World of hobbies

The journey of a thousand miles
starts with the first step

Our Club Kendo turns 9 this year. It was established in 2013 by Nikolay Geraksiev on free principles, that is, each member of the Club helps its development with his activity.

Several times a year we participate in competitions and trainings in dojos in other regions of Russia and other countries. We hold demonstration events at the annual festival of Japanese culture Katana Fest, organized by Natalia Rybnikova. Thanks to the support of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and especially to the Association of Young Scientists and Specialists, today we train 3 times a week: on Sundays - in the large hall of the Stadium "Nauka", on Tuesdays and Fridays - in the small halls of the Cultural Centre "Mir" and the Stadium. Now, we will talk about this amazing form of competition. If you have any questions or would like to visit the trainings to learn the art of kendo with us, please, write to our group vk.com/kendodubna. We are very excited about newcomers!

History of Kendo

Kendo (Kendo, "the way of the sword") is a Japanese swordsmanship that originated in the old schools of swordsmanship. It started with competitions on shinai (bamboo swords) in a god (protective armor).

Today, kendo is included in the compulsory physical education curriculum in Japanese schools and in the police as a way of physical and psychological preparation. There are about one and a half million kendo practitioners in Japan today. This is every hundredth of the country's total population, including children and the elderly (indeed, including, since kendo is practiced in Japan from early childhood to old age). The matter is that beneath the surface of simple activities, odd forms of etiquette, technique and competitive rules, there is a deep meaning of the Way of the Sword.

In modern kendo, just like centuries ago, fights are held with protective armor and a bamboo sword, at full strength and at full speed. As in any sport, the rules of the competition are almost the basic determining factor. There are many of them, but the basic one is the concept of a valid (reasonable, effectual) strike. In kendo, not any strike is counted, but only the one that meets certain requirements: an accurate strike or thrust made with the right part of the sword; demonstrating a strong spirit and good posture before an attack, having a good winning spirit in case of a counterattack. That is, in order to win, one needs to perform such a strike (with some reservations) that would be the most efficient in case he/she uses a real sword in a real situation. One of the main principles of kendo: "Shin-ki-ryoku-itchi" - the unity of consciousness, spirit and technology; it is expressed in the right position of the sword, body and spirit in each strike. Fights last up to two points (ippons) that are recorded by three judges with significant personal experience, often at a level above the competitors.

Principles and concept

The main principles of kendo fighting are contained in a standard rule: everything inefficient is eliminated. The duel at the limit of strength and concentration allows one to feel and reveal the significance of such "little things" as look, breath, perception. In order to learn the correct work of consciousness in a duel, one should train hard, conduct many duels, studying one's own reactions and the experience of other people.

There are no gender, age or weight restrictions in kendo. Despite the fact that there are categories by skill levels and gender, there are often cases when a low, light-weight kendoka (a girl, for instance) wins due to her greater accuracy, composure, concentration. The sword evens the odds. First of all, skill and experience win. Of all full-contact martial arts, fencing is almost the only one that allows athletes to fight efficiently until old age.

Mastery in kendo is judged according to the level system (dan) similar to other Japanese arts: from 4th to 1st kyu and then from 1st to 8th dan. This is at least 40 years of daily practice. But, unlike most other areas, there are no external signs of dan (belts). It is believed that the level of a fighter should be considered by his skills and inner strength. In addition, even for the 8th dan one has to pass a very difficult, exhausting exam that only a few out of thousands of applicants pass.

What are kendo trainings?

Something between a tea ceremony and a disciplined hard service. On the one hand, a kendo training includes a usual warm-up, exercises for general and special physical training, performance of steps, basic strikes, studying the forms of interaction with a partner, training fights. On the other hand, it is like a military discipline: to stand in line, to carry out commands by running, to have no unnecessary conversations like "I need to drink some water." Those who imagine an exotic fitness club are very disappointed. All this, of course, is not done just like that. Almost military discipline in training makes a person more organized and attentive, brings up character traits that subsequently give advantages in battle. Further, after several months of training without armor, when with the help of simple exercises the human body (especially the legs) becomes prepared for quick, sharp meaningful movements, the student moves to another level - he studies the intricacies of attack and defense, perception, vulnerabilities.

We should not think that a beginner will immediately fight an opponent with a real sword. One should approach fights very slowly, paying attention to both the inner self and physical appearance.

In order to learn, to properly practice and to find the application of each technique, in addition to practicing strikes with a bamboo sword, one can also master the traditional forms (kata) performed without armor with wooden swords and including the main types of interactions and techniques that can shed light on real combat situations. In addition to learning these forms, kendoka can delve into the allied swordsmanship areas - iaido (the art of quickly drawing a sword and delivering one decisive strike) and jodo (jo - a wooden pole). Although they represent separate branches in swordsmanship, they often help to improve skills by studying real katana, as well as the distance and difference of swordsmanship in jodo.

In training and in fights, they usually shout very loudly. At the initial stage of training, this, of course, seems strange and unusual, but in the end, a loud cry becomes an absolutely natural and involuntary result of the utmost concentration of all physical and mental forces.

In kendo, one of the most essential related skills is respect. Without sincere respect for others, including the opponent, it is simply impossible to achieve any level in kendo. A serious attitude to the principles of the sword and awareness of the value of life results in a kind of etiquette - bows and words of gratitude after almost every action. Such respect breeds empathy, openness, delicacy and sincerity. This allows us to talk about the high moral culture of people doing kendo and the benefit to society as a whole, no matter how pathetic and utopian it may sound.

Thus, the concept of kendo consists of these principles: "To shape the mind and body, to develop a strong spirit, to strive to perfect the art of kendo with regular and rigorous training, to highly value human courtesy and honor, to be sincere with others, always to improve yourself. This will allow everyone: to love their state and society, to contribute to the development of culture, to promote all of humanity towards peace and prosperity." The concept of kendo was developed by the All Japan Kendo Federation in 1975 and to this day it has been the main motto of every kendo club around the world.

Who can practice kendo?

Absolutely everyone, but with a careful eye to your physical form. The most important is the desire. The further you go along this path, the more interesting it becomes. If you want to develop tendons, reaction speed, to shape posture and gait, to overcome fear, doubt and self-doubt - kendo can solve these problems, of course, with your full dedication. Kendo is also a way of personal development. In the process of training, we try to do everything as well as we can that makes us better and stronger, faster and more resilient, braver and more confident, in controlling our thoughts and feelings, in seeing and feeling the partner. After all, the heart of kendo is not in competition, but in interaction with the goal of self-improvement. This is a lifelong journey.

In preparing the material, an article by A.Fedotov "Kendo for outsiders" and photographs by Gergana Khristozova were used.

Pavel NEKHOROSHKOV