I get amazed by Kendo

This post is about feelings. Try think about how Shiki is feeling right now.

I’ve mentioned it elsewhere online but not here. But I’ve been taking Kendo, Japanese fencing for those who know nothing of Japanese martial arts. I’ve been taking it for about half a year now. Being semi-dedicated to it. Being formal when I can.

How to describe how Kendo is? I say ache-inducing, mentally clearing, and full of reptition.

I try to go to my class atleast once a week, but I don’t go as much as I probably should. I’m not sure I absolutely LOVE going taking Kendo. But it’s a commitment, and thats what I should have. Now I’m beginning to like it more though.

Particularly today. My sensei told me to hold the Shinai (bamboo sword) more properly, and so I did. Next time I swung the sword I was amazed. The fluidness of the movement was much easier to feel in my hands all of a sudden. I was able to direct my strikes easier. It was just as if a huge bag on my shoulders had been taken off.

What interests me more. Is that I actually wondered if such a feeling of connection to a  weapon was possible. When I watch anime or read manga (or play a action visual novel) or even form a story, I wonder about how the hell it feels to be the midst of a fight and what perception takes over. And with this experience, I feel I’ve gotten something.

With this experience I feel can perform abit better at Kendo. My half a year of training has already helped my perfomance of course, but holding the sword differently just helps me realize how the senior students are able to move in sparring.

Just another nice shot.

Visual Novel and Eroge – Difference?

I’ve been kind of felt about writing this after looking at a post by Shingo of Heiseidemocracy. And also because of my new interest in games by Eushully. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that some of my examples are similar to Shingo’s

The question. Is there a difference between visual novels and eroge? There are probably a ton more posts like this besides mine (and Shingo’s).

Simple answer: Yes
Long answer: Read the rest of the article.

Happenings

I spent a while trying to get a good shot of this

I’m on my third day of formal Japanese lessons (college sponsored program BTW, I’m not in college).  The informal ones being  all the anime I’ve watched, aswell as what my sister has taught me. It feels great finally  getting to learn a language I’ve wanted to learn. And being familiar with alot of terms has prepared me well. Whats even better, is that in turns out the teacher I have, is the same teacher my sister had.

What else

WonderThree

Whilst randomly browsing through site I came across a certain manga. WonderThree.
Onto WonderThree by Renga Kijima

Other anime/random things that happened in these 2 weeks

Blame! By Tsutomu Nihei – Looking back

One of my old favorites:

I credit Blame! for really getting me into manga (and therefore anime). Before I was just reading things I came across by (Clamp work, Seven Seas licenses, other random things), but Blame!’s seriousness and deep nature triggered a realization into me that: “manga could be really serious”.

Shina Dark

There have been lots of posts about this series (it’s going to be an upcoming anime). Since I’m sort of familiar with it I decided to write on it aswell. I’ll summarize this quickly because it’s likely you’ve already read some on it already.