Learn The Sword Workout Blog

My first summer Gasshuku was in Chiba, a city just outside Tokyo, and was become one of the most  enlightening experiences I had while training in Japan. It was very challenging, both mentally and physically, and was also a place where my knowledge and understanding of the power of kendo took place. Gasshuku is where […]

When the "dog days" of summer begin in Japan, you will sweat profusely. You start losing vast amounts of water from training and because it is so humid. While in Japan, I discovered an amazing secret to keep hydrated and healthy. I discovered “mugicha” (wheat tea) which is the summer sports drink of old Japan. […]

Training Kendo in the traditional setting provided a much different brutality for the men. Hazing was definitely included as part of the hierarchy, the pecking order if you will. I mentioned before that you spar until you drop and this was just the beginning. There is a general rule of thumb in kendo and that is...when […]

I was very happy and relieved to have avoided the experience of hazing that freshmen students typically encounter in the Kendo ranks. Since this was still in the "Showa Era", which did not end until the death of Emperor Hirohito, the old school way was still in effect and hazing was just a way of life […]

When kendo practice ceased the undergraduates would then go to the locker room which was below in the basement. Going down the narrow stairs you began to inhale testosterone at its peak. Those smells would rival any odors that gladiators in the coliseum exuded. Imagine being packed in the locker room like sardines and all […]