【カナダ】ウェストバンクーバーセカンダリーより - Elina -
カナダから留学中のエリーナさんが参加している剣道部と弓道部の活動について記事を書いてくれました。
Kendo
A waltz of ninjas. The silent sliding movements broken by the wails of battle. Yaaaaaaaa~~~~ ! piercing the hot air of the dojo. At first, I jumped at the sounds. Taken aback by the sincerity of each strike. Animal yet so precise. We bow as we enter the dojo and sit in "Seiza" awaiting the leaders orders. We meditate before the start of each practice, leaving all things not concerning the art outside the dojo. These simple gestures create a safe space to practice the art of the sword. Each member, each student is responsible for enforcing these traditions. When I made mistakes, they always helped me find my way and stay in line. I see this phenomenon daily on my commute to and from school. I have come to attribute this to Japanese culture.
Kyudo
The art of the breath. One-shot. One breath. One life. To an ordinary person, the constant repetition of movements may seem tedious and monochrome, mindless even. So I asked myself to find out why my club members chose to join this club. For most, kyudo was the most suitable club because of infrequent practices but for those who take it seriously as a sport, kyudo is a time to meditate. Assigned time for self-reflection. As they take their last breath before lowering the bow, they clear their minds of all that is troubling them. This club is very beneficial to students all around the world as it provides an escape from the stress ours schools put on us.
Elina (West Vancouver Secondary School, Canada)
