Good kendo websites?

[Lucien]

Hi

I have been very amused by the absolutely dire web sites you have recommended in previous posts.

However, I am really looking to improve my kendo technique and understand more about the philosophy and history of kendo.

Could someone recommend a really good site where I can find all this - I am not looking simply for a dojo site with a one page introduction to kendo.

Thanks in advance

Lucien

[Taek]

Hi

I have been very amused by the absolutely dire web sites you have recommended in previous posts.

However, I am really looking to improve my kendo technique and understand more about the philosophy and history of kendo.

Could someone recommend a really good site where I can find all this - I am not looking simply for a dojo site with a one page introduction to kendo.

Thanks in advance

Lucien

Try following sites. I found they are very helpful.

http://www.wfkendo.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=49
http://www.st.rim.or.jp/~shimano/doujo/eng/hiden_e.html
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.niten.org.br/penaespada/penaartigos/penaartigosnito.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dkendo%2Bnito%2Bryu%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D% 26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DISO-8859-1

Cheers

Taek

[Zato Ichi]

You could try:

http://www.geocities.com/kendosuburi

It's a kendoka's journal with techniques and some philosophy.

[Alex]

Gee,

it sounds like your best bet would be to subscribe to Kendo World Magazine :smiley:

[aru-ma]

Gee,

it sounds like your best bet would be to subscribe to Kendo World Magazine :smiley:

Wow, talk about self promotion :smiley:

why don't you start of from www.kendo.or.jp ? don't worry the english site looks better now

[Lucien]

Wow, talk about self promotion :smiley:

why don't you start of from www.kendo.or.jp (http://www.kendo.or.jp/) ? don't worry the english site looks better nowThanks, aru-ma, but I did try kendo.or.jp and didn't find it very good, which lead me to ask my question.

It is very difficult to find a site which hasn't just regurgitated another site's content.

Having said that, the site's offered so far have been very interesting.

Any other suggestions most welcome.

Thanks

L

[Neil Gendzwill]

JSA FAQ (www.kendo-sask.com/swordfaq.htm)
A ton of links (http://faculty.washington.edu/kendo/budo.html)

[Hai_hai]

...I have been very amused by the absolutely dire web sites you have recommended in previous posts.
Really?


...Could someone recommend a really good site where I can find all this - I am not looking simply for a dojo site with a one page introduction to kendo...
Here's a site that should meet your needs.
http://www.google.com

[Lucien]

Really?


Here's a site that should meet your needs.
http://www.google.com
I did try that already, Hai Hai. I didn't find it very useful for finding what I was looking for.

Disappointed that my simple request elicited a sarcastic answer - just looking for help.

[Hai_hai]

I did try that already, Hai Hai. I didn't find it very useful for finding what I was looking for.

Disappointed that my simple request elicited a sarcastic answer - just looking for help.
The information you are looking for is not on the web. They make these things called books. There are books on kendo. You pay for them. The author's charge you because they make money. When it goes on the web, they don't get money.

[Lucien]

The information you are looking for is not on the web. They make these things called books. There are books on kendo. You pay for them. The author's charge you because they make money. When it goes on the web, they don't get money.
Then maybe you could suggest some books (and save me the sarcasm).

Thanks

L

[Neil Gendzwill]

There isn't that much in English. Here are the three most commonly recommended books:

Kendo: the Definitive Guide (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/4770021194/qid=1084206150/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1__i1_xgl14/002-8657327-4763255?v=glance&s=books)
This Is Kendo (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0804816077/ref=pd_sim_books_5/002-8657327-4763255?v=glance&s=books)
Looking At a Far Mountain (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0804832455/ref=pd_sim_books_4/002-8657327-4763255?v=glance&s=books)

[Hai_hai]

I have "Kendo: The Definitive Guide" by Ozawa. There is no website with even close to the same amount of information.
I perused through "Kendo: Elements, Rules and Philosophy" by Tokeshi. I thought this book also had a lot of useful information.
"This is Kendo" by Sasamori is okay.
"Shambhala Guide To Kendo: Its Philosophy, History, and Spiritual Dimensions" by Kiyota is less practical.
"Kendo Jidai" and "Kendo Nippon" are kendo magazines written in Japanese. Practical information if you can read Japanese. It's all higher-level Japanese so I can't even get the jist of an article.
Kendo World publishes English kendo magazines.
"Urecco", "Bejean" and "Sabra" are Japanese idol magazines. No useful information about kendo but I can practice some of my Japanese reading skills.

[lucian]

You could also buy

Kendo kata: by Inoue Yoshihiko and Fighting men of Japan: by F J Norman

There are tones more available in Japanese



You will not find all of what you are looking for in one place; you might want to expand in to koryu history and Japanese history to find an answer that suits you

You will not find much in-depth information in English

But apart from that spend more time in the dojo ;) is the best way to improve your technique



Alex is there any chance I could buy Kendo kata & Fighting men of Japan in hardback?

[Lucien]

Thanks to everyone for all their help. Yes, time in the dojo is seldom wasted!

Lots to read now

Thanks again

L

[meow]

You could try:

http://www.geocities.com/kendosuburi

It's a kendoka's journal with techniques and some philosophy.
Wow, this one is really inspiring. :D

[Zato Ichi]

Wow, this one is really inspiring. :D
As I said, it is recommended reading.

[m_french]

Hi

However, I am really looking to improve my kendo technique
Lucien
My suggestion would be practice......books are nice, but all the theory in the world won't improve your technique like practice. Since you are in England why not let MINGSHI smack you around a bit.....that would be a good place to start.

[Kendoka]

Hi

I have been very amused by the absolutely dire web sites you have recommended in previous posts.

However, I am really looking to improve my kendo technique and understand more about the philosophy and history of kendo.

Could someone recommend a really good site where I can find all this - I am not looking simply for a dojo site with a one page introduction to kendo.

Thanks in advance

Lucien

Reading is great, but the only real way to learn and develop (IMHO) is regular dedicated hard training.
Read your books or web pages during the recovery period betwen training sessions, as nothing can replace the physical aspect.

[Alex]

Sorry, we only published those 2 books in paperback form. I am finishing off a comprehensive book on the history of modern kendo which maybe published in hardback form.

Seriously though, how many people here actually subscribe to Kendo World?! :confused2

[stuartwilson]

Neil's recommeded books are excellent. To those I would add Complete Kendo, by John J. Donohue.

[Cheese_Man]

www.kendo-usa.org

[Lucien]

The consensus seems to come down heavily on lots of practice and not too much reading. However, in a big dojo, where the teacher is busy and you're approaching kendo for the first time, it is useful to read.

Can Kendo be divorced from its cultural context, for example? (serious question).

No, I don't subscribe to the magazine, but this is only because I have only just found your site. This will change.

Answers to my question appreciated

L

[Zaphiel]

The consensus seems to come down heavily on lots of practice and not too much reading. However, in a big dojo, where the teacher is busy and you're approaching kendo for the first time, it is useful to read.

Can Kendo be divorced from its cultural context, for example? (serious question).

No, I don't subscribe to the magazine, but this is only because I have only just found your site. This will change.

Answers to my question appreciated

Lwell...yes it can.....but it will not be the same!(correct me if I'm wrong,because I'm not sure what Lucien ment)

as for the reading tip: get yourself the bushido

[mingshi]

My suggestion would be practice......books are nice, but all the theory in the world won't improve your technique like practice. Since you are in England why not let MINGSHI smack you around a bit.....that would be a good place to start.
hey since WHEN am I responsible for the regional smack down??!? :jaguar:

[Lucien]

well...yes it can.....but it will not be the same!(correct me if I'm wrong,because I'm not sure what Lucien ment)
I should try and be clearer.

Kendo is structured on Japanese mores and cultural assumptions. When we practice outside Japan - assuming you have a non-Japanese teacher - we assimulate some but not all of these philosophies.

Probably we choose the ones that make sense to us, adding others that suit our own cultural heritage.

But it seems to me that it is an all or nothing issue. So my questions are:

Can we still call it kendo as having decided which parts we take and which we reject, an attitude which I suspect wouldn't be tolerated in Japan?

But, does it make any sense to copy the Japanese customs, such as bowing, when we have our own traditions, such as shaking hands?

I thiink the crux of the issue is deciding what is cultural baggage and what is 'essense', but I would be interested in your thoughts...

(Hands up if this post makes sense...:))

L

[JSchmidt]

" But it seems to me that it is an all or nothing issue."

Not at all. If that was the case, we would all have to have to speak/look/behave like Japanese while doing kendo.
There will always be a level of assimulation in order to make it practical to actually practice kendo, but there's nothing stopping us from practicing kendo the same way as in Japan. On the same note, it doesnt stop being kendo, just because we dont practice kendo the same way as in Japan..as long as the fundamental principles remain.
Heck, even in the Japan, the practices will vary wildly depending on where you practice.

Jakob

[Zaphiel]

I should try and be clearer.

Kendo is structured on Japanese mores and cultural assumptions. When we practice outside Japan - assuming you have a non-Japanese teacher - we assimulate some but not all of these philosophies.

Probably we choose the ones that make sense to us, adding others that suit our own cultural heritage.

But it seems to me that it is an all or nothing issue. So my questions are:

Can we still call it kendo as having decided which parts we take and which we reject, an attitude which I suspect wouldn't be tolerated in Japan?

But, does it make any sense to copy the Japanese customs, such as bowing, when we have our own traditions, such as shaking hands?

I thiink the crux of the issue is deciding what is cultural baggage and what is 'essense', but I would be interested in your thoughts...

(Hands up if this post makes sense...:))

L
wow...good points
however I still would call it kendo...because it's based on the japanese technic.

[Alex]

Japanese are faced with the exact same issues. i.e. what is the cultural essence of kendo? What should be allowed to develop or change, and what should be kept the same? etc. etc. That is why you'll find a different approach in every dojo you visit in Japan.

[Lucien]

" ...it doesnt stop being kendo, just because we dont practice kendo the same way as in Japan..as long as the fundamental principles remain.
I agree, but I think it is almost impossible to distinguish between what are the fundamental principles and what is just so much show.

For example, if I shake my teacher's hand instead of bowing to him, is this disrespectful because he expects a bow? Or, if it is my culture, to high-five him? Or rub his nose with my nose:)

These is just an examples. What I am saying is that it should be possible to practice kendo outside what is expected behaviour, and still 'discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana' (ZNKR).

I just can't see the line!

But it is worth reminding ourselves that kendo is taught in Japan to reinforce cultural values that are generally rejected elsewhere - lower status for women (lining up after the guys), less individualism (the nail that stands up is hammered down) etc etc.

Dodging a hurled shinai

L

[Lucien]

Japanese are faced with the exact same issues. i.e. what is the cultural essence of kendo? What should be allowed to develop or change, and what should be kept the same? etc. etc. That is why you'll find a different approach in every dojo you visit in Japan.
Hi Alex

I guess we posted at the same time...

I didn't realise that debate was even going on. I have always been on the other side of the mask, if that's not too strong a word, where all you see is a unified front.

How serious is the debate? Is it quite widespread?

L

[JSchmidt]

I agree, but I think it is almost impossible to distinguish between what are the fundamental principles and what is just so much show.

I just can't see the line!
[/QOUTE]

Can I ask why you are looking for one?.

[QOUTE]
But it is worth reminding ourselves that kendo is taught in Japan to reinforce cultural values that are generally rejected elsewhere - lower status for women (lining up after the guys), less individualism (the nail that stands up is hammered down) etc etc.

Erhh that's hardly why kendo is taught.

Jakob

[lucian]

Hey Alex, I subscribe to kendo world, looking forward to seeing the other book also

If you want a guinea pig to buy a test hardback form of the next book count me in :)

I am a snob when it comes to books normally I only buy hardbacks, they feel better when reading



Lucien,

It may seem to be more practice than reading but they both go hand in hand.

Reading about kendo and technique is important just as much as listening to teachers and other kenshi

But we need put the research in to practical application in the dojo and repetitively practice to improve; it seems easier to teach the mind than the body

At different stages there will be more reading and study; I think it will balance out in the end.

Don’t quote me on it though, as my theory is still in practice until my kendo ends



As for the rest, when in Roma do as the Romans do (or Japan and the Japanese in this case)

When in England out side of dojo reigi do what the English do ;)

[Lucien]

It may seem to be more practice than reading but they both go hand in hand.

Reading about kendo and technique is important just as much as listening to teachers and other kenshi

But we need put the research in to practical application in the dojo and repetitively practice to improve; it seems easier to teach the mind than the body

At different stages there will be more reading and study; I think it will balance out in the end.

Don’t quote me on it though, as my theory is still in practice until my kendo ends



As for the rest, when in Roma do as the Romans do (or Japan and the Japanese in this case)

When in England out side of dojo reigi do what the English do ;)




Thanks, Lucian, that's very sound advice.