Yesterday Stuart Gibson won the men’s individual event at the European Kendo Championship. This is the first time, at least in my memory, that a Brit has won the event.
I watched the final from the cathedral-like atmosphere of the referee’s seats, expressing my excitement with the occasional burst of polite clapping. The rest of the British squad sat quietly by the shiai-jo doing pretty much the same thing even though they were bursting out of their skins with enthusiasm.
When our national anthem was played at the closing ceremony we all stood in silence. This was in marked contrast to spectator behavior on previous days and competitions when everyone joined in singing the French and Italian anthems. It may be because they have catchier tunes (apologies your Majesty) or simply that British reserve gets in the way of a good public sing song.
This national difference is evident in the way we applaud at kendo matches. The Brits have taken to the Japanese pattern of polite clapping, whilst our continental neighbours prefer more vocal support. Over the three days of the event, numerous requests were made for supporters to stop cheering or rhythmic clapping, but as soon as it stopped it restarted.
I was asked for my opinion of this at the sayonara party and frankly the fact that I am not keen on loud support is as much a reflection of my British reserve as my conservative kendo attitude.
Nevertheless, regardless of how I express it I am thoroughly delighted to have witnessed Stuart’s achievement. Well done Gibbo!
Congratulations,
Well Done Gibo-chan.
Seiji
Part of the ambience of kendo, at least to me, is the restraint on public behavior. One of the reasons I walked away from being a fencing judge was the increasingly exuberant “on strip” celebrations by fencers, team mates, etc. My first fencing coach was Maestro Aldo Nadi, and he very much old school.
Having said that, congratulations to every one at the EKC.
Correction
Thank you for the post and many congratulations from Norway. I hope this “football” way of supporting does not happen in Tokyo next year.
That British reserve was also displayed by Mr. Gibson troughout his match. Very little protective stances, just straight chudan ni kamae all the way. Perhaps that combination of skill and composure is the winning ticket? I’m sure this event’s Japanese delegation would approve in some way.
Well done, Great Britain squad. And thank you for your time at the sayonara party, Salmon sensei.
This was a very clear statement Geoff. I agree.
I think that the crowd and supporters, overwhelmed by emotions will scream and applaud more and more in the upcoming events/years. That doesn’t really matter to me to be honest, as long as the competetors on the shiai-jo show best manners and behave in a silent polite and respectful way. That’s the most important thing imo.
I’m a very fan of kendo restrictions on victory celebration, after years of training I embodied a sense of respect for the loser… But outside the shiai jo, I do a lot of noise supporting my mates and my sensei…
As a french, I may say that I realy appreciate the way british people stay calm and polite in a lot of circumstances. I remember a teacher who use to say to these student that during world war 2, even under the london bombing, british were staying quiet and confident. I feel this (fighting) spirit amazing and inspiring.
Now, during competition, I also like when people salute a point, as long as they don’t cross the line named “respect”.
I rather enjoy enthusiastic competitors and audiences, but then I’m used to fighting in Korea, which is less reserved than Japan in that way. I also question following the “Japanese” way, purely because that’s how they do it. It often ends up being contrived. I’ve seen Americans attempt to reenact the sempai/kohai relationship(s) without proper understanding, to the point where I’ve seen photos of “sempai” stitched on someone’s uniform.
I do believe respect has to be shown during a match by the competitors, and that the rules of etiquette should be followed (disregarding good etiquette in my dojang, and in many others here in Korea, is often met with corporal punishment). However, I fully expect the Brazilians to behave differently than the British, and the Italians differently than the Japanese – stylistic and cultural differences are part of what make international competitions meaningful and challenging.
I actually consider myself a traditionalist when it comes to kumdo (Carbon fiber jukdo? No thanks. Electronic scoring? I hope I never see it.), but when it comes to applauding or cheering a good point, or having a crowd that gets into the event, I’m all for it. I personally believe having an air of excitement around competitions makes them more enjoyable for all. Try attending a shihap in Korea sometime, and then tell me you didn’t have a good time. 😉
I do draw the line at booing, taunting, disruptive behavior or any behavior that demonstrates poor sportsmanship. Anyone who attended a certain past WKC event has seen enthusiasm cross that line. Respectful and noisy is fine by me though.
Did you join another Championship?
The brits were singing their anthem as loud and as unrhythmic as everybody else.
And they were shouting too, like everybody else.
It would be nice if everybody feels himself part of an European federation and a western kendo movement …dear Sensei, as 7th dan, do your best to guide european kendo where you like, otherwise it’ll be also your fault. An article to celebrate how good and “japanese” are British kendoka seems very poor.
Mario and Random Guy. I am stating to feel suitably contrite. I meant no slur on my French and Italian colleagues. My aim was merely to point out that there are some fairly major national differences, (for good or bad) between members of different European states. If someone wanted to comment on how badly we British sometimes behave at football matches, I could not provide a defence.
As for not singing the British National Anthem it is more a case of us not knowing the words although I almost know Fratelli d’Italia and the Marseillaise by heart, as I have heard them so many times at kendo competitions.
There are a few differences, of course but I think that shouting to support your favourite kenshi isn’t bad at all. The two fighters and all others at the shiaijo should keep calm but the audience should have the right to shout as loud as possible.
I think it makes a nice athmosphere as long as everybody in the end also supports both of the kenshi.
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