Ancient Japanese art lives

In any other situation, that phrase would be precursor to a 911 call, but at Karate International, where weapons training is part of the curriculum, this was just business as usual.

The kendo club started after Olevsky decided to branch out in his martial art practice, Kathy Olevsky said. They had owned Karate International in North Raleigh since the 1970s. After about 10 years there, Rob found a kendo instructor through Raleigh parks and recreation.

He began learning the art and, after a while, moved the classes to his karate studio in North Raleigh. That's where the club really got its roots and began to grow. Today, there are about 30 members of the club at the North Raleigh location, and seven or eight more at Karate International in Apex. Rob says the kendo club is one of the largest in the state.

Any age can practice kendo - from pip squeak to parent. Students wear traditional kendo garb: keiogi (kimono-shaped top), hakama (baggy pants) and men (mask). The weapon they use is either a bokken, a wooden sword used for practice, or a shinai, which is usually four pieces of bamboo tied together by leather. It's used for sparring.

"I always think of (the shinai) as like when they talk about punishment in some of the feudal societies where they cane people," she said. "Hit somebody on the skin with it, and it hurts."

Of course, sparring partners don't strike skin. Instead they focus on certain protected points of the body, like the head, chest or hand.

Kendo is the "art of Japanese swordsmanship" and may be most familiar in many minds because of its relationship to the feared and respected samurai of Japanese history. Of course, in kendo, wooden swords are used instead of steel so that practitioners can perform with less fear of permanent injury.

The website for Karate International in Raleigh describes kendo as "a way of life designed to contribute to self-development through training in the guiding principles underlying the art of the sword." It goes on to say that "the student strengthens his or her body and mind, develops a strong spirit, learns to treat people properly, to value truth, to be sincere, to always strive for self-development, love society and country, and contribute to the peace and prosperity of humanity."

I asked Rob why he thought people were attracted to kendo.

"I would say most people, it's the realization that the world was ruled by the sword far longer than it has been by gunpowder," he said.

Whether for power or personal development, the martial arts have held Rob in thrall for a long time.

He is a master of multiple methods, including Kendo, Judo, Jujitsu and Karate.

"Most people only accomplish one of my arts in a lifetime," he said.

But he has been practicing the various warrior ways since he was 19, and his interest probably developed even sooner by watching his dad, a black belt, perform back in the '60s.

His love was evident in his intensity Tuesday night. He struck fast with the shinai as he sparred with other club members in preparation for their exhibition. The two opponents danced across the stage in a swordfight reminiscent of what you might see on the silver screen, but with less pre-planned choreography. Primal cries of exertion mingled with the cracking sound of wood on wood, and for a moment, I was transported to historic Japan watching two old masters vie for martial supremacy.

Then the masks came off and the tired American faces came into view. A new culture for an old sport. These are strange days indeed when sword fighting is alive and well in the unassuming Northern end of Raleigh.