About my Kendo - Philipp, Rasmus and Rebecca

2006 Beginner Class A Grading

Philipp

I have always been interested in learning Kendo, ever since I was a kid.

Back then, it was all about the fact that I would've been able to whack people hard.

Now, though, I realise it is more about the communal experience of learning how to kill (with beauty and efficiency), among other things.

I am actually really glad that I decided to give Kendo a go, and am eager to continue it in the future.

Rasmus

Why I go to kendo is because I find it to be easier and more interesting than all the other sports on offer. It’s interesting to me because when training with the shinai it’s not just about the strongest or biggest hit.

What I also like about kendo is the fact that it has chosen to use brains over brawn, precision and skill over brutality and strength. Kendo is easy and fun and I would vouch that almost anyone would like it if they try it.

Rebecca

I found Kendo online when I was looking for something interesting and new to try. I'm interested in Japanese culture and I hope to do an exchange visit when I am at high school. I like the fighting aspect and the structure.

Comments

How do you practice seme?

Kobayashi Hideo Sensei – How to Seme (w/English CC) 小林英雄先生 - 攻め方 How do you practice S eme ? Very early on, I have heard of the “Three Opportunities to Strike”: strike when your opponent’s technique is about to start, strike when your opponent’s technique ends, and when the opponent is mentally and physically depleted. Since then, this line of thinking has given me a direction in how to train. In 2017, Utsunomiya sensei, 7-dan kyoshi, came to visit us and taught me the concept of “okori”. That reminds me of the conversation that happened 8 years before that in 2009 with Morioka sensei, also 7-dan kyoshi, who asked me: “What is the timing or reason of your strike?” I think most people are familiar with the idea that you should “ seme then strike ”. However, when do you strike after seme has been a source of struggle for most kenyu. That’s why when I saw the video from Kobayashi Hanshi where you seme for the purposes of creating “okori” , I felt this added a whol...

From Fear to Learning: A Kendo Reflection - Nico

Photo Credit: Heathen Light Over the last year or so of practising Kendo, I have found it to be a truly wonderful experience that has had a positive effect on almost all areas of my life. One of the things Kendo has helped me with the most is anxiety, something I have dealt with throughout my adult life. I almost didn’t attend my first lesson because I felt so anxious about starting something new. Now, at my most recent grading, I didn’t feel anxious at all. I knew that, at the very worst, even if I didn’t pass, I would learn where I was on my Kendo journey and what I needed to improve and work on. Over the past year, I have really enjoyed taking my first steps on what I hope will be a lifelong Kendo journey. “In Kendo, discovering where you are is already part of becoming who you will be.”

Kendo Dōjo basic etiquette & commands for beginner & kyu grades

Kendo Dōjo basic etiquette & commands for beginner & kyu grades Thanks to Janet for organising this article. When entering & leaving the Dōjo （道場, training hall）, we need to bow respectfully from the waist, first towards the direction of Joseki （上席）, in our case this is the Waikato Kendo Club WKC banner. (But in Japanese dōjo there is often a Kamiza （上座） with a small Shinto shrine or altar displayed with religious significance). And then bow towards Sensei & Senpai on your way in before neatly organising your belongings on the side & getting ready quietly. At beginning of each Keiko（稽古）, Sensei（先生）or Senpai（先輩） will say: Line up - Seiretsu （整列） : We will need to quickly find our position along a horizontal line facing Sensei (in the middle) in order of our experience/ rank with Senpai (Seniors) on the right and Kōhai (Juniors, 後輩 ) & Shoshinsha (Beginners, 初心者 ) on the left. Standing straight facing the front, holding Shinai firmly...

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