[yqpY4iw6]

Here are my answers. I was going to PM them to you, but i am also intersted to hear what others think about my answers. I dont want to hijack this thread, that is not my intent. Best of luck to your friend on his thesis.


-Question 1
How long have you been doing kendo?

Have been doing Kendo for two years


Question 2
-Why do you start playing kendo?

I wanted to foster my fighting spirit. I havce trained in martial arts for 15 years and always felt something lacking in the sparring department. I enjoyed sparring, but wanted to be better. I thought my fighting spirit was low. I would turn away and cover up when fighting a real aggressive fighter. That had to change. I have always had an interest in the Katana and swordsmanship. It seemed the perfect remedy.

-Question 3
What do you consider to be the highlights of Kendo?

The sense of family I have found in my dojo mates. The physical activity . I love the work out I get. Total exhaustion. Learning to throw my self completely into what I am doing and losing the rest of the world for an hour or so. The many different concepts and strategies.

-Question 4
How do you think that kendo will/can become internationalized?

I think kendo is international already. Just on this forum I have seen people posting and responding from countries I have never heard of. Actually just one country, but it’s a tiny one I had to look up to find out where it was. As for becoming more international, I think Kendo’s growth will be slow and steady, I think more people will have to become familiar with the concepts and ideas of how kendo is played. If the game is not understood it will suffer the same fate as Sumo. People see Sumo as two large guys slapping and pushing eacj other around, nothing more. Kendo will be seen as two guys yelling and swatting each other with sticks. Just search Kendo on you tube and you can what peoples understanding of it is. This is one aspect I would love to see changed.


-Question 5
Do you think Kendo should be considered as an Olympic event? Why or why not?

No I do not. I think that if kendo becomes an Olympic sport, it will lose its ability to grow and change as concepts are explored and interpretations are shared and discussed. It is also too difficult for a non Kendo educated public to grasp. Look how much coverage judo gets as an Olympic sport and its basic idea of throw and submit your opponent is pretty simple to understand.

-Question 6
Do you think that there is a difference between Japanese kendo player and yourself when it comes to way of thinking about Kendo? Yes or No, Explain.

Most assuredly. I think non Japanese players start without an understanding of performing a task or living life that is inherently bred into Japanese players simply due to a traditional environment and culture. The Japanese mindset is something that many non Japanes players try to learn and understand. It is difficult to say the least for non Japanese to get a hold of this concept of going about things, but not impossible. I think it should be a goal of every kendoka to learn this way of thinking.