A boy dressed in black armor, bamboo sword in hand, charges, shouting, toward another person while identically dressed pairs around him do the same. A confused spectator might think he’d been transported back to medieval Asia. In reality, this boy and 35 others are gathered at Carleton’s West Gym for the Godo Keiko for the Midwest Kendo Federation.
The event, hosted by Carleton this year, provided a unique opportunity for Midwesterners to practice kendo together. Kendo—the art of Japanese fencing, which originated in medieval-era Japan—means “the way of the sword.” Though not as widely known in the United States as other martial arts, kendo has garnered a significant and loyal following, with more than 400 practicing members in the Midwest alone. About 15 students belong to Carleton’s own Kendo Club, which was formed in winter 2004.
The Godo Keiko, organized as a two-day extended practice of various aspects of kendo, attracted instructors from across the country. The event focused on training both novices and more experienced practitioners.
As participants encircled an instructor demonstrating the subtleties of a move, junior David Chin of Wayne, Penn. watched in awe. He has been practicing the art since it was introduced at Carleton two years ago. Of the Godo Keiko event, he said: “I’ve earned a year’s worth of progress in a few hours.”Certainly the event offered a unique chance for Carleton’s kendo club members to participate in full-day practices focusing on footwork, form, striking, attacks and match fighting. For club instructor John Born (who is married to academic computing coordinator Carly Born), kendo epitomizes the ideals of propriety, courtesy and technique by “improving yourself through the sword.”
One of the most competitive martial arts, kendo focuses more on the individual journey during the match than its outcome or “destination.” As Born put it: “For me, kendo is a constant challenge. I try to be open to every lesson and opportunity.” Born has practiced the art since 1997, many years after first becoming enthralled with it after seeing a photo of kendo in National Geographic magazine as a child.
Although kendo undoubtedly provides rigorous physical training, many of its participants find the mental training its chief value. “There’s a practical approach that can pervade your everyday life,” Born said. “That has a greater meaning.”
