Uniform For My First Kendo Match
Donation protected
I am currently an exchange student in Japan with AFS
; taking all my classes in Japanese and living with a host family. Everyday I learn something new about Japanese culture, one of my favorite things being Kendo. On the plane to Japan I decided that if my school offered Kendo as a club sport, I would join. I had no idea what to expect when I showed up the first day of club, but I have been coming back everyday since. Thanks to the kindness of my club teachers, I do not have to buy a set of armor or pay fees, and my Shinai and clothing were lent to me by my teachers from their own closets after finding nobody with my size lying around. They even had a cover made for my armor with my name in Japanese below the name of our school, as a gift for joining the club.
On August 24th I will compete in my very first tournament, a tournament where the teacher that lends me my clothing (Dogi and Hakama) will also be sparring and in need of them. The clothes I borrow do not fit properly, as the teacher is a good four cm shorter than me and not a girl, but I am very grateful to be able to use them. Now, however, it seems it is time to buy my own clothing and Shinai, as preparation for my first tournament.
After my year here in Japan, I plan to return to my home in Oregon and join a dojo, continuing kendo throughout college. I've met so many amazing people through it and been encouraged by everyone in my club, so I would like to win at my first tournament for them, wearing Dogi and Hakama with my name on them as a thank you for all their help.
; taking all my classes in Japanese and living with a host family. Everyday I learn something new about Japanese culture, one of my favorite things being Kendo. On the plane to Japan I decided that if my school offered Kendo as a club sport, I would join. I had no idea what to expect when I showed up the first day of club, but I have been coming back everyday since. Thanks to the kindness of my club teachers, I do not have to buy a set of armor or pay fees, and my Shinai and clothing were lent to me by my teachers from their own closets after finding nobody with my size lying around. They even had a cover made for my armor with my name in Japanese below the name of our school, as a gift for joining the club.
On August 24th I will compete in my very first tournament, a tournament where the teacher that lends me my clothing (Dogi and Hakama) will also be sparring and in need of them. The clothes I borrow do not fit properly, as the teacher is a good four cm shorter than me and not a girl, but I am very grateful to be able to use them. Now, however, it seems it is time to buy my own clothing and Shinai, as preparation for my first tournament.
After my year here in Japan, I plan to return to my home in Oregon and join a dojo, continuing kendo throughout college. I've met so many amazing people through it and been encouraged by everyone in my club, so I would like to win at my first tournament for them, wearing Dogi and Hakama with my name on them as a thank you for all their help.
Organizer
Maggie Cornish
Organizer
Forest Grove, OR
