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Way of the Serious Sword: Shinkendo class combines traditional, modern forms

BY CALEB HALE, THE SOUTHERN

Wednesday, February 14, 2007 6:59 AM CST

CARBONDALE - The art of handling the sword - it is difficult to master but somehow, in some way, at any level, it always looks cool.

Such is the case with Kevin Taylor's Shinkendo class, a gathering of about 12 to 15 students three times a week in the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Student Recreation Center.

Shinkendo, roughly translated into English as "Way of the Serious Sword," was created in 1990 by a Japanese martial arts instructor by the name of Toshishiro Obata. It combines traditional sword techniques used by the samurai and modern sword forms.

Taylor, a graduate student in philosophy at SIUC, first learned the art of Shinkendo eight years ago in Urbana-Champaign with fellow instructor Christian Peacock, a sophomore in aviation.

"It was (Peacock) who wanted to learn a samurai sword art, and I was looking for more of a bo staff art," Taylor said.

After attending a few classes, Taylor said he became more involved in Shinkendo, namely because it was helping him to better health.

"In high school I was a little overweight," he said. "The class really helped me get into shape. If it could make me feel as good as I do about it, that is something I want to pass on."

The class, which is open to any SIUC student, siphons most of its members from a Kendo class offered on campus. Where Kendo is more about fighting, Shinkendo is mostly about the art of handling the katana, or in the case of beginning students, a wooden sword called a bokken.

Chad Marlow of Mount Vernon, a 22-year-old philosophy student, said he normally participates in Kendo. This week marked his first entrance into Taylor's Shinkendo class.

"Basically, I know Kendo, so I'm trying to broaden my horizons," Marlow said.

Barrington film student Pete Brinkmeier, 20, has a little more experience in Shinkendo - three weeks.

He said he is still getting to know the style, so it's a little early for him to discuss the underlying philosophy in the practice.

What Brinkmeier does know, however, Shinkendo is an interesting way to stay active.

"It's very unique, and it's good exercise too," he said.

caleb.hale@thesouthern.com

(618) 351-5090