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**OgrGlgHu** · 05-25-2007, 06:27 PM

I've recently noticed a drop in my interest level in Kendo. I have a Hakama-Gi and Shinai, but we have just been doing drills.
I want to learn something new, do something interesting.
Can you only start doing more interesting things when you have Boju?

While it is my opinion that yes, things do get more interesting when you are in bogu, one part of your post grabbed my attention. You say you want to learn something new, do something interesting. In the long run, I believe you will not find that in kendo.

In my opinion, kendo, for the most part, is about perfecting the basics and learning when and how to best apply the basics. In a sense, you don't learn many "moves" or "techniques". Especially when you contrast kendo against other popular martial arts, like taekwondo, judo, and wushu. (Based on my admitedly limited understanding of those martial arts.) In kendo you learn a slight variation in movement or timing so you can apply your basic cut. The joy and challenge that most of us derive is in correctly identifying and applying this in different situations against different opponents.

What you do get in kendo, and what drew me to it unlike other martial arts, is that you spend most of the time sparring in a fairly unrestrained, yet safe manner. Rather than learning more moves and techniques than I can possibly hope to remember or apply as needed, in kendo I get to practice against a live opponent pretty much constantly.

Again, all of this is my opinion. Others may also feel differently. But I would advise you to think more about whether kendo is for you if you feel a real need for new moves, and the variations and applications in kendo are not enough to sustain your interest.

P.S. Blisters on your hands and feet are practically a rite of passage for kendo. Almost everyone gets them at some point. They are almost inevitible given that most of us are not used to kendo's movements and requirement of repetitive exericise in this modern age. I view them as a badge of honor for forging ahead in practice.

05-25-2007, 06:27 PM	#12
OgrGlgHu Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 544 Senior Member	I've recently noticed a drop in my interest level in Kendo. I have a Hakama-Gi and Shinai, but we have just been doing drills. I want to learn something new, do something interesting. Can you only start doing more interesting things when you have Boju? While it is my opinion that yes, things do get more interesting when you are in bogu, one part of your post grabbed my attention. You say you want to learn something new, do something interesting. In the long run, I believe you will not find that in kendo. In my opinion, kendo, for the most part, is about perfecting the basics and learning when and how to best apply the basics. In a sense, you don't learn many "moves" or "techniques". Especially when you contrast kendo against other popular martial arts, like taekwondo, judo, and wushu. (Based on my admitedly limited understanding of those martial arts.) In kendo you learn a slight variation in movement or timing so you can apply your basic cut. The joy and challenge that most of us derive is in correctly identifying and applying this in different situations against different opponents. What you do get in kendo, and what drew me to it unlike other martial arts, is that you spend most of the time sparring in a fairly unrestrained, yet safe manner. Rather than learning more moves and techniques than I can possibly hope to remember or apply as needed, in kendo I get to practice against a live opponent pretty much constantly. Again, all of this is my opinion. Others may also feel differently. But I would advise you to think more about whether kendo is for you if you feel a real need for new moves, and the variations and applications in kendo are not enough to sustain your interest. P.S. Blisters on your hands and feet are practically a rite of passage for kendo. Almost everyone gets them at some point. They are almost inevitible given that most of us are not used to kendo's movements and requirement of repetitive exericise in this modern age. I view them as a badge of honor for forging ahead in practice.
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