Discipline Together with the Self in Kendo: Exploring "Qi" through Mixed Reality and Autoethnography

In an era where swords are no longer wielded to kill but to enhance human lives, swordfights are not about confronting the opponent in front of you but facing yourself. At the core of modern-day combat lies the cultivation of virtues such as etiquette, patience, and mental unity—principles similarly embraced in kendo. Resonating with these principles of kendo, we embarked on an exploration of “self,” “sword,” and “qi” in mixed reality. The author served as the model for this digital human and practiced kendo alone in mixed reality using the developed application. This experience of engaging with oneself, the sword, and “qi” has been shared through autoethnography. We hope this documentation contributes to personal growth and the enrichment of spiritual culture in society.