The Informal History of Kendo in Israel
By Eyal Weiss, Israeli
Budo Federation
The
story of Kendo in Israel is that of persistence and determination. 11 years
after its induction in the Israeli Budo arena, Kendo never came to be a very
popular martial art. In a country of infinite conflicts and straightforward
mentality, most budoka are seeking more "practical" techniques for
self-defense, thus kendo remains the choice of those truly interested in the
true essence of Budo or the different ways of the Japanese sword. Over the years,
some 100 Israelis, from children to adults, have trained in Kendo, Iaido and
Jodo. Many have tried and left after several months, but a devoted core of some
15-20 people have been persistently practicing for the passed 11 years. We have
trained children, soldiers, police officers, doctors, handicapped and many others.
A long-standing student was a Palestinian from East Jerusalem, a proof that
the dojo knows no borders or nations. While we were privileged to host a few
masters from Japan, we have spent most of our training years by ourselves, not
forgetting and not giving up on the true basics of Kendo, its ethics, techniques
and goals.
The
driving force of kendo training in Israel came mostly from its founder and federation
president, Mr. Avi Nardia. Having over 30 years experience in martial arts,
Mr. Nardia spent 7 years in Japan, training in several martial arts, but it
was kendo, he says, that posed him with the most challenging goals. Upon his
return home, he founded the Israel Kendo Fellowship Federation in 1991. A first
group of some 10 kendoka started training that year. In 1992, our second year,
we were visited by the AJKF delegation to Europe, who took the time and effort
to come to Israel. Led by Matsunaga sensei, Hanshi, then president of AJKF,
and accompanied by 4 other teachers, the delegation brought a gift of Kendo
equipment, Instructed the Kendo class and performed Kendo and Iaido demonstrations
in a Budo festival near Tel-Aviv. Following these events, the local group grew
to consist nearly 20 members. Following our invitation later that year, Kubo
Akira sensei, Kyoshi, of Tokyo Kyumeikan Dojo, came to Israel to teach a 10
days seminar of Kendo and Jodo, accompanied by Takashi Shimomura sempai, 4th
Dan. The seminar was open to instructors of other martial arts in Israel, to
familiarize them with Kendo. Extending an invitation to visit his dojo, 4 Israeli
Kendoka left in 1993 to Japan, attending the International Kendo seminar in
Kitamoto. While in Tokyo, we were fortunate to practice Kendo in some of the
most respected Dojo, and benefit from the teaching of many great senseis, such
as Tahara Hironori Kyoshi, Kendo master of the Tokyo metropolitan police dojo.
2 Kendoka, Hagai Zur and Eyal Weiss (author), remained in Japan for another
year, to further their learning into Kendo, Iaido and Jodo.
As
the years went by, students came and went within the Israeli group, but the
size of the group always remained around 20. In early years, we also tried using
different dojos, but none were completely suitable for Kendo. Whatever the terms,
regardless of the floor quality, and with no Sensei, the group continued its
rigorous training, led by Avi Nardia, 5th Dan, who was later assisted by the
2 sempai (Zur and Weiss) returning from Japan. In 1995, through private investment,
we have opened our own dojo in Kfar-Sava (20 minutes north of Tel-Aviv). Built
specifically for Kendo, the dojo was a replica of Japanese style dojo, with
wooden floors and proper Shinzen. The flags of Israel and Japan were laid together
over the Shinzen. The opening ceremony was acknowledged by the Japanese Embassy,
and was attended by Mrs. Haneda Keiko, the embassy's second secretary and cultural
attaché, as well as by local media reporters and leading martial artists
from all over the country. The dojo (see picture) gained great reputation, classes
were full, and a separate children's class was opened. By year's end, some 20
children and 30 adults practiced Kendo and other related martial arts in the
dojo. Upon our request for a Japanese Sempai, through personal connections in
Japan, Masuko Yuki, 3rd Dan, from Tokyo Renbukan dojo, came to Israel to teach
Kendo for nearly a year.
Also in 1995, the Israel Kendo Fellowship Federation was accepted as member of the EKF (after being an affiliate member for several years). This recognition allowed for other students to travel to England and participate in the European championships.
In 1996 we were honored to host Kato Koji sensei,Hanshi 8th dan, Kendo headmaster of the Imperial palace in Japan. Kato sensei, who was on a personal visit in Israel, instructed the Kendo class, and gave a memorable demonstration of Koryu Iai.
Throughout all this time, the members of our dojo performed endless demonstrations of Kendo in Budo festivals, high-schools events, university campuses, openings of Japanese related festivals and exhibitions. The aim was to spread the name and nature of Kendo. Today, almost everybody in the Israel Budo world knows of Kendo, and where to go should one like to practice. Much to our dismay, our unique dojo in Kfar-Sava was closed a after a few years, due to administrative difficulties. Today, Kendo practices are performed in a dojo at the Tel-Aviv university, where training is led by Marco Edry, an Israeli Kendoka who began learning Kendo in England, under the BKA, in 1987. Marco practiced at Shindo-kwai dojo (today Hasaki dojo) in London. In 1997 Marco visited Osaka Prefecture University for Kendo training under the instruction of Hamaguchi sensei and Tsubouchi sensei.
Besides the chronicles, there are unique characteristics and anecdotes concerning the history of Kendo in Israel. One fine example is that of handicapped youth training. Haim Abarbanel, a Kendoka who is also an athletic trainer, is working with handicapped children and youth (physiotherapy). Through collaboration with Avi Nardia (who is also a certified athletic trainer), Abarbanel began to teach Kendo in this framework, with all kamae and practice done in either sitting postures or on the knees. The unusual and exciting practice gave motivation to this exceptional group, who practices kendo until this day. To our knowledge, this is the first and only time where Kendo is used as a therapeutic training method. In a related case, in our regular Kendo group was a student who's right foot was permanently inoperative, due to accident. While in Kendo it is the left leg that pushes one forward, this student merely lacked the ability to stamp his right foot. However, when he wished to start Iaido practice, it was impossible for him to perform the kata. While it was not approved by AJKF members (we inquired off the record), we decided not to fail his desire to learn, and he learned all the Seitei Iai in "mirror" positions, with the sword worn on the right side, and drawn with the left hand. For myself, as Iaido instructor, this was very confusing… but the reward was in this student's integration in the group.
Another unusual practice was performed for several summers, at 6 o'clock in the mornings on the Tel-Aviv beach. Standing in water up to our chests, we did endless Suburi and conducted Waza practice in the sea, to better the arm work and its relation to posture (see picture).
Kendo in Israel survived because it had a core of Kendoka and instructors who would not give up on hope, or make any "shortcuts". Through 11 years of operation, we received, relatively, very little help from the outside. While we were never visited by the EKF, we were invited to all European events, and few of our Kendoka have indeed made use of this opportunity. We have made friendly and professional connection with dojos around the world, and have a sister-dojo accord with Ken-Zen Institute (dojo) in N.Y., led by Ebihara Sensei, 7th Dan Kyoshi.
With no local masters to
teach us, no Dan exams to promote students' grading and motivation, we rely
mostly on ourselves to preserve the true nature of Kendo as we have learned
it in Japan. Through the years, Kendo training in Israel survived against odds,
with the support of several figures and bodies, whom I would like to mention
and thank, as I close. The AJKF, through its recognition from the beginning
and its initial donation of equipment. Kubo Akira Sensei of Tokyo Kyumeikan
dojo, who visited Israel 6 times over the years, always joined by other teachers
as well. Mrs. Haneda Keiko, second secretary of the Japanese embassy (until
1996), who assisted in promoting and supporting the growth of Kendo in Israel.
Avi Nardia, who never let any of us quit Kendo training or give up, and who
supported years of Kendo seminars and endless demonstrations, many times from
his own pocket. Last but not least - our students, who kept coming to Keiko
and give their best.
(Please, visit the website of The Israeli Budo Federation at http://www.budo.co.il/ )