Kendo books

[samuel]

I am interested in finding books on kendo. Can anyone recomend any books that they have found usefull or informative.

Many thanks,

Samuel Keen.

[durrell4]

The best book that I am aware of is "KENDO the Definitive Guide" by Hioshi Ozawa.

[Ian Russell]

Just a quick correction to the author's name...

"Kendo: The Definitive Guide" by Hiroshi Ozawa
ISBN: 4770021194

[Lito Ramirez]

Samuel -

For a general introduction, take a look at "Complete Kendo" by John J. Donohue, and "The Heart of Kendo" by Darrel Max Craig.

For a decent book on Kendo Kata, take a look at "Looking at a Far Mountain: A Study of Kendo Kata" by Paul Budden.

I thought all of these were good primers to the subject.

[samuel]

funny you should mention the book by Paul Budden as he is my Kendo teacher. :)

Thank you both for the replies to my messege, do you know of any books that go more into the history side of Kendo?

Many thanks, I look forward to your replies,

Samuel Keen.

[Lito Ramirez]

Samuel -

For a great historical perspective of modern kendo, take a look at Donn F. Draeger's "Modern Bujutsu & Budo." He covers most of the modern budo disciplines in this book, but his chapter on modern kendo traces the art from its Meiji era roots to the present.

I think Draeger's writing is rather scholarly and dry. But if you can look past that, he offers some rather interesting insight on the history of modern kendo.

I emphasize "modern" kendo here, because I practice a more classical, itto-ryu based kendo called Sakurai-ha Kohgen Itto-ryu which demphasizes the sporting aspect of today's kendo and instead focuses on classical techniques in iaido, kata, shinai kendo, tai-yoho (similar to aikido), and soyjutsu (spear) to bring down an opponent. But perhaps that's best left for another thread at another time.....

Hope this helps.

[Ted Bouck]

Lito,

To say the least, the Classical Kendo Federation sounds very interesting. I live in NE Ohio, and have been hoping to run into one of the members of your school. Please email me.

Thx, :0).

Ted Bouck

[Lito Ramirez]

Ted -

I just posted an email to you; hope you got it. Look forward to hearing from you.

- Lito Ramirez

[Ted Bouck]

Lito,

I did not get the email. Try syrtheo@aol.com

Thx,
Ted

[Lito Ramirez]

Ted -

I posted another email to your aol account; hope you get this one.

- Lito

[A. Henriksson]

sounds really interesting. Please e-mail me some info about it and provide som links.

-Andreas Henriksson

[Lito Ramirez]

Andreas -

I just posted an email to you through this board. If you did not receive it, please feel free to email directly at lito@columbus.rr.com.

Look foward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Lito Ramirez