Kendo − spirit of the samurai sword

The Manila Times

Kendo − spirit of the samurai sword  In the martial art of Kendo, matches are held using bamboo swords called shinai. However, winning in Kendo requires far more than mastering techniques. The most important thing is to develop a strong and fearless spirit, and this is a major factor in judging contests. With its origins in samurai sword training, Kendo strives for the mental attitude of the warrior, but because the goal today is to develop character and self-discipline rather than win in combat, the rigorous training is valued as much as the contests. An essential part of this tradition is the deep and respectful relationship between teacher and student.  VIDEO BY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF JAPAN  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe  Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net  Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion  Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital  Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein  #TheManilaTimes #Japan #Kendo #Samurai #Sword #Bamboo #Shinai

Transcript

00:00 [Music]

00:07 Kendo is a martial art that trains one to fight using bamboo swords called shinai.

00:16 Its roots date back about 300 years,

00:22 when samurai began using shinai to safely practice sword techniques.

00:28 In the days of the samurai, martial training focused on spirit,

00:32 cultivating vigor, drive and determination.

00:35 Kendo continues this tradition,

00:37 with its stress on developing character and self-discipline.

00:41 Kendo aims to cultivate the spirit and techniques of swordsmanship

00:47 that were developed for use in actual combat.

00:49 Today, of course, we don't train to fight with real swords.

00:55 Instead, the purpose of our training is to allow us to remain calm,

00:59 even under the pressure of any attack.

01:02 So, kendo is both a martial art and a spiritual path.

01:06 In a kendo competition, points are scored by striking certain spots on the opponent's body.

01:15 The head,

01:16 the wrist,

01:18 the sides

01:24 and the throat.

01:25 Only these difficult areas are valid targets.

01:28 In addition, your strike must make contact with the top quarter of the shinai

01:38 in order to score a point.

01:40 One of the training methods is to practice kata, or individual techniques.

01:52 This fundamental exercise is done with metal practice swords heavier than the bamboo shinai.

01:56 Mastery of techniques is not enough to win a kendo match.

02:03 The art is much deeper than this.

02:05 Hitting your target is just the start.

02:12 The difficult part is to strike with the full and vigorous spirit we call kisei.

02:17 "Fight!"

02:18 In kendo, you must express this strong spirit of kisei as you attack your opponent.

02:28 If a strike isn't delivered with kisei, it doesn't count as a valid hit.

02:33 The judges also look at how you follow up each strike.

02:37 You must always quickly turn to face your opponent, shinai at the ready,

02:41 never letting your guard down or exposing any weakness.

02:45 This unbroken awareness is known as zanshin.

02:48 As a sport, kendo has formal competitions.

02:55 You'll often see the judges award no points even when a strike connects.

03:02 This is because strikes must be performed with the correct spirit to score.

03:12 The judges take the whole movement into account

03:14 and only award points when it fully expresses both kisei and zanshin.

03:19 Also extremely important in kendo is the relationship between teacher and student.

03:33 In training, the student learns the techniques by being allowed to strike the teacher.

03:40 "Fight!"

03:41 This method of teaching is only possible with a deep sense of mutual respect.

03:51 After the session, the student bows to express gratitude to the teacher.

04:06 The teacher then bows in appreciation of the student's efforts.

04:09 As an art passed down from one generation to the next,

04:15 kendo teaches us to respect our teachers as well as to respect their teaching.

04:20 Treasuring the traditional methods, kendo practitioners come to feel a duty to preserve them.

04:28 "Hajime!"

04:32 "Hajime!"

04:33 The spirit of the sword lives on in each fresh generation to take the path of kendo.

04:43 "Hajime!"

04:45 "Hajime!"

04:46 "Hajime!"

04:48 "Hajime!"

04:50 The sword lives on in each fresh generation to take the path of kendo.

04:57 Please subscribe to my channel.

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