[OShellszz]

By 'hard' I mean how challenging you find it, both mentally and physically, compared to other martial arts you did or do.

I'm not trying to compare martial arts in an objective way, I just want to see peoples subjective opinions and experiences.

[Shark&Nike]

Like on a Rockwell scale? kind of hard (pun intended) to measure.
Kendo & Iaido are first martial arts and started both at same time so cannot measure to other martial arts.

Most challenging aspect is self acknowledgment that no matter how much you put into it you are still doing everything wrong
and if a Sempai points out a correction, you are very obviously wrong.
Makes one wish for but cringe at the thought of being video taped so you can see what you do as others see you.

Physically - not harder, just different from other activities.

[JeorgeNoxeref]

Physically way easier. Sure you can go all out until you vomit, just like any other activity.
That being said, you are less likely to be injured than many other martial arts due to the level of contact and bogu. The strikes are far less painful. You don't get thrown, swept, experience the panic of fighting not to be choked out or submitted. You don't have a 250+lbs guy sitting on your chest so that you can't breathe. Sure in kendo you might feel physical/mental pressure, but you don't have you vision start to dim in competition due to lack of oxygen.

The fact that strikes are subjective does make things a little bit harder to judge than say full contact karate, judo or BJJ where it is clear when you have submitted someone (they pass out or tap out), knocked them to the floor, thrown them or KO'd them. On the other hand you only have to worry about 4 target areas so you don't have to worry about certain angles of attack, protecting certain areas of the body, various ranges of attack etc.

Size, strength and cardio matter less than empty hand arts, so it does negate some natural advantages making it a bit easier.

Mentally, well there is plenty to think about and you shouldn't be mindlessly repeating the actions.

Many people liken BJJ to a game of chess, even at the lower levels of BJJ (1-2 years) you need to be 3 moves ahead of your opponent, and at the higher levels several more moves ahead of your opponent.

In kendo, the curriculum is much smaller. You don't have to learn multiple weapons and empty hand techniques. Likewise, number of waza you have to learn is much more limited than say judo or karate, the kata are fewer (and shorter than karate/kung fu), and initially, the lessons drawn between kata and free sparring is less explicit.

The study of applying seme in kendo is a very challenging subject, but it isn't unique to kendo. It does exist in karate, but does not seem to be studied to the same depth. It exists in grappling as well. Learning how to connect and manipulate your opponents center via shinai on shinai contact is more difficult than BJJ and judo where you have a better connection via two hands and a gi.

Oh and you can get shodan way faster in kendo than you will in most other arts. It is less prestigious though

[chadnezzrr]

Kendo & Iaido are first martial arts and started both at same time...

First martial arts?

[easypokergonj]

Like on a Rockwell scale? kind of hard (pun intended) to measure.

Not to be confused with how tough it is.

[saturninus.ribb]

Kendo?

hmm isnt it a bit like that Monty Python Sketch.

You know the one. Where two of them are dressed in old school British Army gear complete with pith helmets and are taking it in turns to bounce up and down towards each other and whack their opponent with a wet fish until Michael Palin falls into the sea.

Isnt that kendo?

or are they just uncannily similar!!!


(For the anally retarded amongst you please let me explain that the above is a light hearted tease)

[gundas]

I think it's harder in the sense that, unlike in the others I've done (TKW, Muay Thai, Aikido, etc.) there is a far greater emphasis placed on executing perfectly, not adequately. So I don't disagree with anything said above. But Kendo in my limited experience places a much higher premium on doing things correctly; even (especially?) in scoring in matches.

[Mjyzpzph]

I think it's harder in the sense that, unlike in the others I've done (TKW, Muay Thai, Aikido, etc.) there is a far greater emphasis placed on executing perfectly, not adequately. So I don't disagree with anything said above. But Kendo in my limited experience places a much higher premium on doing things correctly; even (especially?) in scoring in matches.

You agree with me? Gosh.

An American with a sense of humour! Lets see if it spreads.

[deethythitoth]

By 'hard' I mean how challenging you find it, both mentally and physically, compared to other martial arts you did or do.

I'm not trying to compare martial arts in an objective way, I just want to see peoples subjective opinions and experiences.

First martial arts?

I am unable to compare Kendo to other martial arts as Kendo is the First martial art I have practiced.

I can compare to other sports and activities, but not to other martial arts.

If you were seeking to correct my grammar

"Kendo & Iaido are my first martial arts and I started both at the same time..."

[Cwvnyfsj]

Ohhh. Got it. I was not trying to correct grammar at all. I just misunderstood your meaning, is all.

[majestictwelve]

As a beginner, I found Kendo to be easier than other martial arts I did (I did mostly wrestling in high school and Muay Thai for a short period, did a month of BJJ before they hiked up the prices for lessons). However, what was stressed during my time with those martial arts was conditioning. Conditioning, conditioning and more conditioning (except BJJ). So, of course, Kendo compared to those other martial arts, comes relatively easier for someone who regularly does cardiovascular and strength training compared to your average couch potato.

That being said, Kendo is a martial art that stresses technique above all. Even if you can eat weights at the gym and run a mile in under 5 minutes, technique will determine your success in Kendo. This is why a girl can beat a guy in Kendo without being physically stronger than him.

I found that you will need to open your mind when you do Kendo. You will have Senpai and Sensei give you advice and sometimes criticize you to improve your Kendo. Your Kendo will NEVER EVER EVER EVER be perfect, you always have to improve.

Other than that, Kendo is the only martial art I have gotten the most abnormal growths and injuries from (blisters and calluses :P). Oh, a lot of etiquette as well!

[SnareeWer]

(Sorry for the double post but I couldn't edit).

I'd also like to add in Kendo is like any other martial art and anything you do in life. You put in 100% effort, you'll challenge yourself in all regards and reap the rewards. For example, Muay Thai, you can do a half-ass warm up and nonchalantly do the bag drills. Or you can go 100% and puke your guts out. Same goes with Kendo, you can stand around all practice until Jigeiko or you go 100% on all the drills and then go into Jigeiko. In either case, you put 100% into what you do, you come out sweating and full of endorphins, hormones and all that good stuff that gets you high and feeling good about yourself :P

[Nmoitmzr]

Kendo?

hmm isnt it a bit like that Monty Python Sketch.

You know the one. Where two of them are dressed in old school British Army gear complete with pith helmets and are taking it in turns to bounce up and down towards each other and whack their opponent with a wet fish until Michael Palin falls into the sea.

Isnt that kendo?

or are they just uncannily similar!!!


(For the anally retarded amongst you please let me explain that the above is a light hearted tease)

do you mean this one http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&sou...q9I1nw&cad=rja

most excellent ! (air guitar in background)

[MrGunjMan_]

do you mean this one http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&sou...q9I1nw&cad=rja

most excellent ! (air guitar in background)

Yep. That is kendo! Or at least thats what it looks like outside of Japan!