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Kendo Schedule | |
Tuesday
9:00 - 11:00pm
SWRC
Thursday
9:00 - 11:00pm
SWRC
Sunday
8:00 - 10:00pm
SWRC
* links show facility locations
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Quote of the Day | | I have discovered that all of mans unhappiness derives from only one source, not being able to sit quietly in a room
- Blaise Pascal |
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Today is Tuesday, September 7, 2010.
GKC is probably practicing right now.
Please check the forums to verify practice times!
Cancellations / changes of individual practices will not be displayed here. |
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Please check out information on the upcoming tournament here! |
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Goal
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| "Ki-Ken-Tai
no Icchi", an integration of
spirit, sword and body, seems simple yet difficult for one to achieve. It comes
to be more fully understood through observance of a real one-on-one combat
called “Shinken Shobu”. In fact, in a modern society, there are practically
no opportunities for mortal combat with a razor-bladed sword (Shinken Shobu).
Then how is one to come even close to experiencing the mental state of Shinken
Shobu? The answer is bringing Kendo to life as Bujutsu: it is vital to
realize that defeat means death. Sensei Kataoka Noboru said, "The most
enjoyable moment in Kendo is when you are feeling the presence of the opponent
through Kensen in a distance of issoku itto maai. If you just try to hit the
opponent without understanding the mental state where life and death are held in
balance, it becomes simply a cheap fighting with a bamboo stick."
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The idea can be divided into the following three components:
- The way of the mind as the correct mental attitude as still water, calm and quiet, like a clear mirror lucid and bright – Ki
- The way of the sword in the execution of strike at the right moment without presence of shi-kai (four states of mind; fear, surprise, doubt and indecision) - Ken
- The way of the body so as to hold the sword in a proper maai – Tai
While these divisions represent a useful basis for a theoretical understanding of Kendo, they are thought as one in practice. However, bringing these three components into one at a moment when you feel the presence of the enemy is not easy at all. That’s why Kendo is regarded a lifetime learning martial art. Maybe one cannot accomplish it during his/her lifetime. Nevertheless, it is essential that those learning Kendo first acquire a grasp of these fundamental components and realize that the practice of Kendo is more than a simple matter of overcoming an opponent or winning a tournament.
- Jae Chung
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| Image Courtesy of the New York City Kendo Club |
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