Short-Sighted Question [Archive]

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Mark123

13th April 2005, 06:52 AM

Hi,

I am interested in starting kendo but I have one really stupid question to get over first. Any advice would be appreciated from amongst the muffled laughter......

I am a little short-sighted and usually wear glasses. I am guessing that this is a non-starter due to the extreme risk of getting whacked on the head, and also I suppose that glasses do not fit too well under a men.

I can wear contact lenses if I have to, but I would rather avoid them if possible.

How do the visually challenged members of the kendo community cope with this kind of thing ?

Thanks,

Halcyon

13th April 2005, 07:07 AM

They make special glasses for folks such as you.

http://kendoshop.com/eshop/index.php?mode=subdetail&num=190&flag=catedetail

The great I AM

13th April 2005, 07:11 AM

Hello there.

I also have to wear glasses for short sightedness. To give you an idea of my own sight, I am sitting with a laptop on a table right now and when I take off m glasses I have to squint to get focus to read the screen. This has never stopped me from doing kendo, and at the moment, despite my shortsight and not using glasses or contact lenses during practise or competition,I have had my fair share of competition success and am a member of the national team. You can overcome it no problem.

Gibbo

Neil Gendzwill

13th April 2005, 07:15 AM

Contacts work the best but there are several styles of glasses made especially to fit under the men. Lots of us have this problem, so don't let it put you off kendo. Also, you'll have a few months of practice with no armour before you need to worry about special glasses or contacts.

I would suggest that contacts are cheaper (unless you have special requirements), work better and have more universal application in your non-kendo life. Learning to wear them is a Good Thing.

Anime12478

13th April 2005, 07:33 AM

Why don't you like contacts? I wear them whenever I wear armor and I have no problems beyond them drying out from time to time.

They do make glasses that would fit in the men, but I'd have to agree with Neil that the contacts would be cheaper in the long run. If you buy those glasses, they are only useful when you are wearing armor. But if you get contacts, you can wear them anytime and anywhere.

crabbi

13th April 2005, 07:36 AM

Hi Mark123-San

Welcome to KW-Forum...

There are a good few Kendoka who regularly post on this forum who have a wide-range of physical constraints... in fact I seem to remember that at least one is registered blind...

I am sure that they will soon contribute to this thread and you will realise that your short-sightedness will not be a major issue ... just make sure that your Kendo Teacher is aware of the implications and he / she will advise you appropriately...

Wherabouts are you based in the UK?

Cheers

Optomitrist

13th April 2005, 11:23 AM

Someone in our class has to wear glasses all the time and he manages without glasses/contacts when in bogu. I dont know how bad his eyesight is but he still manages to give me a good beating. :)

stuartwilson

13th April 2005, 02:54 PM

I need glasses big time. The only problems I had with my regular wire-frame glasses (wearing armor) were

The hinges touched the sides of the men.
If I got whacked on the side of the men, the force was transferred to my nose!
I got some sports goggles, which wrap around my face well enough to avoid these problems. But they tended to fog up MUCH worse then regular glasses, so I need to use an anti-fog product on them. The best one is sold in sports stores and dive shops and is called 200' VIS. It is a gel that you rub on (a very small amount) and polish till dry. Very effective.

When not wearing armor (for kata) regular glasses are fine, no strap to hold them, no anti-fog required.

Mark123

13th April 2005, 04:57 PM

Thanks for all the advice guys.

In answer to your question Crabbi, I am based in Brighton.

Yiu Fai

13th April 2005, 05:24 PM

Mark123,

I'm short-sighted (quite badly might i add!) and I don't wear my glasses during a class. I'm only a beginner (6 months training) but everytime we've had to hit motodachi in bogu I don't miss. Definitely dont let it put you off kendo, cos I didn't and neither should you :)

crabbi

13th April 2005, 06:53 PM

Hi Mark123-San

The best approach would be for you to go to a Dojo and talk to the Sensei... this will put your mind at rest and give you a chance to watch a training session...

Try these for starters:

British Kendo Renmei: http://www.georgedillon.com/kendo/butokukan_kendo_dojo.shtml (Brighton)

British Kendo Association:
http://www.kendo.org.uk/shinbukan/ (Horsham)

cheers

ratdeau

13th April 2005, 06:59 PM

I need glasses big time. The only problems I had with my regular wire-frame glasses (wearing armor) were

The hinges touched the sides of the men.
If I got whacked on the side of the men, the force was transferred to my nose!
I got some sports goggles, which wrap around my face well enough to avoid these problems. But they tended to fog up MUCH worse then regular glasses, so I need to use an anti-fog product on them. The best one is sold in sports stores and dive shops and is called 200' VIS. It is a gel that you rub on (a very small amount) and polish till dry. Very effective.

Chiba bogu have a solution for glasses http://www.chibabogu.com/catalog/information.php?info_id=21

Does somebody use it ?

Kyu_Karashima

13th April 2005, 11:13 PM

I also have that problem, and I have yet to find a solution. My main problem is that I can't wear contacts. I tried them for about a month or so, and at the end my eyes were so irritaded that the optician told me that I can't wear them anymore.

BTW, the KendoShop glasses are back order, FYI. ;)

mingshi

13th April 2005, 11:26 PM

My eyes are like -5.5/-6.0 and I have the same problem with contacts falling out when my eyes are too tired and dry. So now I wear monthly disposables. I only put them on when I go to keiko, or when I need to look less like a nerd... :glasses:

Maybe try the daily disposables... Your optician may give you better advice, but 1-Day has the highest water content among all (so you can't feel it). They are also much cleaner because you can hardly build deposit in them. MUCH more pricey tho

kuzu70

14th April 2005, 12:05 AM

I wear contacts to and my eyes get all bloodshot always after keiko. Looks like I was just blazing or something.

Jacynth

14th April 2005, 01:10 AM

Would'nt wearing Contacts be dangerous due to the force that is being applied to your face/head?

Jacynth

14th April 2005, 01:11 AM

I only put them on when I go to keiko, or when I need to look less like a nerd... :glasses:

Nothin wrong with being a Nerd :rolleyes:

Neil Gendzwill

14th April 2005, 01:22 AM

BTW, the KendoShop glasses are back order, FYI. ;)Sehyun Kumdo has them, just received a couple of pairs for some of my students. It would be nicer if that company accepted credit cards though, the transfer fees on small orders kill you.
So now I wear monthly disposables. I only put them on when I go to keiko, or when I need to look less like a nerd... :glasses:
Maybe try the daily disposables... Your optician may give you better advice, but 1-Day has the highest water content among all (so you can't feel it). They are also much cleaner because you can hardly build deposit in them. MUCH more pricey thoI can't wear the dailies as I have astigmatism, but the monthlies work just fine for me. Also because I only wear them for kendo and a few other sports, I get 6 months out of each pair so they work out quite cheap.
Would'nt wearing Contacts be dangerous due to the force that is being applied to your face/head?No, it's no problem at all.

Paikea

14th April 2005, 03:15 AM

Also because I only wear them for kendo and a few other sports, I get 6 months out of each pair so they work out quite cheap.
I can seond that comment - mine have only fallen out once, but once in a while I do need to stop keiko, pull off the men and squirt a couple of drops in my eyes to keep them from getting dry enough to pop out. It helps to do the drops just before practice starts, and one of our seniors recommends a new Bausch and Lomb "moisturizing" cleaner solution (haven't tried it yet). As far as the impact question goes, it's much worse to get your glasses driven down onto your nose - it's difficult to imagine an impact that could pop the contacts loose.

Neil Gendzwill

14th April 2005, 04:17 AM

I don't think mine could fall out - they're toric and huge.

Lloromannic

14th April 2005, 05:35 AM

I am very short-sighted, as in I can't see the big E in the charts. I also have very dry eyes and although I wear contacts for my daily life I can't use them in Kendo. Instead I used normal glasses on a slim titanium "unbreakable" frame. At first they fogged up sometimes but now they don't.

Kaoru

14th April 2005, 06:50 AM

Lloromannic

14th April 2005, 07:28 AM

That is w/out glasses right? That's how I see with my glasses.

Yes, that's without them. I remember you writing that you were legally blind, is that right?.
Just one question. How do you manage reading the forum?

Paikea

14th April 2005, 08:21 AM

I don't think mine could fall out - they're toric and huge.Likewise, they just get to a point where a dry blink causes one to fold up and out. I'm working on the drops through the mengane trick - but the target's a bit small and I just end up looking sadder than normal.

Kaoru

14th April 2005, 12:00 PM

Yes, that's without them. I remember you writing that you were legally blind, is that right?.
Just one question. How do you manage reading the forum?

Hi Lloromannic-san,

Sorry I posted and left so quick. I was waiting for my Mom to pick me up so I could go to practice Kendo(By myself. *sniff!!* :( ) at the fitness club, since they have a wood floor to use, and I got permission to use it. I was cutting my time rather close and had to leave after I posted.

Anyway, Yeah, that's right. Just in the right eye though, and I am blind in the left. I am near-sighted(Also called short-sighted) with astigmatism.

I downloaded Netscape since that browser lets me enlarge the fonts on any page to whatever size I want, unlike Internet Explorer. I hate IE!! Their idea of large font is small at their biggest size font to me. So, I got Netscape and I can read everything as a result. It enlarges everything way past 200 percent, so I can increase or decrease fonts depending on my needs for a particular site, as sites have more than one size font, even when enlarged. :)

Kaoru

Kyu_Karashima

14th April 2005, 12:32 PM

I downloaded Netscape since that browser lets me enlarge the fonts on any page to whatever size I want, unlike Internet Explorer. I hate IE!! Their idea of large font is small at their biggest size font to me. So, I got Netscape and I can read everything as a result. It enlarges everything way past 200 percent, so I can increase or decrease fonts depending on my needs for a particular site, as sites have more than one size font, even when enlarged. :)

Have you tried Modzilla's FireFox? It's almost the same thing as Netscape, and it has a few more neat goodies. Just for fun, I tried to put the fonts at their largest size, and all I saw in my screen was a big "W".

I hate IE!!

I couldn't agree more! :D

Kaoru

14th April 2005, 12:39 PM

Have you tried Modzilla's FireFox? It's almost the same thing as Netscape, and it has a few more neat goodies.

No, not yet. What does it have that Netscape doesn't?

Just for fun, I tried to put the fonts at their largest size, and all I saw in my screen was a big "W".

Ahahaha! Funny! I haven't tried that yet. I think I will. Kinda silly, but I'm now curious what I'll end up with. :D

I couldn't agree more! :D

hehehe!! :D :D

Kaoru

Kyu_Karashima

14th April 2005, 01:49 PM

Well, in a matter of fact, Modzilla is the exact same thing as Netscape, since Netscape is a commercial bundle of Modzilla. To make an analogy, Netscape is to Modzilla what Red Hat is to Linux, well, not exactly, but you can figure. FireFox is like an advanced build of Modzilla.

I don't know what Netscape have now, since it's been 5 years I last used it, so I can't say what's the real difference for sure. But since FireFox is an open source and Netscape isn't, you can get add-ons that doesn't exist on Netscape.

So like me, someone talks like 15 seconds about computers, and here I am talking about them like a preacher! Maybe it's what they call "professional deformation". Well, i'm no priest, but an IT guy.

Maybe I'm seeing things, (or not seeing things, to be on topic) or I'm pretty much off-topic?

crabbi

15th April 2005, 03:31 AM

...I have been using Mozilla Firefox for some time now and I love it (even bought the T-Shirt!!!).

On my computer (laptop) I use MSIE for work related things and accessing the corporate intranet (as it is the corporate standard); When not linked into the internet via the corporate server I use Mozilla Firefox and also Opera.

Both Firefox and Opera will allow you to increase the font size (by pressing Ctrl and +)...

I think that both of them are preferable to MSIE, but all of them have pros and cons.

The best feature of Firefox and Opera is the ability to have multiple tabs open rather than multiple windows...

Both will also allow you to download 'Skins' which will change the appearance of the browser window completely. A lot of these are just decorative (and very nice) but some may actually be useful for people with less than perfect vision (increased contrast / less clutter / bigger icons etc...)...

Both Mozilla Firefox and Opera are free and wonderful... try 'em, you'll love 'em!!!!

Just to make life more complicated, there is also another browser that I sometimes use (used to be my favourite) this is Neoplanet... again lots of Skins and tabs and whizzy features... definitely worth a try. Ignore the statement on their homepage that the browser is not available for download and use the link that I will give below...

Enjoy!!!

Download Mozilla Firefox from : http://www.mozilla.org/
Download Opera from : http://www.opera.com/
Download Neoplanet from : http://www.neoplanet.com/site/products/browser2/browser_download.html

cheers

Lloromannic

15th April 2005, 05:59 AM

I use Firefox too. Ever since I really started to use the internet I went with non IE browsers, first Netscape then Mozilla suite (which I still use sometimes) and then Firebird before it turned into Firefox. The only big problem I see with it is that it's far too easy to clutter it up with unnecesary plug-ins.

Hank

15th April 2005, 06:21 AM

The best feature of Firefox and Opera is the ability to have multiple tabs open rather than multiple windows...
Hmmm...I've always wondered why people like this feature - I actually prefer to have the multiple windows open so I can alt-tab through them instead of having to click on tabs. Why is the tab option attractive, if you don't mind me asking?

Hank.

crabbi

15th April 2005, 07:30 AM

Hmmm...I've always wondered why people like this feature - I actually prefer to have the multiple windows open so I can alt-tab through them instead of having to click on tabs. Why is the tab option attractive, if you don't mind me asking?

Hank.

Hi Hank-San

I find that the tabs help me keep track of open sessions better... it is a more comfortable visual representation for me... I can go directly to the page I want... However when you use Firefox or Opera Tabs are an option - not mandatory... you can still open separate windows...

Just personal preference I guess...

cheers

Sepiraph

15th April 2005, 12:38 PM

Chiba bogu have a solution for glasses http://www.chibabogu.com/catalog/information.php?info_id=21

Does somebody use it ?

I'm considering getting my bogu from chibabogu and I'd also like to know if anyone has use that since I also wear glasses.

Mark123

15th April 2005, 05:10 PM

crabbi

15th April 2005, 06:01 PM

Kaoru

15th April 2005, 06:11 PM

So what is it with Kendo and IT guys ? There seem to be lots of them on these forums.

Must be something to do with leading an ordered, logical, uncluttered life with a thoughtful approach to every challenge, either within or outside of Kendo.

I have no IT background but am a 'numbers' guy, so hopefully that is a close fit with the philosophical side of Kendo. That having been said, all I know about Kendo is from books, so as I have not yet got started, judging from what is being said in other parts of the forum, I am (worriedly) expecting to be battered / bruised / blistered / flogged like a dog until I have a heart attack. I was expecting it to be a good way of getting fit and learning some behavioural tools to use in life generally, but after having seen some of the photos on here of forearms blown up like balloons etc, I must check out my health insurance first ! :(

I think what I am really after is for someone to tell me that I an not likely to drop dead, or even be hospitalised for too long if I am lucky. Any takers ?

Oh well, look on it as a challenge.........

Apols for going off topic.

hehehe, Naw, you won't drop dead or get hospitalised. It's not that common as far as I know. It does happen that someone may get hurt occasionally, but Kendo isn't high risk(In my opinion) like Karate where they go full contact or like boxing.

If you excercise and do things right, you'll be fine. It just takes time to build up stamina. I also have a heart condition besides being legally blind, and I do fine because I know to pace myself. I do have my limits, though I do push myself as much as I can without causing a problem.

It's really up to you as to if you feel you can do it or not, as long as a doctor hasn't told you it's not safe for you. If you have the proper mindset, you can. You just need to know your limitations and if you have any medical problems, let your sensei know when you first begin Kendo.

I highly recommend that you stop reading books and get yourself to a dojo so you can make an educated decision. Watching a practice first and then participating in the second, is the best way for you to find out if Kendo is for you. You will never know if you will like it or hate it until you try it.

Be courteous, show up on time, and thank the sensei for allowing you to watch or participate in the class. Don't just show up, but call in advance to see if you may come to a practice. It is a really good idea to talk to the sensei first. That will set you more at ease too.

I am positive you will be just fine. :) If I can do it, so can you. I have more conditions than you do, so I know that you can do it. Just put yourself into a positive mindset and try it. Give yourself a minimum of 3 months, 6 months is preferable so you can get into bogu(armour), before you make any sort of decision on staying or leaving the dojo. As a beginner, you don't have to worry about getting hit back. You won't be given permission to wear bogu until anywhere from 3 months at the earliest, to a year, depending on the sensei and you. 4-6 months seems to be the average time though. Everyone gets bruises in Kendo, some more than others, some less.
There are ways to protect yourself, too, such as protectors under the kote and a padding in the men. You can't know really, if you will enjoy Kendo or not unless you stick with it long enough to properly find out.

I just really think you need go to a dojo and try it. You can't try bogu though. That you have to earn. So, that's an unknown factor.

Well, I hope that helps somewhat. :)

I am sure others with lots more experience than me will be able to give you more detailed information than I can, as I am not yet in bogu. I haven't seen any major bruises on my sempai, but I have seen some bruising. So, I don't know that it is that much of a worry so far. :) I'm not really worried though. I get bruises from running into things all the time. :D

Good luck and let us know what you thought of you first class. Oh yeah... Do you need help finding a dojo? I don't remember off-hand if you found one or not.

Now I'm going to bed. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to do something constructive like help out. Later! :)

Kaoru

Kaoru

15th April 2005, 06:19 PM

Hi Mark123-San

You're not likely to drop dead, or even be hospitalised for too long if you are lucky.

...Sorted!!!

Just go easy, ask for advice at the Dojo, listen to it and come back here for a perspective... We're never short of opinions here!!!

Cheers

Aaaargh... I just saw your post, Crabb cake-san. How did you sum it all up so neatly?? I can't seem to say ANYthing in so succinct a manner. No fair. *sniff!* Wish I could do that. That was a good post. :)

Kaoru

Matt Molloy

15th April 2005, 06:57 PM

I am (worriedly) expecting to be battered / bruised / blistered / flogged like a dog until I have a heart attack.

Yeah, but it's a fun way to go. :D Some people pay a lot of money for that kind of treatment. ;)

Cheers,

Matt.

Hank

15th April 2005, 08:26 PM

So what is it with Kendo and IT guys ? There seem to be lots of them on these forums. I think it may be as simple as...IT guys work a lot with computers so post to forums at a higher percentage than the general population. That, and they can get away with doing it at work more easily than most people can. But I may be wrong - that's just a guess.

As far as being beaten hard in Kendo - it's really not that bad...I only get a bad bruise every now and then. Just don't read the kendo science thread started by Mingshi (heheh).

Hank.

crabbi

17th April 2005, 07:39 AM

Aaaargh... I just saw your post, Crabb cake-san. How did you sum it all up so neatly?? I can't seem to say ANYthing in so succinct a manner. No fair. *sniff!* Wish I could do that. That was a good post. :)

Kaoru

Hi Kaoru-San...

Just 'cos I said it differently doesn't mean it was better...!

I always enjoy your posts... even when you get on your high horse (sometimes!!)... You always add value, always help and it is clear that you believe very strongly in what you say...

Anyway, I was waiting for you to post to this thread!!!

Cheers

Paburo

17th April 2005, 09:40 PM

back on topic, i would also recommend contacts, and not JUST for when you start wearing armour.

we had an accident in our dojo with a non-bogu begginer wearing glasses. one fellow mate missed a blow accidentally and hit on her glasses, which in turn slightly injured her nose.

also it should depend on how serious is your eye problem...

i'm also a bit short sighted (1.25 - 0.75 or something like that), but i dont use lens/glasses in kendo, since i can still see on a 3m ratio enough to not be hitting people blindly.

also my sensei and some kendo mates who are short sighted do semi-blind kendo. if your shortsightness is not that rooted, i think you can overcome it with practice as gibbo says.

Andoru

18th April 2005, 04:33 PM

I'm considering getting my bogu from chibabogu and I'd also like to know if anyone has use that since I also wear glasses.

DCPan has one. Do a search on Chibabogu and have a look at his review in a thread I started.

I'm also short-sighted but I've been using contacts. Best solution so far.

Mark123

20th April 2005, 01:09 AM

Thanks for all the advice folks. Contacts it is, much as I dislike wearing them.

I have called the local Sensei and I will be visiting the Dojo tomorrow to see whether I will like Kendo. I will also be taking my 11-year old son (who thinks he is gonna be Luke Skywalker, but we will soon get him over that).

I will let you know how we get on, and thanks again.

crabbi

20th April 2005, 03:33 AM

GoldenShinai

20th April 2005, 03:37 AM

great Mark-san! i hope you enjoy yourself. never try to wear glasses loose under a men. I tryed that during a demonstration and i got hit on the side of my men and they fell of and were loose in there for the rest of the demo, which was like 5 matches long........i could see none of these because of my glasses being off.......not fun. Enjoy!