It’s kind of odd at times how all of us are connected. We all remember our first time walking into a dojo. The odd sights, the sounds, the feeling. Many of us probably didn’t know exactly how to react to it at first.
Starting kendo in the states was a culture shock several hours a week at a time for me. At first it was fascinating, then later frustrating Then I believe it became the glove which I preferred to wear. My sempai told me once when he was teaching kendo in the states, ‘’I have to teach Japanese common sense. It is the most difficult thing’’. I didn’t really know what he meant by that till I started my own club.
People without any sort of Japanese cultural influence can be in for a surprise when they first get into a dojo. As an instructor at that point, I had to try to teach that Japanese common sense and then explain it at times. Why is there no talking during class? Why must you run everywhere? Why does the equipment need to be in a line when we line up? Why must I hear a reply when I speak? What is with the pseudo-military attitude?
For me, stepping into a dojo in the states was like stepping into a small piece of Japan.
Later in my life when I moved to Japan, I realized that stepping into a dojo was like stepping into a small piece of America.
I like many others moved to Japan to practice budo. Many times people will tell you this is a great thing, or I wish I did that when I was young, or you’ll have the time of your life. All these are both true and false. Coming here is full of sacrifices. The biggest one most people feel is the estrangement. A stranger in a strange land. No foreigners that come will ever be Japanese, and for me, I never want to be (Go Team U.S.A).
However, with all the misapprehensions that Japan and its people have about foreigners, there is one place where where you are from, what you look like, even what language you speak is of no consequence.
The only time I, and I’m sure a few others, ever feel like home in this country is when we are at practice.
it is very interesting what you are sharing, it makes us, all the kenshis, feel toguether in one heart.
thanks
I little tear just rolled down my cheek.
Seriously though, nice article. I also started in the States but this was after returning from Japan, so it wasn’t really hard for me to adjust. I never really thought about what it might have been like if I started before visiting Japan. I also must say I enjoy kendo a lot more since moving to Japan, and I am not sure if I would continue if I moved back home.
Great article!
I’ll add a backwards comment from the perspective of a Korean kid growing up in Italy. Stepping into the dojo for the first time was like stepping into my home. A lot of the things that were happening around me as a 4-5 year old were a lot like what was expected at home and a lot more comfortable than the stuff I was seeing at the nun managed kindergarden in downtown Rome.
In some ways, the various dojos I attended over the years were the only constant whenever my parents moved. That lovely racket and perfume, I guess…
Great article. It makes me think…
Nice Post!
I personally found though, that Kendo opens doors outside the dojo too. During my three years in Japan, I was priveleged to integrate with the local community far more than my non-budo expat friends.
Kendo also gave me an instant social life when I spent time in the USA and on trips to other parts of the Kendo Globe.
I’m sure there are many great stories among Kenshi who recollect their first experience when first walking into the Dojo. If you’ll indulge me as I walk down sentimental lane…
No doubt, many of us felt that the place they had entered was strange and alien while pushing all the adrenalin buttons. Then, in what seems so quick in hindsight, feeling a part of “that” world. A world that becomes second nature in which the sounds, sights and, dare I say it, smells provide a feeling of being and belonging. Despite a strong desire, I have never lived in Japan and while I realise it’s not always a rosy life full of Kendo and Asahi, I am envious of those who have all the same.
Thanks for the post.
Dear Phillip,
“The biggest one most people feel is the estrangement. A stranger in a strange land. No foreigners that come will ever be Japanese”
What do you mean by being “Japanese”? There are some Japanese that are not very much Japanese. Some foreigners try to be more Japanese than the Japanese themselves, perhaps some even are. For many Japanese kendo is a lot more strange than it is to us. What is being Japanese? The most solid definition would be the ownership of a Japanese passport, but I am not sure if this is what you meant.
Actually this is something I heard quite often, however I think this “estrangement problem” is self made. You are who you are, an individual, and you certaily can be part of Japanese society even as a foreigner, if you make friends and take part in public life. Even as a foreigner you can be part of the Japanese socienty, but your roll is slightly different and not as well defined as that of a native Japanese.
The culture is different ofcourse and you can adopt. It’s a similar process like when you are switching schools, your employer or move inside your home country to another place. Learn the rules, make friends and fit in.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t say you are wrong, because your oppion and your experience are your own, but I don’t understand the sacrifice part really.
doitsuken,
Japanese people make you feel “non-Japanese” despite your passport status. Its something that those of us who live in Japan (and speak Japanese) feel on a daily basis. How much ti effects your daily life is up to you, but it is very very real.
George,
I wasn’t doubting that in any way, if you read my post again, but there is no place free from discrimination (positive or negative) and if we talk about Japan also a kendo dojo is certainly not.
doitsuken,
The estrangement is a widely held feeling among foreigners that live in this country. I still walk into McDonald’s here and the clerks flip the menu to English. Read into that what you will.
I do also stand by this statement “where you are from, what you look like, even what language you speak is of no consequence.”
If you put people from 50 different countries, speaking 50 different languages, but all did kendo, we’d have an amazing keiko together.
Phillip, that sounds like an EIKENKAI practise!!!!
Phillip,
I understand your feeling. Just keep in mind that there are countries or places with a lot more enstrangement and at least from my experience living in Japan comes with a lot of advantages, not just being at the source of good kendo.
Nice website,
I admire your situation and ideas very much.
I can relate to your experiences somewhat. I’m relieved that you are having a rewarding kendo experience in Japan. I also tried to integrate myself into a kendo club as a foreigner in Japan. For me personally, probably due to the combination of my own personality and the strictness of the specific college-club, it was a living hell.
Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t convert any rewarding social interactions with the members. I was always neglected and felt somewhat despised for my efforts. It wasn’t what I expected at all and became very stressful psychologically to be honest. Its sad but kendo lost its original meaning to me as a humane self-improvement, and instead became vulgar and ignoble. My dream became a first grade encounter with the absurd. Estrangement is no joke!
If you aspire to practice kendo in Japan as a regular member of a club, definitely be prepared for a different experience from that of your home. Understand what it is you love about kendo and find the kind of club with members who are willing to oblige your needs. I’m sure some people can flourish under the circumstances that I found so draining if they are tenacious, independent, patient, and their hopes are in the right places.
Hi olive, thanks for commenting.
Unfortunately your university kendo club experience doesn’t seem to be that rare. I’ve heard the same or nearly-same story a number of times now. Of-course I do know people that do have a good time in university club, but its not that often.
Estrangement is all too easy to come by in Japan, be it in the dojo or outside of it.
Olive,
I definitely know what you are talking about. School and collegiate kendo is an animal of its own. High pace kendo enviroments like that are often pretty tuff, in many different ways. Also, the members tend to be of a certain grain. In a way, I can’t always blame the cold environment that goes a long with it. Most of them practice 6 days a week and have been doing so for years. It ends up being more like a job than an affair that they enjoy. Imagine not being able to go out Friday nights all through out college because you have 7am practice Saturday morning.
I’ve talked to many high school students before and asked if they were going to continue practice after high school and most of them said “No, I want to have a life.” After practicing 5 days a week with them, and another at a local dojo for 3 months in Fukuoka, I really understood the sentiment.
Hopefully you can find a great place to practice kendo, where there is a serious and hard practice, but also has that fellowship you are looking for.