PUBLIC MARKS with tags budo & kendo

KYO (odoroku) – LA SURPRISE KU (osoreru) – LA PEUR GI (utaga.u) – LE DOUTE WAKU (mado.u) – LA PERPLEXITE Lors d’un combat, il est important de conserver « Hei Jô Shin » (calme permanent de l’esprit). Or « Hei Jô Shin » est perturbé par les 4 faiblesses.

he following essay was awarded the kantosho prize in the Junior High School section of the “32nd kendo youth research seminar.” I am a deshi Written by: Hasuda Tomoka 1st year Junior high school student (approx. 13yrs old) Miyazaki prefecture, Miyazaki city, Shujakukan dojo Suddenly, after keiko one day my sensei said “you are my deshi.” I was surprised at the suddenness of words, but I was also happy that he called me “deshi.” However, I somehow felt strange. Its because I didn’t actually understand the word “deshi” or what being one means or involves. I thought hard about the meaning of the word and searched out information about it in books and dictionaries. I discovered that “deshi” is part of a “teacher-student” relationship (師弟の関係).

"Even if your foe is greatly evil, don't draw your sword, or let your foe draw theirs. Don't cut and don't be cut. Don't kill, and don't be killed. Help them transform into a good person. If they still won't comply, then send them to the next world."

Several years ago, I had an opportunity to speak with Takashi Ezaki sensei, one of the founding members and an instructor at the Kendo Club at the University of Michigan. A few weeks before he left to return to Japan, we were discussing our motivations for doing kendo. Ezaki-sensei made a remark that has stayed with me since. He said, "Kendo in America is very interesting. Sometimes in Japan I find kendo a little boring. But in America it is fascinating to hear Americans try to teach things like "rei", which we don't teach in Japan because its already widely understood."

Here you’ll find information concerning Kendo. Kendo Basics Equipment Maintenance Additional Kendo Information

The idea behind this website is to provide a collaboratively produced kendo (and its relatated arts) blog. Many people from all parts of the world can provide information on whats happening in their area as well as writing about all types of kendo-related articles.

By Dave Lowry Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two part article entitled "Ittosai’s Test" which is an excerpt from Dave Lowry’s new book, “Clouds In The West.” It is about the eccentric but brilliant swordsman Ito Ittosai Kagehisa, the founder of the sword tradition of Itto ryu, and his efforts to find a successor. Itto ryu eventually grew to be one of the largest and most important schools of Japanese swordmanship. It was adopted by the military authority of Japan, the Tokugawa shogun, and other lords of feudal Japan, including the Aizu from which diato ryu aikjujutsu sprang through the legendary teacher Takeda Sokaku Sensei. Itto ryu also influenced the technical curriculum of kendo (the modern Japanese art of fencing that uses mock weapons made of bamboo). Today there are several separate traditions of Itto ryu practiced. Another important variant is Onoha Itto Ryu Sokaku Den, passed down through several daito ryu and aiki budo traditions.

As part of my Kendo Shodan （first degree black belt) examination （剣道の初段の審査）, I had to answer a question regarding one of Budo’s fundamental principles - that of ‘ki ken tai ichi’ I’ve included my answer here in hopes that it helps people better understand Budo in general.