Thursday, September 24, 2009
There is an ancient sport that requires more than just physical fitness. The art of Kumdo/Kendo focuses on mental agility as well as strength.
The KU Kumdo/Kendo club teaches students the art of sword fighting. It was used by Samurai to practice and develop their skills outside of combat.
Want to fight?
• WHO: KU Kumdo/Kendo club • WHAT: meetings • WHEN: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. • WHERE: Martial Arts room at Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center
But, there is more to Kumdo/Kendo than violent attacks made on the opponent with the shinai, a bamboo sword. There is also a mental aspect to the sport. To score a point in competition the attacker must correctly call out, in Japanese, the part of the body as they strike it. He or she shouts out “Men” for strikes to the head, “Kote” for strikes to the wrist, and “Do” for strikes to the stomach.
Eunmok Lee, a Korean Ph.D. student in geography, serves as the Sensei who teaches the club. Lee said that the hardest part is “controlling yourself physically and mentally.”
But, it can also be very rewarding.
“When I hit the head correctly, I get a big joy because it is a beautiful performance,” Lee said.
Both Amie Vo, Wichita junior, and Sungwon Park, a visiting scholar from Korea, agree that striking an opponent can also be good way to take out stress from the school day. Dr. Park said his favorite part was “the stress relief of the competition.”
Some members of the club, like Park and Lee, joined after initially playing the sport back home in Korea. Park explained the biggest differences between the sport here and in Korea.
“Back home we usually practice on the floor instead of the mat,” Park said. “And there is a big mirror to see the reflection of your motion, but otherwise the room is very good.”
Lee explains the cultural differences in training.
“In Korea you can practice almost five or six times a week,” Lee said. “Here the main goal is pursuing degrees so we only meet two times a week.”
There are other members who are new to the sport and have only started since coming to the University of Kansas..
“I saw it one day while running on the track and decided to check it out.” Arlo Osler, Anderson County freshman, said.
The club welcomes new members.
— — Edited by Anna Kathagnarath
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