Way of the sword

The ancient Japanese martial art of kendo takes root again in Puget Sound area

Joanne Nguyen, for the Northwest Guardian

The idea of having someone take a whack at your head with a bamboo stick may not sound terribly appealing, but a growing number of people in the Puget Sound area find the idea attractive.

They’re among the state’s estimated 400 devotees of the ancient martial art of kendo, Japanese for “way of the sword.”

And, of course, they get to deliver blows as well as receive them.

Kendo was introduced here in the early 20th century by Japanese immigrants and was practiced by as many as 1,000 people in the area just before World War II. Many kendo adherents were interned during the war, and most dojos, or arenas, closed their doors. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the sport was restored to its modern-day level.

Since the 1970s, kendo has spawned a number of different organizations in Washington that belong to the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation.

In Tacoma, kendo devotees meet on Monday and Wednesday nights at either South Park Community Center or Mount Tahoma High School. Practices are held Sundays at Puyallup Recreation Center. Participants range from doctors to entrepreneurs to high school students.

Tacoma club member John Kliem, a communications development consultant, has practiced kendo for about two years. “I enjoy the physical and mental challenge at (age) 50,” Kliem said. “Staying focused is an art you carry in life.”

And even if you’re not concerned about getting a competitive edge in your career, kendo is “a great cardiovascular activity,” Kliem said.

Younger people also are taking up the bamboo sword. Atsushi Kato, 17, a junior at Garfield High School in Seattle, feels pride in his Japanese heritage when he puts on the armor and helmet used by kendo adherents.

As with forms of fencing, there are basics to learn, and the instructors usually emphasize to beginners that it’s not always about hitting someone at full force.

“They don’t get it at first,” said Moki Yoshikawa, the Tacoma club’s sensei, or master teacher. “It’s just that people are afraid and intimidated. It takes years to figure it out. … In kendo, you pay your dues by the amount of time you’re practicing. Usually, when the person can wear all the bogu (kendo armor), it becomes a different feeling because it’s hot and uncomfortable. People are hitting them, and they get discouraged.”

Kendo is a very different sport than judo, aikido or karate because it involves a weapon. Kendo fencers use a bamboo sword called a shinai to attack and defend.

During practice, opponents strike certain targets on their opponent’s body – the head, wrist and waist – and emphasize footwork, which can be very important. The senseis emphasize the basics, then work on refining these techniques. Learning to strike appropriately is revisited many times.

Kendo can become costly, but beginners need to purchase only a shinai ($10 to $20) and comfortable clothes to work out in. Eventually, students need a set of bogu, which consists of four main pieces: men (helmet), kote (gloves), do (chest protector), and tare (waist protector). For uniforms, they need a cotton jacket called a keikogi and baggy skirtlike pants called hakama. The colors are usually navy blue.

The mental and physical benefits of kendo add polish to their regular lives, say those who practice the sport.

The mentality of kendo isn’t complicated, but it can be hard to absorb. “Building character involves living a life of honesty, integrity, sincerity and how we contribute to society, so that’s the foundation (of kendo), and the rest of it is the physical interaction,” said Gary Imanishi, 51, a business and finance officer for King County and instructor at Cascade Kendo Kai on Mercer Island.

The physical aspect is also intimidating. It’s been known to leave participants with blisters, bruises, even broken bones.

“During a match, I was pushed down really hard and fell down. I’ve also been poked in the chest and had my foot stepped on,” said Ikaika Yoshikawa, 16, an upcoming junior at University Place’s Curtis High School and son of Moki Yoshikawa.

“They can attend a practice at any of the dojos to see what they think of kendo,” said Art Oki, 54, an executive assistant for Seattle Public Utilities Branch and administrative executive for Cascade Kendo Kai. “They’re more than welcome to join and practice working on the basics and going on from there.”

“It’s not for everyone,” said Kliem. “You have to be self-motivated. If you can, it’s great, but it’s not for everyone.”

Kendo terms

Bogu: Kendo armor

Bushido: The way of the samurai

Do: Chest/abdomen protector

Dojo: Fencing hall, arena

Hakama: Trousers worn by fencers

Katana: Metal-bladed sword (i.e., samurai sword)

Keikogi: Kendo exercise jacket

Kote: Fencing gauntlet (glove)

Men: Face mask

Sensei: Teacher, instructor

Shinai: Bamboo sword

Shoshinsha: Beginner in kendo

Tare: Waist armor

Zanshin: Mental and physical alertness, readiness Northwest Kendo

Kendo History

Kendo has a long history in the Pacific Northwest, thanks to the presence of many first- and second-generation Japanese immigrants.

According to the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation’s Web site, the first recognized kendo demonstration in the region was in March 1905 at the University of Washington. In 1910, there was a similar exhibition during the dedication of Stadium High School in Tacoma.

There was slow growth until the late 1920s and into the 1930s, when the sport blossomed, with annual tournaments in Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and other communities where Japanese immigrants congregated.

During the early 1960s, a kendo club opened at the Tacoma Buddhist Temple under head instructor Rod Nobuto Omoto, who had trained in Japan before World War II.

Kendo in the South Sound:

Tacoma Kendo and Iaido Club: Beginners practice 6-7 p.m. Mondays at South Park Community Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, and 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays at Mount Tahoma High School, 4634 S. 74th St. Advanced students work out 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays at South Park. For information, call Moki Hoshikawa, 253-565-2896.

Puyallup Kendo Club: Practices are held Sundays at Puyallup Recreation Center, 808 Valley Ave. N.W.; 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., beginners; 12:30-1:30 p.m., second-level students; 1:30-3:30 p.m., advanced. For information, call Curtis Marsten, 206-878-1880.

Kent Kendo Club: Beginners practice 7-9 p.m. Mondays at Kent Commons Recreation Center, 525 Fourth Ave. N. Advanced students practice 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays. For information, call Curtis Marsten, 206-878-1880.