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Special Features of Kendo in
our Dojo
It is a rare pleasure for us to have Kendo visitors
who want to experience something other than the more well-known Sport Kendo.
Sport Kendo is an attractive modern sport that came into being in the early
1950's, retaining certain elements of Japanese swordfighting and Budo that were
not offensive to the Occupation authorities. But the founders of Sport Kendo
decided to eliminate many features of ancient Kendo
to create an aesthetically pleasing, beautiful sport with rules and customs that
fit into modern, postwar Japanese society. Even most Japanese born after 1940
know of nothing else but this as Kendo.
It is not our intention to present
our Kendo as " better" or "superior". We simply have other objectives. Visitors
who desire to practice with us should accept and understand that, despite our
using similar equipment, we purposely practice a Kendo that is in many aspects
quite different from modern Sport Kendo. We do this not because we are
uninformed or mean-spirited. Rather, our Kendo derives from our teachers 17
years of intensive experience in over 100 different Japanese Dojos, extensive
research concerning Japanese feudal Kendo, and daily
advice in the Japanese language from leading Japanese Kendo masters who learned
Kendo prior to World War II, many of whom actually fought for their lives with
the sword in wartime.
Thus, important to us is not Federation Dan Grade,
but actual competence in realistic sword and staff
combat. We gladly welcome guests who, without prejudice, wish to
experience our feudal Kendo-but not guests who insistently and rudely force upon
us as Holy Grail and Absolute Truth their own 21st Century Sport Kendo rules,
hierarchies, and philosophies. Please do not forget: it is you who have come
without special invitation to us. As such, we would ask you to accept, for the
short time you are here, our customs, as we would do and have always done in
Sport Kendo Dojos. If you find our ancient Kendo not to your liking, you are of
course free to practice elsewhere. But please refrain from preaching,
moralizing, and arguing during your visit. We do wish to improve our fighting
skills-but we cannot learn from supercilious, hostile words, sullen arrogance,
or patronizing condescension. Instead, strike us hard without being struck
yourself; throw us to the floor without being thrown yourself; drive us
mercilessly from one side of the Dojo to the other with excellent technique that
allows no counterattack; prove to us with friendly competence that we are
helplessly exposed to your hard strikes. In this way we can learn from your
exemplary fighting ability, and experience with respect and great pleasure an
opponent with real heart, a comrade we can enjoy.
PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING RULES DURING YOUR
VISIT:
1. All participants without exception must use
the traditional "Fukurojinai" which can be purchased here. The leather sheath
protects from splinters, and the increased weight approaches the weight of the
Katana, making training more realistic. To further protect the expensive Shinais
and avoid potentially dangerous splinters, each Men helmet should be equipped
with a soft leather cushion. You may desire to use elbow protection.
2. We do not practice "Sonkyo", squatting while
crossing the swords, as orthopedic medicine has learned that such deep kneebends
are unhealthy for the knee. Please refrain from this custom while visiting
us.
3. All participants without exception should
always try to use realistically large techniques that would be effective in an
actual armored swordfight. Such modern competition techniques as "Nobimen" (fast
Men touches that can hardly be felt) and other "Tesakiwaza"(mild strikes from
the wrist) receive no recognition in our Dojo, as they are ineffective with
sword or staff.
4. As we are interested in real fighting ability
with real weapons, many techniques no longer allowed in Sport Kendo are in
normal use in our Dojo: Nagewaza throws, Debanatsuki (when possible to the chest
rather than to the throat), Yokomen (as much as possible to the temple, not the
ear). On the other hand, techniques that would be useless against an armored
opponent (such as punching or kicking) are not allowed. No technique used should
cause a real injury to the partner, though slight bruises are of course
unavoidable.
5. We do not interrupt our combat to emphasize
winning points (Shucho), as this practice is unrealistic and a deadly habit in
real fighting. Instead, each participant should do his best to dominate and
defeat his opponent: from outside the opponent's distance (toma) with such
techniques as HaraiMen; in close combat (Tsubazeriai) with throws and powerful
Taiatari; in withdrawing with effective Sagari strikes-then, safely outside the
striking zone, we can recognize winning points (in Sanbon, for example). Do not
allow counterattacks through stylized emphasis on your strikes, as you will
simply invite the use by your opponent of strikes and throws if you fail to
fight your way out to a safe distance. Strikes that are barely felt will not be
recognized. Your opponent will request that you strike harder.
6. We award one point in Shiai for effective
throws, and delete one point if you step out of bounds (Jogai), cannot continue
for whatever reason (Fushogachi), or infringe on the rules (Hansoku). Our Shiai
is usually Ippon rather than Sanbon in order to emphasize that in an actual
swordfight there may be no second chance. An opponent who loses his sword should
be struck immediately so he learns the consequences of such a loss.
7. It is not allowed
during practice to argue, demonstrate loss of emotional control or bad temper,
scold or insult any participant. It is not allowed to respond verbally to
instructions by the teacher or advanced students, particularly during Shiai.
Guests are requested to keep their criticisms to themselves, and to honor our
custom of not talking during practice. Infractions will result in expulsion from
the Dojo without refund.
Special Features