|
Login | | | Don't have an account yet? You can create one. As a registered user you have some advantages like theme manager, comments configuration and post comments with your name. |
|
|
Who's Online | | There are currently, 54 guest(s) and 0 member(s) that are online.
You are Anonymous user. You can register for free by clicking here |
|
|
Kendo Schedule | |
Tuesday
9:00 - 11:00pm
SWRC
Thursday
9:00 - 11:00pm
SWRC
Sunday
8:00 - 10:00pm
SWRC
* links show facility locations
|
|
|
Quote of the Day | | If you cannot find the truth right where you are where else do you expect to find it?
-Dogen Zenji |
|
|
Interested in joining kendo? New member? Just want information? CLICK HERE! |
|
Our first practice of the year is on Tuesday, August 23rd! |
|
Today is Sunday, May 19, 2013.
GKC should be practicing today in the activity
room at the SWRC, at 8:00 PM.
Please check the forums to verify practice times!
Cancellations / changes of individual practices will not be displayed here. |
|
Goal
 |
| "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."
|
|
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
|
|
|
| Image Courtesy of the New York City Kendo Club |
|
|
|
