The way of the sword as a way to preserve history

"A warrior has no confusion in his mind--this is true emptiness."

- Miyamoto Musashi

When death was the only outcome, a man had to fight not only with his sword, but with his mind. He fought for his life and with the preparedness that it was either him or the other. Mighty by strength and humbled by spirit, victory requires an inner resolution that can not be taught, but only felt by one's own integrity. A samurai. A warrior. A college student.

Literally translated as "the way of the sword", kendo is a traditional sport that embodies real practices of samurai sword fighting in what is now a popularized sport for many Japanese as well as audiences worldwide. In 9th century BC, the Bushi or samurai class formed in ancient Japan and the first prototype of a Japanese sword was created. As the weapon of choice, swordsmanship naturally became an area that must be mastered by the Bushi class, so schools known as kenjutsu (literally meaning the art of the sword) were founded by master swordsmen. At first, learning to use a sword was a matter of pure survival and self-defense. But, as the Bushi moved into more peaceful times, Zen Buddhism began to influence the mindset of the masters to teach not only technique, but also mental and emotional acuity when fighting.

With the demise of the Shogunate government, the Bushi class also became extinct as was the right to bear a sword. However, to compete on a global military scale, Japan therefore reexamined the practice of kenjutsu as a means of self-defense, but established a new base of rules and teaching, which became known as kendo.

Today, high school and university club teams exist across Japan and appeal to both men and women. Abroad, the sport is mainly practiced in North America and Europe and competitions are held on national levels. Often categorized as Japanese fencing, the manner of kendo is similar, but in theory it is deeply rooted in the conventions of classical samurai battle.

In observing a kendo club practice, it is evident the true values in preserving such an ancient sport. Each drill is done with deliberation and diligence, and with unparalleled uniformity. It's as if the minds of each student is trained to understand their peers better than they understand themselves. They are focused even on simple actions of preparation such as putting on the protective face screen, which is done in unison and with poise. For most sports that center around the individual efforts of the player, kendo still encompasses the movements of the whole, much like the way every member of a basketball team should look up the court and anticipate the moves of their teammates. Similar to Japanese society, the team effort raises stock in the individual attempt at self-betterment, like a finely tuned cog in the wheel.

Harnessing spiritual strength is largely why kendo is still practiced today. After World War II, kendo was publicly banned by the Allies because it was seen on an international front as contributing to the ruthlessness of Japanese soldiers and adhering to uncouth traditional methods of warfare. It wasn't until 1957 when kendo enthusiasts joined together to revive the sport as a practice to balance mind and body and improve Japanese society. Kendo players hold courtesy and honor to a high esteem and with each thrash of the bamboo swords, they command an intensity to ones inner character. The sport trains the body for physical perfection, much like other martial arts. But, without the long-lasting interest of kendo as a club, perhaps the spirit of the ancient samurai would be lost and along with it a piece of Japanese history.

Teaching kendo today is a way to promote the sincerity and pure goodness of a community and country who's traditions are often sifted out as an unconventional modernity pours in. For those who understand the way of the sword in turn understand a way of preserving history and the spirit that is held with it. And so a symbol of death now safeguards a promotion of peace and prosperity in hopes that Japanese culture can retain it's rich history of the samurai way.