Kendo

So... I`ve just started kendo practice for a year..... Let`s discuss about it in this place.... Okay Kendo (martial arts is sports right?)

I'm assuming you know how to do men, kote, do, men-kote, right? I used to do kendo, but decided to take a break from club activities and haven't really continued it since then, though I might take it up at a local dojo soon. My senpai Tadashiro became a sensei at san-dan, so that's pretty beastly when he's only 28 years old or something like that.

Hm.... I`m still kyuu 4..... well not for long (June is the grading time....) Quite good though I have seen a 27 years old 6th dan..... and It seems starting this month he will come and teach us once every month.... My city currently has no sensei now... Which leaves me taught by sempai.... Though there are sensei which leaves near our city.... and we get to see them once a month (go to their dojo) Their trainning is harsh.... (they are 7th and 8th dan) I recently know that my men posture was wrong... Fortunately it was repairable, unlike some of my sempai that has created a habit which resulting in them being tortured (not literally).... Hehehehe...
So.... how long have u been practicing kendo???

For a year's worth (two semesters at college before giving it a break). So technically, I don't know what kyuu I'm at, and given that I haven't practiced it in a while, I'm pretty rusty. I've never had a problem with my men posture, thank goodness, but my training at college was hell considering that I was out of shape (and still am, but more in shape now). Then again, Tadashiro, our senpai and instructor, was a PhD student and finished his PhD last year, so I can imagine that he spent his childhood doing kendo, then he'd be at least go-dan. He started kendo around undergrad college, hence the gap.

I am thinking about joining a local dojo, but that'll have to wait until I get in better shape, like lose another 45-55 lbs before I know I'm in shape.

So u haven`t participate in grading??? Well, just join... u will gain shape when u practice.... i`m not in good shape too.... The sensei`s trainning (which make us to kiri kaeshi 100 times is quite a great workout)..... Uchikomi and several others... but like I said currently only sempai that taught us... so I don`t get to see sensei ocassionally.... FYI I`m using bogu cause my sempai told me that I`m ready.... That`s why I was kinda afraid when we practice with sensei again (the last time I practice with sensei was when I haven`t allowed to use bogu)
edit: I met a first dan level middle grade kid..... He beat me so easily.... Sigh... and he also beat several of my sempai easily.... My goal is to defeat him (well, one of my goal)

I remember this one practice I had with Tad... each club practice is an hour and half. We ended up doing subiri (or kiri kaeshi? I don't remember anymore) for over 1000 strikes. I lost count, but we were doing men strikes for over an hour because some of the guys in our club kept messing up the count, and as punishment, Tad would stop at him and go back two/three people and start the subiri again. (20 strikes each) This repeated again and again (One person was notorious for messing his count while striking... which fucked us over.) That, was hell.

Wew, that sucks.....

I do Kumdo (Korean variant/version). I assume that counts as well?
I'm pretty sure the core basics are the same.

i would love to do kendo i have the shinai and everything but there are no clubs near were i live in england

Kendo sounds great!!!looks great as well plus the intimidating factor of a sword..but i dont even know where to start i dont think they even sell any kendo gear here

Yes!!

there's a Kendo Thread here!!

well this is my one of my Favorite Sports in Japan.

I'm hoping that this thread will take more members

I think Kumdo and Kendo are only similar in that it is a sword art...I think that the usage of them were different though...I practice kumdo too. They are definitely similar in core basics because they are both asian originated sword arts, but if I remember correctly kumdo was used on horseback as well as on foot, can't say for sure if kendo was used only on foot or while on animals as well.

Also I am pretty sure that Kendo is a derivative of Kumdo, as Kumdo appeared in history before Kendo did. I think they are derived from chinese sword arts/ancient fencing, as almost all things korean/japanese/surrounding asian area are. :D

Kumdo and kendo is basically the same.... at least that was what my sempai said.... but no.... kendo can`t use a horseback...... Well, it is unfortunate for one that can`t practice because there isn`t a dojo.... I warn u, never try to train by yourself.... It will make a bad habit..... (Even my sempai that learn from proper sensei can create bad habit.....)

so this discussion is turning into swordplay discussion eh?

kendo looks interesting...

haha I know Taijijian (tai chi sword)...

but its the performance version, plus the sword is like a foil so you cant really hit anything with it.

I've met a master in China who could do the fighting version, its really cool, but probably would take my whole life to master that...

Yay, Kumdo user! Well, I remember hearing something that Kendo doesn't have the BumkuemPuhn(shit, can't write it in english) or something.

Honestly, kumdo and kendo are the same thing. You fight in a square using one or two shinai and wearing a bogu while trying to score points through specific target hits. Everything else like philosophy and idealogy is all native. Practices and rituals might also be different, but I can't imagine that much of a difference.

Yeah... please don`t turn this thread into a battlefield.....
Or I will ask you to have shiai with me... Heheehehehe

What rank are you guys by the way? I'm just curious.
I'm a 2-Dan.

Please, I haven't even ranked yet. Only did 1 year of kendo at college then had to stop... though I wish I could continue it and my archery.

Me, just goes up to kyuu 2