Electronic Bogu

**Hinokuni** · 25th June 2004, 06:22 PM

I thought I would post this link from the BBC. It contains a report about a scientist who practices Tae Kwon Do and has invented bogu that will record the power and accuracy of strikes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3837139.stm

It is interesting from the angle of Dr Bennett's articles on The Black Ships of Kendo, particularly in regards to having to change the rules to accommodate the technology.

For me, this is one of the (very many) reasons Kendo should never become an Olympic 'sport'.

Talking of the Olympics, the torch passed through my town yesterday. It was preceded by sponsor vehicles handing out heavily sponsored goodies for the crowds to wave in front of the television cameras. Good to see that the Olympic ethic 'Stronger, Higher, Faster' meshes so well will with the commercial ethic of 'Sell! Sell! Whatever it takes.'

**Marine_Boy** · 25th June 2004, 06:37 PM

Hinokuni, I see you're from Lausanne. Is there a kendo dojo there? I was in Leysin a few weeks ago relaxing and getting away from the city. Nice place you have there!

Personally, I still like my idea of shinai-cam TM. A tiny camera is inserted into the shinai and gives a close up view of the match!

**Odachi** · 25th June 2004, 06:51 PM

I made a zekken cam....but it just got a little weird. Especially when I was trying to get a "close up" on somebody.

**Andoru** · 25th June 2004, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Odachi

I made a zekken cam....but it just got a little weird. Especially when I was trying to get a "close up" on somebody.

Soon we'll have men-cam pay-per-view a la IndyCar!

**Taek** · 25th June 2004, 08:50 PM

How about the birds-eye view from the little camera at the tip of your shinai?

**Hai_hai** · 26th June 2004, 01:02 AM

Well, the taekwondo community can do whatever they want. I don't participate in the sport/martial art. However, I would find it funny if they put a special sensor in the crotch so that if it was hit hard enough, it would trigger red LEDs that spell "Kkochi Ppusoyo" to flash on the hogu.

**Hinokuni** · 25th June 2004, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Marine_Boy

Hinokuni, I see you're from Lausanne. Is there a kendo dojo there? I was in Leysin a few weeks ago relaxing and getting away from the city. Nice place you have there!

Yep, I am very lucky to live in Lausanne, especially now summer is here.

There are two dojos in Lausanne, one for the university and one for the town. We used to be a small club with about 15 people. Now there are usually 30+ people, although about half are not in armour.

If you're ever in Switzerland again don't hesitate to contact us!

**Marine_Boy** · 28th June 2004, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Hinokuni

Yep, I am very lucky to live in Lausanne, especially now summer is here.

There are two dojos in Lausanne, one for the university and one for the town. We used to be a small club with about 15 people. Now there are usually 30+ people, although about half are not in armour.

If you're ever in Switzerland again don't hesitate to contact us!

Hinokuni, thank you for your offer! I hope to be back in the area for a short break in the winter again. But not quite sure how I can be my bogu onto the plane without it getting damaged. Also, I usually fly with easyjet, and I don't know if they have luggage limit.

But will investigate closer to the time.

Cheers!

**Hinokuni** · 28th June 2004, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Marine_Boy

But not quite sure how I can be my bogu onto the plane without it getting damaged. Also, I usually fly with easyjet, and I don't know if they have luggage limit.

I have flown my bogu to England with Sleasyjet and haven't had a problem. (No problems to or from Japan either.)

Anyway, we usually have armour/shinai free so don't hesitate to contact us if you're coming over so we can organise it.

**KhawMengLee** · 28th June 2004, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Hinokuni

I have flown my bogu to England with Sleasyjet and haven't had a problem. (No problems to or from Japan either.)

Anyway, we usually have armour/shinai free so don't hesitate to contact us if you're coming over so we can organise it.

yeh, easyjet is fine. I flew from Bristol up to Scotland for the WKC. No problems...

**Marine_Boy** · 28th June 2004, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Hinokuni

I have flown my bogu to England with Sleasyjet and haven't had a problem. (No problems to or from Japan either.)

Anyway, we usually have armour/shinai free so don't hesitate to contact us if you're coming over so we can organise it.

I sure will do! Thanks again.

**KhawMengLee** · 28th June 2004, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Hinokuni

Yep, I am very lucky to live in Lausanne, especially now summer is here.

There are two dojos in Lausanne, one for the university and one for the town. We used to be a small club with about 15 people. Now there are usually 30+ people, although about half are not in armour.

If you're ever in Switzerland again don't hesitate to contact us!

Dang! I wish I knew this last year...I was in Lausanne a few times last year visiting Nestle and Philip Morris....ah, well.

As for electronic bogu...nope. I am against kendo becoming an Olympic sport...the olympics is a corrupt organization. Look at the drug use and bribery taking place. Its a detraction on this art's tradition and honour.

I think at the moment the system is good enough. Anyway, everyone knows a good hit when they recieve one.

**Hai_hai** · 28th June 2004, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by KhawMengLee

...the olympics is a corrupt organization. Look at the drug use and bribery taking place. Its a detraction on this art's tradition and honour...

I think the IOC has some corruption problems but the Olympics is a great competitive event. You get to see world-class (and/or best of one's country) athletes competing for their country. It brings a lot of patriotism and solidarity. Of course there are cheaters and performance enhancing users but that's not everyone. Maybe... the IKF is corrupt so that the Koreans will never come in first in the WKC.