The Most Valued Characteristic?

**Charlie** · 7th April 2005, 02:00 AM

What would you say is the most valued characteristic of a kendo-ka, that aspect of him or her that kendo as an art, or kendo as a society, values the most? And why? I have my suspicion but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

**Lucien** · 7th April 2005, 02:01 AM

Self-respect. I think everything comes from there.

**JSchmidt** · 7th April 2005, 02:02 AM

Good at drinking beer!!

Jakob

**Charlie** · 7th April 2005, 02:04 AM

So that's two votes for "Other..."

**don quixote** · 7th April 2005, 02:33 AM

A combination is the best. What use is courage and perserverance if you do not gain any skill or knowledge? & vice versa & cetera.

Also, it is good to be able to drink beer, but unless you can still come to practice after 8 pints and two hours of sleep it is not a particularily valuable characteristic. Having this ability is very important.

**mingshi** · 7th April 2005, 02:46 AM

How his/her presence inspires me. This goes for anyone from a beginner to a hachidan.

**Kanoken** · 7th April 2005, 06:26 AM

I feel that it is courage and persistance that are the most improtant characteristics. You must be persistant and stick with your training, and know that it is never-ending. And also have courage, if you are afraid from the opponent, from his shinai, from getting hit, then it isn't worth it.

**Optomitrist** · 7th April 2005, 07:46 AM

I think ultimately the best real life accomplishment one can get out of budo is a shaping of good character. This of course goes hand in hand with the second option as well. Sword fighting is great and all but your skill in it will not effect your everyday life.

**Light Samurai** · 7th April 2005, 08:03 AM

I respec tpeople for personality, and then close after skill. They can be the nicest person ever, but know nothing about kendo. People who are know it alls and good at kendo is just wrong. So, i guess personailty does matter. I voted for skill.

**JByrd** · 7th April 2005, 08:08 AM

I chose character/personality because to me it is the overarching definition of a person. Courage and persistence are kind of folded into that in my mind.

My first Kendo teacher, Ken Takeno Sensei, told me that development of character is the only important reason to do Kendo. Kendo has very little self defense application. Kendo is fun, but there are a lot of ways to have fun that are not nearly so expensive or difficult to learn. Kendo is good exercise, but there are lots of good forms of exercise. For those reasons, Takeno Sensei thought that anyone who sticks with Kendo long term does it for reasons of character development, and I have come to agree with him.

**Theodore** · 7th April 2005, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by JByrd

I chose character/personality because to me it is the overarching definition of a person. Courage and persistence are kind of folded into that in my mind. .

To me "courage and persistence" are an outgrowth of your character. If the latter is properly formed then the former naturally flow therefrom.

**joekc6nlx** · 7th April 2005, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by JSchmidt

Good at drinking beer!!

Jakob

But better at making beer for the dojo parties! Since that is one of my hobbies, I get to brew the beer for our parties.

**The great I AM** · 7th April 2005, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by joekc6nlx

But better at making beer for the dojo parties! Since that is one of my hobbies, I get to brew the beer for our parties.

Do you brew it in a tin bath inside a knackered old shack, and bottle it in unlabelled brown bottles?

**joekc6nlx** · 7th April 2005, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by The great I AM

Do you brew it in a tin bath inside a knackered old shack, and bottle it in unlabelled brown bottles?

No, I have a very large stainless steel kettle designed for brewing beer. I brew it in my kitchen and I don't use bottles any more. I have several 5 gallon (U.S.) soft drink syrup kegs I use. I carbonate the beer using forced carbonation. I have a tap that mounts onto the keg fittings, so it's easy to dispense.