Episode 18: Kendo of the Spirit and Modern Kendo: The Regeneration

The text presented here is an Italian translation, edited by Giulio Gabbianelli, of a speech given by Morishima Tateo Sensei in December 2007, originally translated into English by George McCall. The speech's core is a profound critique and call for reform of modern kendo, which Morishima Sensei believes has fallen into a state of confusion, focusing excessively on winning shiai (matches) and a defensive style. The speaker advocates for a return to the spirit of kendo and an attack-based approach, emphasizing the principles of "shotachi ippon" (winning with the first strike) and "aiuchi no katchi" (winning by striking simultaneously), which recall shinken shobu (real sword fighting). To achieve this regeneration, Morishima Sensei emphasizes the importance of training instructors through the concept of "sanma no gurai" (learning, practicing, discovering) and reaffirms the fundamental objective of Kendo as a discipline for the formation of human character. Historical masters such as Takano Sasaburo and Yamaoka Tesshu are cited to illustrate the true spirit of Kendo, such as "mushin" (a mind free from obstructive ideas).