Learning samurai swordsmanship Japanese martial art exhilarating an

Learning samurai swordsmanship Japanese martial art exhilarating and
demanding, say practitioners
Friday, August 26, 2005
BY JASON DEEGAN
News Staff Reporter
The sign of respect signals the start of Kendo practice for the
Maltby Middle School seventh-grader.

Minutes later, DeBruhl, 12, is in full attack mode, dishing out
blows to his opponent's head with his bokken, a bamboo stick used
for practice. DeBruhl appears tiny next to the bulking size of his
sparring partner - his tall, lanky father, Perry DeBruhl.

As the two take turns trading blows in traditional forms of Kendo
called kata, Perry stops his son for a quick pointer.

"Don't pull off (during your strike). Go here,'' he says as he bangs
his bokken on Troy's head with aggressive precision.

The DeBruhls are the only Livingston County connection to a small
band of loyalists in EMU's club called Kendo Dojo. Kendo, which
translates to "the way of the sword'' in Japanese, is the art of
samurai swordsmanship. People who practice the martial art say it's
both exhilarating and demanding to learn.

According to the Web site, www.kendo-usa.org, modern Kendo has roots
with the samurai and evolved over several centuries. The
introduction of protective gear like the men (head gear), kote
(wrist) and doh (chest protector) during the late 18th century
allowed warriors to deliver full blows to one another without
injury. This forced the establishment of new regulations and
practice habits.

Perry DeBruhl, who works at Home Depot in Brighton and attends EMU
to study construction management, became interested in the martial
arts as a U.S. Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan, years ago.
DeBruhl, a black belt in tae kwon do, introduced Kendo to his son
after finding out about the club in the summer of 2003. Today, they
travel the Midwest, competing in tournaments together.

To win a match, Kendo warriors must strike an opponent in either the
men (head), kote (wrist), belly (doh) or throat (tsuki) to score.
Not only must the warrior hit the correct spot, they must do so with
Zanshin or "zeal and intent'' by shouting the proper kiai, or war
cry, according to EMU assistant coach Charlie Kondek.

Troy DeBruhl said the most challenging parts of Kendo are learning
the footwork and war cries. He enjoys it so much, he did a science
project at Maltby about it.

"It is the hardest sport and the most fun sport I've ever tried,''
he said.

Although Kendo appears to be violent, Perry DeBruhl says the sport
teaches many lessons. He added without reigi - the force behind
Kendo etiquette - the sport "is just two people hitting each other
with sticks.''

"I enjoy the competition,'' he said. "There are a lot of lessons in
Kendo that you can learn in life - respect, courtesy and manners.
Once you've made the decision to attack, you have to commit your
heart and soul. You go 100 percent.''

In his Kendo garb, a blue robe, protective pads and black mask,
Perry DeBruhl is an imposing figure. He towers over most of the
others in the class. His ability to deliver down blows from above
has earned him the nickname the "blue bomber from Brighton.''

"Not only did Perry have prior athletic background, but with a
background in martial arts, he knew exactly what it took to
discipline himself (for Kendo),'' Kondek said. "He's come a long way
in a short time.''

The club's younger members, including Troy, have done well in
tournaments. "The youth in our club have put the adults to shame,''
Kondek admitted. "Troy's picked it up quick.''

Troy said he loves battling his dad in practice, especially after a
little motivation from home.

"I've had my PS/2 (video game) taken away, so I had reason for anger
about that,'' he said. "We do go at it pretty hard, and we always
talk about it afterwards.''

Perry DeBruhl said he will test to become a shodan, like a black
belt, at a tournament in Chicago in November. Troy said he can't
wait to move up in rank, so he can start teaching others.

"There are a lot of people who come to Kendo from other martial
arts,'' Perry DeBruhl said. "The Japanese sword is a classic.''