National Geographic

[Tato]

Hi.

Afther hearing about it many times, I've been searching for the National Geographic documentary on kendo, but I've been unable to find it on the web. I think it's called "looking at the far mountain" and talks about the 8th dan grading.

Does somebody here know where I can find this on dvd?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Rei

[PhilMcLaughlin]

Tato

Its called "Kendo's Gruelling Challenge"

Looking at a far mountain is Paul Buddens kata book

cheers

[Tato]

Thanks Phill.

I'll look under that title.

Rei

[Rabadj]

If you find a place on the net where it is, could you post a link?

thanks:)

[Phlebas]

"If you find a place on the net where it is, could you post a link?" -- Rabadj

I'll second that. Sounds intriguing! I'd love to see it too... I have never heard of that documentary.

[mingshi]

There's a fresh FULL clip under kendoshop.com's community section...

http://kendoshop.com/images/8dan.wmv

[Tato]

that's fantastic Mingshi, thanks!

Rei

[AlexM]

Thank you Mingshi. :D

Temet Nosce?

[smith]

FWIW the doco's full title is "Kendo's Gruelling Challenge: the 120 second test of spirit." Originally produced by NHK (Japan's equivalent of the BBC), National Geographic Channel has screened a version with English narration many times in the last three years. It profiles the hachi-dan examination and focuses on two kenshi: Ishida Kenichi sensei and Miyamoto Kai sensei.

Contact National Geographic TV and I'm sure you'll be able to find out when it's next screening.

HTH

[smith]

oh, and the duration is (a commercial) 1 hour

[stinkyKote]

wow, that was really neat ... thanks mingshi ... although if I hear someone say 'shee-nai' one more time I think I'm gonna barf...:D

[hammock]

that was pretty cool, thanks for posting that..

but, it was a little annoying with the korean subtitles over the english subtitles. I can read both fluently, but not both at the same time like that. :confused:

anyways. the question is.. did Miyamoto Kai (the 78 year old, now probably around 85) ever get his hachidan?

[Rabadj]

Originally posted by Phlebas
"If you find a place on the net where it is, could you post a link?" -- Rabadj

I'll second that. Sounds intriguing! I'd love to see it too... I have never heard of that documentary. thank you:happy:

[Hai_hai]

That was a cool.

[iwatekenshi]

How old is this video? Does anybody know?

[mingshi]

The ending credit has the words:-

NHK 1997

...Meanwhile I checked 2000-03's 8Dan Shinsa from AJKF's site. Not seeing any Miyamoto... Not sure if he got it in between 98-99 though.

Makes me wonder if it worths taking a grading that other senior people think "you are not ready"... For 24 years...

Are these stories of 8Dan Shinsa fairy tales of "keep trying and you will achieve", or are they just part of the grading propaganda?

Nevertheless I am really impressed by Ishida's love for Kendo and his son. For long I thought that kind of legend only exists in Manga or Anime.

[kendomushi]

Part of the problem with grading at that level here in Japan is that you have to grind a lot of goma, or if you prefer, brown nosing to pass. IF you don't fill all the right squares and please the right people...... someone will vote against you. IF you have been doing kendo long enough to reach that level, you can pretty much expect that someone in power doesn't like your kendo or your attitude or something about you. That makes passing very very difficult.

[iwatekenshi]

This might be true in the larger cities but I don't think it's all that pessimistic. Out here in the districts there are plenty of Hachidans who are totally out of the loop. I know many of them passed through hard work and determination. Sure there might be an old-boy network going but that's all over wherever you go. Certatinly there's not a conspiracy going on.

[slidercrank]

Originally posted by hammock

but, it was a little annoying with the korean subtitles over the english subtitles. I can read both fluently, but not both at the same time like that. :confused:


Heh, I have a version on tape that has Chinese subtitle over English subtitle. Yeah, it was confusing. So I watched it twice, each time reading only one subtitle. Then I watched it again, again, again, and again...

[slidercrank]

I take my comment back. This Korean production overlays the 2 subtitles. No way anyone can read anything. My version has the Chinese subtitle positioned well above the English subtitle. Too bad.

[Karaken]

46 minutes and 36 seconds of pure fantasy. Very different than 5-6 dan kendo too.. Hmm, if I don't miss any grading test, I'll be ready for my first hachidan test by 2029.

Thanks Mingshi - this was great!

Center - yes - Violent center

[KATSUJIN]

wow..mingshi...thanks for putting up the clip...i have been looking for it awhile already....

[Jerry Wellbrock]

Mingshi, thanks for posting the National Geographic info. I hope everyone in this forum watches it. Great Stuff. Thanks. Jerry

[Neil Gendzwill]

Originally posted by mingshi
Are these stories of 8Dan Shinsa fairy tales of "keep trying and you will achieve", or are they just part of the grading propaganda?
I think "keep trying and you will achieve" could apply to rokudan. But for hachidan you must have extraordinary kendo which requires extraordinary talent in addition to a lifetime of dedication. Most people do not pass.

[mingshi]

Guys, don't thank me, thank Kendoshop.com :D

(I am actually plotting to blackmail Kendoshop.com for a few sets of hand-made bogu and some top-quality Shinai... I should team up with National Geographic and NHK too. Apparently that clip has copyright and should not be avaliable for distribution, especially in a commercial website.

Oh yes, i can be quite evil sometimes :D)

[Hayashi]

Guess I shouldn't have downloaded the whole thing then ;p

[AlexM]

Originally posted by hammock

anyways. the question is.. did Miyamoto Kai (the 78 year old, now probably around 85) ever get his hachidan?

I was told by my sensei that Miyamoto Kai did finally get his hachidan recently.

I hope the info was reliable.

[J. Schitt]

Originally posted by AlexM


I was told by my sensei that Miyamoto Kai did finally get his hachidan recently.

I hope the info was reliable.

Sadly that information is incorrect.

Miyamoto sensei, is still a 7th Dan Kyoshi. He has health issues which include the implanting of a pacemaker, so is not able to train at the level requiredd to achieve 8th Dan.

On top of that the All Japan Kendo Federation has discontinued grading opportunities for those over a certain age, 70 I think.

So for two reasons he will not be able to be tested. He still trains regularly and is really tough.

[KATSUJIN]

oh...that is bad....he was really trying very hard.....

[Nishi]

Originally posted by J. Schitt






On top of that the All Japan Kendo Federation has discontinued grading opportunities for those over a certain age, 70 I think.
________________________________

Did i read that right? Japan has placed an age cap on their own kendoka?