Chris - Kendo and Me

“SHOGAN” a program in the late seventies which hooked me on the Japanese ethos of the period and sparked my interest for my martial arts passion was then born “BUSHIDO” the way of the warrior.

After many years participating in several different full contact arts the path has lead me to “KENDO” and after an interest in “KENJUTSU” or the art of the sword it was a natural step. A quick search on the internet and I found “WAIKATO KENDO ASSOCIATION” venue at the university basket ball hall gate 4, “Great!” nice and close to home, I turned up and used proper DOJO etiquette and was welcomed in.

After a hello and handshake with Sensai Sam Tasi and a few after club members I took a seat to watch. After years of playing hard and a few major motorcycles accidents in life as motorcycling is my other passion, this art still gives me a good work out and is easy on my worn joints this is great.

After 8 months of being part of the Waikato Kendo Association family I am enjoying every minute spent surrounded with a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm the club has. After 3 months of wearing the full “BOGU” or body amour I feel at home, with great camaraderie amongst the club mates and interaction with the young ones, it gives me good self pride to be part of this great club.

Being a contact sport the rush of full contact “SHANAI ON SHANAI” “ DO ON DO” is where its at for me and watching Sensei Sam, Sensei Marleen and other senior club members move, strike and Ki-ai with the passion they do this is the goal for me.

So if you are interested in a art that will give you good cardio, flexibility and good old fashion discipline and a great way to shake off everyday life then try it! This is my beginning of a road long and winding and with a good friend and a great club I look forward to the next time we gather to put on our “BOGU” and dance.

Thanks Chris

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...

Waikato Kendo Club

Search This Blog