Saturday, May 10th, 2008
Kenjutsu
The picture that you see is my bokken. To the unfamiliar, a bokken is a wooden stick shaped like a katana though it can also take other forms like a tanto or a wakizashi. This is used for kenjutsu training. Instead of using real swords that poses a lot of dangers, a bokken is used instead.
Why do I have a bokken? Well you see, ever since I was a little kid, I always have had this fascination for swords. As I was growing up, this fascination never left me. So I tried to seek for schools here in Davao that taught this art. Unfortunately, I did not find any.
However, when I was given the chance to study at the University of San Carlos in Cebu, I gave my search another whirl in this uncharted territory. I explored Cebu City for many days. I found training places for judo, aikido, karate but not for kenjutsu. But there was one aikido practitioner in one of the dojos I visited who told me that there was somebody in Cebu who teaches kenjutsu. And then he said that the guy is a teacher in the University of San Carlos. "WTF?! I exhaustingly roamed around Cebu City and the one I have been looking for was right under my nose!" The next day I searched for this teacher and I finally caught up to him late in the afternoon. Gathering all the courage I had I approached him and inquired about kenjutsu. He told me that he had no proper dojo although the university lets him use the judo practice area. I then asked him if I could train with him. I can sense that he was hesitant at first but then he blurted, "adto sa judo gym ugma 5 pm. naa ba ky gi?" and since I didn’t have one he told me, "pagdala na lng ug white shirt and jogging pants"
That guy became my sensei. His name is Isagani Batayola. When I arrived at the gym, there were already a handful (less than 10) of people all sporting with what I used to call wooden sticks. I changed into my white shirt and jogging pants and Batayola Sensei assigned me to one of his senior students. This was the start of my kenjutsu training.
Unfortunately a year after, due to some circumstances, I had to go back to Davao. My training stopped and I left Cebu with a heavy heart. Ever since then, I never made good use of my bokken. I also kept my hakama in the storage room in the hopes of using it again. But no such occasion arose.
It was just recently that I decided to take up my bokken to once again train myself. I was inspired by one of my friends who has now become a sensei himself. I am now resolved, no matter what it takes, to hold the bokken once more and practice. With the guidance of my friend Paul, I might just be able to successfully do it. And one day, when I go back to Cebu, I can proudly say that I can still keep up with them (char! hehe). My only concern now is to look for somebody who can train with me… hmm… Anyone up for it? Hehe ^_^
P.S. This could also become part of my "losing weight" quest which I have been neglecting for the past few weeks ^_^
P.S.S. Oohh… I almost forgot, I still have my injured finger. Nah… I think I can do it already ^_^
on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 7:14 pm:
wow… XD kenjutsu
uta naa sad dre sa davao
lucky you
on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 9:52 pm:
judo dojo!<3
me me me~:) i wanna!
on Sunday, May 11th, 2008 at 8:32 pm:
pde mujoin anah? muhahaha XD
hehehe
on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 8:15 pm:
@kazuya014 join! :))
just when i knew all of life’s answers, they suddenly changed all the…layout!
kuya where’s the shoutout at the right? –>
ay left diay dati!
on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 9:32 pm:
waaa.. lingaw!
usc you say? kung usc sa del rosario, duol ra sa amo boarding house sa una! tsk tsk..
i’ve heard may kendo dito (or my ears had deceived me), but not kenjutsu.. sayang…..