do kendo again

I’ve inquired at a place in Halifax (uk) and think I might be able to attend. It will be good to get back into shape and have something energetic to round the week off with.

Okay, that’s not really what it means… katsu means win, mushi means bug. 勝虫　<-katsumushi　It’s another word for dragonfly in Japan. 蜻蛉　<-tonbo (the more common word for dragonfly) Dragonflies are considered a symbol of strength and victory. I’ve always liked them, even before I knew that, but it just makes me like them more. Maybe it’s lucky.

Another interesting thing I learned is that dragonflies are a symbol for people who have survived annorexia. Quite the connection. I wonder if it’s a coincedence?

I took up kendo over a year ago with some friends who learned it on exchange in Japan. I practiced 4 times every week with the we-wish-we-were-a-club-so-we-can-get-money-from-the-University and at least twice a week on my own. I got strong, had the callouses, and I felt better than I think I had ever felt in my life. Then I injured my wrist during practice. I took two weeks off and was back with a vengance.

Then my knee went out. Just said “I’m done, let me know when you stop doing things that hurt and then we’ll talk.” After I slowed down I just couldn’t get started again.

I want to do kendo again: for my health, for my soul, for myself.