No, you shouldn't try something else, if Kendo is what you want to do. Are you going to run all your life if you come across something you don't like? Eventually you will have to face unpleasant things. Here is a good place to start.
Kendo uses a somewhat complex scoring system. It isn't just about hitting the opponent on a valid location, you must demonstrate something called ki-ken-tai-ichi or "spirit-sword-body as one". Ki (spirit/energy) is expressed through your kiai. When you kiai in kendo it also is to call out where you are striking such as men (head), kote (wrist), dou (body), etc. Basically, this demonstrates that your strike lands where you intended. Without kiai you will not be awarded ippon (point).
I can't substantiate increased power (e.g., force) generated through kiai, but a good kiai comes from your hara (center) which engages your core. This improves stability and posture through the movement, but I couldn't say conclusively if it increases the power delivered by the cut. Ultimately, I think the effect is more psychological. The Jigen-ryu kiai is a good example...it sounds almost inhuman, like a banshee, and I've attempted to replicate it while sparring periodically and the effect is generally the same - the opponent tenses up for half a second.
Yes, you do. And it's called a "kiai", not a battle cry.
It is part of the training which includes among other things whereby you synchronize your breath with the attack and forces you into a frame of mind to be effective against an adversary. You cannot combat anything by being withdrawn or being a wilting violet. You say you want to try kendo, but what exactly is your reason? Just to look cool? Brag to other kids?
Kendo was created at a time when Japan was facing tumultuous changes in their society with many traditions going into obsolescence including the physical, mental, and spiritual training that had been the backbone of their warrior class. They wanted to preserve that essence because they realized (and very correctly so) that being a poor country materially, they needed an equalizer in the form of resilient spirit to compete against other countries. Kendo exists for a purpose. It's not skateboarding or a video game done for wasting time.
The real reason you are hesitant about doing it is because you are just afraid of looking silly. But the only one who will be looking silly in the dojo is the one who doesn't do the kiai.
Kendo kiai to announce the point they made, are making or going to make, it is a way to sell the technique.
As for all martial arts yelling, I am classically trained in Okinawan Karate (all my ranks and licensing come from the main dojo in Okinawa) and will tell you that some do not, I was told that many older Okinawan Karateka find the idea of a yeller comical.
As for yelling giving you more power, please explain this, I taught Anatomy at the Doctoral level and can find no reason for that idea.
Kiai forces air over the lungs beginning from the belly to the throat. This allows the lungs to extract more oxygen per second and route it to muscles. But the sound itself is a waste of energy, as that merely stresses the vocal chords, it's not necessary to acquire the oxygen for muscle power.
I don't think the kiai is a requirement, but you might be encouraged to do it because it is part of Kendo (Japanese) culture.
In the martial arts, all of them, screaming or making a noise when you punch or kick gives you more power. Try it. You'll see.
"The shouting is called "kiai". One's kiai is supposed to reflect your spirit, and is central to the notion of "scoring a point" in kendo. A point is only valid if one strikes with proper bodily form, correct shinai movement, and strong kiai. This is to ensure that the strike was not "accidental", that the player truly intended to make the attack, and gave it 101% of his effort in pursuing that point. Hence the target's name is called out as part of the kiai, to reflect proper intent.
Does that make sense? Notions of kiai and "ki-ken-tai-ichi" (I'll let others here explain that) are difficult to grasp, especially at such an early stage in your kendo career. Even for those of us who have been practicing for a while, they're still elusive concepts at best!
Here's an analogy I can draw for you: do you play pool/billiards? If you do (or have seen people doing so), you'll often see players "call" their shots before they make them. They'll say, for instance, "number 9 ball in corner pocket", then proceed to shoot. That way, if another ball gets pocketed, or the 9 goes into another pocket, we'll know the "point" was a fluke and not the intended action of the player.
Your next question will probably be: then why do some players not explicitly kiai/shout out "target names" (ie, kote, men, etc.) but rather just scream like banshees? Indeed, you'll generally notice more advanced players with kiai that aren't exactly target names, but just loud, intimidating sounds. In such cases, the spirit and strong will reflected by their kiai is sufficient to demonstrate their intent in attacking, and there's no need to specifically call out target names. I might add that as you progress in your kendo career, you'll develop a unique, "signature" kiai of your own, and will eventually abandon straight-out calling target names when you play."
-http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/forum/k...
I am going to try kendo, but I am worried that I will have to scream or war cry. Will I be forced to do this, because I am very quiet and don't yell much...should I try something else???
