DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Evolution of Kendo (split from what do you have on zekken?)

**XarokLasa** · 02-21-2006, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by Achilles
I understand what you're saying Charlie, but that "unspoken value" that translates into a "special kind of conformity" is often at the expense of creativty and freedom.

I'm not Japanese, I'm American. I don't feel a special "unspoken value" that compels me to conform. Conformity and mindless rule following can only breed stagnation. That's not what I want to see happen in kendo.

It's all well and good to propose ONE GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL BODY (sorry for screaming), but what do you do when that body is wrong? What do you do when you disagree with its policies and decisions? Yes, but if everyone can set their own rules, style and format, how is it still Kendo? What if I decide that at my own dojo (yeah, right), that strikes to the knee are valid. Or Meng's allows groin kicks ;-) .That dayglo orange is the only colour for bogu. That...etc etc. Would it still be right to call it Kendo?

Surely a large part of Kendo is the respect for tradition - otherwise why not go make up your own martial art? (you might even think of a better one...). Why should Kendo evolve? It is a martial art, not freeform expression afterall.

Or am I missing the point?

Dave

02-21-2006, 08:00 AM	#18
XarokLasa Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 577 Senior Member	Originally posted by Achilles I understand what you're saying Charlie, but that "unspoken value" that translates into a "special kind of conformity" is often at the expense of creativty and freedom. I'm not Japanese, I'm American. I don't feel a special "unspoken value" that compels me to conform. Conformity and mindless rule following can only breed stagnation. That's not what I want to see happen in kendo. It's all well and good to propose ONE GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL BODY (sorry for screaming), but what do you do when that body is wrong? What do you do when you disagree with its policies and decisions? Yes, but if everyone can set their own rules, style and format, how is it still Kendo? What if I decide that at my own dojo (yeah, right), that strikes to the knee are valid. Or Meng's allows groin kicks ;-) .That dayglo orange is the only colour for bogu. That...etc etc. Would it still be right to call it Kendo? Surely a large part of Kendo is the respect for tradition - otherwise why not go make up your own martial art? (you might even think of a better one...). Why should Kendo evolve? It is a martial art, not freeform expression afterall. Or am I missing the point? Dave
	Quote