Vietnamese fencer Thong Khuong has an endearingly friendly smile. Whenever he visits Japan for work, he practices diligently at multiple dojos and universities. Vietnam, a member of ASEAN, also participates in the ASEAN Kendo Tournament, winning the championship in 2016. We interviewed this Vietnamese fencer about his sincere approach to kendo and the kendo environment in Vietnam. (Published in the October issue of Kendo Nippon, "Overseas Kendo Records") Profile Thong Khuong, 3rd Dan. Born in Hanoi, Vietnam. Started Kendo at the age of 20, this year marks his 11th year. Works as an IT engineer at Toshiba Software Development Vietnam Co., Ltd. Kendo history Vietnam: Hanoi Kendo Club Japan: Toshiba Komukai Kendo Club, NTT Kendo Club, Sakurada Kendo Club, Hachioji Kendo Federation, Kogakuin University Kendo Club, Tokyo Keyaki Kenshi-kai, Kinno Dojo

What made you start kendo?

-First of all, could you tell us what motivated you to start kendo? I became interested in kendo after reading the Japanese manga "Ore wa Tetsubei" and started kendo with a friend. I also liked "Doraemon" and "Dragon Ball." In Vietnam, I belonged to the Hanoi Kendo Club. The Hanoi Kendo Club has 40 members wearing protective gear, and about 60-80 members in total. Everyone is a student or a working adult.

What is the training environment like in Vietnam?

- The climate in Vietnam is hotter than in Japan. What is the training like? Yes, training in Vietnam is hot and very hard. The sensei was strict, and we practiced without breaks in temperatures of 42 degrees. The environment was not as good as in Japan, and there were two times when we practiced on a concrete floor. When I was training in Hanoi, there were five sensei. Four of them were Japanese and one was Korean. They had all been working in Vietnam for a long time. Each of the sensei had a different style of kendo, but they all loved kendo and taught us how to enjoy it. When Vietnam first took part in the 8th ASEAN Kendo Championships (held in Thailand in 2007), our sensei told us this: "This match is our first attempt at competing against another country. If we're lucky, we might win, or we might lose. However,Even if you lose the match, you must not lose in courtesy." From these words, I learned that no matter how tough the training, I can improve myself through kendo. Scenes from a kendo seminar in Hanoi. By the way, bamboo swords are very valuable in Vietnam. Up until four or five years ago, it was really difficult to purchase a bamboo sword. For this reason, at our kendo club, we would combine old bamboo swords to make them usable for as long as possible. We also rented bamboo swords to beginners. Nowadays, the price of bamboo swords has dropped, and they can even be purchased through online shopping sites like E-BOGU and Tozando. -What kind of matches are there? Although tournaments are not held very frequently, the Hong Kong Kendo Championships and the ASEAN Kendo Championships are big tournaments for Vietnamese people. In 2014, he came second in the Hong Kong Kendo Championships, and in 2016, he achieved his long-awaited victory in the ASEAN Kendo Championships. ASEAN Kendo Championships. Thong is third from the right.

Differences between Japanese and Vietnamese Kendo

- Have you noticed any differences between Japanese kendo and kendo here? Even though it's not a concrete floor, my feet hurt. I must have some bad habits (laughs). I want to keep thinking for myself, trying to correct my problems, and having my teachers review my work. What's really appealing to me about Japanese dojos is that they have highly ranked and older teachers, and I think that's a big difference from kendo in Vietnam. Most people who come to dojos in Vietnam are there to learn about a new culture (Japanese culture), but at dojos in Japan, it's full of people who are already familiar with Japanese culture, so it's a great learning experience.

Cultural differences between Japanese Kendo and Vietnamese Kendo

-Do you feel any cultural differences between Japan and Vietnam? To be honest, at first I was embarrassed to show my determination (laughs). I wasn't surprised or scared by the determination itself.The act of showing kiai is unique to kendoThat's right. Also, before I started kendo,Why do I have to bow?I was puzzled by this, but now I understand why. It's a feeling of gratitude towards the opponent. There are other things that I've come to understand little by little after starting kendo for a few years. For example, the Konno Dojo in Shibuya is attached to a shrine, so it has a very classical feel. Bowing to the gods is a new experience for me. I was also moved when I saw the children practicing. They were doing an incredible number of quick swings.It's amazing how they follow the teacher even though he's strict.I think.

I want to improve my kendo

-What do you like about kendo, Ton? I like the fact that I can improve by receiving training from highly skilled teachers. I also really enjoy the time I spend with the teachers after practice, drinking and discussing kendo. It's so much fun to hear the teachers' honest opinions and what they are feeling. At a bar after practice with the dojo teachers

Kendo is like a long journey

-Is there anything in Kendo you would like to pursue in the future? Kendo is like life itself. I think of it as a long journey where you face yourself and improve. I want to continue practicing to understand Kendo better, and I want to grow as a person. There is one very memorable phrase that my mentor taught me: "Once you reach 5th dan, you will be able to understand what 6th dan teachers are thinking. Once you reach 6th dan, you will be able to understand what 7th dan teachers are thinking. This is one of the fascinating things about Kendo." Hearing this, I realized the importance of ranks. I would like to train hard and find out what high-ranking teachers are thinking. Text:Mariko Sato