lothian region?

Cheers,
John White.

[Kuma]

Please excuse my ignorance. What is zekken?

[Alex]

Good question about the zekken (name bags attached to the tare). Most of the pre-war kendo photos that I have seen do not have zekken, so one can only assume that they are a post war development. Any way, I will ask one of the sensei at the local dojo who I think is about 200 years old. Will get back to you on that one...

Alec

[Kuma]

Thanks . Didn't know what those were called.

[Kenshi]

Hi all,

John - there are only 2 kendo clubs in Scotland, Edinburgh Kendo Club (http://www.edinburghkendo.co.uk/) and Taiseidokai in Glasgow (http://kendoglasgow.members.easyspace.com/). If you need more information about either feel free to contact me for more information.

Alec - Thanks! Its essential information should I ever be involved in a kendo pub quiz or something .......

Cheers.

[Alex]

No worries mate!

Kendo World is actually working on the kendo version of Trivial Pursuit. Should be a great hit in the pubs...

Alex

[Alex]

Well, it appears that zekken are a post-war invention. I have found a photograph which will be in the next issue of the magazine of a whole lot of Busen students. They all had their names painted on their do.

I asked around a few of the old sensei and they all said around the end of the 1950's was the time when they started using zekken. One possible factor for the trend was that Bogu shops could make some extra cash...

[mkomoto]

Dear Dr. Bennett,

I have seen some similar period photos of kenshi with their names painted in white character on their doh.

I can understand your reasoning about the boguya-san making a few extra coins (at that very difficult period following the war,) as well.

I wonder also, since the introduction of shinai-kyougi to middle and high school curruicula in 1952 (a modifed form of sport-like kendo, employing a more western type of dress, and protective equipment resembling western fencing armor,) and subsequent resumption of kendo in the schools in 1953, if the rapidly burgeoning numbers of students teachers were suddenly faced with might have had influence in this development.

Perhaps you can inquire to Mr. Tomano of Meirin Bogu Company there in Osaka and Kyoto, and meanwhile I'll query to boguya-san of fame, Mr. Suzuki in Saitama about this. If anyone else, or ( timing being just about right,) their sensei might have data or direct experience with this matter, please post your comments.

MK

[Kenshi]

Thanks Alex/Komoto-san ... interesting stuff.