New books in Japan

[Kenshi]

Great new softback book about bogu that I picked up today... its just out... definelty a must buy. Even if you cant speak Japanese there are lots of interesting pics. Check it out here. (http://www.skijournal.co.jp/search/detail.php?ID=941&PAGE=1)

I also picked up a magazine entitled Kendo: tsuyokunaru (drill series 3) (http://www.sportsclick.jp/magazine/combat/mook508/index.html) which is quite interesting (and cheap).

For those of you that can speak Japanese check out kendo-nippons premium series. They released some new books this month including a nice looking one about Nakayama Hakudo. Here thery are (http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_ss_b/249-1298547-3681157?__mk_ja_JP=%83J%83%5E%83J%83i&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=%8C%95%93%B9%93%FA%96%7B%83v%83%8C%83%7E% 83A%83%80+&Go.x=0&Go.y=0) (amazon.jp). There are absolutely no use if you cant speak Japanese and - even if you do - they are v.hard to read....

[Kagerou]

How hard is very hard? Above the standard 2000 kanji hard? My japanese isn't great yet but having a goal is very motivational (like my sensei telling me I can write the shodan test in english but the referee's may not be able to read it thus causing problems that can be solved by me just writing the damn thing in Japanese.....grrrrrr)

[Kenshi]

How hard is very hard? Above the standard 2000 kanji hard?

Well, ive only read the nippon-kendo-sekia-e one and the takano-sasaburo one and the former was normal whereas the latter was extremely difficult for the vast majority. I think normal japanese people would have problems reading it. Ive never studied kanji nor Japanese properly so im fighting a losing battle anyway.

Try the drill one or the bogu one first... if you cant read them then the kendo nippon premium set will be out of your league.

[Kagerou]

Thanks I'll give them a try.