“I am doing some research on Iroha ryu and I am wondering if anyone can recommend any good books or websites….” Anyone who has spent some time on the various forums and mailing lists involved in traditional Japanese martial arts has seen comments such as these. Such requests are not surprising given the fact that …
Read more »3 years ago when the International Kendo Federation (IKF) entered GIAF and rebranded itself FIK many people wondered whether it was for the protection of kendo as it exists today, or for a push to join the Olympics. Like many others I had assumed (and unashamedly hoped) it was the former. However, a new piece …
Read more »In parts one and two of this series, I translated the sections of Takano Sasaburo’s Kendo Kyohan describing techniques for men and tsuki. In this part, I translate the section for kote techniques. As in part two, I have included the section on how to strike kote [籠手の撃方] from the chapter on basic practice [基本練習]. …
Read more »Kondo-sensei (Hachidan, Kyoshi) is one of Aichi Prefecture’s most well-repected kenshi. He often discusses kendo in terms of character building and its benefits to modern society. In this brief post, I have attempted to covey some of his feelings on these topics. 剣道とは、相手と気を合わせることを学ぶ第一歩である。そして人の心を大切にすることにより完成し、「武士道」は「もののあわれ」日本人特有の感情である。無常感である。思いやり、繊細、風流、風雅さなど。ここにいたって諸行無常という仏教の根本的思想やキリスト教の愛の精神と一致し、一種の宗教的境地まで達したのである。 人と会ったら挨拶する、何か教えを受けたら感謝する、集団の中ではお互いを思いやる、人として最低限必要な礼儀、心を重視した教育を実践致します。 近藤勁助 剣道教士八段 財団法人 全日本剣道道場連盟理事 愛知県剣道連盟参与 愛知県剣道道場連盟副会長 名古屋市剣道連盟居合道部相談役
Read more »About 2 years ago I was to be given a hand made shinai bag as a gift. On it I could chose to have any embroidery that I wanted. After some thinking and speaking to my sempai, I chose the phrase “ippo furyu” from the Itto ryu gokui (written/compiled by Sasamori Junzo). So what does …
Read more »One of my teachers is an accomplished painter as well as being a 7 dan. In mid-December he chooses a theme for the following years keiko and paints a picture illustrating it and hangs it in the dojo. The painting is always bright, positive, and sports the following years animal zodiac. This one is from …
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