[Qesomud]

My group at college (post-grads all) are convinced I'm a ninja of an evening because of the numerous hakama/bogu/books bags and long, sword-shaped package I carry of a wednesday (there isn't time to fetch it from home).

Its also because of the speed I can disappear at the end of last period . I've pretty much admitted ninja-ing to pay my way through university, its good work if you can get it.

So I'm wondering - what are your general experiences with non-Kendoka's reactions to our hobby?

[GlarlraTpople]

Japanese person: "You do kendo? You're more Japanese than me! Ha ha."
Non-Japanese: "How long have you been doing karate?"

[Mmzmptvk]

"I've got a mate who goes fishing, he goes down by the canal."

[SobiquYo]

Best reactions usually go along the lines of "that stick fighting?"

The worst reaction involved an officer jumping out of his car, club out, telling me to "drop the weapon."

[Longwow]

So I'm wondering - what are your general experiences with non-Kendoka's reactions to our hobby?

Kendo? What the hell is Kendo?

[SpecialOFFER]

yesterday I got a

"you fight with swords?? like in starwars??"

priceless...

[Galsteinbok]

Japanese person: "You do kendo? You're more Japanese than me! Ha ha."

I'm convinced there must be a manual of gaijin interaction somewhere that everyone refers to.

[Gideleb]

yesterday I got a

"you fight with swords?? like in starwars??"

priceless...

Right up there with the time the surfer kids yelled out to us "Luke, I am your father!"

I suppose the most surprising response was "What is that thing you guys do, is that Japanese?" from a local Japanese (ie Japanese-American) guy who brings his kids to the Aikido class on the floor next to us.

[Qrhzbadu]

Japanese person: "You do kendo? You're more Japanese than me! Ha ha."
Non-Japanese: "How long have you been doing karate?"

for me it'd be:

Japanese person: "Kendo... Oh, back in highschool they made me try that for x time! Ha ha."
Non-Japanese: "Kendo...? what's tha.... oh wait, the katana thing, i've seen that in a movie YES!"

[TheReallyBest]

The one I get a lot is...."what use would that be in a fight in a pub?"



sigh.........

[daasayse]

The usual reaction is, What is kendo?

Considering the fact that in the entire state of Ohio (Population 11,353,140) there is probably at most 150 people who do kendo. So, I am always prepared to explain it from scratch each time. Ohio State University alone has 65,000 students, and less than 20 do Kendo (from what I was told the last time I was down there for a joint practice).

.

[Promotiona]

The best one I've had so far was just before a kendo demo at uni: "That's what Hiro has to learn from his father in Heroes isn't it?"

After the demo, I also got: "Are you a samurai?"

And on very rare occasions, I've had "how long have you been doing kendo?" from non-Japanese people!

The one I get a lot is...."what use would that be in a fight in a pub?"

My response to that is "I'm usually playing pool in the pub."

[cliceperperIa]

"Kendo? Like the wrestler?"

Yeah, exactly like that, says I...

[HedgeYourBets]

Very common:
Me: I practice kendo
Others: Tae-kendo?
Me: No, just KENDO.
Others: Is that like Tae-kendo?

People whom I've talked about it a million times also ask me how long I've been doing "tae-kendo".

I used to get this a lot: "Oh cool, Kendo. I did Kung-fu once it's like that...no huh... ok...."

The best one regarding bogu and shinai bags and such was one time me and my wife were unloading our bogu from the car at the parking lot and this guy in a car stops by and asks "hey you guys went scuba diving?"

Most of the time people have no clue what I'm talking about and aren't very interested in details either. I can tell by the "huh wha?" looks on their faces. They're not prepared to accept a martial art that is NOT "like karate".
The word "Kendo" can also turn into a lame pun in Portuguese and some smartasses try to pull it through.

[QqJamxqP]

Best reactions usually go along the lines of "that stick fighting?"

The worst reaction involved an officer jumping out of his car, club out, telling me to "drop the weapon."

A Police Officer saw me inspecting & wiping vasoline on a shinai after practice before putting it in the trunk. He knew what it was and pulled up next to me and ask which Kendo club i practiced at. which i thought was kewl that he knew about the various Kendo clubs in SD. Said he thought about trying it out but never got the time.

I was thinking he was going to question me, but he was interested in knowing about the practice times & cost.

[liontutuxx]

I don't tell people what I do unless they half drag it out of me. And even then I'm like: "We put on skirts and hit each other with bamboo sticks" (laugh, change subject). Most people don't know, don't care.
My impression of the general public's view on JSA is:
* Japanese practicioner, regardless of ability: Awesome samurai warrior!
* The rest: Backyard samurai/ninjers/delusional/silly

[PeterPatrickJohn]

While walking our Sensei to her car:
Woman: Hey, what's that equipment for?
Me: It's for Kendo
Woman: What's Kendo
Me: It's a Japanese sword art that uses bamboo swords
Woman: Cool! So do you guys go, "OOOOOOOAAAAAA!" (whatever that Bruce Lee yell is).

At an activities fair at the University of Cincinnati
Random person: I watch Star Wars...I know a lot about sword fighting (then does some impersonation of the Star Wars Kid).
- I didn't go to that one due to other obligations, but that's what the other members told me.

[55Beaphable]

While carrying naginata in bag I've had, "The river's that way."

"Sure is," I said.

*facepalm*

[MightyMasc]

I'm convinced there must be a manual of gaijin interaction somewhere that everyone refers to.

Too true.
If such a manual exists I want a copy so I can learn how to bypass all the annoying questions about sushi, chopsticks, and kanji so they can just get on with being bored with the fact I'm not weird/exotic.


As for reactions, here are my top three:
1) Where did you go/ are you going fishin?
2) Kendo? Hmmm... What dan are you? Oh. I got my ikkyu back in Jr high
3) Hendo? Hmmm... They made me do that when I was a kid.

[mp3 free]

Yeah if there is a manual of gaijin interaction I want a copy as well! Sadly its probably hidden away safe, sound and gaurded by 10 hachidan kendoka or something like that lol.

The two I get some times are Oh your more Japanese then me..... thank, yeah yeah I know your bullshitting me .... come on lets get back to conversation.

And Iaido..... so you do Akido right? This is to Japanese I have either talked with or even some times chatting and I`ve written Iaido in previous chat or in actual conversation lol