Hello fellow kenshis! I’m sorry for the post being non-strictly related to kendo as in “real kendo training” but maybe some of the gamers among you are interested!

I make videogames for a hobby and I’ve been making them since more than 10 years ago, when I was a kid, tho unfortunately this is not my job yet.

After seeing the last WKC in Milan and after my dojo stopped training for the summer season (I’ll be back in September) I was just missing the dojo so much that I had to do something (apart from trying to stay fit and exercise cardio), so I started working on this little thing.

I don’t know if it’ll ever become a full fledged project in the future, but for now here’s what I’m planning to have in it:

-Realistic but feedback-driven combat system (I’m starting to think at the various “when would you have an opening now, enabling the targets to be hit only then?” or “assume counter attack stance during a hit to perform oji waza” and that kind of stuff) -Personalization of player’s gear -Shiai tournament and increasing opponent skill level (play with speed, intensity, waiting time between attacks..) -Training mode (learn what the target are, what the rules are, hands on target training) -Different dojos and fighting environment

I found quite some references on modern indie fighting games and I would love to try and mimic some of their systems and cheerful graphic style, that’s why I’m not going for full realism and good graphics (that’d be technically difficult too).

Also, I’m in need of sound effects and vocal samples for the players’ kiais and shinpan commands, so if some of you would like to help in that regard I’d be really grateful and happy (I could even put all of them and let the player choose his own favorite actually!)..and also a UI designer wouldn’t hurt :P Also, any general advice or specific combat mechanic that you think would be fun and fit, I’ll be happy to listen!

Okay, sorry for the (way too long) post, I just thought it might be interesting for you to see this! Whenever I get some big update or the game launches I’ll be happy to post again. Sorry for the low frame rate of the video too, but my laptop kinda explodes with recording in OBS+Unity Editor..

Wishing a wonderful summer to all of you and with much admiration for those who keep training even in the current hellish heat conditions, I salute you all!

Ganbatte :)

Someone recently posted a link to George’s (kenshi24) translation of Baba sensei's article about the internationalization of kendo. The article is old, but I believe the points still stand.

This is a topic that has been bugging me for a while: is kendo something that can be taught and appreciated separately from Japanese culture? And should it?

A bit of background first. I've been doing kendo for more than thirty years, but with long breaks for various reasons. I've also been married to a Japanese lady for close to 25 years and regularly go to Japan. So I'm no stranger to Japanese culture.

Because of reasons, the dojo I’m training at is small, but we are lucky to have a great teacher coming from another dojo to train us. He is seventh dan. Apart from him, we have one fourth dan, two third dan (including me), two first dan, and a half dozen of roughly ikkyu level (we don’t usually grade adults for kyu grades in France). I regularly go to other dojo with higher ranking sensei both in Paris and Lille, so my own practice is fine.

I am saddened by the disconnect between the practice and the ignorance of Japanese culture among these people, who are keen and regular kendo practitioners. I won’t go into details, but for exemple, when I’m leading the warmups I have to remind them how to count in Japanese. My personal understanding is that kendo as a martial art is cultural, and that you need to understand Japanese culture to some extent to be “authentic” (whatever that means).

I’m going to join the national course for kendo teaching certification this September which will allow me to lead a beginner class. This has led me to question my own practice, my own goals and therefore the teaching style and the content of the courses that I will lead. Furthermore, my wife (shodan) and kids (never done kendo but keen to try) might join, so this is becoming a very personal issue for me.

I am going to link my kendo teaching as much as possible to Japanese culture. I’ll try to link the dojo with cultural outings (fortunately possible in Paris), with hopefully the help of my wife who’s more keen on “social kendo” and second dojo practice anyhow than on the sweaty bit...

I wonder if this is also an issue that resonates with the community, and if I’m completely going the wrong way about it or not.

May your body be healthy,
Your shinai strike true.
And your do himo not come undone.

May your footwork be stealthy,
Your zenshin follow through.
May kendo be vigorous and fun!

She puts a lot of effort into making custom birthday cards for everyone in our family, and she pretty much outdid herself this time around. She even used glitter for the dō! I can't stop smiling at this ^{w^}

I actually come from the naginata side of things, (I did do kendo for about a year in first grade) and it's super different. You guys are much faster and louder, but your legs are always vulnerable, because you don't do sune (idk how to spell it) in general it's just a vary different feeling fighting a someone with a shinai (again idk how to spell it)

It's always fun though

Something I was wondering about with a friend.

I know this martial art has a high turnover rate: a lot of people start and don't keep it up, so I imagine a lot of sensei don't try to attach themselves to students for that reason. But is there a point where that "wall" comes down and you start to know students on a personal level? Or do you prefer to keep things professional forever?

I wasn't at practice for about 4 months now due to personal reasons. I feel like I lost a lot of my little progress I had but I have new motivation and I sorted the personal stuff. How can I start properly again after the absence?

I'm 99% sure tsuki in junior competitions is not allowed. However, what about just standing still aka mukae-tsuki? Because i think im right in thinking if you strike men but get mukae tsuki the men cut is invalid.

I say this because in my keiko I do see a place for mukae tsuki personally (especially against people who just strike men) and would like to know if I can implement this into my last junior tournament!

Update: 1, I lost, but! I saw someone mukae (like in the tsuki dare as they came forward under their arms) tsuki someone in the semifinal and the shinpans didn't batter an eyelid lol.

(In the UK)

Brief call-out post from last spring from Merci sensei, address to our university students kenshi.

https://hy-kendo.com/2024/02/25/please-dont-stink-hygiene-in-kendo/

Please send us your worst experience and your best practice to help out.

Hello! This is a bit different but I hope it's not against the rules! If so, feel free to delete! Anyway, im writing a story where one of my main characters trains in kendo. It's a story surrounding street fights and action in general, so I will of course exaggerate a few aspects of this sport.

I would like to interview or ask people who love Kendo, are beginners, or seasoned kendoka a few questions, just so I get a better perspective from real life people. Articles can only get me so far lol.

Im new to kendo and my sensei was showing me the men strike, especially how you need to accelerate the blade and not just passively move your arms up and down the whole time. He was facing me and as he did a men strike, a literal, quite powerful gust of wind hit me just a bit after he did it. It was surreal, I always thought wind gusts from blades were an anime overexaggeration, but no, its real.

An anecdote

After evening training I (F, late 50s) went to the change rooms at the university sports centre. I was still wearing my full get-up minus men & kote. I had black sandals on, my white hair was in a messy (post tenugui) ponytail and I carried my shinai bag vertically in one hand.

As I walked in to the changing area a young lady was about to walk out and unfortunately I gave her quite a fright. I apologised and said I didn't mean to frighten anyone. She said she was startled because, in that split second, she thought was a character from the book Harry Potter. My shinai bag looked like I was carrying a wand!

Ever wondered why so many kendo masters emphasize one-sword (Itto) training, even for those interested in two-sword (Nito-ryu)? In this video, we break down the fundamental reasons why Itto is the essential building block for Nito mastery.

Are you struggling to progress in two-sword (Nito-ryu) kendo? The answer might lie in your one-sword (Itto) practice. In this video, we explore the why behind the importance of Itto for Nito mastery.

• Footwork (Ashisabaki) & Body Movement (Taisabaki): Learn how proper footwork and body movement with one sword create the foundation for fluid two-sword movement.

• Timing (Datotsu no Kikai) & Distance (Maai): Mastering timing and distance with one sword is paramount for managing the complexity of two swords. We explain why.

• Sword Principles (Riai): Understanding the core principles of the sword through Itto practice is crucial for advanced Nito techniques.

• Mental Discipline (Sen): Develop the mental focus and initiative necessary for two-sword combat through rigorous one-sword training.

Discover the often-overlooked connection between one-sword and two-sword kendo and unlock your true potential. This video is a must-watch for any serious kendo practitioner.

Learn why a solid foundation in Itto is essential for passing grading and truly mastering Nito Kendo !!

Hi all. Recently in the dojo I've been trying to help out a lot more and, last keiko, a visiting 3 dan came up to me and said "otsukare" which means "great job" or "thanks for helping". I am just wondering how to react to that phrase, as my japanese teacher always says that if a senior says something along those lines to NOT say it in return because it would be considered "comparing your efforts to the regular amount of effort the senior puts in" or even "putting yourself on the same level of respect as the senior" which is a huge disrespect. In this case, I just said thank you, and I think it was OK, but I'm not sure, and I never want to be rude! Any response is appreciated.

Hello fellow kendoka,

I am two weeks into recovery after injuring my right knee during a shiai, and I have questions that are specific to my recovery in relation to kendo.

Obviously I’ll listen to what my PT says, just looking if anybody knows more or has had some similar experience

I’m mostly wondering about the following things:

1) Will I be able to sit in seiza again? 2) Will fumi-komi be possible or should I look into switching my stance? 3) Should I wear knee sleeve of some sort?

Any other suggestions are appreciated as well

im watching on youtube right now. normally when a point is scored both plays raise their sword above their head and then sort of walk into each other. i carnt find anything online about the purpose of this :(

Now I know this may seem like an ‘everyone needs to determine this for themselves’ kind of thing and it may also depend on how far you are in your kendo, but I am really curious about this.

If someone has been doing kendo for a long time what is more likely: that they did not have a competitive phase at all or used to have a hyper-competitive phase that may or may not be still continuing? Or even they just had one big competitive phase that was not a phase and continues to deep sensei-hood from beginner-hood?

We recently had an (friendly) argument about this with some dojo-mates, who argued that kendo being so immersed in etiquette, history, and tradition, and also its overall integrity and focus on introspection cannot be practiced long term by very competitive individuals and that they are likely to quit before getting a high rank or even shodan. He did say this person can later become uncompetitive and become a long term enjoyer but they would need to learn to like the uncompetitive side first as ‘grading kendo’ is what will in the end give you a sense of accomplishment. And overall the sieve of Kendo would be likely to eliminate the hyper-competitive beginners from the start.

Another friend argued that the people who were likely to be long term immersed are people who started hyper-competitively and ‘grading kendo’ and ‘shiai kendo’ if done one right are basically the same so being super motivated to go to competitions will improve their kendo exponentially and they will be engaged and hooked. And a level of healthy competition will do them good.

I personally love discussing the philosophical side of kendo and adore kata, but I would say my favorite part of kendo are the competitions rn and I look forward to them the most so I think I am hyper-competitive and agree with the second friend mor. I guess I do not know how long I will continue but I feel like I want to do kendo for many more years.

The group discussing this were all shodan (and me on the sidelines an ikkyu) who have been doing kendo for 1.5-2 years by the way so we are beginner adjacent but not completely uninformed by what kendo has in store for us.

Now these are obviously no hard claims but it was more like trying to profile beginners who would stick with kendo for years or a lifetime to come— not to discriminate but to somehow look at an overall trend in how people stick with kendo.

I am curious what you guys think and what your experience was like?

Is there any good tricky except practice?

Hello!

First and foremost this is not me being jealous or envious, I'm just curious and wanna know what might led to this decision.

I got my Do and Tare after 6 months in, but those 2 guys got it after 2-3 months.

Give me your thoughts please.

I'm sorry that it's not related to this subreddit but I wanted more exposure for this topic, is there a place where I can see/practice Jodo or Shinto Muso Ryu?

Accents and lining are a floral fabric to go with the bees.

I just got an MRI done on my left foot and all signs point to Morton's Neuroma. The typical treatment is wearing a specialized orthotic (which can't really be worn during kendo?) and avoided the repetitive stress (in this case... basically all of kendo). There's other treatment methods, but all of them seem to say "you should still avoid repetitive stress even if you are using any other treatment" like corticosteroid shots or even surgery.

I know I should probably just wait to see what my doctor has to say, but I'm out here expecting the worst, basically that I should avoid kendo... forever.

Wondering if anybody has been successful with handling Morton's Neuroma and continuing with kendo? Or if this might spell the end of my kendo journey?

Discover the Hidden Power of Kendo: Beyond the Physical

Ever wondered how a martial art like Kendo can benefit your daily life? This video delves into the mental and spiritual aspects of Kendo, exploring concepts like Fudoshin (immovable mind) and Zanshin (total awareness).

Learn how Kendo can help you: - Enhance focus and concentration - Develop mental resilience - Cultivate a calm and composed demeanor - Improve decision-making skills - Build self-discipline and perseverance

Whether you're a Kendo practitioner or simply curious about personal growth, this video offers valuable insights into the mindset of a true martial artist.

Can you knock someone out with Shinai even if they are wearing their men?