Kendo is Japanese for “way of the sword”.
Itsurou Hosoda, owner of Himawari Hotel, will serve as Kendo instructor to those who are interested to register.
According to Shunsuke Katagiri, translator for Hosoda, the instructor has been practicing Kendo for over 50 years now and has a grade skill level of 7.
Katagiri said that admission is free at the gym where interested individuals will be allowed also to use Kendo equipment at no cost.
Kendo uses Japanese traditional shirt, pants, full-head mask, gloves, body armor, and bamboo sword.
Katagiri mentioned the first day of Kendo class will be on November 1, Saturday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the 4th Floor of the Himawari Hotel.
Currently, there are about 10 interested people who would like to be part of the Kendo classes starting next Saturday, Katagiri said, saying he hopes there will still be many others who will join the club and learn the martial art.
Last Saturday, the new Kendo Gym at the Himawari Hotel opened with a 15-minute ceremony where a priest blessed the gym.
Katagiri said that it is a ceremony that wishes the safety of every person who installs the household Shinto altar in the center of the gym.
It is said the traditional gym opening ceremony is a ritual that dates back to ancient times in Japan to invoke the gods to inhabit the center of the premises where the gym was located.
It is hoped the gods will ensure the welfare of the people who uses the gym.
He pointed out that Hosoda would like to develop some Kendo players on island who would later be sent to Japan to compete in a big Kendo event.
Every year, he said, Japan holds Kendo competition with different countries participating in the event.
Katagiri emphasized that Kendo aims to strengthen the body and mind, and gives importance to greeting ritual wherein the game begins with both players kneel on the floor and make s a solemn bow towards each other.
The Kendo Gym accepts persons from all ages.
Those who would like to learn the art of Kendo may contact Mayumi Suzuki at 285-0313.
