Discovering Kendo
Discovery
It was a lazy summer day, hanging out with a good friend. During a casual drive around the city, we stumbled upon a curious store that sold a range of swords. Before long, we found ourselves leaving the store with two bamboo swords, drawn to the idea of reenacting our childhood stick-fighting games in my friend's backyard. After a few bruises and clunky exchanges, I couldn't shake the thought that there must be a more structured and skillful way to learn how to use this.
I searched for "learn how to fight with bamboo swords in Winnipeg" online. After some investigation, I discovered that there is a Japanese martial art called Kendo. To my delight, there was even a local dojo where people practiced it in my city. I reached out to the dojo to inquire about attending a practice, and I received an invitation to visit. When my friend and I arrived, we were struck by the contrast of the quiet respect and courteous behaviour of the practitioners, followed by the energetic shouting and force executed throughout the practice. It was bizarre, fascinating, and I knew I had to try it. Little did I know that Kendo would become a core pillar in my life.
I am only seven years into my Kendo journey at the time of writing this, but I feel a strong urge to share this amazing martial art with others. In writing this, my goal is to convey the elements of Kendo that keep me motivated and invested in my practice, hoping to spark an interest in others to give it a try.
Self Development
Kendo has been a significant source of self-development for me. While I continue to find Kendo both physically and mentally challenging, my first two years as a practitioner felt especially difficult. Every practice felt like an endurance test, and I would always leave the dojo exhausted, counting down the minutes until it was over. Even though I was in good physical shape and relatively young among the group, I found it difficult to keep up with everyone else. They seemed to have a boundless supply of stamina and mental focus, while I was struggling just to keep going. I felt that the only way to improve was to push myself harder, and there was one lesson that had a lasting impact.
I was changing after practice, feeling defeated and couldn't help but wonder how everyone else seemed to breeze through it with ease. It was only myself and Sensei in the room, and I asked what I needed to do differently. Instead of giving me a straightforward answer, he shared a story.
Three travellers entered a bar and ordered whiskey. An old man was sitting alone in the corner, drinking some form of clear liquid. They approached him and asked to try what he was having. The old man poured each of them a glass, and watched as the first traveler took a sip and ran to the bathroom to vomit, the second took a sip and coughed uncontrollable, the third sniffed the drink and his eyes water. The third traveller asked the old man how he could handle such a strong drink. He simply smiled and replied, "No such thing as strong drink, only weak man."
Sensei concluded his story and left the room, leaving me to digest the underlying message. I was weak, and the only way to overcome my struggles was to change my mindset. I stopped fixating on the clock and instead, began focusing on one step at a time, pushing myself to dig deeper and being in the moment, even when I felt I had nothing left to give.
Implementing this new mindset helped me progress from survival mode to a state that cultivated resilience, endurance, and allowed me to make steady progress in my Kendo. Overcoming the initial challenges allowed me to start enjoying Kendo at a deeper level, and I have discovered many other valuable lessons since. The rigorous physical and mental demands of Kendo practice have helped me build resilience and discipline, which I have found to be transferable to various aspects of my life outside of practice. I have come to appreciate the way Kendo requires one to stay present in the moment while maintaining a steady mindset in the face of adversity, and I am yet to find a better arena that gives me the opportunity to develop my resolve.
Health and Sense of Progress
Practicing Kendo has been an excellent outlet to advance and maintain my physical and mental well-being. The physical demands of the practice have improved my endurance, cardiovascular health, and overall physical condition. A typical two-hour practice at my dojo begins with a warm-up of 15 to 30 minutes, followed by an hour of drills and exercises designed to build fundamental skills and test physical limits. The session concludes with roughly 30 minutes of sparring, where I have the chance to put lessons into action. Through these challenging moments, I have learned to regulate my breath, stay relaxed, and push past fatigue.
As someone who has practiced various martial arts throughout my life, I've come to appreciate the unique physical demands of Kendo. Kendo's power and movement are generated from the legs, hips, and core, exerting the muscles in a way that I never have before. Every strike is accompanied by Kiai (shout) to regulate breathing, expand the lungs, and project a powerful spirit. A strong grip and flexible wrists also play an essential role in executing an effective strike with the shinai. I find that even the fittest of practitioners are humbled by the introduction to Kendo, as the execution of these elements feels particularly demanding early on until you learn to relax during the process.
Something that I have come to realize is that having a sense of progress towards a level of mastery in anything is healthy and beneficial for an individual’s overall sense of well being. To me, Kendo is particularly fascinating as there is an infinite number of layers to peel back along such a journey. However, the beauty of Kendo is that true mastery exists in achieving more with less — and I am inspired to see men and women practicing well into their senior years, looking strong, healthy, with an impenetrable spirit. While I am proud of the progress I have made with the fundamentals, I am excited about the long journey ahead as I continue to develop my skills and peel back the layers of learning.
Culture
Kendo has introduced me to a rich culture that extends beyond just the physical practice. Through my interactions with fellow students and Sensei, I have had the chance to learn about traditional Japanese etiquette and philosophy. It is fascinating to see how these cultural values have been maintained in Kendo, with humility, dignity, and respect being integral to each practice, from the moment you enter the dojo to the final bow as you leave.
The discipline, focus, and mindfulness required in practice have provided me with a unique opportunity to connect to a different way of approaching life. Each practice starts with a short meditation, allowing me to clear my mind and set goals for the session. While I have often come to practice feeling stressed, the physical exertion and mindfulness have reliably left me feeling refreshed and reinvigorated each time. I would be hard pressed to find a modern outlet that allows one to connect with a deeper part of themselves than Kendo in this way.
Finally, the connections and friendships I have made through Kendo have been incredibly meaningful. The Kendo community is vast and spans across the globe, bringing together individuals from all walks of life who share a common passion and a drive for personal growth. Being part of such an inclusive and welcoming community has been truly amazing, and I feel lucky to have found such a unique and enriching environment.
If you are interesting in discovering Kendo in Canada, you can find a directory here.