Documentary: Kendo is Life

In the 21st century, it is extremely rare to find people who are focused enough to dedicate their lives to a sole thing. Let alone kendō. Thats is something that we, as a society, collectively must re-learn to respect and follow. I've started martial arts (first karate, then kendō soon after) when I was 5 years old. Now I'm 30 and must live with the everyday realization that kendō always brings me back down to earth. It does not matter how much experience you have or how good you are, if you do not practice constantly you cannot advance and cannot stand up (against yourself) in ji-geiko. Therefore, then the only really true way to practice kendō and hence find the true meaning of your own fight is doing it by vocation. My sensei back at my home dojo in a small Romanian town is the best that anyone can wish for - of the rare breed who teaches not just taikai kendō, but real budō: not just good swordsmanship but also the samurai attitude and way of life. He once told me a story that it was not until he gave up almost everything in life - including a well-earning job in a respected position - to dedicate 100% of his time to kendō (and karate), when he felt that he really started taking the first steps on the do, past go-dan. This was after a long visit to Japan where a hachi-dan sensei asked him: so what do you want to do? Do you want to be good at your job or do you want to be good at karate (kendō)? If you are afraid to give an answer to that (and of course, deep down all of us are..), then you are not ready to start on the path of budō yet. You can do kendō or karate as a combat sport - but you are not practicing it yet as a form of a (martial) art. Therefore, it is so important to know that there are sensei for whom kendō is life. This is the only real way - and they are the sen, the people who walk before us. All my respect to Andy. Ganbatte, kudasai!

[@mikeZL3XD7029]

Andy, That is an awesome synopsis of your whole ideals, I just wish we had Kendo clubs like yours in New Zealand.

[@inecthacorta6514]

A moving and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing Andy. I admire your passion and the work you put in to make your dreams come true. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@blancoboyloko7778]

I have been doing Kendo since I was 8, I am now 14. When I started I would get a lot of bad head aches and migraines from getting hit to hard on my men. Because of that I took a year break and I just got back into it, and I'm glad I did. I wish I had discovered your channel earlier, because I feel it would have helped motivate me to keep doing Kendo and go to practice more than once a week. I love your channel and brand and I hope for the best for you and your family. Much love and respect ❤️💯 -Lucian A. Jesequel 5 Kyu, Obukan Kendo Club

[@sleepingturtle32]

This may be a strange question but do you have any tips on doing kiai, I’m younger than everyone else so it’s hard for me to get myself to kiai, I figured because you started at 8 you would know…

[@Not-so-cool-name]

Thanks Andy Fisher Another inspiring video about Kendo - well done

[@johnlillard4305]

Hey Andy, I really appreciate seeing this side of you, and like the tone of this video. It feels more honest than you're other videos. The somber side of Andy perhaps resonates more with me than the always chipper side. haha. Anyway, thumbs up man.

[@VNSnake1999]

Thank you for your dedication Andy.

[@parasdim6001]

You’re really authentic Andy! Thanks a lot for that...! Ganbatte kudasai!

[@berendalberts-degier408]

Great video! Really getting me excited about starting Kendo soon :)

[@jonlee4224]

Amazing!! and thanks for sharing own your experience in Kendo and life. I dare feel you!!

[@kurrrDX]

Thank you Andy, I am in Vancouver Canada. I watched your video for thousands of time we have a very beautiful dojo hope you can visit and we can practice Kendo together.

[@timmogmr7725]

Hi are you still doing kendo ?

[@dafqlllll]

6:03 goosebumps

[@richardperry1555]

Love it. That is inspiring.

[@mooppymcd]

, Kendo is love

[@shawndoughty8909]

Inspiring!

[@adventurebranding]

Do you think at 48 I am coming too late to Kendo? I practised Bujutsu in my 20's but it has been a long time since those Dojo days.

[@TheKendoShow]

No, it is not too late at all - Kendo is for everyone :)

[@melanihaupt2183]

I have people at my club, they just started Kendo. They are about 75 y o! Better late than never!😊

[@catrionanicthamhais]

Alex, over here in Chiang Mai, Thailand we have a fellow who started in his early 60s and there is another fellow from Japan that was coming for practice (pre-covid!) and he started in his early 60s i believe and is now around 67 or so. You can!

[@zayarphyo7770]

I started my kendo journey 2 years ago when I was 18 now i am 20 and a half One thing I still got in my mind was "what if i started kendo a bit early" "Was i too late when i started kendo" I would like to listen to you guys opinions

[@TheKendoShow]

I started when I was about your age. It's not too early or too late ;)

[@zayarphyo7770]

@@TheKendoShow thank you sensei Knowing this really clear my doubts (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)

[@exiledmackem73]

Love your videos and channel. Wanted to try Kendo most of my life, but now i'm 45, obese and unfit. I have 1 question..... is it too late to start?

[@TheKendoShow]

Hi Steve, it is absolutely NOT too late to start. It doesn't matter how old you are, or how fit (or unfit) you are, Kendo is for everyone :)

[@exiledmackem73]

The Kendo Show Thanks for the reply. Now to find a good dojo near me up here in Newcastle. :)

[@TheKendoShow]

Great! Here's a couple - kadodekendo.wordpress.com/kendo-clubs-in-newcastle/ and - www.northumbriakendo.co.uk/club-members I have friends who practice at both of there :) You'll be in safe hands! All the best, Andy

[@exiledmackem73]

@the kendo show, Thanks for your reply. I will visit both over the next 2 weeks and see if I get a stronger feeling for one over the other.

[@exiledmackem73]

Dust Thanks for the encouragement, I aim to visit 2 local dojo's in the coming weeks with a view to starting my practice.

[@crazycubers22]

Das est ein gut video

[@dafqlllll]

Das ist ein gutes Video.

[@seb_thoms]

I'm 15 now and I will start practicing kendo next month, is it too late to become successful? Can I still reach something like nationals if I practice enough?

[@TheKendoShow]

seb_thoms I started when I was 19 and have competed in 4 World Championships - no it is absolutely not too late for you to become successful ;)

[@seb_thoms]

@@TheKendoShow Thanks for the reply :)

[@adonissss5031]

Im the first to comment.....notification squad gimme some love 😎

[@TheKendoShow]

Ippon Ari!

[@adonissss5031]

The Kendo Show yupp one whole point....

[@Not-so-cool-name]

Haha :)

[@ДаниилБабенко-х3и]

very humble.... making a documentary about yourself and your own company

[@nonah60]

Даниил Бабенко But is it not true? And is it somehow dishonest to wish to make money? Or somehow immoral to show who you are to inorder to show how you conduct business? An honest man, selling an honest product.

[@liviasalgado]

Is a 💯 true I train in USA and the new students hit hard but lack technique, so I get hit a lot, I have bought my bogu @kendostar and it was a big difference between that one and the one I had before which was lended to me, because of how the equipment is designed I can practice more at ease because I have all that protection, it really makes a difference for me