Where do we begin? How do we describe kendo? Simply as a traditional Japanese martial art? As a sport enjoyed by over six million practitioners worldwide? Or as one of the most physically and spiritually intense activities out there?
The facts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendo
Some quality blogs:
https://www.kendo-guide.com/
https://www.kendo-world.com/wordpress/
https://kenshi247.net/
Youtube channels:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9ijyEJRrvIOFu-N3urSJw/featured
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfPtNgACZziQ1uWF5Mqbk4Q
Other links:
https://www.reddit.com/r/kendo/
Few other Japanese martial arts are so steeped in tradition. For some, this is off-putting.
For others, it is a magnet.
The facts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendo
Some quality blogs:
https://www.kendo-guide.com/
https://www.kendo-world.com/wordpress/
https://kenshi247.net/
Youtube channels:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9ijyEJRrvIOFu-N3urSJw/featured
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfPtNgACZziQ1uWF5Mqbk4Q
Other links:
https://www.reddit.com/r/kendo/
Few other Japanese martial arts are so steeped in tradition. For some, this is off-putting.
For others, it is a magnet.
Perhaps it can be put most succinctly in this way: After a successful strike in a kendo contest, a fist pump would mean a penalty for that contestant.
Think about that for a moment.
Please think about what any other physical contest in this world has become. In kendo, prerequisite modesty and an exquisite degree of respect for one's fellow combatants is demanded at all times. This is a species of integrity.
Who cares about this anymore, and why?
Every time I reread what I just wrote, I feel compelled to stop for a few seconds, because my heart tells me to.
(Stop for a few seconds)
Maybe you care about this. Maybe. But make no mistake, if you don't, stay away from kendo. It doesn't want you anyway.
However, if you do care about things like modesty, and respect, or think you may, visit a kendo dojo.
There are so few bastions anymore. Maybe I'm just old, but I like the idea of bastions. Kendo - as a concept - is one of mine. And I will continue to hold it dear until the day it betrays me (might that be the day it is accepted into the Olympics?). The first time I see a whiff of self-congratulation after a point in a kendo match, something inside of me will die.
Think about that for a moment.
Please think about what any other physical contest in this world has become. In kendo, prerequisite modesty and an exquisite degree of respect for one's fellow combatants is demanded at all times. This is a species of integrity.
Who cares about this anymore, and why?
Every time I reread what I just wrote, I feel compelled to stop for a few seconds, because my heart tells me to.
(Stop for a few seconds)
Maybe you care about this. Maybe. But make no mistake, if you don't, stay away from kendo. It doesn't want you anyway.
However, if you do care about things like modesty, and respect, or think you may, visit a kendo dojo.
There are so few bastions anymore. Maybe I'm just old, but I like the idea of bastions. Kendo - as a concept - is one of mine. And I will continue to hold it dear until the day it betrays me (might that be the day it is accepted into the Olympics?). The first time I see a whiff of self-congratulation after a point in a kendo match, something inside of me will die.
