[gDGwm8BC]

I'm just curious as to peoples reasons...and extremely bored (as I type this I'm sitting in a Web Design class) so I thought I'd start a thread

[mybooboo]

Good question. I have no idea why I started kendo, but now it has become more like a lifestyle to me than just a nice hobby.

[ppaelkos]

The chance to do something that has always been a fasinacion.
The chance to meet people from around the world.
The chace to take part in something that has history that led to it for practical reasons.
The chance to compete in a martial art and finally actually do good.
The chance to contribute to the continueing of an excellent art/sport.

The list is almost endless.

One point to add though the great community who are apart of Kendo has made it one of my all-time favourites.

[xqdrocherz]

To be honest, I'm not exactly sure why I started kendo either. But I'm pretty sure manga and Ore Wa Teppei had some pretty strong subconscious influence.

And now I ruin Otakus' dreams out here in Illinois. Bwahaha!!

[avdddcxnelkaxz]

I did it for a while a couple of years ago during ongoing iai and jo training.

I started it to get a bit fitter as iai and jo don't exactly push me aerobically. It also seemed to fulfill some iai teachers expectations as to what a good rounded iaidoka should be (I got the rounded bit anyway).

[lE3l6Lgn]

For the chicks.

[PekHyvac]

For the chicks.

Neil, I aspire to a tenth of your awsomeness.

[mazabotman]

I started Kendo because I would actually have an excuse to wave a wooden sword around in my backyard.

[krek-sikUp]

i started when i was in japan... the school's kendo teacher decided i was going to do kendo and so i started!

mind you, eventually it did mean that duing pe lessons i got to do kendo with the boys instead of tennis with the girls (cool dojo vs. being outside on a dusty tennis court with no shade in the kyushu summer heat - no competition!)

btw neil - for the chicks? my god, hang your head in shame!

[shenacatro]

Well there was also the money, the fame, the interviews on Letterman... but yeah, mainly the chicks.

[wallyfindme]

Because of the full contact jigeiko, and virtually no chance of running into a Mcdojo. Also because I was interested in swords.

[epPtsDno]

I read "Go rin no sho" in 1988, it gave me a splitting head ache, trying to understand japanese philosofy translated to english, being spanish speaking. Could not do it in one try.

been intrigued by this philosophy ever since and it's practical aplications.

So as soon as the first oportunitty presented, I joined a kendo dojo

I like martial arts, and tried several before sticking to kendo.

And doing it, you discover that it does become a way of life.

[GlictStiply]

just looked pretty funky...

[mincarlie.frymyer]

Well there was also the money, the fame, the interviews on Letterman... but yeah, mainly the chicks.

...and the fragrant aroma.

[Blotassefesek]

Musashi-Ken ... the cartoon

[allmyflights]

Last Samurai... Tom Cruise inpired me.
Kill Bill - As Neil sensei mentioned, I dig for chics like Uma, so far no luck..

[Trercakaressy]

Ok I'll be the first to admit my parents made me. I didn't even know what Kendo was when I started. I wanted to learn Karate but my dad thought I would get into more fights.

[SteantyjetMaw]

When I was little, we had a book about Japan (like a children's encyclopedia) and I was fascinated by the small section on kendo. But I assumed it was only in Japan, and never looked into it. Fast forward 20 years and I was looking at the "clubs" guide at my gym and saw they actually had a kendo club. I was shocked. I went to observe a practice and haven't missed a practice since. It just feels right.

Underlying/Additional reason: My wife was diagnosed with cancer last year (right after giving birth to our first child), and kendo fills a certain space for me right now...it's a focus away from any and all other issues I may have.

Underlying/Additional reason number 2: I needed to get back into shape, and this is doing the trick nicely.

[ZIDouglas]

To have a small idea of what it is like to be Japanese. I'm a quarter Japanese, and I wanted something to connect me to my heritage. I think that rei is a huge part of that, along with kohai/sempai/sensei relationships.

I also want to be a samurai.

[Fellionas]

the clothes!!! well actually i can't remember exactly. was it my friend going on and on about zatoichi (like he has anything to do with kendo)? was it all the anime i watched? ultimately, why did i google it to see what it was exactly? only the gods know.