SHOBU in the QUAD 🗡️⚔️

Amelia Coyne
Apr 2, 2023
1 min read

Updated: Jan 22

Kendo: a martial art that embodies the beauty and transience of life. The University of Washington Kendo Club has been practicing this traditional Japanese art form for over 50 years, and each spring, they take part in martial arts demonstrations during the annual 🌸🎎 Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival on campus. Kendo is a Japanese martial art that focuses on using a bamboo sword, called a shinai, and protective armor, called bogu, to simulate combat. The modern form of Kendo was developed in Japan in the early 20th century, as a way to preserve the traditional swordsmanship techniques of the samurai.

The University of Washington Kendo Club was founded in late 1960’s and is one of the oldest and most respected Kendo clubs in the Pacific Northwest. The club has a long tradition of participating in martial arts demonstrations during the annual Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival on the university's campus.

The significance of Kendo and martial arts demonstrations during the cherry blossom season lies in the traditional Japanese concept of "mono no aware," which roughly translates to "the pathos of things." This concept emphasizes the beauty and transience of life, particularly the fleeting nature of the cherry blossom season. The martial arts demonstrations serve as a reminder to appreciate the beauty and fragility of life, and to live in the moment.