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

**blankostaroe** · 06-21-2006, 08:00 AM

I actually didn't know about the coaching rule, and was spoken to by a shimpan about it recently. Boy was I embarassed! I think I had kind of gotten used to judo, where everybody's screaming advice to the participants from all sides.

To tell you the truth, I don't think I was coaching that badly. I think I kept yelling things like "Mix up your attacks" and "Keep the pressure on." However, I learned my lesson!

Someone - several someones - made the very important point: winning isn't everything, it's not even the focus, of kendo. Shiai is important, and gives one a visual goal towards one's training, but really I think the most important part of kendo is shugyo, not shiai; doin' it every day, in your heart; leading the kendo lifestyle, whatever your interpretation of that is.

With kendo, I am reminded of boxers. When a boxer wins a match, he (or she!) doesn't usually say, "I'm the better fighter." That person says, "I was the bettery fighter *today*."

06-21-2006, 08:00 AM	#29
blankostaroe Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 445 Senior Member	I actually didn't know about the coaching rule, and was spoken to by a shimpan about it recently. Boy was I embarassed! I think I had kind of gotten used to judo, where everybody's screaming advice to the participants from all sides. To tell you the truth, I don't think I was coaching that badly. I think I kept yelling things like "Mix up your attacks" and "Keep the pressure on." However, I learned my lesson! Someone - several someones - made the very important point: winning isn't everything, it's not even the focus, of kendo. Shiai is important, and gives one a visual goal towards one's training, but really I think the most important part of kendo is shugyo, not shiai; doin' it every day, in your heart; leading the kendo lifestyle, whatever your interpretation of that is. With kendo, I am reminded of boxers. When a boxer wins a match, he (or she!) doesn't usually say, "I'm the better fighter." That person says, "I was the bettery fighter today."
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