Kendo photos from the 30's and the 50's.

[slidercrank]

Click on this Link.

If the link doesn't work, go to http://editorial.gettyimages.com/ms_...home.aspx?pg=1 and enter "kendo" in the search box.

You can see photos from 1955 when kendo practice resumed, as well as pre-war photos of kendo practices in Brazil, England and Japan.

In many of the photos you can see the old style of doh that was discussed in the "Great Vintage Naginata Photo" thread, the ones where the bamboo slats and leather loops were exposed.

A side question: what happened to Japanese residents in the UK during the war? Were they interned, expelled, or else?

[Andoru]

Excellent link! Thanks for the heads-up!

[mystic_kendoka]

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/sou...788&print=true
AMAZING doh..

[NorthernKendoka]

And I who thought Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu didn't excist. But judging from the second photo on the bottom row it was still around in 1955. All I can say is RYU TSUI SEEEEEEEEEEEN!!!

(Warning taking this post too serious may cause discomfort)

[Neil Gendzwill]

This guy should've been playing b-ball with his vertical:

[Hai_hai]

There's a photo of on guy doing jodan. He doesn't have toes on his left foot. I think he that is why he is doing jodan.

[Hotei]

Way cool shots. I've printed some out and am using them in my origami club. The older Japanese ladies just love the pix!

Thanks for the heads-up!

[taganahan]

just wondering here, i saw the pic of the guy jumping very high to get the guy's men. is that considered legal in kendo matches? i mean, i've never heard any of our senseis teaching us to jump over someone to get the men, like a really high jump.

[Yann]

Well, why wouldn't it be allowed ?
I mean, you are taught to slide, but nothing can prevent you from jumping if you want.

Btw, I'd say it's just for style, I don't think that jumping like he does is really efficient. And it takes time to jump. I'd go for the do before he hits my men.

[taganahan]

nice!...now i know it's legal, i might try doing that. i like intertwining my other sports with kendo, especially basketball.

[mystic_kendoka]

its not illegal but i dont tihnk its legal as in you'd get a point for it..

fumikomi is needed, and i dont see how that is achieved in mid air..

[Neil Gendzwill]

fumikomi is needed, and i dont see how that is achieved in mid air..

Not to sound like a broken record, but fumikomi is not needed. You must show ki-ken-tai-ichi, and there are other ways to do that than fumikomi.

Personally, if someone successfully executes a TSKSR-style jumping-split-em-in-half men, my flag is going up.