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**BinasiDombrs** · 11-25-2009, 09:55 PM

-Question 1
How long have you been doing kendo?
Five years.

Question 2
-Why do you start playing kendo?
My wife's idea - to lose weight, get some exercise, and to get me out of the house.

-Question 3
What do you consider to be the highlights of Kendo?
The constant struggle to understand, and the moment when I do.

-Question 4
How do you think that kendo will/can become internationalized?
Through children beginning kendo around the world, not through the adults, who make up the majority of kendo outside of Japan. Other efforts (such as making it less disciplined, softening the practice or techniques, taking out essential but "dangerous" techniques) would probably be a detriment to kendo.

-Question 5
Do you think Kendo should be considered as an Olympic event? Why or why not?
No. (1) It will ruin kendo such as it already has fencing, boxing, judo and taekwondo in the efforts to try and make it more "accessible" to the viewing masses. I could give a rat's ass about the viewing masses when it comes to kendo. (2) It will also further politicize kendo, which it does not need. (3) It places the future direction of kendo in the hands of non-practicioners.

-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.
Yes. I believe that some of the general concepts that our sensei try to instill may already be inherent in the cultural practice of the Japanese people, which those of us that had not grown up in the culture mimic, but not necessarily understand. That being said, I believe that the Japanese may also take kendo for granted as it is more ubiquitous and prevalent in Japan vs here in the West, where we long term players see the practice more as a luxury and obligation.

My C$0.02. Good luck on your thesis!

11-25-2009, 09:55 PM	#30
BinasiDombrs Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 619 Senior Member	-Question 1 How long have you been doing kendo? Five years. Question 2 -Why do you start playing kendo? My wife's idea - to lose weight, get some exercise, and to get me out of the house. -Question 3 What do you consider to be the highlights of Kendo? The constant struggle to understand, and the moment when I do. -Question 4 How do you think that kendo will/can become internationalized? Through children beginning kendo around the world, not through the adults, who make up the majority of kendo outside of Japan. Other efforts (such as making it less disciplined, softening the practice or techniques, taking out essential but "dangerous" techniques) would probably be a detriment to kendo. -Question 5 Do you think Kendo should be considered as an Olympic event? Why or why not? No. (1) It will ruin kendo such as it already has fencing, boxing, judo and taekwondo in the efforts to try and make it more "accessible" to the viewing masses. I could give a rat's ass about the viewing masses when it comes to kendo. (2) It will also further politicize kendo, which it does not need. (3) It places the future direction of kendo in the hands of non-practicioners. -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. Yes. I believe that some of the general concepts that our sensei try to instill may already be inherent in the cultural practice of the Japanese people, which those of us that had not grown up in the culture mimic, but not necessarily understand. That being said, I believe that the Japanese may also take kendo for granted as it is more ubiquitous and prevalent in Japan vs here in the West, where we long term players see the practice more as a luxury and obligation. My C$0.02. Good luck on your thesis!
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