Photo by FRANCINE SCHAEPPER PHOTOGRAPHY — **Photo by FRANCINE SCHAEPPER PHOTOGRAPHY**

My son, Xavier has been taking Kendo classes for a few months now. It started off with his fascination for sword fighting and like most boys, movements and actions involving such famous weaponry give him such satisfaction. It was not until quite recently that I noticed his fascination has grown into a love of the art of Kendo. He told me that he enjoys the meditation at the beginning of the class, the attention to each and every detail of the ritual, including the way you put on your armour. Slowly he is realizing that to be a good fighter, it takes more than just knowing how to move around, it requires the mind, body and soul to work as one. He has learnt the importance of discipline and following all such rituals, including the way you bow, the way you sit. More importantly, he has learnt to respect his Sensei (Translated literally, “Teacher”, but it is more than that ) by respecting himself by showing great strength in mastering what he is being taught in every lesson, and showing great reverence with each instruction and guidance.

In a short few months, he was encouraged by his Sensei to participate in the 2018 Hong Kong Novice Kendo Championship ( his section, under 12 yr olds ). I have to admit, I attended the competition as a spectator, completely unaware of the almost fervent devotion to the rituals by all the participants. Everyone bowed as they entered the Hall, took off their shoes, and warmed up in disciplined units, putting the whole ahead of the individual. Most of all, my son was part of this, utterly subsuming his individuality on behalf of the group discipline towards perfection, from even the warm-up, right up to the traditions of laying out the equipment itself. Everyone showed extraordinary respect and dedication to this ancient Japanese ritual. I realize that the allure of the Bushido code (” the way of the warrior”) is based not on fierce combat readiness, but inner harmony with the sword, which became a thing of beauty as the students strive to master the art of perfect motion. As parents there, we all marvelled how our children have begun to calm and focus, dedicated to this most ancient of rituals. I see now why the Samurai held such respect, and in an era where instant gratification and online gaming is so prevalent, I am so content that my son finds joy in a warrior ritual that emphasizes calm and serene focus, uniting body and mind and spirit.

I came across the below except from the web and I have to say, not only did I understand more about Kendo but I learn how it works on every aspect of our body, mind and soul. I hope my son will continue to cultivate his love for this sport and develop it as a sport for life as I see that Kendo attracts participants from all ages, from all walks of life. My respect for this sport grows, as I see how each and every person, irrespective of their skill, can improve their inner self as they deepen their ties to Kendo. I want my son to grow as a person through his dedication to Kendo, as those who love the sport impress me with their respect, calm confidence and ability to meld this ancient martial art to match demands everyday life.

The concept of Kendo:
Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana ( literally, “Sword” ).

The purpose of Kendo:
To mold the mind and body,
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,

And through correct and rigid training:

To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo,
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor,
To associate with others with sincerity,
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.

This will make one be able:

To love his/her country and society
To contribute to the development of culture,
And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.