This is just a thought that I think about often these days. "Self-defense"... I never used this term for promoting Kendo. Because Kendo is not for self-defense. It is about developing human character and contributing it to society. Self-defense skills are a bonus, not a purpose. Self-defense does not always work the way meant to be for ordinary people in real life.
We might as well change our attitude towards the term. It is not responsible if someone says "I teach it for self-defense" or "Let's learn --- for self-defense" as there is also a risk involved.
I don't use "Martial Arts" either but instead, I use "Budo". If you are a good Budo-ka, you are humble. Keeping away from the trouble and yet solving the problem without drawing the sword would be the ultimate goal.
Kendo is Katsujin Ken, using a sword for a way of life to coexist. The concept of this Zen Buddhism philosophy derives from Yagyuu Munenori in the early 1600.
Like I said just a thought...
Comments