UCLA Kendo Club hones art, seeks increased membership to further participation in competitions
The UCLA Kendo Club practices in the Wooden Center. They participate annually in the largest intercollegiate kendo competitions in the country.
Courtesy of Julia Wang
By Patricia Lee
Sept. 15, 2011 12:43 p.m.
Walk into the Gold Room at the Wooden Center and one can observe unidentified masked figures using swords to attack one another. The sounds of the bamboo rods clashing against each other fills the room. What the common observer cannot see or hear, however, is the amount of effort it takes to appreciate and understand every step and swing each player takes.
Kendo really is much more than whacking others with a weapon. Some may even argue that it is more of an art than a sport.
“It’s a type of art that’s completely new,” said Stephanie Huang, president of the UCLA Kendo Club and third-year microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics student. “It’s hard because there is a lot of etiquette involved that is brand new, a whole different culture from the American society.”
But Kendo is not all about good manners.
“We’re definitely competitive,” said second-year Design | Media Arts student and equipment manager Jordan Davenport. “Our coach is always pushing us to be the best.”
Attending tournaments is one of the final steps for an aspiring kendo artist. Most students are completely unfamiliar with the sport when they come to UCLA.
Even Huang joined Kendo Club fall quarter of her first year on a whim. Like many students, she just wanted to find something new to do. It is the swords that really grab the attention of most newcomers.
“I really liked the idea of swords,” third-year economics student and vice president Mike Seitz said. “I wasn’t too keen on fencing because I’ve seen it so much, and kendo seemed like something different and interesting to try.”
New members without any prior experience are welcomed with open arms.
Practice goes for two to three hours twice a week, and the Kendo Club offers a completely different experience from what most students are used to.
“It definitely teaches discipline,” Seitz said. “You have to go to practice. You have to put the suit on, as well as your armor. You have to run around a room swinging a sword. It’s hard to get out there at first, but once you keep doing it, it becomes kind of ingrained.”
Earning kendo armor is a process in itself. In order to earn an official uniform, Kendo Club members must work hard to solidify their basics. From there, they have to earn their armor, which changes the game completely, as the gear itself weighs about 20 pounds.
Experienced coaches voluntarily come to lead and teach the team, which is filled with a mix of beginners and advanced members.
“(The coaches’) ranks are equivalent to a black belt, I guess,” Huang said. “They basically teach us basics and how to perfect those basics since kendo is usually all basics.”
These meticulously practiced basics are put to the test several times every year when UCLA faces off against other schools in collegiate tournaments.
They participate annually in the largest intercollegiate kendo competition in the country, hosted by Harvard-Radcliffe. The team won the national championship during their first-ever appearance in the tournament in 2004.
UCLA also hosts the biggest intercollegiate kendo tournament on the West Coast during winter quarter, the Yuhihai.
As a freshman, Davenport had to volunteer during this event last year and looks forward to the opportunity to compete this year.
“I just want to get better,” Davenport said. “I want to help the club grow even more. I want to get stronger.”
He will have to as the tournament becomes more competitive. Last year marked the first time Harvard has ever participated in the West Coast event.
“The next one is our fifth year anniversary, so we’re hoping to get a lot more people and more schools,” Davenport said.
The next step is to bring out more of the schools from outside of California, and even outside of the country.
Back in the Gold Room, swords continue to clash, bringing the art of kendo to life. These masked figures are determined to master every move.
The hardest part of it all?
“The timing,” Davenport said. “It’s pretty hard to get it all together.”
But it’s all worth it in the end, when all your moves combine into the perfect strike.
