Japanese culture
The 3 Kendo Spirits
Kendo is one of the main traditional Martial Arts (Budo) in Japan.
It was developed in the Samurai Era in order for people to protect themselves and their Lords in times of war.
Since then, we still practice this martial art from all ages and in 1952 the Japanese Kendo Federation was founded.
In Kendo an armor (bogu) is required to protect the body from strikes and a bamboo sword (shinai).
There are 3 fundamental focuses while practicing Kendo called Ki-ken-tai (spirit-sword-body).
They are very important to follow in order to get points, if you just hit without using this basic principles, you don’t get any.
There are four strike zones which you must to focus in kendo: head (men), body (do), forearm (kote) and throat (tsuki) .
To get points during a competition, they must be struck.
In order to practice this Martial Art, there are 3 basic rules called Kendo Spirits:
- 1.
- Appreciation and Politeness
- 2.
- Straightening our Posture
- 3.
- Practice makes the Master Samurai
1. Appreciation and Politeness
The most important aspect of Kendo are manners and politeness towards other players and opponents,
rather than simply winning or losing.
When we are prepared for death, we realize that life is precious.
By practicing Kendo, we improve our attitude towards our surroundings from the inside-out.
This martial art, teaches us to live each day as if it were our last and show respect for all living things on earth.
2. Straightening our Posture
Following rules helps you to develop or improve abilities such as concentration, perseverance, discipline and more.
It also provides stimulation to your body by the postures needed in order to practice Kendo.
It will help you to tuck your chin in, straighten your posture and the pelvic area and open your chest.
3. Practice makes the Master Samurai
It takes at least 3 years to learn the simple basis of Kendo and to become a master it can take as much as 30 years.
That is why this Martial art requires, effort, continuation and compromise.
As our former teacher said, “Being good at following rules is proportional to mastering the ability.”
Kendo is not only a sport, but a Martial art (Budo).
The main goal of all Japanese Kendo Federation is to improve yourself as a human being
That's what called “The way of the sword”.
The 3 Kendo spirits are very important in improving our daily life
to reach enlightenment.
書道 Calligraphy
3 points
① horizontal stroke to the right
② top diagonal stroke to the right
③ vertical stroke to the bottom
Smooth side is going to be the top.
First, dipping the ink.
The direction is very important when you write Kanji.
The art of shodo (calligraphy), where an ink-dipped brush is used artistically to create Kanji.
Works of calligraphy are admired for the composition of the characters,
But also for the way the brush is handled in their creation, the shading of the ink, And the balanced placement of the characters on the paper.
The art of shodo originated in China and came to Japan in the sixth or seventh century, along with methods for making brushes,
Ink, and paper. In those days, calligraphy was an essential part of the education for members of ruling noble families.
How to do calligraphy
- 1.
- Dipping in the ink
- 2.
- Reduce the ink on the brush
- 3.
- Roll the rush in your fingers
