Though rooted in past, kendo traditions reverberate worldwide |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Feb 04 2009 at 2:50 PM |
Photo by Josh Moody
By Josh Moody
Antelope Staff
Every Friday at 5 p.m., a small group of devoted individuals meet on a racquetball court in the Health and Sports Center to practice kendo, a Japanese martial art that has been around for over 700 years.
While kendo is a great way to get some exercise, the origins of kendo come out when watching the sport unfold. Through warrior-like screams unleashed by the competitors and through the thunderous crack made by the reverberation of two shinai bouncing off of one another, the sounds of kendo reveal the roots of the sport to the spectator.
Kendo, which is literally translated as "way of the sword," developed originally as a method for training samurai warriors in feudal Japan. Today, the sport maintains a certain degree of popularity.
"It used to be very popular among children; however, the number of people who practice kendo is declining. Yet kendo is still required in many schools as part of their curriculum," said Dr. Satoshi Machida, a political science professor from Chiba, Japan and an avid practitioner of kendo.
The roots of the sport can be seen in the suit of armor worn by participants. The traditional protective gear is collectively known as a "bogu" and has long remained a staple of kendo. The wooden sword of kendo, known as a shinia, is built to resemble the katana, a popular Japanese sword. The shinia is built of four bamboo slats, held together through tightly bound leather fittings.
While kendo may find its roots in the ancient traditions of Japan, kendo is one tradition that is not segregated to the past, as practitioners of the ancient art can find kendo clubs not only in Japan but worldwide. Kendo has grown from its ancient roots into an international phenomenon, with world kendo championships being held in Tokyo, Japan as early as 1970. Since the initial world championship in 1970, the International Kendo Federation has acted as the governing body for the sport, hosting championships throughout the world every three years.
Whether a testament to globalization or a testament to the true popularity of kendo, the fact that the world kendo championships have consistently been held in international locations speaks volumes. The championships draw competitors from nations around the globe. In 2009, the world kendo championships will be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Dr. Machida is no stranger to the aspect of the globalization of kendo after spending three years practicing kendo at the University of Kentucky. "American and international students practiced kendo together. I really think we learned a lot about each other through kendo. Kendo is a great way to develop friendships. Without the kendo team, my life in Kentucky as a graduate student would have been totally different," Dr. Machida said.
"Kendo trains me both physically and mentally. It sharpens my mind," Dr. Machida said. "After playing kendo for an hour or so, I find myself happy no matter what I was going through that day."
