Kendo Book by KW?

[DCPan]

I thought I'd find out that this is out on kendo world...but instead I found it elsewhere....oh well.

http://www.budovideos.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=25201

[Andoru]

Interesting book!

[mark]

Thanks for the link. I took the opportunity to order some KW back issues.

[DCPan]

Interesting book!


Yeah...had I known, I wouldn't have bought the Japanese version.

Since I already have the Japanese version though, unless even the DVD is in English for the English version, I probably won't buy it.

:shocked:

[Neil Gendzwill]

Is it any good?

[DCPan]

Is it any good?

It's been a while since I picked it up.

From what I can recall:

DVD:
- the set up didn't take advantage of the chaptering abilities that DVD can offer. I had to fast forward through a lot of what Yoshiyama sensei was saying to get to the demo part, since my Japanese is really really bad.
- in short, it was like watching VHS set up on DVD.

Book:
- the biggest take away for me was the pattern keiko method, but I saw the same article in my Kendo Nippon subscription before they put it in the book.

My all time favorite DVD thus far is still Ippon-o-toru Kendo by Koda Kunihide sensei. The 7 points for shiai at the end alone was worth the buy...the emphasis on elbow placement and the tightness of his suriage waza was something to been seen.... The chaptering was also much better.

In terms of taking full advantage of the DVD medium, Ichinikai's Hide sensei's DVD definitely takes the lead. However, I like the demonstrators form in the Koda sensei DVD much more.

Personally, I think the book was worth buying just to look at the forms of the demonstrators, such as Dr. Bennett. I just wouldn't say it is among the list of my must have books.

[JSchmidt]

Bah, just ordered it, along with another book.
I blame you, DC :)

[DCPan]

Bah, just ordered it, along with another book.
I blame you, DC :)

LOL, I doubt you'll regret it.

Let me know if the DVD is in English too...if it has a English track, I'll pick it up.

[JSchmidt]

Got it yesterday and it was not entirely what I expected.
I was expecting more of a break-down (and examples) of what is expected for grade X, but at some level it does that, as it shows straight simple kendo, aimed at people grading for 4th to 7th dan.
It contains nothing revolutionary and nothing that I think people wouldn't know already, but it did serve as a useful reminder of things to check.
The training program is fine, but you need to be in a position to change your dojo's programme!. Again, nothing revolutionary in it, just fairly 'simple' kendo.

The DVD (subtitled) contains clear examples of what's in the book and the form of the demonstrators helps getting the point across nicely.

All in all, a decent "This is what you should be doing" book/DVD, but by no means a must-have.

Jakob

[Andoru]

Cheers Jakob for the review!