| Introduction |
Founded in 1897, the Waseda University Kendo Club marked its 125th anniversary in 2022.
While kendo, as a martial art, represents a cultural form of physical discipline distinct from modern sports,
the club has pursued the ideal of both academic excellence and martial training since the 30th year of the Meiji era,
practicing rigorously under outstanding instructors. The Waseda University Kendo Club can be regarded as a pioneer of student sports in Japan.
Five years later, with the addition of clubs such as baseball, Waseda University formally organized its athletic departments as part of its student sports system. To better understand kendo, which traces its roots to traditional martial arts, the author—who trained at the Waseda University Kendo Club and graduated in 1963—records in this book the greatness of Sensei Yoshiaki Tamari, a legendary figure of the club. The symbolic phrase that became the title of this book is “KO-KEN-CHI-AI.” “KO-KEN-CHI-AI” signifies “coming to understand respect and affection through crossing swords.” Sensei Tamari often said, “Kendo should be such that, after practice, one feels a sincere desire to train once again with that person.” In addition to “KO-KEN-CHI-AI,” the book presents numerous fascinating episodes of legendary kendo masters from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras, including Sasaburo Takano and Moriji Mochida, Hanshi 10th Dan. It also recounts an Italian training expedition by volunteers from Waseda University, as well as the success of Italian teams in Europe in which the author’s grandchildren are members. Within these stories lies “another form of kendo,” one that is rarely seen in today’s sport-oriented kendo. Now over 80 years old, the author continues to delight in the profound depth of kendo. The pages overflow with a sense of gratitude for having lived a life enriched by this other path called kendo. |
|---|---|
| Title | KO-KEN-CHI-AI (Japanese Edition / Multilingual Edition) |
| Author |
Norio Yokoyama Born in 1940 in Aki City, Kochi Prefecture. Graduated from Aki High School and Waseda University. Kendo Kyoshi, 5th Dan. For over 50 years, he has been devoted to teaching youth kendo. While managing a trading company, he also instructed kendo extensively overseas, including in Germany and Italy. He received profound guidance from Hanshi 9th Dan Yoshiaki Tamari (Sannosuke), a senior alumnus of his alma mater. He belongs to the final generation that had the rare opportunity to directly observe the training and matches of Moriji Mochida, Hanshi 10th Dan, revered as one of the greatest kendo masters of the Showa era. |
| Pages | Japanese Edition: 64 pages Multilingual Edition: 216 pages |
| Publisher | Seibunsha |