The sword is far too large to have been used for self defense, researchers say.
I'm going to leave the link here so you can read more, but the size of this sword is incredible! (7.5 feet or 2.3 meters!)
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/large-ceremonial-dako-sword-discovered-in-japan-2267998
Enjoy!
Jeez!
I can't believe it's been so long since I have made any kind of post. Well, I'm back now and plan on updating this site a bit more. I also plan on getting my rear back to practicing those styles that I love. It's all about making time to do the things you want to do. Because if you don't, well, like someone once told me, "Work fills a void." There will always be things out there to take up your time. You just have to keep them from taking time away from the things that are important to you.
See you all sooner!
Well, it's a new year, so let's start this one off right. With the holidays and all, I know I personally have gotten slack about showing up to the dojo. But now that things are returning back to "normal", it's time get things back in order.
To start off, somebody got a little sneaky with their videoing of this, but we are sure glad they did. Here are a pair of 8-dans performing the Nihon Kendo kata. Watch carefully and practice hard!
This popped up the other day, and now I'm finally getting around to sharing it. (I know: I'm slack!)
Seriously though, it's a great video from Kendo World from May 2012. It features Toda-sensei versus Kondo-sensei. Toda goes in to dominate the match with nito-ryu (two sword style), but Kondo replies not only by staying aggressive in his stance of hasso, but makes a number of thrusts that look like they came out of jukendo (bayonet style)!
Enjoy!
The All Japan Kendo Federation just released this the other day. It is an English translation of their shinpan rules. It's not very long, but if you don't have it, you should definitely download it. I would say it is worth having in any kendoka library.
Enjoy!
This is from Iaido Channel on YouTube. Some of the narration is less than great, but it does at least give us some rare footage to watch.
From the description:
Late 1940's documentary showing Muso Shinden ryu, Jodo, Kendo, and Police Jodo The Kenjutsu part they show is actually Nippon Kendo Kata
Looking at the calendar, it's hard to believe that the dojo has been closed for a over a year now. I haven't posted much because there hasn't been much to post. I know most everyone out there feels the same way. We all want the lockdowns to end and life to resume.
That said, here is a nice little video that discusses the grappling techniques of kendo. The Tokyo Police (who have their own association) continue to practice these types of take-downs, as well as a few other dojos arouund Japan. I have heard that there are some dojos that actually require some level of judo to be learned in order to advance in kendo. Either way, it's good to know that these techniques are being preserved.
I believe the maker of this video actually has a judo background, which explains some of the errors that he makes when describing kendo. Also note that in some of that old video, not everyone is using shinai - I see kusari-gama in there!
Enjoy!
I came across these videos of kendo taken around the year 1897 on the YouTube site Olden Days. Both have been restored and colorized for maximize viewing quality. This is one of those times when you don't even have to be a practitioner of the sword arts, you can just be a fan of history to get a lot out of them!
The first appears to be an Ona-ha Itto-Ryu demonstration.
The second is a clip of students during a kendo practice.
Enjoy!
I found this on BudoJapan's Youtube Channel and thought it was worth a repost. Tennen-rishin ryu (style) is a form of gekiken (historical fencing) that predates modern kendo. This is much of where its roots come, and I am glad there are those who continue to practice it.
Man, there are moves in here that I wish we still practiced!
Enjoy!
ZNKR Iaido (Seitei) kata with Noboru Ogura Sensei (8th Dan Kyoshi).
For those who don't know, the seitei were created for those who practice kendo. So, regardless of which iai ryu you might study, there would be a base set for all kendo practioners to learn to establish a foundation in iaido.
I am not going to lie. This is a long video, but well worth the watch.
Enjoy!
