Firmly rooted in the past

Recently, I joined the kendo club at my junior high school. It's the coolest thing ever. Swords, armour, battle cries, manliness, awesomeness. Battle, glory, getting my ass kicked by kids almost half my age. It's pretty sweet. I often teach my favourite kendo kids some Kung Fu afterwards, and we have interesting conversations (linguistically equivalent to an aborted fetus, but fun nonetheless).

What's interesting as well is that you can see remnants of Japan's militaristic past, whether it be through the insane discipline and focus the students have when practicing their sword strokes, the efficiency and grace of the actual movements themselves, or the kendo coach screaming his military guts out at the kids to attack each other.



I get paid to do this.