Category: Kendo
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Guest Essay: “The loneliness of the long-running team-member” by Rosie Ogle (Wales).
‘I’m sorry,’ I said surrounded by an explosion of bogu-bags, half-empty water-bottles, and the curled flattened tubes of energy gels in the kit room of the thirty-third European Kendo Championships (EKC). ‘I let you down.’ My eyes were still full of tears from when we came off after not getting through our pool. The team
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Guest Essay: ‘The 49th International Kendo Leaders’ Seminar 2025′ by Linda Xi (Norway).
Women’s voices and achievements are under-represented across kendo-related media and literary channels. Guest essays published on this website share personal experiences, perspectives, and reflections on martial arts and combat sports that are written by women. The 49th International Kendo Leaders’ Seminar 2025 by Linda Xi (Norway). From March 18 to 24, 2025, I had the
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#5 One Step Closer: Connecting and Communicating.
Since my last post, I have been working on connecting and communicating (aiki) with my opponents. This is difficult and of course depends on your opponent. It is easier to connect and communicate with opponents who understand the importance of aiki. It is not often taught and learnt outside of Japan early enough in one’s
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The Ko Jika International Spring Tournament with Marie-France Mercy (Belgium).
Introduction by Kate Sylvester. This article features Marie-France Mercy sensei, the head organiser of the Ko Jika International Spring Tournament. It shares the significant role that kendo has played in Marie-France’s life and specifically focuses on the highly successful Ko Jika International Spring Tournament. The first Ko Jika International Spring Tournament was first held in
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#4 One Step Closer: Connecting with Ki.
One of the things I cherish about kendo is how holistically well I can feel during and after kendo. On most days, especially when I have had a hard day, I struggle to feel excited about going to training. I have the discipline to go, like I am on autopilot. Also, I know what it
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#2 One Step Closer: Standing Tall.
On new years eve 2024, I committed to preparing for my 7 dan exam in 2025. My pre-preparation had started a year earlier but I was still a national team coach preparing for the 19th World Kendo Championships. I am a one-track person, meaning I can only really focus on one kendo goal at a
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Guest Essay: ‘Doing Seme Work in Kendo and Daily Life in Preparation for the 6 Dan Exam’ by Kaori Dimovski (Australia).
Women’s voices and achievements are under-represented across kendo-related media and literary channels. Guest essays published on this website share personal experiences, perspectives, and reflections on kendo that are written by women. Guest Essay: Doing Seme Work in Kendo and Daily Life in Preparation for the 6 Dan Exam by Kaori Dimovski (Australia). Kaori Dimovski (née
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Raising Your Voice: About the Open de France, and Beyond it. By Johanna Nowak (France).
Foreword by Kate Sylvester Brave. Is the word that comes to mind when I first read Johanna Nowak’s FaceBook posts questioning women’s exclusion from the high status 7 dan category of the Open de France (France Kendo Open). Bewildered. Is the word that discribes how I felt hearing that no category would be created despite
Kate Sylvester Perspectives 