Kyoto's Kendo: A Sacred Dance of Bamboo

• Photographer
  Lollo Virey Wollheim
• Technical Info
  Fujifilm X100vi Focal Length 19mm S/s 1/100 Sec Aperture F/2.0 Iso 4000 Edited In Lr
• Photo Date
  26 July 2024

A memory etched in my heart forever from Kyoto: The Dance of Shinai (Bamboo Swords) revealed the soul and spirit of Kendo like never before. I was invited to observe a rare Friday evening session, reserved exclusively for highly accomplished kendoka whose experience spoke volumes. Amidst the sweltering heat of July, these masters – both female and male – gracefully donned their full Bogu, exhibiting unwavering discipline. Struck by their genuine kindness towards me, a heavily tattooed outsider, I felt deeply humbled and profoundly inspired, cherishing this unforgettable encounter. Magic Within

French-born and raised in Milan, I grew up surrounded by an era obsessed with perfection. Now living in Cape Town with my husband, I embarked on a journey to cultivate self-love after deep loss: my father's passing in 2014 and the heartbreaking farewell to my cherished Ridgeback, Charlie, in 2020. Rediscovering my old DSLR at 50 sparked a passion for photography—capturing soulful street, ocean, and urban scenes. Traveling to Japan fulfilled a bucket list dream and marked a pivotal milestone in my ongoing story.