Club resurfaces after fighting instability

Two people covered in black, body length suits and large metallic helmets stand meters apart with their sword-like Shinais held at an X at the middle of the arena. \nAs if out of a Star Wars movie, the people are about to go into battle, except it\'s not for the \"Force,\" but to defeat their opponent in the sport of Kendo. \nThe word \"Kendo\" translates into \"the way of the sword\" and stems from the words Ken and Do, which mean \"sword\" and \"martial art,\" respectively. It evolves from Samurai warriors based in Japan in the 12th century. But instead of razor sharp Katanas as in the past, Kendo contestants use Shinais, a sword-like staff made from four pieces of bamboo.\nRelative to its feudal Japanese roots, Kendo\'s history as a sport began a short time ago. \n\"Thirty years ago, they made it into a sport, modernized it, made some rules, so now it\'s Kendo,\" said Tae-Yun Koo, president of the IU Kendo Club. Its campus history has been short, with obstacles during its existence.\n\"There was a former club that was here maybe a decade ago that left some equipment,\" William Thompson, Kendo Faculty Sponsor said. The club was based off campus, creating a small barrier for potential members. Shortly afterward, interest in the club fizzled, and it stopped meeting. The club then returned a few years later. \n\"The club was moved onto campus by a student who then graduated, so the club went out again," Thompson said. "This is the second generation of restart for the club.\"\nKoo said there is little doubt that any breakup will ever happen again. \n\"People who sign up as Kendo members are more than 60-70, usually there are 15 who come to the sessions, so it\'s quite a few people when compared to last year,\" Koo said.\nSteps have been taken by the club to combat the chance of another breakup.\n\"For this year, we put more effort into advertising and to recruit some members,\" Koo said. \nAlso aiding in keeping the club together is the diversity of the members. \nMost martial arts classify by women and men, and/or age or weight," Koo said. "We play all together. It doesn\'t matter if you are small, if you are a female, whatever,\"\nThe sport might be exciting to watch for most viewers because of its hard fighting and unique rules compared to other marshal arts. In addition to the use of Shinais, Kendo uses a different sort of graduation system.\n\"There\'s no belt, there is a sophisticated exam,\" Koo said. \"You pass the one level, (then) you have to wait one year to reach the second level and for the third level you have to wait two years.\" \nThe clothing within Kendo is different from other martial arts. Kendo competition participants use \"Hakamas\" or pleated pantaloons along with a \"Do,\" a torso protector made from any hard material and with other types of padding. \nAnother difference is the specific hit points that Kendo participants can use. Koo said there are four different hit points including one\'s head, torso, and neck.\n\"The hits are controlled, short, and powerful,\" Koo said.\nThere are competitions during the year for serious competitors. Koo said the club members travel to places such as Chicago or Detroit to compete against independent and other college clubs.\n\"It\'s good exercise, and I love Kendo, I couldn\'t get out of it," he said. "Sometimes I\'m too lazy to get there, but when I put on my armor, I just want to play."\nFor upcoming competitions and information check out http://php.indiana.edu/~kendo/index.html or come to any of the three practices a week on Tuesday at 9:00 or Thursday at 8:30 in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building, room 163 or every Sunday at 8 p.m. in room 169.