Advice on nito ryu DVD

[Raffa]

Looking for something that give me an idea of what nito ryu is, I'have bougth the e-bogu DVD which i find very interesting.
(this one: http://www.e-bogu.com/KENDO_PRINCIPLES_IV_NITO_RYU_Two_Swords_DVD_p/ebo-pub-dvd-kp4-.htm)
Now I've found another nito ryu DVD at e-mudo, but it doesn't present any description, so someone have it and can advice me ?
This is the product i found:
http://www.e-mudo.com/NiToRyu_Two_Swords_Kendo_DVD_p/dvdnitoryu.htm

Thank you!

[Bruce Mitchell]

Are you interested in learning about Musashi's art? Then the best spot on the web to learn about Hyoho Niten Ichiryu is here: http://www.hyoho.com/Hyoho1.html

You can watch a YouTube Video of the Hyoho Niten Ichiryu here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2YbZIEI5Gg

compare it to the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4NQTcsjfVU&feature=related

and you will see that it has nothing in common. I don't know why a kendo instructional video on using nito would claim a link to Miyamoto Musashi, but it seems to be a common misconception. I'm not knocking Kendo Nito Waza, just noting that it has nothing to do with Musashi except in the overactive imagination of some kenshi.

[Raffa]

Hi Bruce! No, I'am not specifically interested in Niten koryu, i'am only beginning to approach the peculiar Jodan and Nito kendo styles for general knowledge. For jodan there are plenty of resources, but the same cannot be said for nito.
Also it seems to me that Niten Itchi Ryu is most famous but not the only kenjutsu school that adopted Nito (i may be wrong but, for example, i think hokushin itto ryu has some nito waza), again i'am not very interested in it, i'am focusing on Nito Kendo and the E-mudo DVD seems to go in that direction.
But they give no detail, so i've asked if someone just own it, and if he can tell me if the DVD is worth its (limited) cost...

[Legionario]

Now I've found another nito ryu DVD at e-mudo, but it doesn't present any description, so someone have it and can advice me ?
This is the product i found:
http://www.e-mudo.com/NiToRyu_Two_Swords_Kendo_DVD_p/dvdnitoryu.htm
That dvd looks suspicious. In fact the two small pictures on it have nothing to do with nito, being both taken from past editions of the "Zen Nippon Senbatsu Kendou Nanadan Senshuken Taikai", which you can easily recognize, comparing the two small images with the context and the banner in this photo:

http://cyber.pref.kumamoto.jp/image/phot/kankou/001186mn_七段大会Ｈ１４.JPG

And what is more surprising is that both small pictures depict jodan action rather than nito (I have the video and I recognize the fights).

Now I don't want to point fingers, but judging also from the other dvds available, it is possible that this dvd is a rip-off of the Herts dvd series "技の特選シリーズ". Being "Highlights of MEN, KOTE and DO Techniques" the other Hertz dvds "面技百選", "小手技百選" and "新胴・突技特選".

I may be wrong, but this is the impression that I was getting while looking at those dvds.

[Raffa]

Hi Legionario!
I fear that i will discover soon the contents of this E-Mudo DVD, because I've bougth it yesterday. I will update the users of this forum on the results of this purchase....

Ciao Legionario!
Ho paura che tu abbia raglione e che il DVd sia una "sola", però ormai l'ho già comprato quindi vi terrò aggiornati sul risultato dell'acquisto....

[mugen no junin]

it sounds obvious, but you could contact them and ask directly...better than nothing anyway

[mugen no junin]

Hi Legionario!
I fear that i will discover soon the contents of this E-Mudo DVD, because I've bougth it yesterday. I will update the users of this forum on the results of this purchase....

Ciao Legionario!
Ho paura che tu abbia raglione e che il DVd sia una "sola", però ormai l'ho già comprato quindi vi terrò aggiornati sul risultato dell'acquisto....

ooops too late...

[Legionario]

Hi Legionario!
I fear that i will discover soon the contents of this E-Mudo DVD, because I've bougth it yesterday. I will update the users of this forum on the results of this purchase....
If it has the same content of the dvd that I think it is, then you won't be disappointed by your purchase. Mostly (95%) jodan and 4 or 5 nito matches by Toda sensei.
Otherwise, if I am wrong, then I am curious to know what this dvd is all about.

Thanks. Bye.

[Legionario]

http://www.padovakendo.it/
Oh, I didn't knew you guys had a website. I've just added it to my bookmarks.

You sure don't know, but we have a new kendo club here in Roma, born under the patronage and active support of Chiba Masashi sensei.
So, as soon as we will have our own website online, if you want we could exchange links. :wink:

[mugen no junin]

Oh, I didn't knew you guys had a website. I've just added it to my bookmarks.

You sure don't know, but we have a new kendo club here in Roma, born under the patronage and active support of Chiba Masashi sensei.
So, as soon as we will have our own website online, if you want we could exchange links. :wink:

Chiba who? oh, I see THAT Chiba...wow it's great, really. I'm looking forward to hear anything but good news from you...so it's the fourth club in Rome, isn't it?

on a sidenote, congrats for your nidan legio :wink:

[Black Knight]

Raffa-

I recommend checking out what the Musashi-kai have to offer. They practice nito kendo very seriously, with some influence from one line of Niten-Ichi Ryu.

Check out some videos of waza here: http://musashikai.jp/content01/page04_01001.html

Also, their book on nito is very useful, even if you don't read Japanese: http://www.e-bogu.com/Nito_Ryu_Instructional_Book_p/kni-pub-boo-4-7899-2082-8-.htm

We are having a nito seminar here in Washington DC USA, on the 25 and 26 of this month. I plan to write a comprehensive report which I plan to post or submit to kendo world.

Good luck with nito!

-Brian

[Raffa]

Dear Legionario, for some time i was dreaming of seeing Chiba sensei in Italy, then, suddenly, on the CIK site i see the Event, and think "Hah! For No reason in the world i will miss this!" . Then i look for the date.....St.Valentine Day....and I realize that nothing that Chiba sensei could teach would be enough to save me from the wrath of my wife :cry:....
Another occasion will come (i hope), for the moment i envy you and your dojo for having Chiba Masashi tutoring...

Black Knight, it happen that i've already the musashikai book, and i must admit that even if i don't speak japaneese (immagine reading it!) the pictures are very clear and interesting. I think the never been in Italy so there is a little envy for you too :angry:.
Thank you for the waza video link!

Anyway, for me, now, Nito is more an amusement that a "way", i practise it (gyaku, to avoid problem with my chudan) only in extra training session and only with dojo mates, 90% of my kendo is and will be chudan. I'am not good enough to be a serious nitoka...yet.
Maybe next year.. after my sandan exam..who knows?

[Legionario]

Chiba who? oh, I see THAT Chiba...wow it's great, really. I'm looking forward to hear anything but good news from you...so it's the fourth club in Rome, isn't it?
In Roma we have around eight kendo clubs, half of which are not involved in any serious activity outside of doing some kata and their own stuff in their dojo; and even a mcdojo run by a japanese person who in his latest "evolution" is now known for teaching, risum teneatis, pre-war kendo...

And my compliments for your important attainment in Bergamo. :wink:

[Raffa]

The DVD has arrived.

That dvd looks suspicious. In fact the two small pictures on it have nothing to do with nito, being both taken from past editions of the "Zen Nippon Senbatsu Kendou Nanadan Senshuken Taikai", which you can easily recognize
Legionario, although the DVD label says "nitoryu", the DVD contenent is exactly what you have predicted, 95% Jodan (8th Dan taikai) e 5% nito (two or three shiai of Toda sensei).
I suppose that, even if it sounds incredible, at emudo have no idea of the difference...
However the jodan fights are interesting....


it sounds obvious, but you could contact them and ask directly...better than nothing anyway
I have tried it, without response, I also sent an email asking if they are sure that the DVD is correct, again with no response (until now).

So for nito ryu media supports, i must say that, for me (and i am no expert at all, only a curious) the best is the ebogu DVD with Matthew Raymond.
The Musashikai book is also very interesting, with some technical difference with respect to the DVD.




...We are having a nito seminar here in Washington DC USA, on the 25 and 26 of this month. I plan to write a comprehensive report which I plan to post or submit to kendo world....

-Brian

Make me know how it has gone (Video and photos will be higly appreciated)! Hope you enjoy it!!!

[Legionario]

Dear Legionario, for some time i was dreaming of seeing Chiba sensei in Italy, then [...] another occasion will come (i hope)
The project is to have Chiba sensei in Italia once or twice a year; mostly in Roma but also in other places.
In fact there are plans for Lucca, which is pretty close to Livorno. But nothing definitive yet.



Legionario, although the DVD label says "nitoryu", the DVD contenent is exactly what you have predicted, 95% Jodan (8th Dan taikai) e 5% nito (two or three shiai of Toda sensei).
Are these the first two matches of the dvd?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbonEBwerpM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdAi9VqSRcc

If so, as supposed, what you got is the Hertz dvd “技の特選シリーズ 11 - 上段・二刀流特選” (Waza no tokusen series 11 - Jōdan・Nitō ryū tokusen).
Good for you, because what you actually payed 1.900 yen (the today exchange of 20 $) for, I payed in Japan 10.000 yen.
But a problem arises as, if confirmed, what we have here is a case of fraud.

[Raffa]

Are these the first two matches of the dvd?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbonEBwerpM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdAi9VqSRcc

IIf so, as supposed, what you got is the Hertz dvd “技の特選シリーズ 11 - 上段・二刀流特選” (Waza no tokusen series 11 - Jōdan・Nitō ryū tokusen).
Good for you, because what you actually payed 1.900 yen (the today exchange of 20 $) for, I payed in Japan 10.000 yen.
But a problem arises as, if confirmed, what we have here is a case of fraud.

They aren't exactly the first but they are present in the DVD, as a consequence it seems that you are perfectly right....

[Raffa]

.......
We are having a nito seminar here in Washington DC USA, on the 25 and 26 of this month. I plan to write a comprehensive report which I plan to post or submit to kendo world.
.......

-Brian

Hello Brian! So how the seminar has gone?
It has been interesting?
The Musashi-kai guys have a good reputation.....

[Invitation1]

I have an interest in training with two swords. Is that possible and if so how would I find an instructor?

Answer: Is it possible? Yes, it is possible. However, personally if you do not have a good instructor, I don’t recommend it.

It is said that if you practice and train chudan (the basic stance of kendo), you will be able to take jodan or nito (two swords). In other words, if you cannot do chudan well, you won’t be able to take jodan or nito.

I was reading a Japanese kendo magazine the other day and it had special articles on three well-known jodan kendo-ka.

One of them was Chiba sensei (8th dan, well-known and respected jodan kendoist). He said, “Do not take jodan because you cannot win a shiai (match) in chudan. Jodan should not be used because it is hard to fight with or it looks cool. I don’t even take jodan in my training. Many of my current students don’t even know I take jodan”.

Not only him. I mentioned him because he is one of the best jodan kendoists in Japan. Many jodan kendoists say that they believe that they should also train with chudan really well and practice jodan.

Besides, even though one-handed strikes are the main strikes from jodan, they still use both hands. In nito, on the other hand, you only have one hand to execute strikes.

You should be able to control a shinai with one hand and have to know maai (distance) well. Also you need to know the body movements and footwork.

Once you have learned chudan, it is easier to learn jodan and nito. Only easier. You have to learn them thoroughly.

About instructors. There are not many people who can teach nito. Until recently, nito was not even used in shiai (match). I think it was prohibited for a long time if I recall it correctly.

If you have not done kendo more than 15 years or if you are not 4th dan or above, I don’t recommend learning nito. You can try but learn chudan more than anything else.

Update: If you really want to know about nito, there is a DVD called Kendo Principles IV - Nito-ryu Two Swords. Nito is introduced by the world well-known Nito kendoist, Matthew Raymond. I have not watched this so I am not too sure what you can learn from the DVD.

[Raffa]

Update: If you really want to know about nito, there is a DVD called Kendo Principles IV - Nito-ryu Two Swords. Nito is introduced by the world well-known Nito kendoist, Matthew Raymond. I have not watched this so I am not too sure what you can learn from the DVD.

Dear Invitation maybe if you read the very first post you would find that:



Looking for something that give me an idea of what nito ryu is, I'have bougth the e-bogu DVD which i find very interesting.
(this one: http://www.e-bogu.com/KENDO_PRINCIPLES_IV_NITO_RYU_Two_Swords_DVD_p/ebo-pub-dvd-kp4-.htm)


and following:


So for nito ryu media supports, i must say that, for me (and i am no expert at all, only a curious) the best is the ebogu DVD with Matthew Raymond.
The Musashikai book is also very interesting, with some technical difference with respect to the DVD.


So for answering you, yes i know the DVD of Matthew Raymond!
No i don't want to be a full time nitoka, i am a 90% chudan kenshi, nito is only a curiosity which teach me some interesting new things.


Thank you for your advices, i will consider them...