Essential kendo books

[musicdropout@ho]

Hi all,

since there are so many kendo books out there thought i'd ask for some advice. Just started training in kendo and i want/need to learn more about the history, vocabulary, techniques and what not. if anyone can recommend good/essential kendo books/dvds for beginners i'd greatly appreciate it.

thanks in advance ^_^

[Nash]

I like Kendo: The Definitive Guide by Hiroshi Ozawa

see -> http://www.amazon.com/Kendo-Definitive-Guide-Hiroshi-Ozawa/dp/4770021194/ref=sr_1_1/102-8280415-2343364?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186566324&sr=8-1

It starts with the basics but also include good description and diagrams of many waza. Definitely worthwhile.

[EBP2K2]

if you can find it (try univ libraries):

Fundamental Kendo - published by All Japan Kendo Federation (1974)

the book covers all bases, including pretty good number of wazas with step by step instructions and pictures...

[Neil Gendzwill]

There are very few kendo books in English. Fundamental Kendo is probably the best, but out of print. This Is Kendo is the original and still good. I've paged through Ozawa's book and it looks fine. Others have recommended Looking At A Far Mountain, but that's a pretty specific book aimed at kata instruction. The only other one that comes to mind is The Heart of Kendo, which I haven't seen.

[Goyaman]

Ozawa's book is a good overview and reference, and probably the best of the (widely) available books in English.

The AJKF has recently published a two-volume set of "Kendo Fundamentals" for a very reasonable price available on their website. I haven't seen these yet, but I would expect that it's probably a restatement of the material covered in the legendary "Fundamental Kendo" book.

[musicdropout@ho]

Thanks!!! looks like i've got a lot of reading to do! ^_^

[musicdropout@ho]

Has anyone ever heard of Kendo: its philosophy, history, and means to personal growth, its written by Kiyota, Minoru pub. 1995? Thats the only kendo book at the college near me, they didn't have Fundamental Kendo.

[kurisu]

google "kendo reader". This is a must read.

[musicdropout@ho]

thanks :) i really do have a lot of reading to do now.