| Lin:
Although Kendo literally means 'the way of the sword' in Japanese,
learning to master it involves more
than just swordplay. Kendo demands more than just mastering the
sword, it requires you to master yourself as well. |
| I have
been learning Kendo for over a month now and I wish to share with
you what I have learnt or gained from Kendo in this short time. Obviously
I have learnt how to use the shinai, a bamboo sword generally used
in Kendo (This is the main point of learning Kendo right? To learn
how to do Kendo), but I have also learnt a little more concentration
(which I seriously lack) and discipline. Besides that, I have also
learnt a little more about that fabled 'Samurai' culture of ancient
Japan, the culture dictated by honour and respect (e.g.- respect
for your opponents, the 'dojo', the equipments we use, your 'sensei's
(teachers), 'sempai's (seniors) and juniors). In fact this code of
respect is still held in Kendo (and most likely in the other forms
of Japanese martial arts) and fortunately the tradition of 'seppuku'
(ritual suicide) is not (nowadays if you suffer failure, you are
expected to overcome it). |
| However,
what is more precious to me than what I have learnt from Kendo is
what I have gained from it, friends. To qoute one of the Kendo instructors
from Auckland I have been privileged to train under, "Kendo
lets you meet quality people," and I concur with it. It has
been and will continue to be my pleasure to know of all you. |
| Chris: Starting
kendo for me I suppose there was the romantic ideals from the
movies etc etc. Although I have always had in interest in history
especially the chivalry and honour of centuries past. So I join
kendo made to feel very welcome and although I feel I¡¦m not
very talented when it comes to these sorts of activities I¡¦m
keen to improve. I feel better about my kendo when Sam talks
about people taking years or decades to become proficient at
kendo. |
| For
me this is the busy time of the year so I haven't been able to
practice at home but hopefully my brother and I can practice together
at some stage to get better. I bought the book KENDO by Hiroshi
Ozawa so I¡¦m interested in getting better(need all the help I
can get ha ha) the grading experience I was nervous and feel if
the graders were not as generous I may not have passed. |
| Looking
forward to getting better and getting to know some fellow students.
Thank you very much for teaching me Sam. |
| Larnie:
Over the last month or so I have enjoyed the opportunity to become
involved
in the study of Kendo. I was pleased to have passed my first grading,
but realise that this is only the beginning of what I hope will become
a study of personal development for many years to come. |
| Congratulations
to all my classmates on attaining the first level, and I hope that
as a class we can move forward together. |
| Kyle:
I quite like that Kendo is very different to the things I have done
before (mostly hand to hand combat
stuff). It is all opposite, for example the right foot is in
front of the left, the feet are together instead of apart, and
they both are facing the same way. I felt quite awkward to begin
with and it is strange to get accustomed too when every thing
in my head is telling me I'm off balance and could fall over
at any moment. In saying that I do realise that the fact that
you have a sword (shinai) totally changes the focus of the combat
and hence the structure of your body alignment and positioning
etc.
|
