What Kendo means to me by Max Lesser

I believe all people have a cornerstone in their lives. A cornerstone is an art, practice, discipline, passion, or pursuit that serves as a type of foundation for our existence. It is something we can base our actions on, and whose teachings affect our every decision. For some, this cornerstone is religion. For others, it is a certain sport. Or an art form. Or a role model. For myself, however, it is kendo; which encompasses all of those previously mentioned. Kendo has made more of an impact on my growth as a person than just about anything else, and it continues to do so with every passing day. I have learned a great deal in the 4 ½ years that I have been practicing…more so than I could possible describe. Achieving 2nd Dan has been an incredible milestone, but there is no shortage of things for me to improve upon and learn in the art of Kendo. One of the key facets of my training has been with fear. Fear should not be narrowly interpreted as ones reaction to a horror movie: it comes in many shapes and sizes. Hesitation, timidity, apprehension, panic; these are all forms of fear, and are nouns that can have a profound effect on ones kendo performance. Through rigorous practice, one is able to move beyond the restrictions of these words, and thus, move beyond fear. This process is—nonetheless—far from simple and can take a lifetime to achieve. However, instead of recounting my own experiences with fear, I will describe several instances in which I tried to help others move beyond their personal fears. There are a host of fears that plague beginners in Kendo, and this combination can stint growth and hurt self-confidence. I have dealt with several beginners that had trouble combating these emotions, and have employed a similar strategy in order to help them. By utilizing kiap, one of the most important aspects of kendo training, it is very much possible to overcome ones inhibitions and spar with a clear conscience. When I practice with a beginner struggling with himself, I will often challenge them to kiap contests. These “contests” consist of me yelling, and demanding that they then yell louder…I don’t go easy on them. As the volume steadily increases, the beginner gradually moves away from fear by letting all of his/her doubts manifest into shouting energy. It is truly incredible how these practitioners (after a kiap “contest”) can proceed to spar with unseen energy and power. While on the subject, these lessons that I teach to others have had great personal effect as well. There are few things more gratifying than seeing the fruits of your teachings: whether it is a practitioner’s improved technique, sparring, or change in attitude. I truly enjoy teaching others what has been taught to myself over the years from Master Min and Master Seong. That is part of the magic of kendo: how these teachings continue to translate from person to person and generation to generation. That is how it has been for centuries, and with schools like Sung Moo Kwon, that is how it will continue to be. In conclusion, Kendo doesn’t just help students develop physically, but also helps them mature and truly become “better” people. With every swing of the juk do, one comes that much closer towards the elimination of the ego. It is not an easy pursuit, but it is undoubtedly a positive one. I would recommend kendo practice to everyone, regardless of age or sex. The respect, humility, and honor of swordsmanship are as relevant today as they were during feudal Japan.

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