World of hobbies

Japanese kendo fencing club "Dubna"

For more than three years, the Japanese kendo fencing club "Dubna" has been training in the ballet hall of the JINR Cultural Centre "Mir", gathering everyone interested in this amazing Japanese art. We talked to Head of the Club Pavel NEKHOROSHKOV.

How and when did you discover the art of Japanese fencing?

- More than 12 years ago, when I arrived in Dubna. I have long been fond of martial arts and wanted to try myself as a kendoki - a man standing in the Way of the Sword (Ken-Do), studying the principles and techniques of traditional Japanese fencing. I was primarily attracted to it by simplicity, a lot of internal work on coordinating movements, concentration, lack of doubt, fighting my fears and real cooperation with a person through sword contact. So, a year later, I was able to try full-contact fights in armor and could no longer come off. And all these years, I have been constantly doing kendo. It should also be stated that our club in Dubna has always been small. When Nikolay Geraksiev came from Bulgaria and founded the club, he could find only a few enthusiasts. During this time, more than 50 people have been involved in the Club with me. We have cooperated with Moscow clubs, joined the Kendo Federation and we currently take part in seminars and competitions on an ongoing basis, pass exams. And today, the Club, one might say, is at its peak.

And what emotions do you experience in training, in the process, when there is a contact with a person through the swords? In kendo art, are fighters called rivals?

- Before each training, we make obligatory micromeditation during which it is necessary to calm down, to postpone all routine experiences and to tune in to training. Beginners are advised to think about one thing in themselves that can be improved during each workout. When swords come into contact, in training, most often we know in advance who will perform the techniques and who will assist. Therefore, formally, two people with swords are rivals but in kendo respect and mutual assistance are very important even in a duel. The task of the assistant is to create all the conditions for the correct implementation of the technique. During training fights or demonstrations of forms without armor, it is very important to feel the intentions, spirit and mental state of the opponent. It is achieved through pressure or loosening of the sword, posture, shouting and looking. In kendo, training is structured in such a way that the physical and mental load increases from warm-up to a free fight. Personally, I try to keep a free mind but I load the body physically. The sensations are unforgettable when a second wind opens in the middle of the lesson. At the same time, one should not think that the goal is to show the power of one's body through overcoming oneself. The goal is to achieve a state where the body itself will discard ineffective movements and rely more on mental skills. But the true delight comes after the workout when you give all of yourself and sit down for the final micromeditation. After that, you feel renewal, strength, energy for a few more hours.

It turns out that the art of kendo is more about harmony, philosophy and balance than a fight and a sports match, for example, such as boxing or hand-to-hand wrestling, isn't it? I can also assume that classes have a beneficial effect on the human body from a physical point of view. For example, strengthening, stretching muscles, balance and overall body tone...

- You know, not really. Everyone finds something different in kendo. Often, starting a duel with a stranger, a kind of game occurs, you become interested in who is in front of you. Sports kendo people will easily overcome you, as they spend a lot of time practicing physical skills and specific combat ligaments. Such a kendo is very similar to boxing. However, there are other people that are interested in ritual, philosophy - it turns out to establish a "dialogue" with them on swords. Well, there are those who appreciate kendo for the development of muscles in the arms and legs. Over time, interests also shift and often kendo practitioners move into related disciplines - iaido, jodo, naginata-do, or begin to study historical fencing - kenjutsu. There are no harsh full-contact duels in these species but the same principles of sword philosophy are used. It should be stated that in our club sometimes there are training in iaido and jodo, as they enrich and complement kendo. Iaido - literally "the art of readiness, lightning attack" - single use of katana (not a wooden sword), jodo - "the way of the staff" - the study of forms of fencing with a wooden stick. All these disciplines, of course, take time, so we recommend mastering everything gradually, learning the meanings of kendo that can be applied anywhere.

At an open lesson in September 2024, I noticed a symbol unfamiliar to me. Tell us about this sign, please.

- At an open lesson last year, we carried out demonstration of basic forms of interaction: traditional forms with a wooden sword in which there are principles of a duel and basic techniques and in armor showed basic blows and a free duel so that the audience understood what kendo is. At first, as usual, we placed our shomen (an image of a symbol of a club, school) in a prominent place of honor, since bows are made to him at the beginning and at the end of training. In karate, it is customary to bow to sensei and hall, while in kendo it is imperative to bow to the flag and symbol of a particular school. At the beginning of his journey, Nikolay Geraksiev (our founder) created this symbol by uniting the image of an atom and a protective helmet, by which kendo is recognized all over the world. It happened because our club represents and is supported by the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. Most of our members are researchers. Thus, the unity of kendo art and nuclear research is symbolized. We wear the same symbol as a dzekken on nafuds (nameplates worn on the front of the armor). Since there are no levels in the kendo and some visual differences, you can understand who is in front of you - you can only see his last name, name and symbol of the club.

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I express my sincere gratitude for the meaningful conversation. Your professional knowledge and experience have made a significant contribution to the popularization of the art of Japanese kendo fencing in the city of Dubna. I would like to emphasize that both young people and girls can join the study of this art. The staff of the Cultural Centre "Mir" highly appreciates the desire to share experience and inspire young enthusiasts to study the ancient art of kendo. We wish your Club further success, prosperity and inspiration in development!

Ekaterina BYSTROVA,
Head of the cultural and mass sector of the Cultural Centre "Mir"