Tough love.

I now feel like a real kendoka (someone who practices kendo) because…

...I finally got blisters on my feet. I read that blisters happen in kendo due to the footwork (suri-ashi) and it is hard to deal with. I’m hoping it will soon turn to calluses and my feet will become immune to the sliding on the wooden floor. However, for now it is painful. Some of my other classmates are getting blisters on their feet and hands but it’s pretty amazing how we just push through the pain.

 

The footwork training is grueling but I’ve been practicing to make sure that my footwork doesn’t change while I do suburi (repeated swinging of a sword against an imaginary target).

Since I lack any type of martial arts training and I lack arm strength, my suburi has been pretty awful.  My “cuts” have not been straight and I’m still working on my footwork. Initially, I felt discouraged but seeing the other kendokas really motivates me.  I just had to remember to be tough and that I love kendo.