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