The 20^th Anniversary Kodokan Kendo Seminar

The 20^th Anniversary Kodokan Seminar was held over 4 days from 18^th to 21^st August 2005.  The seminar was organised by Mr. Paul Budden the Kodokan Kancho (Renshi 6^th Dan, British Kendo Association and Kendo Bucho).  He is famous in Europe for his publication of the book ‘Looking at a Far Mountain’ (1992, Ward Lock Publication and now with Tuttle USA).  Back in 2003, he acted as the Chief Coordinator at the 12^th World Kendo Championships in Glasgow and his contribution was invaluable to the Championship and its success.

The venue was Royal Masonic Girls School in Hertfordshire, Northwest from London.  The attendants numbered 66, who were selected from the many applicants.  The seminar was very international with people from 11 nations including England, Scotland and Wales as well as France, Italy, Germany, New Zealand, Malta, Hong Kong, and Macao.

The first Kodokan seminar was held back in 1985.  Since 2000 it has become a part of the official events supported by the British Kendo Association (BKA; current President Mr. John Howell).

The opening ceremony saw the presentation of an award to Masatake Sumi Hanshi for his continuous support to the seminar and his major contribution to British Kendo over the past years.

There were several special people also invited to celebrate the 20^th anniversary this year.  They included all of the Japanese teachers who have in the past taught at the seminar.  They are Junichi Tashiro Sensei, Morio Kumamoto Sensei, Susumu Nagao Sensei and Junpei Matsumoto Sensei.  Resident UK teachers were also invited including: Terry Holt Sensei, Norimitsu Yanai Sensei and Sotaro Honda Sensei.  There was also a new face Toshiyuki Shinbo Sensei, who attended for the first time at this seminar.

The seminar started at 7am for Asa-geiko, followed by a morning session.  After lunch there was an afternoon session, followed by dinner and an evening Keiko.  The seminar covered a broad section of Kendo including Kihon Keiko-ho, Kata Keiko and refereeing.  Attendees enjoyed working together throughout all of the sessions very much.

Sumi Hanshi emphasised the importance of maintaining the balance of the body and footwork.

Junichi Tashiro Sensei gave a lecture on ‘Kendo Bogu’ and there was a lecture by Susumu Nagao Sensei on ‘the History of Japanese Kendo’. There were also lectures on ‘Sports Science’ by Mr. Ian Parker-Dodd and ‘Strength and Conditioning’ by Mr. Steve Bishop.  Many of the attendees were impressed by these lectures.

I recorded comments from some of the attendees:

‘I am currently trying to learn about “tame (patience)” in Kendo’ (Renshi 6^th Dan, male).  ‘I have attended this seminar for the last 20 years and I am grateful for an understanding into the various aspects that I have learnt by attending the seminar each year, step by step.

This year I met some of my old friends and this gives me such a special feeling’ (5^th Dan, male). 

‘I would like to be able to make correct basic Men cutting with good posture.  This is my main aim of my practice at the moment’ (5^th Dan, male). 

‘The best aspect from attending this seminar was being able to watch the Japanese Sensei doing Ji-geiko in front of me and to learn from it’ (5^th Dan, female). 

‘I used to get angry very easily but after 17 years of practice I have become a calmer personality.  This is very much coming from Kendo and I am extremely grateful.  It is my dream to visit Japan one day and I am saving money for this purpose’ (3^rd Dan, male). 

‘There is a concept in the west of the triangle symbolising harmony.  I feel this through practicing Kendo.  This feeling makes me stay with Kendo, as I am trying in particular to make a good balance in my work life (Shodan female). 

‘We are a couple attending the seminar together.  I found the Keiko very hard and I came close to giving up at times, but the seminar ended without anyone dropping out and I felt very good about that aspect’ (Mudan, female). 

‘My father’s work brought our family to live in the UK.  and I started Kendo here.  Soon I am going to start my student life at Cambridge University and would like to continue Kendo alongside my studies.  I want to be able to cut Men, rather than Kote, as this is more difficult due to the distance, Men is further away than Kote which is closer’ (Japanese high school student, male).

The organiser Mr. Paul Budden told me:

‘I have continued to organise this seminar over the years in order to offer opportunities to those who are practicing Kendo in a serious manner including myself.  There are things that make Kendo interesting to me.  For example, it often looks as though we are in conflict with an opponent; however it is really ourselves that we are fighting with.  We also learn about relationships with others through our practice.  This is also difficult but very interesting too.  I have so far read more than 100 books on Kendo, Japanese culture and history.  My conclusion is that I have a great respect for the spirit of the Japanese Samurai who committed their lives to their social duties.  Through the experience of Kendo practice which has such history behind it, I am able to meet my own ‘harmony of mind and body’.  Now Kendo plays an important role as a part of my everyday life.

At present there are 9 university Kendo clubs and over 1000 people practicing Kendo in the UK and I would like to thank Sumi Sensei and the many other Sensei for this success.  I would also like to thank Masayoshi Imasato Sensei of Kyoto Kodokan and Kyoto Sangyo Daigaku [University]

who helped to name my dojo Kodokan here in the UK.

My dream: There are increasing social issues for teenagers with a lot of crime in places like Liverpool, Manchester and in many other parts of the UK.  I would like to see Kendo being introduced into these areas.

 It may be a rather optimistic ideal, but I would like to see this happen, as I’m sure it could help to alleviate some of the social problems, by offering a chance at self discipline and a unique activity which caters for both the mind and the body’.

A vast courtyard is filled with a green that somehow has a crystal quality, surrounded by such a green wild squirrels run freely.  The brickwork buildings in the courtyard remind us of Medieval Cloisters decorated with beautiful flowers.  With such landscape as a background, his voice and smile both calm and warm, sometimes with wit and humour, remain in our hearts, everlastingly without end.

Written by Junpei Matsumoto in Kendo Jidai, January 2006

Translation by K Matsuda