Kendama Dojo

The Way

There are many ways, but Do is the Way. **Do (道)** means "path" or "way," but it is more than direction—it is a discipline, a lifelong journey of refinement and understanding. Through practice, one does not merely walk a path, but becomes it.

Kendo - The Way of the Blade

Kendo is more than combat—it is **the refinement of the self through the sword**. The blade is not wielded to cut down others but to **cut away ignorance, hesitation, and fear**. Every strike is a lesson in presence, precision, and control. True mastery is not found in force but in discipline.

Kenjutsu and the Birth of Kendo

Kendo originated from **Kenjutsu (剣術)**, the classical art of sword fighting practiced by the samurai. Over time, it evolved into a disciplined, non-lethal practice where strikes are measured, precise, and guided by intention rather than aggression.

The Sword as a Tool for Self-Discipline

In Kendo, the opponent is not the enemy—the **true battle is within**. The sword becomes a mirror, reflecting the player’s **weaknesses, hesitation, and impatience**. Every training session is an opportunity to refine the self, to temper the mind as one tempers steel.

Zanshin – The Mind That Remains

One of Kendo’s key concepts is **Zanshin (残心)**—a state of total awareness that continues beyond the strike. It is the ability to remain focused, ready, and adaptable. This principle extends beyond the dojo, shaping how one approaches life with **calmness, vigilance, and presence**.

The Meaning of Victory

In Kendo, victory is not merely in landing a strike—it is in maintaining **composure under pressure**. A well-executed cut is useless if made from impatience or anger. The ultimate lesson of Kendo is this: **to control the sword, one must first control the self**.

Practicing Kendo in Daily Life

Kendo does not end when the shinai (bamboo sword) is set down. The principles of **discipline, respect, and mindfulness** extend to all aspects of life. Whether in conflict, work, or personal growth, the Way of the Blade teaches that **true mastery is not about overpowering others, but refining oneself**.

Shinto - The Way of the Divine

Shinto is the **way of harmony with the divine forces of nature**. It does not seek salvation but connection—to the mountains, rivers, and ancient trees that have witnessed generations. The **kami (神)** are not gods nor spirits in the Western sense, but **sacred presences that manifest in all things**. To walk the Shinto path is to recognize the sacred in the ordinary and to live with reverence.

Understanding Kami – Sacred Presences

*Kami* are neither omnipotent gods nor ghosts. They are **the essence of things**—a waterfall’s power, a mountain’s wisdom, an ancient tree’s endurance. Some kami are ancestors, some are celestial, but many exist **within the natural world**, embodying the forces that shape life itself.

Ritual and Purity – Walking the Sacred Path

Shinto places great importance on **purification (清め - Kiyome)**. Before entering sacred spaces, practitioners cleanse their hands and mouths—a symbolic act of **removing impurities to approach the divine with clarity**. Life itself is an interaction with the sacred, and rituals are a way to **harmonize with the unseen forces around us**.

Musubi – The Binding Force

A core Shinto belief is **Musubi (結び)**—the invisible force that binds all things. It is the energy that allows seeds to sprout, rivers to carve valleys, and communities to thrive. In practicing Shinto, one aligns with this natural order, recognizing that everything is interconnected.

Living in Harmony with Nature

Unlike structured religions, Shinto does not impose a single doctrine. Instead, it teaches **awareness and respect**—for ancestors, for traditions, and for nature itself. To follow the Shinto way is to walk **with reverence**, acknowledging that **we do not own the world, we exist within it**.

Everyday Shinto – Finding the Divine in the Ordinary

Shinto is not confined to shrines—it is found **in the rhythm of daily life**. The warmth of sunlight, the stillness before a storm, the quiet strength of an ancient tree—these are all moments where **the sacred can be felt**. Through mindfulness and gratitude, one can live the Shinto way, embracing the natural flow of existence.

Kendamado - The Way of Kendama

Kendamado is the way of **balance, precision, and patience**. Each motion is a test of control, each catch a lesson in persistence. The ken and tama move as one, but only when the mind is steady. Mastery comes not from force, but from understanding—of weight, of timing, of flow. Through **repetition, failure, and refinement**, the player does not just improve their skill; they sharpen their awareness of movement and self.

Kendama as Moving Meditation

Like a swordsman refining his strike or a calligrapher perfecting a stroke, Kendama demands **full presence**. The moment focus drifts, the trick is lost. This deep engagement creates a **moving meditation**, where the mind quiets and the body flows. The repetition of movement becomes **a ritual of refinement**.

Failure as the Path to Mastery

In Kendama, failure is not a setback—it is a **lesson**. Each missed trick is a teacher, revealing what must be adjusted. The player learns to **fail with intention**, analyzing movement rather than reacting with frustration. The rhythm of repetition **builds patience, self-discipline, and resilience**.

The Ken and Tama as Extensions of the Self

At first, the Kendama feels like **an object in the hands**. Over time, it becomes an **extension of the body**. The way the tama swings, the angle of the ken—it all begins to feel natural, almost instinctual. The separation between **player and Kendama dissolves**, leaving only movement.

Shifting Perception – Turning the Earth

Beginners try to adjust to the Kendama; advanced players adjust **their perception of movement**. Instead of turning the body, one learns to **turn the Earth beneath their feet**. This shift in awareness is the key to fluidity—the realization that motion is not about exertion, but about **flowing with gravity and momentum**.

Kendamado as a Lifelong Practice

Mastery in Kendama is not measured by **the number of tricks learned** but by the **depth of understanding** gained. The greatest players are those who move **with ease, with clarity, with intention**. To follow Kendamado is to accept that improvement is endless—that **refinement is a path, not a destination**.

Taoism - The Way

The **Tao (道)** is the way of **effortless action**, but not inaction. It is moving **with the natural flow of life**, rather than struggling against it. The river does not force its course; it moves with the landscape, finding its own path. To follow the Tao is to let go of resistance, to move **without unnecessary effort**, and to trust in the unfolding of things as they are.

Wu Wei - Effortless Action

*Wu Wei (無為)* does not mean doing nothing—it means acting in a way that aligns with **the natural rhythm of things**. The best archers do not fight the bow; they **breathe with it**. The best Kendama players do not force the motion; they **flow with gravity and momentum**. Wu Wei is the art of doing **only what is needed**, no more, no less.

Softness Overcomes Hardness

A tree that resists the wind will break, but a blade of grass bends and remains whole. The Tao teaches that **softness is strength**. Water, though yielding, wears away stone. A warrior who fights without flexibility will tire; a warrior who adapts will endure. To follow the Tao is to embrace **adaptability over force**.

Balancing Action and Non-Action

Some things require effort; some things resolve themselves. The Taoist practice is knowing **when to act and when to step back**. A skilled Kendama player does not chase the tama—**they let it come to them**. A master of life does not rush toward control—**they allow things to unfold in their time**.

Returning to Simplicity

The modern world is filled with noise, urgency, and complication. The Tao reminds us that **simplicity is freedom**. A single breath, a well-placed movement, a moment of stillness—these hold more power than excess effort. True mastery is not about adding more, but about **removing what is unnecessary**.

Living the Tao

The Tao cannot be grasped, only lived. It is found in the **flow of motion, the patience of waiting, and the wisdom of knowing when to act**. Those who follow the Tao move **with the world, not against it**, trusting that all things come and go in their time.

The Middle Path - The Way of the Buddha

The Buddha taught the **Middle Path**, a way between **indulgence and denial**. Too much indulgence leads to attachment; too much asceticism leads to suffering. True wisdom is found **not in extremes, but in balance**. The Middle Path is a journey of **clarity, ethical action, and self-mastery**—walking neither too fast nor too slow, but with intention, step by step.

Suffering and the Nature of Attachment

All beings experience **dukkha (苦)**—suffering, dissatisfaction, or struggle. Much of this suffering comes from **clinging**—to desires, to expectations, to outcomes. The Middle Path teaches that **freedom is not found in having more or having nothing, but in loosening one’s grip on both**.

Balance in Thought, Speech, and Action

The Eightfold Path outlines the way toward **wisdom and inner peace**: - **Right View** – Seeing reality as it is, not as we wish it to be. - **Right Intention** – Acting from compassion, not selfishness. - **Right Speech** – Speaking truthfully and kindly. - **Right Action** – Doing what is just and mindful. - **Right Livelihood** – Engaging in work that aligns with integrity. - **Right Effort** – Applying effort without force or exhaustion. - **Right Mindfulness** – Remaining present and aware. - **Right Concentration** – Cultivating deep focus and discipline.

The Middle Path in Kendama

A beginner forces the tama to land; a master guides it. In Kendama, balance is everything—**too much tension, and the trick is stiff; too little, and the trick is lost**. The Middle Path is about learning **just enough effort, just enough release**. The same principle applies to life.

Acceptance and Non-Resistance

The Middle Path is not passive—it is **the wisdom of knowing what to resist and what to accept**. We do not control everything, but we do control our response. To follow this way is to walk through life with **awareness, adaptability, and equanimity**.

Finding the Way in Daily Life

The Middle Path is not about **avoiding joy** or **rejecting discipline**—it is about **knowing when each is appropriate**. It is about eating enough but not too much, working hard but not to exhaustion, caring for others without losing oneself. It is a Way of walking **steadily, intentionally, and with peace**.

Jesus Christ - The Way

Jesus Christ did not just **teach the Way**—He **declared Himself to be it**. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." His path is not one of worldly power, but of **love, humility, and redemption**. To follow Christ is to walk a road of **forgiveness and transformation**, where the greatest strength is found in surrender, and the greatest victory is in grace.

The Way That Does Not Change

Hebrews 13:8 says, **"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."** The world shifts, trends fade, but **The Way remains constant**. The truth does not evolve; it is **eternal, unshaken by time**. Those who follow Christ walk a path that is **unchanging and unwavering**, no matter the age.

No Other Way – No Other Name

Jesus taught, **"No one comes to the Father except through me"** (John 14:6). To walk The Way means to take no god before Him, to seek **no other source of truth**, and to build one's foundation on **Christ alone**. Many roads are offered, but **The Way is singular—Jesus Himself.**

The Carpenter’s Wood – The Kendama and the Cross

Jesus was a **carpenter** before He began His ministry. He worked with wood, shaping it with his hands. The **wooden Kendama**, like the wooden cross, is a reminder of Christ’s craftsmanship—His ability to **shape, refine, and build**. Just as **a carpenter sees what a block of wood can become, Jesus sees what we can become in Him.**

Buy a Sword – Your Ken

Jesus said, **"Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one"** (Luke 22:36). The sword is not for conquest but for **preparedness, for discipline, for readiness**. The **ken of a Kendama** serves as a reminder—**to be steady, to strike with precision, to move with purpose**. The greatest swordsman does not swing wildly; he waits, reads, and acts with wisdom. So too must those who follow The Way.

The Kingdom Within – Living the Way Every Day

Jesus said, **"The Kingdom of God is within you."** The Way is not only a destination but a transformation that happens within. To live the Way of Christ is to **walk in love, to seek truth, to forgive, and to trust in something greater than ourselves.** It is a journey not of perfection, but of faith.