Ask your average person what ‘kendo’ is, and there is a good chance that the answer will fall within a diverse spectrum of responses, ranging from “Swinging samurai swords about, innit?” at one extreme to “WTF is kendo?” at the other.
Now, whilst the latter scores 0/10, to be honest, the former does not score much higher. There is much more to “The Way of the Sword” than simply smacking people with one at random.
First and foremost, the focus of kendo is technique. Everything from the gliding motion of your feet to the straightness of your spine must match to a strict form. Not only does the combination of all your limbs working together look very aesthetically pleasing but, as is the base of so many martial arts, correct technique is specifically constructed so as to generate maximum efficiency from minimum effort.
This is not like tennis, where you can choose whether or not you want to have a one or two-handed backhand. In kendo, you simply have to grind through the initial stages of going over proper form and posture until it becomes muscle-memory; kendo is not a pick-up-and-play sport, it is an acute test of your discipline and proprioception. However, by the end of the session, I was just about getting the hang of it.
At the tail-end of the session the members faced off in pairs, and I was treated to an exhibition of what I could expect to be doing in the coming weeks.
Each warrior had their own unique “kiai” – a battle cry or “expression of your spirit” (think “Hi-yah!” “Leeroy Jenkins,” etc.) – to accompany what were some pretty hefty strikes to the armour of their opponent. But at the same time as being struck by the real energy possessed by the warriors in battle one couldn’t help but be impressed by the discipline and maintenance of poise and form throughout.
The members were consistently encouraging (particularly admirable in the face of my persistent uselessness), and the atmosphere was remarkably open and friendly. For my part, this Spotlight session left enough of an impression on me that I shall be returning next week.
The University Kendo Dojo train on-campus most Tuesdays (8.30pm, Derwent Squash Courts) and Sundays (8pm, James Hall), and off-campus on Tuesdays, meeting at the library bus stop at 6.30pm.