Kendo information?

[Nkd666]

Hi.

Having recently begun training in Kendo, could anyone recommend any books, websites or dvds containing basic technical information on kata, techniques etc? Being a complete newbie there is a great deal of new information to take on board during sessions, and while most of it stays with me it is easy to forget/ confuse certain steps. Some kind of manual to refer to in order to jog the memory would be very useful in order to prevent the 'three steps forward.... into jodan....left foot forward.....aw crap, what came next' experience.

Thanks,

Nick.

[alan dean]

Do you actually get anything out of the Kendo books, with all their footprints and arrows?

I know the writers of kendo books do try to make things easy to understand, but I must confess that when I look at some foot work drawn out I see only the same type of mess as I remember seeing in 9th grade dance class in school.

Although I might study the footprints and arrows to see what foot went where for a 2-step dance.....It's just not the same as holding a girl and doing that same set of foot movements.

I wish you the best, and tell me if you do find a book or video that helps, I could use it myself!

[Banza Joe]

"Kendo - a definitive guide" - Hiroshi Ozawa (7th dan hanshi).
"Looking at a Far Mountain" - Paul Budden (6th dan renshi). All about kendo no kata.

Ozawa sensei took us for a kata class last night, and it was fantastic. He even commented that my hasso no kamae was 'beautiful' and better than his. Sorry, i'm boasting, but it meant so much to me to hear that praise from one such as Mr Ozawa.
I've also taken part in a kata class with Renshi Budden as well. I think these books could help you improve.
Hope it helps.

[Trout]

"Kendo - a definitive guide" - Hiroshi Ozawa (7th dan hanshi).
"Looking at a Far Mountain" - Paul Budden (6th dan renshi). All about kendo no kata.
I am a beginner and have these two books.

They are great for dipping into for reference but I do not think you would get anything out of reading either cover to cover. They help to reinforce what you have been taught.

Cheers

[Banza Joe]

I am a beginner and have these two books.

They are great for dipping into for reference but I do not think you would get anything out of reading either cover to cover. They help to reinforce what you have been taught.

Cheers

From the sound of it, thats what he's looking for. If you kind of know the shape of a technique/kata, then these may well help.

[Nkd666]

Cheers people!
That is what I'm looking for. I'm not after a book that will teach me anything as such (and I know what Alan Dean means about confusing manuals), I just want something to refer to between classes so as to avoid spending the first half of kata practice trying to remember what I learned last session.

[dr-spiff]

I recommend this DVD if you need visuals:
All Japan Kendo Federation Nihon Kendo Kata
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00030LP4M/qid=1110289219/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl74/103-9128798-8130258?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846

This DVD presents:
- Rei
- An quick introduction to all 10 katas: 7 kendo kata plus 3 kodachi kata (with the short sword)
- It then reviews all opening stances, e.g. Chudan, Hidari Jodan.. etc..
- It shows how to switch swords and how to wear the sword depending on whether you have a bokken or a katana.
- It then goes through all the 10 kata again in more detail as follows. For each kata:
1. It presents the kata movement from 2 angles.
2. It repeats some of the movements in closeup and/or in slow motion.
3. It demonstrates common mistakes.
4. It repeats the movement one more time.

Everything I have mentioned above is presented in its own DVD chapter and the menus have thumbnail images for them as well as labels for quick and easy access.

The video is shot very well. The 2 Japanese kendoka practice in an empty white room so there is nothing visually distracting in the background. All text labels are clear and bold with black outlines to improve visibility. The audio is well narrated with a clear british voice.

[Optomitrist]

also try the videos at ebogu.com

they have some pretty good instructional videos. They helped me a little with the propper pronunciation of some of the words. i was also able to pick up some quality advice just by looking at the guys stance during hisuburi ect. The guy in the video is the president of ebogu. They also ship fast.

[Anime12478]

You could also try Complete Kendo by John J. Donohue. The book is structured like Musashi's "Book of 5 Rings," in that the chapters are separated by the elements. It's quite an interesting read that summarizes ettiquite, technique, and it even goes through the first 5 kata.

[samurai999]

The video is shot very well. The 2 Japanese kendoka practice in an empty white room so there is nothing visually distracting in the background. All text labels are clear and bold with black outlines to improve visibility. The audio is well narrated with a clear british voice.

If this is the one with Ota sensei in it, then I highly recommend it. He is one of the "leading authorities" of kendo in Japan. From the description of the vid, it seems like that is the one. We are fortunate in Norcal to get him every summer fo our camp.

Tim

[Kent Enfield]

Why has no one mentioned "Kendo Kata: Essence and Application" available right here at Kendo World? It's a very good book.

[James1287]

If I had to reccomend a book it would be hiroshi Ozawa's kendo the definitive guide. I have had this book for a long time and although my form could still use a ton of work (to put it lightly) it has been an interesting read and can give the kendo enthusiast a basic understanding of anything ranging from basic chudan no kamae to the kendo kata.

If I had to recommend videos I would recommend the ones on E-bogu. I have seen Taro Ariga play kendo at the tournament that was held at the university of Toronto only last week, he is an amazing kendoist and was the team captain of the Canadian team during several WKC. I have also seen him practice at our dojo and he was just as good there as well.

I do strongly caution you not to rely on instructional videos or books too much as they can have severe repercusions on your technique. However there is something to be said for their usefulness. It is just like watching a tournament however you have the references available to you anytime you wish to bring them up.

Best of luck in your training.