資料來源：http://chinapost.com.tw/guidepost/topics/default.asp?id=3812&next=1&sub=14
Celebrate the spirit of traditional swordsmanship at Taipei Japanese School's Kendo Club
Decked out in their kendo uniforms, students filed into the school auditorium. Taipei Japanese School's (TJS) Kendo Club was getting ready for a competition that would be held the next day, but it would be oversimplifying things to state that the club's goal was merely to win a few trophies. Every practice session is designed to remind students of the mental and physical perseverance that they should strive for in order to reach a state of mind that can help them overcome all challenges.
The members of the club were led onto the wooden floors and formed a circle with their kendo sensei, or teachers, all of whom were parents doubling as instructors. A circle formed around Kurogawa Sensei, who was primarily in charge of the training, and students began to practice swinging their "bokuto" (wooden swords).
After sword swings were followed by squats and one-legged hops, the procession was brought to a stop in front of the sensei. "Rest well after practice ends today. But before that, let's all work together at improving ourselves," said Hamabe Sensei.
Kendo, meaning the "Way of the Sword," is a Japanese martial art descended from the swordsmanship practiced by ancient samurai warriors. Practitioners of the latter-day form of the art, called "kendoka," wear protective armor and practice with "shinai" swords made from bamboo slats. The activity can be a demanding test for both mind and body as it merges the values of the samurai with difficult training. But the challenge did not seem to quell the enthusiasm of the young students at TJS.
Kendo can be noisy compared to other martial arts, as kendoka are required to use shouts called "kiai" to express their fighting spirit when striking out. The sensei lined up in a row, holding out their shinai for students to strike, and the students' shouts were even more awe-inspiring when each strike was paired with a stamp of the right foot.
The club's members ranged from small second graders to a lone ninth grader, but a difference in size did not matter in practice. Shinai clashed as the students shifted from attack to defense, shouting with all their might. "I enjoy kendo because of all the challenges each lesson holds," said a fourth grader shyly, adding that he had only begun learning the sport in May.
Although his commands sounded harsh, Hamabe did not hesitate to praise the students when they showed signs of improvement. "We always try to encourage them to shout louder; the kiai gives you courage. Even if this is Taiwan, we hope to teach the students the true essence of Japanese kendo," said Takeshima Sensei.
The yells and whacks heard during a kendo match may make it seem vicious to an observer, but the sport promotes peace and patience in the mind. The difficult training is meant to cultivate a well-developed body and spirit. Practicing kendo means to strive for perfection when one knows perfection may forever be beyond one's reach.
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