The dojo was one minute from his house. He was five, walking past with his parents, when they heard the sound of kendo from inside, went in to watch, and he wanted to try.
Way of Life #17, “A Place to Let It All Out”, is a portrait of David (3-dan · High school student, started at five) at Senbukan Luzern. What follows is transcribed from the subtitles of the film — David’s own words, in the order they are spoken, under the chapters of the film.
Studying, you're always stressed. In kendo, you can just let everything out. Fight, kiai — and it keeps your self-control.
One minute from home
A bit random — the dojo was one minute from my home. I was little — walking past with my parents, we heard kendo. We went in, watched — and I wanted to try.
——How old were you?
Five.
A place to let it all out
Kendo is unlike any other sport here — it's unique. Studying, you're always stressed. In kendo, you can just let everything out. Fight, kiai — and it keeps your self-control.
Rei, sonkyo, mokuso
The rei, when you enter the dojo. Sonkyo, mokuso — I feel it there.
Just go and try
Just go try — and see for yourself. Because it's really fun.
And to learn what kendo really is.
About this series
Way of Life is a series of short portraits of people who live the way, filmed by KAIDO Inc. in dojos across Europe and Japan. One person, one word, a few minutes.