1.
What is Kendo?
2. What is Naginata?
3.
Do men
practice naginata and do women practice kendo?
4.
In kendo, do you do anything similar to
Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X)?
5.
Do I have to buy my own shinai/naginata before
I can start practicing?
6. What should I wear to practice?
7.
I have practiced kendo/naginata before. Can I bring my own
equipment?
8. Are
practices mandatory?
9.
What should I buy if I want to begin right away at the beginning of a
term?
Q: What is Kendo?
A:
Kendo is the Japanese martial art of sword fighting with
slightly nebulous origins. The consensus is that various
schools (ryu) of kenjutsu began looking for ways to train
without having to risk serious injury. During the pre WWII
era, kendo was taught to all highs school boys and then outlawed
after Japan's loss and during the Allied occupation. In 1952,
kendo was revived and the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) was formed
on October 14 of that year. Today, kendo is practiced worldwide
and governed by various kendo federations.
Q: What is Naginata?
A: A naginata is a Japanese halberd type weapon
that was traditionally used by samurai women to protect their
home. Today, atarashi-naginata (new naginata) is
taught in high school as part of girls physical education.
Q:
Do men practice naginata and do women
practice kendo?
A: Yes, they do. In Japan, about 40% of
kendo practitioners are women with the gap closing each year.
Men also practice naginata with women numbering in the majority. Internationally however, there are
more typically more men interested in pursuing naginata because
it is a weapon based martial art. The same is true for
kendo but the difference between the number of men and women is
decreasing.
Q:
In kendo, do you do anything similar to
Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X)?
A: No, we don't. Nothing in kendo is
anything like sword styles seen in anime. We do not move
faster than the eye can see, use a katana, or
teach you how to fly through the air ala Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon. The sword styles seen in the Kenshin are
an artist's depiction of a kenjutsu style that was seen during
the late Tokugawa era in feudal Japan. Kenshin is
based off of a real life assassin who used a kenjutsu style that
was noted for its lightning-quick attacks. The one
character that is closest to being real is Saito Hajime.
He was a samurai who was a member of the Shinsengumi in
the Tokugawa era and was known for his stabbing attacks
(similar to but not identical to gattotsu) who later went on to
work for the Meiji government. Due to his prowess
as a swordsman, he was granted special permission to carry a
katana rather than a government issue saber.
Q:
Do I have to buy my own shinai/naginata before
I can start practicing?
A: No, when you show up for your first practice,
someone will be more than happy to let you borrow a spare
shinai/bokuto/naginata. Eventually, if you want to continue
to practice kendo, you can buy your own. Occasionally we
can place a bulk order to save on shipping costs, provided that
there are enough people who wish to purchase something to make
an order worth it.
Q: What should I wear to practice?
A: A light t-shirt and loose fitting pants are
recommended. No jeans, shorts, or sleeveless shirts
please. Also, all jewelry and watches MUST be removed.
They will most likely get damaged and may cause painful problems
for yourself. You will need freedom of movement and, despite
warm/cold temperatures, the recommended dress for those without
a uniform will not change. However, before you can wear
bogu, it is HIGHLY recommended you purchase your own gi and
hakama. We suggest that you practice with us for at least
one term before you decide whether or not to go ahead with this
rather expensive purchase.
Q:
I have practiced kendo/naginata before.
Can I bring my own equipment?
A: Yes, absolutely! We recently purchased
three sets of club bogu for members to use. However, in
order to be eligible to wear the club bogu, you must have at
least a kendogi and hakama and sufficient
experience in kendo basics (a minimum of two terms at Carleton).
In terms of your own swords, we will have to take a look at
them in order to determine if they are appropriate for kendo.
Q: Are
practices mandatory?
A: No, you do not have to attend every single
practice but you are highly encouraged to do so. We
realize that students are very busy and that academics come
first so don't feel pressured to attend every Sunday.
Q:
What should I buy if I want to begin right away at the beginning
of a term?
A: For kendo, you should buy a size 39 shinai if
you are male and a size 38 if you are female. You should
also get one long and one short bokuto (bokken) for kata.
For naginata, you should get a naginata shiai yo (one with a
bamboo blade rather than a hardwood blade). Please see the
Links page for recommended online vendors.
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