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Message: <blockquote data-quote="barsoomcore" data-source="post: 381089" data-attributes="member: 812">I think that some instructors do these sorts of things to remind us that we're not all that tough.When I passed my kendo shodan, my dojo had a "celebration practice". I had no idea what was about to happen.In Japan, kendo is kinda like hockey here in Canada -- it's a community thing, with kids and teenagers and adults all mixed up together. Run out of the local high school gymnasium, with mothers looking on from the sidelines, sharing cookies and gossip and all that fun stuff.Keep in mind that this is kendo and not Katori Shinto Ryu -- very different.Anyway I of course was the only foreigner at the club and so nobody would tell me about this "celebration practice" but from the giggles I knew something bad was coming.There were four of us who passed our belt tests that day -- two guys had received their sandan, me and another guy getting our shodan. All four of us lined up in front of the entire dojo.The most senior guy went first. Thank heavens.So it started out with the little ones chasing him around the gym, whacking away with miniature shinai. Aw, so cute. They don't wear helmets so he can't hit back but they're under ten years old and aren't too scary.Then the junior high kids take over. Again, no helmets but these kids are getting nasty -- trying to grab his shinai and wrench it from his hands, tackle him, smack him on the backside or across the shins or whatever. Obviously all the rules of kendo have been chucked out the window.Then the senior high kids. Then the university kids. They've got helmets so now it starts getting completely berserk. The nidan is throwing kids over his shoulders, punching, stabbing, running for his life. His opponents are trying to dogpile him, trip him, tear off his armour, hold him down and beat him senseless with their bamboo shinai.Then the assorted sensei take the floor. We had four sandan, two godan and one hachidan (eighth-degree). It was brutal and ugly. They utterly beat the snot out of this guy. They got his helmet off and took his shinai away from him and beat him into a paste.Then it's the next nidan's turn. He fares a little better, but I'm so terrified by this point I'm not paying much attention. These people are CRAZY! My turns comes and I'm determined to make a good account of myself. I throw caution to the wind and lay into anyone who comes close. I'm tossing high school kids into the air, letting them slam down on the hardwood floor. I'm kicking and head-butting, doing anything I can to keep from getting held down.It's no use. The sensei step out of the on-deck circle and I'm seeing stars every time they hit me. I just keep circling, charging anyone who gets in front of me, no style, no moves just charge, crash into someone, knock them down, run a few steps and spin to face the crowd pursuing me. Repeat.They get me down. I have seven expert kendoka whaling on my body as hard as they can while I lie helpless. And the whole room is laughing like maniacs."You must be not afraid. Keep fighting!" That's the explanation Sensei gives me afterwards.I'm not so keen on kendo anymore, but that was honestly a great experience.</blockquote>

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