Yahhhhh Mei!!!

On Friday the 24th of May the whole class experienced  Kendo for the first time. Everyone dressed up in a Japanese kendogi (jacket) and a hakama (a skorts like garment). Kendo means "Way of the Sword" and is a modern Japanese martial art.
The Japanese students helped everyone put on the clothing needed for K

endo (kendogi and hakama) and then organized everyone into rows after doing a formal bow to initiate the lesson. A few students demonstrated to everyone how to perform the various drills and stances.

After the demonstration it was our turn to attempt kendo. First thing we did was a drill to teach us how to hold the shinai (the bamboo sword) and how to use it. Then we did an attack drill where we charged while shouting "yahhh" at our oppenent and at the last moment yelled "mei" as we struck their shinai.

Next the Japanese students put on protective gear and stood in a line opposite us. We charged at the students but this time striking them on the men (the protective helmet).
As the lesson started with a formal  bow it also ended with one. The Kendo sensei (teacher) then handed out tenuguis (cotton towel wore under men) to keep. We took a group photo and left the budokan (martial art school).

Bronte: "I really enjoyed Kendo but found it difficult to hit them in the head and I kept running and hitting them on the wrong sides."
Santino: "I had lots of trouble hitting the men hard enough because just as the shinai was about to the hit the men I saw the japanese girl's face so I pulled back so I wouldn't hurt her."