Category: Kendo
-
Guest Essay: “Experiences of a Transgender Kendoka” by Natalie Rhodes.
A lot of discussion seems to happen around the topic of transgender women in the martial arts without necessarily spending a whole lot of time listening to our experiences or attempting to empathise with our feelings. So I am going to take this opportunity to voice my thoughts and feelings about kendo practice as a…
-
Guest Essay: “Read the Unreadable” by Cedar Ree.
Read the Unreadable By Cedar Ree I would like to invite you to walk with the 21-year-old me out of the dojo after training. Sometimes the sky is dipped in navy blue like a keikogi; sometimes it is dyed by the sunset glow like a colourful tenugui. Feeling the soreness in my muscles, the pain…
-
#8 One Step Closer: Walking the long road.
As a human being with empathy, it is impossible not to feel deeply saddened by the unapologetic ignorance and cruelty taking place in the world right now. The stripping away of people’s basic human rights, safety, and life is happening all around us. It is no coincidence that occurring simultaneously is increased violence against women…
-
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…
-
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…
-
#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…
-
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…
-
#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…
Kate Sylvester Perspectives 