PNKF IAIDO SHINSA, September 29th, 2019, Bellevue, WA
2 KYU: Maurice Benas III (Tonbo) 1 KYU: James Thorne (AiShinKai), Derek Reynolds (Alaska) 1 DAN: Brian Burton (AiShinKai), Abigail Benoit (Tonbo) 2 DAN: Nikhil Varma (Seattle) 3 DAN: Thane Mittelstaedt (AiShinKai), Ken Tawara (Idaho), Garrit Pillie (AiShinKai)
News
PNKF Iaido Shinsa 09/29/2019
Posted in Announcements
PNKF Kendo Shinsa 09/22/2019PNKF KENDO SHINSA, September 22nd, 2019, Portland, OR
Posted in Announcements
Kenyu – July/August 2019 Volume 33, number 7/8 PNKF DATEBOOKSeptember 2019* 9/7-9/8: Team USA Gasshuku, required to be considered for participation in 18WKC, Sat 8am-4pm; Sun 8am-12noon, Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA. Attendance Fee: $50 (checks payable to “AUSKF Team USA”). Send all checks to: Spencer Hosokawa, 17 Amelia Aliso Viejo, Ca 92656. * 9/13 and 9/14: Idaho Kendo Seminar, Fri 9/13 Keiko 6-7pm, Fri venue: Boise State Univ, Kinesiology Gym, Room 215; Sat, 10am-4pm, Sat venue: Meridian Homecourt, 736 Taylor Avenue, Meridian Idaho 83642, Court #1. Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan Robert Stroud. Open to all levels (all ages) including those not yet in bogu, covering Kendo Kata, kihon, and application of kihon for shiai and shinsa. Cost $25 payable at the event. * 9/14: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle. * 9/27-9/29: PNKF Iaido Seminar, Tournament, and Shinsa, Fri/Sat/Sun, Rain City Fencing, 1776 136th Place NE, Bellevue. October 2019 * 10/5: PNKF Shinpan Seminar, Sat, 12noon-5pm, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent. * 10/26: Tacoma Taikai, Sat, Curtis High School, 8425 40th St W, University Place, WA 98466, USA. November 2019 * 11/2: PNKF Taikai, Kent Commons Recreational Center, 525 4th Avenue N., Kent. * 11/2-11/3: AUSKF Second Team USA Gasshuku, Sat/Sun, venue and times TBD. * 11/9-10: AUSKF Board meeting. * 11/10: AUSKF Kodansha Shinsa, after the ASUKF Board meeting, Griffin Elite Sports and Wellness, 700 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, Kentucky 41018. * 11/16: PNKF Board meeting, 9-11am, Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King Street, Seattle. December 2019 * 12/7: Kent Taikai CANCELLED. January 2020 * 1/25-1/26: FIK Kendo Referee Seminar for the American Zone (FY 2019), Sat-Sun, British Columbia Institute of Technology Athletic Gymnasium, 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2 Canada. Accommodation: Delta Hotel by Marriott Burnaby Conference Center, 4331 Dominion Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 1C7. – Participants should be members of FIK affiliated organizations in principle. – Kendo 5 Dan or higher, and practice Kendo regularly. – No age limit to participate. April 2020 * 4/4: 2020 AUSKF Junior Open National Championships, Sat, Marina High School, 15871 Springdale Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 May 2020 * 5/2: Rose City Taikai, Sat, TBA, Portland. May 2021 * 5/27-30: 18WKC, Thu-Sun, Paris, France. 2019 AUSKF IAIDO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP – June 30, 2019, Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon0-2 Kyu Murakami Cup 1 Kyu–1 Dan WORLD NAGINATA CHAMPIONSHIP – July 6, 2019, Wiesbaden, GermanyEngi PNKF 7th NORTH AMERICAN WOMEN’S TEAM TOURNAMENT – July 13, 2019, RentonSpecial Guest Instructor – Kendo Renshi 7th Dan Chinatsu Murayama Team SHINKYU SHINSAAUSKF IAIDO SHINSA, June 30, 2019, Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon 3RD KYU: Lam Cao (SEKIF Salt Lake), Kaitlyn Fife (RMKIF ZenBuKan), Jonathan Hoopes (SWKIF Salt Lake), Carter Webster (RMKIF ZenBuKan), Michael Webster (RMKIF ZenBuKan). 2ND KYU: Breanne Leach RMKIF Zen Bu Kan), Sarah Scherr (MWKF Agassiz), Mika Shafer (NCKF Oakland). 1ST KYU: Kirill Buzinov (SWKIF Mushinkan), Shamina Chang (SUSKIF Chiba), Alex Cherry (SWKIF Salt Lake), Michael Curtis (RMKIF Rocky Mountain), Frauke Hachtmann (SWKIF Omaha), Zhuoran Long (AEUSKF Ken-Zen), Cierra Nix (RMKIF Castle Rock), Gilberto Perez (SEUSKF TokoBuKan), Tyler Peterson (PNKF Idaho), Remington Redell (RMKIF Castle Rock), Andy Webster (RMKIF ZenBuKan), Aojie Zheng ((AEUSKF Ken-Zen). 1ST DAN: Michio Kajitani (SWKIF Arkansas), Alberto Mera (CLAK Federacion Dominicana), Adam Sandor (MWKF Agassiz), Ben Senderling (SWKIF Omaha). 2ND DAN: Cheyenne Baker (SWKIF Dallas-Ft Worth), Jared Bowler (RMKIF ZenBuKan), Michael Jacobson (MWKF Agassiz), Eric Marquardt (PNKF Idaho), Gary Moulder (NCKF Palo Alto), Philip Sevin (RMKIF ZenBuKan), Dongying Song AEUSKF Ken-Zen), Alden Vanderspek (PNKF AiShinKai), Feng (Blade) Wang (SWKIF Mushinkan), Darryl Woods (SWKIF Mushinkan). 3RD DAN: John Baker (SWKIF Dallas-Ft Worth), Jordy Davis (RMKIF ZenBuKan), Celeste Rosell (RMKIF ZenBuKan), Allen Smith (SWKIF Mushinkan). 4TH DAN: David Chung-Pei Cheng (CKF SFU Shinbukan), Richard Flynn (MWKF Raccoon Valley), John Mullin (AEUSKF Ken-Zen), Levon Sukiassyan (SCKF Pasadena). 5TH DAN: Brian Beckford (MWKF Detroit), Takanori Furuta (AEUSKF Ittokai), Hiroaki Fukumoto (PNKF Seattle). 6TH DAN: Paul Shin (GNEUSKF Shidogakuin), Cynthia Tanabe (NCKF Salinas). AUSKF JODO SHINSA, June 30, 2019, Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon PNKF KENDO SHINSA, August 10, 2019, Kent Commons Recreation Center, Kent AUSKF KODANSHA SHINSA, August 18, 2019, Eccles Student Life Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City THE LAST WORDHiroshima, 1945 We were so isolated in Kochi that we had lost communications with our base in Hiroshima. We didn’t know about the Bomb or the end of the War until few weeks after Japan surrendered. But we weren’t surprised. The old soldiers were tired and already felt defeated, and most of us had known for some months that the war was lost. We just didn’t know the form that loss would take. We arrived in Hiroshima, completely unprepared for the devastation. We skirted the city. Shicho Tai, our base, had been evaporated. There are no words for what we saw. A bomb, yes, but what kind of a bomb? Annihilation of this magnitude was inconceivable! And the devastation assaulted us wherever we gazed. The central city was flattened. Only the skeleton of a few brick buildings to the west remained. The sky was still thick with smoke from smoldering buildings and funeral pyres where bodies could no longer be cremated separately with respect and proper ritual, but stacked in piles for mass disposal. There was no ability to dignify death. Nonetheless, bodies were everywhere, horribly maimed and decaying, magnets for millions of flies. And there were the injured and dying, waiting and hoping for help. Two hundred thousand people died after the initial explosion. The city was eerily quiet. The sobs and screams of children occasionally pierced the silence, but adults didn’t speak. What could be said? People continued to die. But there were no words. There was no time for mourning. There was little food. Drinking water was scarce with the rivers weaving through the city contaminated with dead bodies and the fallout from the bomb. There was neither help nor medical supplies. There were too few doctors. Shock and suffering, chaos and destruction … Of course we, like the citizens of Hiroshima and the military leaders, did not know the nature of the bomb, only rumors. Many had heard the Emperor’s surrender speech, the first time he had spoken on the radio in a language that common people had difficulty understanding. A joint army-navy meeting on August 10, under the auspices of the Imperial Headquarters, confirmed that the Americans had dropped the atomic bomb. But the information filtered to the people more slowly and it was more than a week for most to hear the truth but it was almost impossible to understand. There was no comprehension and certainly no knowledge of the long-term effects of radiation. Moreover, the Allied Occupation GHQ issued a press code on September 19, 1945 restricting references to the atomic bomb in speech, reporting, and publications; GHQ had to give permission, and generally refused, prohibiting any publication of A-bomb information. Kendo training teaches not to be afraid. Fear alters the body, creating tension and compromising response. Kendo training failed me at Hiroshima. This was a world gone mad, pure destruction and I felt a deep, dark, paralyzing fear beyond reason or action. But maybe Kendo training did help, because I did remember to breathe deeply, five meditative breaths to the hara, and regained some calm. At the Hiroshima railroad station, from where no trains were now dispatched, I turned to my soldiers and asked if they had a home. Their replies were immediate. “Hai, hai, hai!” Everyone had a home. “Go,” I said, and they all started walking toward home. Then I realized I was alone. Did I have a home where I could return? The question was empty, an echo from nowhere. I had no home. I longed for Hawaii, but I could not return. But Wahiawa was where I longed to be, in the gentle islands smelling of plumeria and wild ginger. Even rotting mangoes have a fecund, sweet smell. All I could smell here was burnt flesh, and that smell is something I tried to forget. In fact, I try to forget everything about Hiroshima after the Bomb. During the times when I had nearly been killed, I lost the capacity for fear. No flinching, no jumpiness. Instinct takes over; no thoughts of terrible possibilities or hopes of the future, or even dying. I just blocked everything. The War was finished but war is never finished just because one side surrenders. Hiroshima is proof of that. I turned toward Kure and my grandfather’s house. There was no other choice. I didn’t know whether the house was even there. But I was lucky. I was alive, not injured, and I had to respect this life I was given and get up, move, act. I set out from Hiroshima Station to walk the ~50 miles to Kure. All I had was my soldier’s uniform to cover my skin, a military backpack, and my Japanese sword hung from my left side. I didn’t know whether I would get there or not. There was no time commitment for me. I didn’t care. I just walked at a slow pace chewing on the remains of hard crackers that I had left. It was the only food I had, and soon I had none. I had no water. And the Hiroshima in August is hot and humid. I was thirsty and hungry. When I saw a green plant along the road, although most often it was only a blade of grass, I ate it. Fasting is said to enhance clarity. Perhaps, but starvation is just painful. I understood hunger. The gut feels like it is ripping apart, twisted and stretched. All I could think of was food, and then nothing. I just put one foot in front of the other. The road was full of other soldiers and entire families leaving Hiroshima. There was no food for any of us. We were all helpless. We were all in rags. Nobody was in any position to give help. There was no shelter. People slept by the side of the road, under rags or lean-to’s made of debris or pieces of metal; abandoned vehicles gave some respite. It was cold at night, boiling during the day; at times it rained, at times the wind blew, but there was no shelter. I turned east toward the shores. Along the shores between Hiroshima and Kure were seaweed, clams and some small fish. I scooped them up with both hands and stuffed them into my mouth, whole and raw. I ate everything raw. I told myself, “If anything moves, eat ‘um.” Living creatures are either prey or predator. I would live, but I no longer cared. Walk, walk, walk. Continuing to walk but no longer caring whether I got to Kure or not. One foot at a time. Walking, walking… CHAPTER 4 Wind To renew, when we are deadlocked with the enemy, means that without changing our circumstances we change our spirit and win through a different technique. (Musashi) I don’t remember how many days it took me to reach Hayashi Yama (now Miharashi Cho), my grandfather’s village in Kure, but when I finally looked up it was sunrise, and I saw my grandfather working in the fields just as he had done when I had left for the army that morning in 1942. Unlike the 15 million homeless people throughout Japan, I had a home to live in and some food. –Rod Nobuto Omoto, Autobiography, edited by Charlotte Omoto, 2014, p. 39-43. Available as free download at lulu.com. Kenyu – Monthly Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation PLEASE NOTE: Kenyu Online IS THE EDITION OF RECORD FOR THIS NEWSLETTER – https://www.pnkf.org/ Tom Bolling, Editor – 7318 23rd Avenue N.E., Seattle, WA 98115
Posted in Kenyu, Uncategorized
PNKF Kendo Shinsa 08/10/2019PNKF KENDO SHINSA, August 10th, 2019, Kent, WA
Posted in Uncategorized
Kenyu – May/June 2019 PNKF DATEBOOKJuly 2019
TEAM PNKF HEAD COACH IS ELIZABETH MARSTENAt their May 4, 2019 meeting the PNKF Board elected Kendo Renshi 6th Dan Elizabeth Marsten Head Coach of Team PNKF for the 2020 AUSKF Championships. The PNKF Head Coach oversees the assistant coaches of the men’s, women’s, and juniors’ Teams. For years she was the PNKF Advisor to UW, and has competed in many events, including at the World Kendo Championships in 2000, and in 2003, when her Team won the bronze medal in Glasgow, Scotland. She captained the PNKF Womens’ Team which won second place at the 2017 AUSKF Championships in San Jose, California.TOUBUKAN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP KENDO SUMMER PRACTICEIn the early Meiji Era, Toubukan Dojo inherited Hokushin Ittouryu, the origin of the modern Kendo. Takaharu Naito Sensei, who was sent to Kyoto Budo Senmon Gakko (Busen) from Toubukan, later produced many Kendo instructors. Through them, Kendo was introduced to the rest of the world. Gordon Warner Sensei, who taught Kendo in the USA, and with Junzo Sasamori Sensei wrote This Is Kendo, also spent time at Toubukan, which appears in his book. Practicing Kendo at this historical Dojo in Japan would be an unforgettable experience.Program: 1) Opening 2) Demonstration - Iai - Hokushin Ittouryu - Shin Tamiyaryu - Naginata 3) Kodansha Tachiai 4) KeikoPurpose: To nurture friendship through Kendo (Kou Ken Chi Ai). They are keen to hold a friendship Kendo match/keiko inviting Kendoists from overseas. Our friend Katsunori Osuga Sensei has practiced extensively overseas, including here in the PNKF, so they asked him to check if anyone is interested to come. The cost for the trip and stay in Japan will have to be borne by the participants. It will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2019, in Mito City, which is a two-hour bus ride from Narita. Practicing Kendo in this famous traditional Dojo will be an unforgettable experience. toubukan.or.jp Since time is pressed for planning, please let Osuga Sensei know if anyone is interested to come. The number of participants is not limited. Osuga Sensei’s address is: katsunoriosuga@hotmail.com 29th ANNUAL BELLEVUE JUNIOR KENDO CHAMPIONSHIPS – May 18, 201910 and Under 11 and 12 Years 1st place – S. Johnson, Seattle 1st place – J. Yu, Northwest 2nd place – V. Chen, Oakland 2nd place – N. Chu, Bellevue 3rd place – E. Cocoro Marx, Federal Way 3rd place – I. DeBlieck, Sno-King 3rd place – O. Kaufman, Portland 3rd place – D. Chung, Cascade 13 and 14 Years High School Girls 1st place – J. Paik, Tacoma 1st place – B. Park, Bellevue 2nd place – A. Mabale, Seattle 2nd place – A. Fukuda, Cascade 3rd place – M. Ayers, Sno-King 3rd place – S. Kojima, Cascade 3rd place – E. Kim, Seattle 3rd place – H. Son, Federal Way High School Boys 1st place – Keiji Underhill, Northwest 2nd place – Kengo Underhill, Northwest 3rd place – K. Takamatsu, Bellevue 3rd place – A. Yuen, Seattle Junior Teams 1st place - Bellevue (M. Tawara, H. Koob, K. Takamatsu, J. Chu, L. Ohata) 2nd place - Seattle (A. Mabale, S. Kim, A. Fung, E. Kim, N. Orita) High School Teams 1st place – Cascade (Da. Chung, K. Fukuda, A. Garr) 2nd place – Seattle (K. Hale, M. Hsu, A. Yuen) Awesome Spirit Award – Kyle Fukuda, Cascade Centurion Bellevue Highline Sno-King Youth Leadership Award – Issei DeBlieck, Sno-King Head Shinpan - David Yotsuuye; Taikai Chair – Michi Ohata; Sportsmanship Pledge – Michi Ohata 4th ANNUAL VANCOUVER KENDO TOURNAMENT – June 1, 2019, Byrne Secondary School9 Years and Under 10 to 12 Years 1st place – Y. Asaoka, Youshinkan 1st place – N. Son, Renbu 2nd place – A. Kobayashi, Youshinkan 2nd place – C. Liao, Renbu 3rd place – M. Ishizuka, Youshinkan 3rd place – B. Buckham, UVic 3rd place – M. Tanimura, Seattle 3rd place – Ke Yoshimura, Renbu 13 to 15 Years 16 to 20 Years 1st place – K. Underhill, Northwest 1st place – K. Muramatsu, Renfrew 2nd place – B. Miki, Steveston 2nd place – H. Shim, Renbu 3rd place – K. Squance, Renbu 3rd place – G. Kitamura, Tozenji 3rd place – R. Nakano, Steveston 3rd place – D. Imanishi, Seattle 21 to 30 Years 31 to 40 Years 1st place – K. Unzei, Aoi Budogu 1st place – K. Kobayashi, Yushinkan 2nd place – R. Asato, Vancouver 2nd place – G. Suzaka, Seattle 3rd place – T. Hamanaka, Tozenji 3rd place – J. Magaling, SFU 3rd place – A. Xie, Youshinkan 3rd place – A. Yen, Seattle 41 Years and Over Women 1st place – M. Rose, Renfrew 1st place – C. Takeuchi, Youshinkan 2nd place – HK Park, Century 2nd place – A. Fukushima, Vancouver 3rd place – F. Yoshimura, Renbu 3rd place – K. Darbyshire, Vancouver 3rd place – J. Schmidt, Youshinkan 3rd place – N. Fukushima, Vancouver Junior Team 1st place – Renbu A (N. Son, K. Squance, H. Tominaga, A. Son, Y. Lee) 2nd place – Steveston A (A. Iwai, C. Robillard, D. Chui, B. Miki, R. Nakano) Senior Team 1st place - Youshinkan (K. Takeuchi, A. Xie, K. Kobayashi, J. Chien, C. Takeuchi) 2nd place – Bellevue/Highline/Sno-King (E. Park, Y. Shim, F. Wessbecher, K. Unzei, L. Tsybert) Fighting Spirit - M. Shirai, Youshinkan and M. Underhill, Northwest Shinpan-Cho – Motoki Asaoka; Master of Ceremonies - Bill McMichael; Sportsmanship Pledge – John Leung 3rd TADAO TODA HAI MEMORIAL KENDO TOURNAMENT – June 16, 2019, Caldwell, IdahoLower Division (2 Dan and Below) Upper Division (3 Dan and Above) 1st place – Jordy Davis, Zenbukan 1st place – Fumihide Itokazu, Covina 2nd place – Tyler Peterson, Idaho 2nd place – Jason Steick, Edmonton 3rd place – Yumon Wei, NYC 3rd place – Ryan Atagi, Idaho 3rd place – Blake Sprenger, Obukan 3rd place – Paul Winters, New York Kenshinkai 2019 ROSE CITY TAIKAI – June 22, 2019, Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Center, Beaverton, OregonWomen’s Open Juniors 12 and Under 1st place – A. Nakayama, Portland 1st place – J. Paik, Tacoma 2nd place – K. Croes, Portland 2nd place – J. Kabeshita, Obukan 3rd place – A. Epilepsia, Bellevue 3rd place – K. McIntosh, Federal Way Juniors 13-15 0-3 Kyu 1st place – J. Paik, Tacoma 1st place – L. Bobadilla, OSU 2nd place – T. Ting, Northwest 2nd place – A. Kim, Bellevue 3rd place – T. Kabeshita, Obukan 3rd place – D. Wildman, Portland 2-1 Kyu 1-2 Dan 1st place – A. Rossi, Spokane 1st place – Y. Paik, Tacoma 2nd place – M. Rea, Spokane 2nd place – Shun Wetlesen, Obukan 3rd place – T. Jaybush, Bellevue 3rd place – A. Law, Sno-King 3rd place – K. McIntosh, Federal Way 3rd place – G. Vielhaber, Portland 3 Dan 4 Dan and Above 1st place – K. Nakaya, Portland 1st place – I. Morgan, Kent 2nd place – D. Anzai, Obukan 2nd place – A. Nakayama, Portland 3rd place – N. Cook, Portland 3rd place – C. Ruiz, Spokane 3rd place – M. Price, Seattle 3rd place – E. Wain, Portland Junior Teams 1st place - Tacoma (S. Johnson, Juah Paik, Joshua Paik) 2nd place - Obukan (I. Ohayashi, J. Kabeshita, L. Jesequel) Senior Teams 1st place - Obukan (Shun Wetlesen, Shota Wetlesen, B. Sprenger, D. Anzai, M. Nakamura) 2nd place - Spokane (A. Rossi, I. Morgan, M. Nelson, M. Rea, C. Ruiz) 3rd place – Portland A (K. Nakaya, G. Nakayama, A. Nakayama, E. Waln, T. Toshima) 3rd place – Portland B (N. Cook, G. Vielhaber, J. Kaufman, A. Chervin, K. Croes) Head Shinpan - Doug Imanishi; Competitors’ Pledge – Joe Kabeshita; Master of Ceremonies – Kenneth Gordon LEEWARD OAHU KENDO TOURNAMENT – June 23, 2019, Mililani District Park GymYonenbu 8-11 Years Shonenbu 12-15 Years 1st place – Leland Hara 1st place – Devin Chung 2nd place – Takeshi Saito 2nd place – Abigail Mejia 3rd place – Zachary Yamamoto 3rd place – Ken Foltz Seinenbu Open Women’s Open 1st place – Ai Fukuda 1st place – Zidi Hiromoto 2nd place – Tom Fukuda 2nd place – Aki Stachiewiez 3rd place – N. Shimabukuro 3rd place – Tina Kaku 3rd place – Gina Kishimoto Yudansha 1-2 Dan Yudansha 3-4 Dan 1st place – Y. Park 1st place – James Okada 2nd place – Kyle Fukuda 2nd place – Keith Hui 3rd place – Jake Yamauchi 3rd place – Lonny Hancock 3rd place – Keone Rivers 3rd place – Koyo Yancey Yudansha 5-6 Dan Yudansha Masters 3 Dan and Over 50 Years 1st place – Chris Goodin 1st place – Garrett Matsumoto 2nd place – Bryan Imanishi 2nd place – David Kikau 3rd place – Jack Yamada 3rd place – Ken Sugano 3rd place – Grant Matsubayashi Team Match Parents/Kids Team Match 1st place – Mililani (Mark Miyamoto, Wesley Fujimoto, Lonnie Hancock, Gina Kishimoto, Andy Fujimoto) 2nd place – Kenshikan (Jack Yamada, Nicklas Matsumoto, Kevin Chun, Zidi Hiromoto, Yuichi Miura) Parents/Kids Team Match Parents – 2 Kids - 4 James Oka Fighting Spirit Award – Abigail Mejia THE LAST WORDMy final order was to return to Kochi to gather the supplies we had saved by scattering them in the hills in farmers’ warehouses. The roads were narrow, the drivers inexperienced and the trucks easily slid into the rice paddies. We had no towing tools so when a truck was stuck, everyone would work together to heave the truck upright and attempt to get it back on the road. But that was easy compared to rescuing our own men who would often become trapped inside the truck when it rolled. One time a truck rolled over and pinned a soldier. Gasoline spilled from the truck and covered his body. We finally rolled the truck off him, but he was in no shape to continue his duties. Due to the gasoline burns, his skin was peeling from his entire body. He suffered horribly, especially when he moved. I sent him back to Hiroshima. Then came the Atomic Bomb that released his pain completely! How perfunctory and cold my attitude now seems – he burned then died. No description of his unrelenting screams of agony, the calls to his mother, the terror in his eyes. But that is what happens in war. Too much suffering and death can drive a man insane unless the senses of pity and horror are numbed. Anger is acceptable. Soldiers are taught not to look in the eyes of an enemy if killing in close combat. Looking into the eyes creates a relationship. We are taught about relationship in Kendo. But there is no time in boot camp to learn how to create a life as well as take a life. In modern warfare, killing is, when possible, more distant. That is probably good for the mental health of soldiers, even though it avoids confronting the reality of death on a bloody battlefield. –Rod Nobuto Omoto, Autobiography, edited by Charlotte Omoto, 2014, p. 38-39. Available as free download at lulu.com. Kenyu – Monthly Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation PLEASE NOTE: Kenyu Online IS THE EDITION OF RECORD FOR THIS NEWSLETTER – https://www.pnkf.org/ Tom Bolling, Editor – 7318 23rd Avenue N.E., Seattle, WA 98115
Posted in Kenyu
|