I’ve always had a fascination for swords in martial arts. While I was training Shotokan Karate in Zuerich I once went to do a Kendo trial class in a dojo that was not far from ours. If you come from a Karate background (or any martial arts background for that matter) and you step into a Kendo class, it’s a completely different world. I was fascinated – not just at the weight of the shinai (wooden training sword) and the constant kiais (a yell, scream when you exhalte) but at the whole way of practise. It’s incredibly precise. But since the mere thought of wering a men (the headpiece) made me claustrophobic I never started practising this artform.
Everyone from Melbourne Budokai where I did the shoot was very friendly and welcoming. First I went to watch a class. Again I was fascinated. Imagine about 30 practitioners, all clad in dark blue with their amazing “armour”… you feel like you are in a completely different place and time. And when the kiais started, the energy in that room was just fantastic. The fascination must have shown on my face because they were happy for me to photograph a training session – I had an absolute blast. So much movement, so many details to capture, such a beautiful dojo, such nice people… I was in my element and I love the training photos that were created then.
The conceptual shoot was a great experience. Kaz and Noriko, both who have been practising since they were about 5 years old were going through warm-ups, techniques and sparring just for me. I always feel very honored when I can work with such high calibre martial artists. In this case it was difficult to remove them from their trainig surroundings as they train barefoot and they also like to keep to themselves which I understand. It would be quite a show stopper to turn up in a public place with two Kendoka doing their war cries and wielding their shinai… Therefore I created a background using curtains that would be in contrast to the rough texture of their Gi’s. I am planning a second shoot featuring Kendo as I would like to try a different approach this time on location…
