Another year done! Unlike the end of last year where I basically didn’t stop kendo, this year I am spending the entire holiday period back home in the highlands of Scotland (where I’m posting this from now). This means that, for the first time in who knows how long, I’m actually taking a couple of weeks of keiko…. I may die!
Since I’ve nothing to do here except drink whisky, eat (veggie) haggis, toss cabers, and frolic with sheep, I thought I’d do a wee review of the past year in kenshi 24/7 land. Here we go…
p.s. the featured image shows Urquhart castle on the shores of Loch Ness.
Most popular articles
Here are a small handful of this years most popular articles:
* Takano Hiromasa’s keys to the improvement in kendo
* Sensei
* Victory and defeat: 15 points
* One should always be ready for snakes and demons
* Ogawa Kinnosuke
* Doing kendo in Japan
* Towards the true internationalisation of kendo
* Thoughts on the internationalisation of kendo
To view all the articles from this year go here: https://kenshi247.net/blog/2015/
Publication
This year saw the publication of our seventh book, Teikoku Kendo Kyohon – The Kendo Textbook of imperial Japan. It was extremely well received and represents the pinnacle of publications put together by yours truly.
For full information about the book including how to pick one up, please check out it’s dedicated site here: http://kendo-book.com/teikoku-kendo-kyohon/
Events
I didn’t really attend many events this year and, thinking about it, I don’t really attend any anyway! This year was slightly different in that the 16th WKC was held in Tokyo at the end of May. Another thing, though not an “event” for anyone else than me, was my “warrior’s pilgrimage” in Tokyo.
* Kyoto taikai
* World kendo championships
* Musha shugyo
Eikenkai
What can I say? The kenshi 24/7 led Eikenkai keiko sessions just keep getting better and better! If you are coming to Osaka next year and there is an Eikenkai event on, please feel free to come and join us.
My favourite pictures from the year
Pretty much every non-historical picture used on this website is taken by myself or a friend, by iPhone or whatever. I personally try hard to illustrate articles with attractive and hopefully content-related pictures. Here are a handful of uploaded pictures that I particularly like:
Bonus
So, I was contacted by ESPN to help on their “Evolution of the lightsaber duel” documentary. I really added almost zero to the project but this website URL and my name are in the credits!!! Bonus! If you haven’t seen it already check it out.
Finally
I just want to say thanks to everyone who visits the website, whether you are someone who has been reading since 2008 or a new reader in 2015. It is pretty hard work putting together articles constantly, and it takes up a lot of my time… but as long as there are people out there who look forward to reading my stuff I will soldier on!
Hope you are having a great holiday period and I wish you will in 2016. Kampai!
– George
6 replies on “2015 in review”
thank you☆
“Since I’ve nothing to do here except drink whisky, eat (veggie) haggis, toss cabers, and frolic with sheep, ” – sounds like pretty stiff training to me 😛
I’m knackered already!!!
Thank You for sharing your passion for Kendo, Kendo Knowledge and Kendo History.
It is infectious. We are grateful for your efforts and please do continue to share it with all of
us out here. Wishing you all he very best in the New Year.
Cheers Damian. Hope to see you in Osaka soon !
Happy New Year to ya! Thanks for all the work on this site. It’s one of my go-to’s on a weekly basis for sure.
So, now that you’re back in Scotland, drink yer fill and fill yer boots.
(P.S. – that photo of the Korea v USA match is my fave from the entire set!)