Continued from post The Armed Forces – My Long Time Fascination

© Adam - Photograph found via TrekEarth

Martial arts is another activity I’ve been curious about since I was little, but lack the support from parents. They would rather I take art classes and piano lessons, play in the local peewee baseball league, or join the Girl Guides. So I’ve decided that once I start working, I would pick up a martial art as my after work activity.

Not knowing what to do, I went with the most standard martial art I can think of, karate. I did some quick research, and signed up on a whim. Unfortunately, my research wasn’t extensive enough, so I may or may not have picked up what was known as a McDojo. It was expensive and I felt like I didn’t find what I was looking for. All those coloured belts didn’t appeal to me at all. In the six months I practiced there, it felt like all those moves I was doing weren’t real, the self-defense moves untested, and all our hits were pulled when we sparred.

It was pure luck, or fate, or whatever you call it, that at the same time, a friend of mine asked if I would be interested in taking kendo with her at the local Korean cultural centre. I’ve always been interested in the sport, but had the image of it being a sport for the richer folks, maybe something like fencing. All those gear did not look cheap, and looks slightly intimidating to outsiders who doesn’t know anything about it. I never thought in my life that I could have a chance at it, and this would be my ticket into the community, even if just for a little while.

Little did I know, it was completely different than what I had imagined. Aside from the language barrier of me not knowing Korean, the beginner instructor was very nice and patient teaching my friend and I–aside from that one time I tried to pick up my shinai with my foot, which got me a shinai beating on my leg by another instructor. I was told that I was the very first non-Korean person to take lessons there, so I should do my best, and I tried my very best. I think I enjoy the strict teachings of the instructors there, as opposed to the laid-back atmosphere of the karate place.

After a few weeks, I was hooked. I loved the ideals that Mr. Song explained to us. The slow pace that we went at. Trying to perfect just one or two things at a time, instead of trying to memorize six different katas and all sorts of breakfalls all at once. It was just footwork, then swings, then slowly putting them together.

Unfortunately, I had to rely on my friend for a ride to the place–it was not easy to get to by transit. Eventually my friend stopped going as I was switching to a new job, and I never got back to the place. I never did forget it though.

A few months after work has settled, I was determined to get back. I looked up the clubs available in my area, and found the Toronto Kendo Club. Having practiced at another club briefly before and knowing what to expect, I didn’t mind joining by myself this time around. Before I knew it I was welcomed there by the great people of the club. Without the language barrier, it was even better than before.

So, for those out there who may be interested in kendo, but unsure how to get into it. I recommend just show up to a practice and talk to someone, or sit and watch. Although it’s a very small and fairly close-knit community, it’s also very welcoming; always looking for new people to join!