The Active Interns - Summer 2023: Kendo
The way of the sword can be applied in our lives as well.
Massimo Pinca/Associated Press
Brief History of Kendo
Kendo comes from a rich history of historical and cultural significance in Japan. Before the birth of kendo, samurais and swordsmanship was heavenly embedded in Japanese war and culture. The use of bamboo swords and armor were used as practice for samurais, where swordsmen established schools to teach kendo. In the 19th Century, swords were prohibited, thus swordsmanship as whole was beginning to be abolished. After World War 2, kendo was still a prohibited practice until 1952, when the All-Japan Kendo Foundation was established. It was intended as a modern martial art practice in the form of traditional Japanese swordsmanship. Kendo means “the way of the sword”. What once used as a form of combat using “nihinto” (Japanese swords), is now a celebratory martial arts practice using a bamboo sword known as a “shinai”.
Kendo is growing popularity all over the world, holding worldwide tournaments since 1970. Although the sport can be liked for its competitive aspect, Kendo relies on its perseverance of the culture and martial art practice. Teaching people of all ages, principles of discipline, respect and spiritual practices that can be applied to any part of one’s daily life. Its competitions are held in celebration of the sport and its martial art.
Not familiar with Kendo? Here is a beginner's guide to the martial art!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb13DKpDd_k
Experience
When I found out that Chinook Kendo Dojo was one of Sport Calgary’s members, I was excited. This martial art is unique to the others because it uses a wooden sword. It also has a lot of cultural significance behind the sport, so I feel like I was embracing a new culture. When walking inside the dojo, there was a calming air that is hard for me to describe. I was a little nervous to start because there is a lot of cultural significance behind kendo and wanted to do my best respect the dojo and sport. Kyle Lee, Instructor at Chinook Kendo introduced me to all the participants and got me started. Providing me with a shinai (bamboo sword) to get started. We warmed up by practicing the basic strikes many times to the point where I was tired. Usually, we would count our repetitions up to 8 times in Japanese. I did not know all the numbers in Japanese so I would count in English, although if I were ever to continue kendo I would definitely learn!
There are 4 spots that are the main striking points in kendo, they are part of the principal target areas for competitions as well as the vital spots that samurai would strike in Edo Japan. These targets are the men (head),kote (wrist) do (torso) and ski (throat). When practicing the strike, we yell out the target as we swing our shinai, which is the wooden bamboo sword we use in kendo. We would yell out men at a loud and powerful voice. I love this because our yell, known as our kiya allows our strike to have more intent. In a way, yelling at the top of our lungs is therapeutic because it is not often are we in environments where we can shout without holding back. I was very impressed by the coordination and footwork required in kendo, it requires a significant amount of balance and coordination as you move forward with your strikes. The different strikes such as the lunge strike will have a long kiya as we shuffle down the floor. There is also a lot of shoulder movement required when swinging your sword. With so many reps we did, I could feel my shoulders getting tired with every exercise. That is why Kyle made sure we were getting proper rest in-between and that we were stretching out our shoulder to keep the muscles mobile.
I trained with other students who were starting out as well, so I didn’t feel alone. We separated from the main group as we were training in an intermediate class. Kyle went over the basic skills and strikes to practice on the side. I appreciated Kyle taking the time to teach us as the intermediate class was going on.
Besides how cool it was to swing a wooden sword; I absolutely love what kendo provides for your mind and spirit. It contains so much cultural significance behind it, that the principles of kendo can be applied to our own lives as well. Such as bowing as you enter and leave the building. Also, before beginning training or starting a sparring match between to opposing people, they have what I can describe as a ritual to show appreciation for the training. Everyone would be lined up, preform a routine that leads to one getting onto their knees and bowing, and as they bow, they exclaim “onegaishimasu” which can be translated to ‘please train with me’. This is also applied to after a training or match, but instead they say “arigato gozaimasu,” this is to thank the opponent or group for the training or match. This level of respect and discipline that is ingrained in the Japanese culture and martial arts is something very interesting and provides valuable lessons to applied in our lives.
After our session we were free to watch some of the sparring matches with the regular participants and it was such an enjoyable watch. It was a sparring match between two participants with everyone watching. Both participants started of their ritual before and after the match, by going on their knees in unison and bowing. Showing signs of respect and sportsmanship on both sides. When the match started both parties gave it their all as spectating students were encouraging them to try their best. When a participant would get a point, large cheers occurred. It shows the community and spirit of the competition.
Kyle and everyone at Chinook dojo treated me and Elijah with tremendous amount of respect and were very polite. They all welcomed me as if I was one of their students and took me in with open arms. I really appreciate that, and I felt like I was part of a tight knit community learning the value of the way of the sword.
Check out my interview with Kyle Lee where we talk about Kendo!
Physical Literacy in Kendo
I am a fourth year Physical Literacy student at Mount Royal University, and in this section, I am covering the key contribution the feature sport has to physical literacy. What is physical literacy you may ask?
"Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life."
- The International Physical Literacy Association, May 2014
That is the general explanation of this idea, and my goal is connect my learnings of physical literacy to the featured sport and physical activity.
How this sport contributes to Physical Literacy
The emphasis on the mind and body in kendo contributes to the meaning of physical literacy. As one is swinging the shinai, the act of yelling is important way to keep your mind and body in tune with itself. It is as if yelling brings out that sense of intent as one swings. This sport is not like the typical sport because it combines the importance of discipline and culture in its practice where it truly offers a unique domain to understanding one’s movement in their body.
Skills transferable to other sports
Not many sports out there require someone to swing a wooden sword thus this movement would not be very transferable. Although kendo takes a considerable amount of footwork and coordination which can be transferred to sports that need great footwork. Combat sports such as boxing or muay thai would be a great transferable. Footwork, coordination and adaptability to enviroment are key transferable. The footwork in kendo can apply to sports that need good precise movement to move in different directions. It requires quick movements to get in distance to strike your opponent as well as dodge incoming attacks. That also comes with the ability to be coordinated and allow for the most efficient movement possible. Adaptability to enviroment in this case is the ability to adapt to your opponent and conducting the action needed to get the point in competition.
Although I say the best skill that kendo provides that is transferable to other sports is the mentality aspect to the sport. Kendo is big on having the mental fortitude in matches. It allows the participant to act accordingly to their situation. An example of this is having patience and perseverance to win the match. I feel that this aspect gets heavily dismissed in sport and that is the importance of mental fortitude.
Active for life
It is one of those sports that provide great exercise, community and philosophies that one can apply to their daily life. It is not always a martial art for competition, its practice can be a way of life as well. Many people practice the martial art recreationally, allowing them to reap the benefits of discipline. Kendo provides so many good things for the person’s mind, body and spirit. It allows people work on their mind and body for work with both cohesively. The community and the exercise it provides, is something that gives people all the necessities to remain active long in the future.
*For more information on the active for life model please check out the website*
Programs
Chinook Kendo is open three times a week on Monday Wednesday and Sunday. Intro, intermediate and advanced classes are Monday and Wednesday evenings. Sundays are for technique classes for intermediate and advanced students as well open practice available to everyone. Programs are offered in four-month intervals starting at the beginning of the year (January-April, May-August, September-December). Thus, the next acceptance for new students will happen this September! Each Interval costs $300 for adults (18+), $320 for youth (17 and under) and $500 for a family (up to 4 family members). There is also the kendo beginner package that comes with everything you need to get started in kendo. It comes with a kendo uniform a shinai (bamboo stick), a bokken (wooden sword) and a shinai bag for $220.
Time commitment
Going to the dojo will be 1- 3 times a week depending on individual availability. Although even going once a week is nice to get good exercise and relieve some stress by letting out your loudest kiya.
Risks?
Without any sparring or combat, there is very little risk in the martial art. There is possibility of muscle soreness and tightness to start, especially in the shoulder area due to the swinging of the shinai. Accidents are also indeed possible, so it is always important to be aware of your body and surroundings!
In competition and the sport side of things, where one will be wearing their armor known as bogu, where strikes to unprotected areas such as the arm, legs and back are possible by accident. This is because these areas are not intended targets in the sport but from time to time one may get hit in the unprotected areas due to the opponent missing the target.
I would like to thank Kyle Lee and everyone at Chinook Kendo Dojo for having me and welcoming me with open arms. This was such an enjoyable experience. For more information be sure to check their website, at https://www.chinookkendo.com/.