When I signed up for Kendo I had no idea how complicated it would be. It seems the governing body had some disagreement between themselves and one of the sensei’s. That particular sensei wanted to split and start his own dojo, but he seemed to have taken control the group’s financial asset and also the registered name of the group. In short, he became a dictactor and tried to make everyone loyal to him and if they did not agree they cannot practice anymore. This goes against the original bylaws that were written when the organization was formed, and it was not a decision endorsed by the rest of the board members as well as the general members. I just only joined recently, about a month and half, so I had no idea what was going on, and when they brought a lawyer to the class and started talking about the issue I was pretty shocked and had a bad feeling about it. The spark that blew everything up happened when we had to sign a waiver form stating that we know the dangers of this sport (full contact) and if we have any injuries due to practicicing, the facility is not held liable (we rent space/time at a fitness club to practice). The defiant sensei supposedly made a scene by intimidating the other members and saying that by signing the contract they risk facing litigations and lawsuits. So then the organization’s lawyer and one of the other board members told the defiant sensei and his “followers” that since we have a contract with this facility and since they are no longer affiliated with this organization and refusing to sign the liability form, they must leave the premesis or the police will be involved. So after that we carried on with the class. After the class ended, I was talking to one of the board members and he explained more about the situation. I found out that the Yon-dan (crazy sensei) had an issue with a lot of other sensei’s, one of whom was a Hachi-dan, causing the Hachi-dan to quit and went back to Japan. The crazy Yon-dan also did lot like that the current dojo is being led by a  female instructor. So…just when things couldn’t get more complicated, couple of the folks who were barred from practicing because they did not sign the waiver and/or  follow the direction of the seceeded Yon-dan called the police on us. We looked out the door and a police car drove up and those two ran to him and started talking, pointing at us. The the cop walked in and we braced for it. He asked us what’s going on and we told him exactly what we explained to everyone earlier. The facility manager also came and said that we are the legitimate party. The cop understood and went outside to explained and I suppose they all left. Afterward we all went out to eat pizza and talked more about the issue and how will the dojo be run from now on. I did not like being in a situation like this where I have to make allegiance to one party over another, I am only loyal to Kendo with the understanding that Kendo is not exclusive, it’s about the art itself, respect for the sensei and other kendoka’s, without silly bureaucratic mess such as this.  Oh well, it was yet another interesting day at Kendo class. Until next time.