Since 1997, Eastern Michigan has had a kendo martial arts club team. 7-9 p.m. Abbey began his study of martial arts in 1994 under Ron Fox at Michigan State University.
Abbey is now a third-degree blackbelt.
Abbey said students get a sense of presence from the art. Also, they get a historical background into Japanese culture and learn the physical aspect of martial arts. The tournaments are full contact. Practices each week are also full contact. It is martial arts tradition spawned by the schools of swordsmanship in ancient Japan.