Published on January 10, 2005
wo swordsmen dressed in black Darth Vader armour whack at each other with thick bamboo rods. When their swords strike, they crack like thunder.
This isn’t a scene from “Star Wars”. It’s a kendo class conducted on the 25th floor of the UBC 2 Building on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 33.
Kendo is the Japanese martial art of sword fighting. It was developed by the ancient samurais and today is practised with a bamboo rapier called a shinai. The goal is to strike an opponent on the head, wrist, body or throat without being stuck yourself. “Kendo is the unification of the sword, mind and body,” says Vithaya Pansringarm, president of the Thailand Kendo Club, which offers the classes free of charge. “Each time a kendoist strikes, he must call aloud the target he intends to hit at the exact moment he swings,” Vithaya says. “This demonstrates his ability to coordinate his body, mind and sword.” If a fighter swings at his opponent’s body, he must shout “Whack-do!” - meaning “body hit” - as he attacks his target. If the target isn’t indicated before the strike, the point won’t be awarded. Points can only be earned by moving forward and making a hit. Clobbering an adversary while stepping backwards won’t win a match. Since kendo emphasises attacking, students spend most of their time studying lunges and strikes. But novices must first learn how to step and wield a sword before progressing to attacks. Students pair up and alternate attacks and defences using their swords. The bamboo foils are held horizontally until the strikes are made. At the end of class, the sensei, or teacher, dons a full kendo uniform and allows his students to attack. Deflecting the onslaughts, he observes whether swings are correct and if students are putting sufficient power into their hits. In addition to the fun of whacking people’s head and building more body strength, Ninlapat Chatamra, 27, says she has found that kendo has developed her ability to anticipate strikes and how to counter after a strike is made. “You can be hit if you lose sight of your opponent’s sword,” she says. “The process forces me to develop my strategic skills. I have to think all the time how to gain an advantage over my opponent, so I can strike him with my sword.” Kendo matches can last a gruelling 30 minutes. Players win by scoring two points. Part of kendo’s charm is the warrior’s uniform, called a budoku, which contestants must wear, says Phanu Pongranit, 16, a Bangkok Christian College student. “When I put it on, I feel like I’m a samurai,” says Phanu. “It makes me realise that the one-on-one fighting style and the uniforms are very special, because clothing conceals the pride and spirit of the fighter inside.” Students can start taking classes at the Thailand Kendo Club at age seven. First-timers can wear whatever they like and borrow swords from the club. Instructors tell students not to purchase equipment or uniforms until they’re sure they are serious about the sport. The cost of a full budoku uniform - including upper- and lower-body protection, gloves and helmet - runs at least Bt8,000; a quilted practice uniform costs Bt1,500 to Bt2,300; a shinai sword is Bt900 to Bt1,500. Free kendo classes are held from 6pm to 8pm every Wednesday on the top floor of the UBC 2 Building on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 33. Call (01) 668 2909 for more information or visit www.Thailandkendoclub.net. KENDO CLASSES In addition to the Thailand Kendo Club, classes can be taken at: l Kasetsart University: 5pm-8pm Tuesday-Friday l Bangkok Christian College: 5pm-8pm Friday; 10.30am-1.30pm Saturday l Ramkhamhaeng University: 6.30pm-9pm Saturday l International School Bangkok: 3pm-6pm Sunday Contact (01) 668 2909 for details. Watchara Saengsrisin The Nation
Post your comment to this story here