Last Samurai and Kill Bill effects

**Tato** · 29th January 2004, 09:31 PM

I'm a bit curious to see if other dojos are having/suffering the same massive incorporation of new kenshi in the last couple of months, due to those top selling films.

And what kind of effect is producing on the dojo organization.

In our case, the profesors in charge of running the dojo are a bit overhelmed by new people asking the usual things (price, procedure, equipement, safety, etc, etc), but tens of times, instead of a couple a week.

Then we need to dedicate a lot more of resources to those new people, even dedicating one or two lower dans or higher kyus to run the training for them (even I had to, with only a couple of years of bogu, and I know that I'm far to know sufficent kendo to be even an ocasional ad-hoc teacher).

Now, what do you think about this, which is the best way to cope to those situations?

Rei

**Odachi** · 29th January 2004, 10:43 PM

I am starting kendo in March because there are so many new people who started in January at the dojo I will be attending ( they only start people the first of each month ) that they decided to give the new students two months to get ready for the regular class instead of the usual one month. I also understand that the March beginners will also be a large class (guess around twenty five people).

I must say, although I have seen both movies, neither one has influenced me to start kendo. It was a change in work schedule and the break up of a relationship that gives me the opportunity to start. I do know that there will be some people there because of Last Samurai, unfortunatly I would not expect them to last.

**Ren Blade** · 30th January 2004, 12:21 AM

There will be more sword play movies coming out this year. The new Zatoichi remake by Takeshi Kitano was recently made and also just bought by Miramax. Miramax is planning to release Kitano's Zatoichi on June 4, 2004.

http://www.miramax.com/zatoichi/index.html

http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/zatoichi.html

My advice to just have patience with new beginners who are enthiastic at your dojo because of a couple of movies. They will either stay or leave after you show them the proper way of the art. Don't expect much from beginners as you teach them the basics. Who knows, you may change these people from wanting to swash buckle with a Katana to real Martial Artists in due time. Because since they do not know any better, you can teach them the truth. Remember, patience is an attribute of a Martial Artist.

**Dr. Hellsing** · 30th January 2004, 12:24 AM

yeah...they don't last...i don't like them(not new people but people who join beacuse of movies)...at least they have to give money for a month...untill they quit.

**Dr. Hellsing** · 30th January 2004, 12:26 AM

noooooooooooooooooo, god damn miramax.

Arnold Strong · 30th January 2004, 12:38 AM

I just joined my dojo, but it's not because of the movies. I was actually considering it for years, but never got around to it. With that said, my sensei said that there were 3x more newbies than expected. They closed their newbie acceptance(which usually lasts a month to only one week). Because of this, they may consider newbie acceptance in the early summer(rather than the fall).

**Ren Blade** · 30th January 2004, 12:41 AM

I hate Miramax too. I'm looking for the DVD of the movie. I heard it released in France already.

Here's one of the more original trailers of the Zatoichi remake that's not by Miramax.
http://office-kitano.co.jp/zatoichi/qt2_small.html

As for beginners, I don't really care anymore. Some can be changed to see the difference between the real art and a fantasy that a movie provides and come to appreciate and love the art for what it is. Others will just leave early in their training. Be patient til either or will happen. The potentials will be weeded out.

**berghaan** · 30th January 2004, 12:59 AM

I think things like these movies can be a good thing because it sparks interest It is not as if all people who gain interest because of a movie cant be serious.

I believe my own interest for "sword" fighting started with the first starwars movie when i was little. I know it is not the same but when I eventually started with kendo I didnt think I would be this cool samurai kinda guy.

I'd say be open for all who want to learn and see what happens.
People come and go and only a few really stay.

**Will** · 30th January 2004, 05:45 AM

Because we don't have enough space for beginners and those with bogu, we have to semi integrate the class. Because of this, I'm finding myself not having much time training myself, just being motadachi, anyone else experiencing this? I'm finding this to be very frustrating because I am limited on how many times a week I can practice now and I don't feel like my kendo is improving at it's normal pace. Anyone else experienced this and have recommendations on how to cope with this (except going to another dojo cause I don't have a car while in college)?

**tango** · 30th January 2004, 06:26 AM

prior to kill bill and the last samurai, our class size was about 8 (on a GOOD night).. in the past 3 weeks, we've had 6 or 7 newbies show up.. most have stayed with it for a couple weeks now.. we'll see how long that lasts.

i don't know if these movies have had anything to do with it or not.. the newbies don't seem to act like there's a corrolation there..

although one night, this guy showed up.. before we bowed in, i was working on kata with another guy and the newbie asked, "so.. umm.. what's up with THAT? when's there going to be some action?" .... sheesh.... turned out the guy does (or used to) do european fencing. said he be back the next night...
i wasn't surprised that he didn't show up.

btw, i think this was a good post from ren blade:

My advice to just have patience with new beginners who are enthiastic at your dojo because of a couple of movies. They will either stay or leave after you show them the proper way of the art. Don't expect much from beginners as you teach them the basics. Who knows, you may change these people from wanting to swash buckle with a Katana to real Martial Artists in due time. Because since they do not know any better, you can teach them the truth. Remember, patience is an attribute of a Martial Artist.

DanielH · 30th January 2004, 07:48 AM

Hmm... I was interested in kendo a while BEFORE I saw The Last Samurai but I was only able to join after it so... hehe, they asked me if I saw it and I said yeah so I wonder if they think I joined just because I saw the movie and liked it.

Oh, I never saw Kill Bill (Damn) so *shrugs*

**Hattori Hanzo** · 30th January 2004, 10:19 AM

My fascination with swords started at a young age with Ninja movies...ahhh American Ninja....but later it evolved past the desire to be uber.

**kendokamax** · 30th January 2004, 12:05 PM

if your doing motodachi you still can learn!

My friend was telling me that Miyazaky was saying that motodachi shouldnt be just a dummy so when you get hit you should always picture yourself doing kaeshi waza.

!!i think thats a good idea!

Gohanssj · 30th January 2004, 12:28 PM

Yea ive only just joined my dojo, but not cause of movies, i love the philosophy of ancient japan and the way of the samurai, i was way into kung fu when i was younger and when i saw samurai stuff i thawt it was so cool and went way into its history and learning all about their way of life, thats why im interested in kendo and going to try find some kenjutsu classes and iaijutsu.

**Will** · 30th January 2004, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by kendokamax

if your doing motodachi you still can learn!

My friend was telling me that Miyazaky was saying that motodachi shouldnt be just a dummy so when you get hit you should always picture yourself doing kaeshi waza.

!!i think thats a good idea!

Kind of hard to picture kaeshi waza when you can't kaeshi (and they suck and their timing's off)