DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - New to Kendo, Has Kendo been over romanticized by Hollywood? What is it really like?

**thierabess** · 09-09-2010, 05:07 AM

Hi I have always been fascinated with Kendo and looking to join a club in my city.

If you need help locating the nearest dojo please let us know

To be honest when I think of Kendo, I imagine "The Last Samurai" or some other wooden sword dramatic fighting movie. Im sure all you Kendo pro's just rolled your eyes at this point.

there was no kendo in the last samurai. Kendo is not practiced using wooden swords but using a shinai which is made of 4 pieces of bamboo. Wooden swords or bokken are only used for pre-arranged forms called 'kata'. A strike with a wooden sword as depicted in movies such as that would leave a person with shattered bones or worse.

On the other hand I watch the videos on Youtube and of course its completely different.

But, really I want to know, those who practice the art, is it like how Hollywood portrays it, or has it been over romanticized?

Hollywood has never really portrayed kendo, so not really, however generalizing more yes sword fighting is romanticized in all cinema

What is Kendo to you, and what is it like to practice the art?

Kendo is my stress relief valve, and a way for me to try and better myself and my character. Being a generally tactical and manipulative person kendo presents a interesting challenge for me in that you cant play a match out like you would in chess, you have to be active and reactive and planning does little good despite my attempts to over think waza (techniques) and feints. I can honestly say that kendo has made me a better more well rounded person but I wont get into specifics. For me practice is fun, challenging and social, and I enjoy a bit of physical exertion, as well as the opportunity to try and steer kohai in the right direction by being a good example.

09-09-2010, 05:07 AM	#9
thierabess Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 387 Senior Member	Hi I have always been fascinated with Kendo and looking to join a club in my city. If you need help locating the nearest dojo please let us know To be honest when I think of Kendo, I imagine "The Last Samurai" or some other wooden sword dramatic fighting movie. Im sure all you Kendo pro's just rolled your eyes at this point. there was no kendo in the last samurai. Kendo is not practiced using wooden swords but using a shinai which is made of 4 pieces of bamboo. Wooden swords or bokken are only used for pre-arranged forms called 'kata'. A strike with a wooden sword as depicted in movies such as that would leave a person with shattered bones or worse. On the other hand I watch the videos on Youtube and of course its completely different. But, really I want to know, those who practice the art, is it like how Hollywood portrays it, or has it been over romanticized? Hollywood has never really portrayed kendo, so not really, however generalizing more yes sword fighting is romanticized in all cinema What is Kendo to you, and what is it like to practice the art? Kendo is my stress relief valve, and a way for me to try and better myself and my character. Being a generally tactical and manipulative person kendo presents a interesting challenge for me in that you cant play a match out like you would in chess, you have to be active and reactive and planning does little good despite my attempts to over think waza (techniques) and feints. I can honestly say that kendo has made me a better more well rounded person but I wont get into specifics. For me practice is fun, challenging and social, and I enjoy a bit of physical exertion, as well as the opportunity to try and steer kohai in the right direction by being a good example.
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