The goal of kendo is "the development of self thought the application of the sword".
I had a rather nasty experience in my Kendo practise session on Thursday at the KenYuKai dojo that pushed me along this path, or so I think.
It was with one of that dojo's club members that I had an argument with. Actually, it was more of a one sided argument as he was the one hurling most of the abuse.
During a keiko match with him, he went for my men (head) target and followed though past me. As he turned around to face me, I was ready to repay the strike with a men strike of my own. As I did it, I was told by him that I was wrong and should I ever do that to him again, I would be "£$%- up! Naturally, I was shocked by his comments as the strike is normal in keiko practise, and is used to take advantage of those who don't not block or get out of the way after a strike attempt! I tried to explain the strike was a legitimate attempt, but saw my words were falling on deaf ears. We continued with the keiko match. However, I could feel his anger oozing from his armour (as well as see some whispered profanities from his mouth) which made it all that much easier to avoid his strike attempts and allow me to strike his targets...men..kote..men..men..kote...kote...men. Wasn't too much of a challenge as by now, his anger had reached such a height, I think l could swing a mallet over his head, crack his skull open, and he still would not feel anything (amazing what anger can make you do)! Anyway, I decided to stop the match as it would be pointless trying to continue.
Ray sensei, who was sitting on the sidelines but unfortunately did not see the incident,came over and asked why we had stopped. I explained what happened and he agreed with me that my strike was legit.He tried to explain this to my opponent, but again, nothing was getting through.
Anyway,to cut the story short, at the end of practise , Ray sensei asked Buster Sensei for his opinion on the matter,and again, Buster Sensei acknowledged my strike was legit. He called my opponent and I over to explain the situation. My opponent did the talking, saying things like I have no respect, didn't know keiko etiquette, etc, etc. I felt he was getting really personal at times! Buster Sensei listened and eventfully said that I was right as in keiko, it should be full-blooded attacks all the time if there is no major difference in rank. This, he continued, is how it is done here, in Japan, and everywhere else in the world where Kendo is practised.If you don't defend yourself as you turn to face your opponent, you deserve to be killed!
(This next bit is the best..) My opponent then shouted back saying that this should not be allowed and must be changed! Come on, bud! Kendo has been practised like this for decades and now YOU want to change it??!! Get real!
Well, he stormed out the dojo and Buster and Ray Sensei assured me there was nothing wrong with my keiko.
I spoke to my main sensei, Tony, the next day about it, and he told me again that I had done nothing wrong and my keiko was good.
However, even with the approval of all my sensei's, the whole incident left a very bitter taste in my mouth and left me with plenty of questions - Was I too instinctive in my counter-attack by reacting like that? Was I too cocky or arrogant during our keiko or when he reprimanded me? Was I getting too personal in my keiko that he attacked me personally afterwards?
In my attempt to answer those question, I came up with the following answers:
1. Instinct is for animals. As a conscientious species, humans should control their instinct and use that in conjunction with logic and strategy in a combat situation. So, for me, I must fight back the instinctive reactions and try and blend instinct,logic and strategy into my kendo.
2. By trying to win in keiko, I am already projecting a certain amount of forcefulness that can be perceived to be arrogant or cocky. My goal in this aspect is to remain humble yet assertive at all times. Winning is not everything. I have a long way to go on this one.
3. Never get personal in a fight. It clouds judgement and makes you lose the most important thing you will need to survive: common sense. For this, I need to cultivate a rock for a heart, but a spirit that is indomitable.
I'm not sure if these are the right answers, but they are my answers nevertheless. Am I on the right path, or have I lost my direction along the way?
If it is the former, then I guess I have to say thanks to my opponent for forcibly pushing me along that path. If it is the latter, then someone please beat the crap out of me in the next keiko!
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It is sad when people loose the true meaning of the Kendo sprit. As it is there are not that many kendoka out there. The one thing I think is that players can take things personal, and perhaps have some egos to contend with. Which is in essence not what kendo is about and it is very sad because instead of promoting this sport it will instead scare potential candidates off as we should all try to lead by example. In short perhaps you keiko partner had a bad day and his anger was not entirely directed towards you but still this is no excuse to be rude, after all Kendo is a sport practiced with dignity and self discipline, and respect for oneself and others. Therefore I would think it would be necessary to leave temper tantrums outside the dojo, along with egos etc.
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