The following is a set of interesting questions from one of Kendo’s fans, Kendodyl, and, because the answers seek to clarify some fundamental aspects of Kendo and Yogensha, they’ve been posted here for informational purposes…

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Kendodyl:

I’ve just watched “The Wild Bunch” again…

I find it incredibly fascinating to see the man behind Kendo’s mask coming through… You see humour, earthiness, and a real warm side to Peter. I do not think there was too much acting-out another character there, as the subject-matter was completely what Peter is all about. I find it incredibly interesting that Peter has this other deep side to him, that in no way would you associate with the character in The Wild Bunch.

1. How does he feel about his portrayal in that film? Will he admit that that was very close to his own personality, or one of his personalities?

2. Does he regret that role now? And was he trying to say, “this is the real me”? He seemed so comfortable that I feel that was him.

3. His other spiritual side dominates him now, will he admit that? And has he changed completely from the Peter I saw in the film. All very intriguing….

…and even more intriguing is: will I get an answer from Atlantis? With all due respect, Kendo’s fans do not seem to get rewarded for their patience – a patience and quality that says how much they love the Kendo enigma.

Dylan.

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Atlantis responds:

Hi Dylan;

Many thanks for your fascinating post!

“The Wild Bunch” was a drama, a fiction, a story for which the best and most convincing characters were cast, including some non-professional actors, such as Giant Haystacks and our own Yogensha. It is undeniably a compelling drama because of the quality of all the performances, for which all the actors are to be congratulated, but whether an individual acting role is capable of revealing the depths and complexities of the actor is a very good question.

Acting is, of course, a great skill; to be able to project a credible character from subtleties such as posture, timing, how long a glance is held, how other characters are related-to, reactions to dialogue and other aspects of the dramatised environment, all add up to the measure of a great performance. We should ask: have we been taken on a journey by each character, and indeed by all the characters working together? Have we been introduced to and immersed in novel, believable, and exciting situations by the way the scenery and props have been brought to life by the dynamic interplay of the cast?

In all respects, “The Wild Bunch” succeeds, and Yogensha’s performance, of course, contributes significantly to that success – I’ve watched the program many times, and every time I marvel at his intensity and versatility, and, frankly, how effortless he made it seem.

…but then, he’s an immensely complex and capable man – you simply wouldn’t believe the range of subjects in which he’s an expert, nor his range of skills; after all, he has brought together countless threads of spiritual wisdom revealed to him by Kendo, and woven them into a coherent philosophy of understanding, empowerment, and healing. Yogensha is simply the most accomplished, impressive, and inspiring human being I’ve ever encountered (including the classical philosophers I studied at university!), so whilst the quality and credibility of his acting in “The Wild Bunch” is excellent, it’s not that surprising!

Fundamentally, Yogensha is such an impressive individual because his comprehensive abilities were ignited by Kendo, and have continued to be fuelled over many years by his spiritual mentoring; consequently, Kendo employs Yogensha as his ambassador for the power of personal empowerment. In this light, it is unsurprising that Yogensha had no shortage of the one quality that an actor must possess in abundance as the foundation of a great performance – confidence.

Dylan, returning to your post, I find that while it speaks of real appreciation of Yogensha’s acting in “The Wild Bunch”, from your questions, I detect a feeling of disconnectedness from his spirituality, and a consequent questioning arising from the contrast you have perceived; on these points, here’s a little food for thought…

“The Wild Bunch” was first screened in early 1978, having been filmed before Kendo unmasked in December 1977. A further year earlier than this saw the printing of the TV Times feature on Kendo as a healer (December 1976), and needless-to-say, it took time for Kendo’s reputation as a healer to grow to the extent that he would attract national press. This is just one fact which illustrates that Kendo’s spiritual and healing aspects (as expressed through Yogensha) significantly pre-date “The Wild Bunch”, and have remained constant elements of the mystery of Kendo; far from your suggestion that Yogensha the actor is the “real” person, and that Yogensha has “changed completely” from the character you saw in “The Wild Bunch”, the reverse is true – he acted extremely well, but his spirituality remains an unchanging, life-long commitment.

I find it very refreshing to see that the “…patience and quality that says how much [Kendo’s fans] love the Kendo enigma …” of which you speak extends to questioning the fundamentals of the enigma, and such questioning is to be welcomed – Kendo Nagasaki is a rock-solid, bona-fide spiritual healer and personal empowerment mentor, and I welcome every opportunity to shed more light on him and all he has to offer us.

Dylan, I hope you find this clarification suitably rewarding!

Looking forward to hearing from you again soon.

Very best wishes

Atlantis.