For the first Asian discipline we will learn, I have chosen one that is getting popular in Monterrey, well at least in my school. It is called Kendo. It is a style of sword battle from the samurai culture.
Time ago, in the middle of the 11th century, the legendary warriors known as Samurais began to use arched swords. They developed sword techniques for battle and mastered secrets behind it.( The History of Kendo)
In 1390 the Onin War left Japan without government. This caused the creation of many Kenjutsu schools. While the 19th century was coming they were teaching the art of killing with a sword. But day by day during that period this art of killing was developing to a “disciplinary life-style of the Samurai” (The History of Kendo). Some of these knowledge are influence in current Kendoists (people that practice kendo). (The History of Kendo)
During 18th century the artifacts that make possible to practice kendo without killing our opponent after the battle appeared: the shinai , the sword of bamboo, and the bogu, the armour.
By the 1800’s, samurais had created an ideology that proposed a way to live beyond death using it for everyday life. Samurais believed, like many other Asian martial art, in the value of developing the mind, spirit and body. If you want to know more about this teachings you can read the following books: “The Life-giving Sword”” The Unfettered Mind”” Sword and Zen”” The Book of Five Rings” (The History of Kendo).
This is the sad part; in 1967 emperor Meiji removed all privileges that samurai had so there would not be difference in the people, even though samurais have given their lives to defend the nation. They declared war to the nation to recover their status. They didn’t achieve their objectives but their culture remain until this days inside every 8th dan (The History of Kendo).
Extra info:
Kendo means “Way of The Sword” and shinai "to bend, to flex". There are 15 grades that show your skill level in kendo. They start at seventh kyu and progress to first kyu the dan grades go from 1st dan to 8th dan. 8th dan is the higher level and it takes a lifetime to achieve it.
Bibliography:
"The History of Kendo." Japon kendo FederationThe History of Kendo. Japon kendo Federation, 2011. Web. 25 Aug 2011.
ありがとうございました！
ResponderEliminarThanks for publishing about kendo, I’m really moved:') .
I liked your post,
but I think you should have also put something about how's kendo developing in Monterrey,
and about the name of the pieces of the armor we use at kendo, and the name of the clothes, something like that, you did just put the kendo history and origins.
I think if you are going to talk about every martial art first you should introduce what is the martial art you are going to talk about, then it's history; not first the history and thereafter what is it, because I think not everybody will understand exactly what do you want to say about that martial art.
but still, thanks for posting about kendo, I’m really grateful from the bottom of my heart.
さようなら，ありがとう．
Hey Edmar, now that you are the history of kendo it is getting more interesting, in my personal opinion, I hope you keep this way explaining the history of each martial art if you decide to.
ResponderEliminarMy recommendation for your next week blog is to explain different techniques that are used in the practice of kendo.
You are in the right way, keep the good job.