[eXC3Kvnn]

Do you think that some people underestimate Kendo as a self defense martial art because of the fact that it requires more than just your hands? I have had countless friends and family question me about why I take it, they say whats the point? You would have to carry a stick around with you at all times, do you agree or disagree.

[nobodyhere]

I don't think that kendo is very useful as self defence, because as you mentioned you need a weapon (an umbrella?), and imagine if you get attacked you wouldn't aim at those limited tagets we have in kendo and an attacker would maybe simply grab your "shinai", you wouldn't do the nice big swings you are told to do (as a beginner) and you wouldn't run pass your attacker.
So I didn't take up kendo because I thought it might be a good self defence practice and I think that a martial art shouldn't be necessairly seen under the aspect of self defence, because finally it's "just" a sport (not real fight practice) like for example football or fencing and so on.
But on the other way it gives you some self consciousness that sort of protects you.

[zbckFNlW]

If I wanted self defense I do have a shotgun under my bed, and a pair of good running shoes.

[FloareTraurne]

If you're taking kendo with the idea that it will help you in self-defense, you are wasting your time. That's not the point. That's not the point of karate or judo, either - it's just a lot more obvious to see with kendo.

[22CreessGah]

i have very little experience in kendo but a lot in self defense and protection. kendo is as self defense oriented as golf, with respect to sport. the mindset although is something different and kendo does share some mindset with self defense.

you could begin to incorporate kendo as a mindset in addition to combatives, MMA, Systema, jits type training for 'real' self defense.

that or a shotgun.. :P

[drugimpotence]

Try to approach kendo as a tool for self improvement/development.

And here in Texas, a handgun or running away is your best friend for self defense.

[CowextetleSix]

Your friends and family aren't underestimating kendo, they are misunderstanding it. I hope that is not true of you. Kendo is not a self defense martial art. I wouldn't try to explain it to friends and family in those terms. Explaining something as esoteric as kendo is a challenge.

[fygESytT]

Kendo is indeed a sport, with the goal of hitting certain targets for points. Trust me my friends still tease me about Iaido and I've been doing it for 6 years, they tell me it's useless. The reality is in a self defense situation, Iaido and Kendo will not help you, even if you have a stick, stick fighting is nothing like sword fighting, people aren't afraid to reach and grab a stick out of your hands and beat you with it, unlike a sharp sword, thus chuden no kamae becomes useless, the threat of a bladed weapon is not there. Even the Koryu arts that were designed for combat scenario's and to hit critical targets, kenjutsu and Iaijutsu, are useless nowadays because of the obvious, people don't use swords to fight eachother anymore. There are good reasons why I have continued Iaido and will continue it further, but they are self improvement oriented, and interest based. Most of us that practice these arts/sports and or Koryu fighting styles do it because we love the Japanese sword, and the immersion into this ancient culture that you won't get anywhere else. I used to struggle with the meaning of my practice quite a bit, but you get to a point where you decide to do it for the enjoyment of doing it, not for anyone else s benefit but your own.


-just my two cents, Ryan

[Buincchotourbss]

I can't think of two things that are more useful for self defense than a shotgun or a maglite...wait, do my eyes deceive me!?

[arcaniagainee]

Go Texas

[ttiokjbnhjjillp]

Of course not, I started taking Kendo because it looked like quite a bit of fun.

[boXGWf04]

My original kendo/iaido instructor said, "If you are here for self defense, you are better off studying colt 45."

I have mixed feelings on the issue. Just like self-defense, kendo is not about waza. If you only look at kendo as being about waza then yes I would agree, the waza themselves are not likely to help much.

If you carry an air about you that shows you know how to handle yourself, or you can cultivate the ability to be aware of your surroundings you are less likely to be a target than someone who is staring at the ground.

[ddwayspd]

I can't think of two things that are more useful for self defense than a shotgun or a maglite...wait, do my eyes deceive me!?

Not so sure I'd want to risk using 410, and only one shot at that.

[BGThomasis]

Well you can stomp ridiculously hard on someones toes, and scream very loud while you're at it. But that about sums it up.

[nitivearchit]

Not so sure I'd want to risk using 410, and only one shot at that.

Ah, but if the shot doesn't completely incapacitate your assailant, you still have the ability to temporarily blind them before clubbing them in the head.

But seriously, I just thought it was funny they actually had made these.

[Effofqueeno]

Ah, but if the shot doesn't completely incapacitate your assailant, you still have the ability to temporarily blind them before clubbing them in the head.

But seriously, I just thought it was funny they actually had made these.

If you can fit a spring and a pin in something, you can turn it into a gun

[Olphander]

...even if you have a stick, stick fighting is nothing like sword fighting, people aren't afraid to reach and grab a stick out of your hands and beat you with it, unlike a sharp sword, thus chuden no kamae becomes useless, the threat of a bladed weapon is not there...
-just my two cents, Ryan

Absolutely true. The only thing might be if you had the opportunity to stuff your "stick" (umbrella, broom, handle, whatever) hard and fast into your assailant's throat or eye and force them rapidly backwards. Unfortunately this would have to happen early and would appear to an observer as you being the aggressor.

So run away is the best defence. Or even better don't be there in the first place. b

[cl004]

Once more:

http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-pag...t-of-Kendo.htm

[GinaGomesz]

I was talking about how kendo is obviously not practical as self defense with a friend of mine who has seen combat while serving in the Israeli army, and as a private defense contractor. I've seen this guy who's pretty short by western standards, climb a tall, 250lbs guy like a tree and have him on the ground in seconds in a choke. He said to me,
"It sounds like you like it. Who cares about self defense, or if it's practical. The last hero on earth ceased to exist when the first gun was invented."

So in other words, do kendo or any other martial art, but run away or more importantly stay out of trouble. It doesn't matter if you're a black belt in BJJ, you can't grapple a bullet. Though I think they tried to cut one with a katana on mythbusters,...maybe there's hope for us after all?

[Xqjfxmfk]

If you can fit a spring and a pin in something, you can turn it into a gun

Sure, but who actually decides to do it to random everyday objects??? Anyways, I never actually meant for people to take this the least bit serious. I mean, come on, a flashlight gun? I didn't think it called for any real deliberation