Kendo discipline in Saga, Japan

Last summer, on a short bicycle excursion to Yoka Jinja, a very nice Shinto shrine located in central Saga city, and only a short ride from my home, I was lucky enough to stumble across a Kendo tournament being held for local elementary school children. I occasionally go to Yoka Jinja, as it is one of the prettiest, and oldest shrines in Saga, and I can usually find some inspiration there for a photography essay when nothing else comes easily to mind. This visit was no exception. I had seen schoolchildren practicing kendo during some of my 'native English speaker' working visits to local Saga schools, but had not taken a lot of notice of it, or had the time to watch, and take it in.

Kendo is one of the Japanese martial arts, specifically fencing. It has been developed from traditional swordsmanship techniques. These days it is a combination of martial art and sport, played with a split bamboo 'sword', called a shinai, and the combatants wear extensive armor, called bogu, to protect their head, hands and upper body. And they need this protection, as even the smallest children involved in this tournament struck each other with some fearsome blows!

Kendo is played with great vigor, courage and discipline, yet great sportsmanship.

Although based on practices several centuries old, modern kendo dates from the eighteenth century, when the split bamboo shinai was introduced. It is said to be played in the quest for Zen Buddhist spiritual enlightenment, but the children I watched seemed to be much more 'in the moment' in a sporting sense, and were thoroughly enjoying it. The competition has very strict rules, and it is not easy to master. It is all about discipline, not inventiveness, and scoring is strictly controlled, and must be done in just the correct way.   

Suited up and waiting their turn for combat. The beautiful Yoka shrine, a suitable location for Kendo tournaments.

What did really impress me though, was the discipline with which the children played. And the level of sportsmanship they displayed. These were often very young children, boys and girls, from the age of about five up to twelve or so. And sometimes the opponents seemed completely mismatched, in size and age. But in several hours of enthralling competition, I did not see one case of resentment or anger at defeat, or tears of frustration, or loss of temper at being struck a painful blow (yes, sometimes it does hurt!).  The children showing amazing self control, rigidly adhering to the rules, obeying the judges without any hint of dissent, and although keen to win, and showing great courage and determination, they obviously enjoyed the collective game of it, too.

The judge watches closely as a strike is about to be made. Ritual excercises are part of the practice of Kendo.

The couple of hours watching that kendo tournament was important in helping me understand Japanese culture just a little more. Japanese people do seem to possess a level of self control that is hard for me to understand, sometimes, and maybe, or even probably, these little pursuits they enjoy as children are the foundation of their collective and individual discipline. Please don't misunderstand me here. Japanese people know how to enjoy their lives, and pursue happiness with as much vigor as any other culture. They just seem to do it with greater consideration for the rights and welfare of others. Kendo training as a child might well make a significant contribution towards building that consideration.

RK

Read more about the history and detail of Kendo here.

Comments

[Sidney]

I like the top picture!
Interesting entry about Kendo.

[Ray Kinnane]

Thanks for visiting, Sidney.

[Maggie]

Really nice pictures~I'll come back.

[Ray Kinnane]

Thanks Maggie. Please do. I've been a bit slow getting stories up lately, but I will keep writing and posting photos.

[PA]

Lovely pics of Kendo. I always admired the way the kids got into Kendo in Japan - with such vigour. I once stumbled upon a high school tournament at Toshogu shrine in Nikko and it was awesome. Good stuff!