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**Ad0i89Od** · 05-17-2007, 01:33 AM

Eh what did americans do to judo?

Heh heh, the Royal WE huh? I wonder what its like to be American?

Anyway...

I agree that kendo is safe from the Olympics so thats not a particular issue. But as Lloromannic has said it HAS changed in the last while, definetly physically at least (Im talking about Japan here). Just have a look at some video from 30 years ago, and then again today. Its become more athletic and precise. The kendoka that get sent abroad to teach tend not to be the young-strong people who are leading this change btw... but thats yet another thread.

The issue im on about, however, is the change in the meaning and the role of kendo, especially for those outside of Japan. Over here kendo is embodied in society, especially education and the workplace. Although attitudes in kendo will probably change, there is a stable infrastructre that sees that kendo will remain mostly as it is.

This does not exist elsewhere and thus the meaning/role of "kendo" has taken on a different flavour abroad. At a time when the kendo population abroad is rocketing, this might - eventually - undermine the role of Japan in international kendo and hence, the root of kendo. I think that this is where *some Japanese kenshi are seeing a potential problem. All this without touching the Olympics.

(*I say some, cos the majority of japanese kenshi arent not even aware of international kendo)

Want to write more but ive a bit of the flu just now... so im gonna sit down.

05-17-2007, 01:33 AM	#19
Ad0i89Od Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 374 Senior Member	Eh what did americans do to judo? Heh heh, the Royal WE huh? I wonder what its like to be American? Anyway... I agree that kendo is safe from the Olympics so thats not a particular issue. But as Lloromannic has said it HAS changed in the last while, definetly physically at least (Im talking about Japan here). Just have a look at some video from 30 years ago, and then again today. Its become more athletic and precise. The kendoka that get sent abroad to teach tend not to be the young-strong people who are leading this change btw... but thats yet another thread. The issue im on about, however, is the change in the meaning and the role of kendo, especially for those outside of Japan. Over here kendo is embodied in society, especially education and the workplace. Although attitudes in kendo will probably change, there is a stable infrastructre that sees that kendo will remain mostly as it is. This does not exist elsewhere and thus the meaning/role of "kendo" has taken on a different flavour abroad. At a time when the kendo population abroad is rocketing, this might - eventually - undermine the role of Japan in international kendo and hence, the root of kendo. I think that this is where some Japanese kenshi are seeing a potential problem. All this without touching the Olympics. (I say some, cos the majority of japanese kenshi arent not even aware of international kendo) Want to write more but ive a bit of the flu just now... so im gonna sit down.
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