Kendo club offers more than sparring

There's no punching and there's no kicking. It's not karate, and it's not tae kwon do. But it is an exciting martial arts form here at IU of which most people have never heard. It's kendo.\nKendo is the art of Japanese swordsmanship, developed from the way of the samurai. Ken comes from the Japanese character meaning "sword" and Do from the character meaning "way" or "path." Kendo translates as "the way of the sword," according to the All United States Kendo Federation Web site, www.auskf.info.\nBecause this is a University-affiliated club, real swords are not used. Lengths of bamboo wood tied with leather, called shinai, are used instead. There is also a set of armor, or bogu, that consists of a helmet, gloves, sash, chest plate and plates that cover the thighs. Members only wear the armor when they have learned the basics of the art. The more advanced members wear uniforms and beginners wear regular clothes.\nBut Kendo is not just an excuse to beat people with sticks, said IU Kendo Club President Kayla Peat. It also has a spiritual aspect to it.\n"The sword is a part of you," she said. "The more you learn to use it, the better your skills become and the better you hone your spirit."\nThis spiritual aspect can also be seen in the bowing ritual performed several times before, during and after each practice. Practices consist of a warm up, work on techniques and sparring. The group gathers to train every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Practice times aren't set yet for the fall, but those interested can visit the club's Web site at www.indiana.edu/~kendo for more information.\n"It is unique among the martial arts practiced here at IU, as it involves full-contact combat with weapons," Past Club President Melissa Kocias said in an e-mail. "There is no punching, kicking, or grappling. The players, or kendokas, wear dark indigo uniforms consisting of jackets -- or keikogis -- and wide skirt-like pleated bottoms called hakamas. It is said that each of the pleats in the hakama represents a specific virtue. In addition, the swords represent the samurai's spirit, and thus should be treated with respect." \nPeat emphasizes that anyone interested in martial arts should give kendo a try. The techniques they use are the same ones that were used by samurai on the battlefield, she said.\n"Many people with whom I've spoken find Kendo appealing because of the many benefits -- it helps to build strength, agility, and endurance, as well as confidence and a sense of pride. It's also great for stress-relief," Kocias said. "After all, where else are you encouraged to scream and stomp and strike people with swords?"\n-- Contact Staff Writer Nathan Tomlanovich at ntomlano@indiana.edu.