AMES — The Japanese art of kendo involves an immense blend of spiritual strength, physical skill and discipline. If you’re interested, look no further than Iowa State for the Kendo Club.
Kendo is considered a sport and a martial art sect that involves sword fighting with a wooden sword, somewhat similar to fencing. Kendo is performed with two opponents fighting in a 30 to 36 foot square, with protective equipment over the body. The goal is to use the two-handed sword to strike an opponent in the wrist, head, waist area and the throat, while avoiding being hit in those same areas.
The matches for kendo are very quick, usually lasting anywhere from three to five total minutes, with a judge awarding points for successful hits to the body areas listed above.
Iowa State’s Kendo Club is represented by 10 total members. Their roster consists of members who are underclassmen, upperclassmen, an exchange student, graduate students, an alumni member and a staff member.
“Kendo is all about self-improvement,” advisor Yan Zhou said. “It is a good way to fight off stress from life and help to keep one both mentally and physically healthy.”
To become a member of the club, you must be able to attend 80% of the club’s practices, which occur Wednesday, Friday and Sunday during the week. The kendo club practices from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-8 p.m. Fridays in room 198 at the Forker building.
Sunday practices run from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in room 3430 at Beyer Hall. However, the Sunday practices are only open to senior members of the club.
Those who are beginners to kendo will learn the basics of the sport first, as that is the natural order of learning. The newcomers to kendo will learn kihon. Kihon is a term in kendo that refers to the basics of the sport. Throughout the time of kihon, beginners will learn how to move, strike, avoid strikes, the etiquette of the sport and lastly the terminology of the sport itself.
More advanced kendo members will move up to sparring with each other, and receive the proper protective equipment to do so.
The club also has the opportunity to both travel to tournaments and seminars as well. The seminars are hosted by senseis that are highly ranked in kendo, who are proficient in teaching different techniques and moves to more inexperienced members.
Iowa State Kendo Club belongs to the Midwest Kendo Federation, where Iowa State has the opportunity to compete in different tournaments throughout the Midwest region.
Most recently, Zhou was able to achieve a 3rd place finish at the second annual Taylor Cup which is held in St. Louis, Missouri.
The kendo club puts a strong emphasis on the fact that growth is not just through the physical realm, but the mental and spiritual side as well.
The club encourages those who are interested to join, and questions about the club or interest in joining can be directed to [email protected].
