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kendo theory

kendo shuren schema

As a followup on the article on the Transition of Kendo, I present another of Takizawa Kozo hanshi’s charts. This is different from the one before and works from the bottom-up and shows you what you need to do to in order to acquire great kendo. Again, I offer no explanation, simply a translation. Please […]

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history kendo kenshi

Takano Sasaburo (1862-1950)

The following is a bio of the person that can be considered one of the fathers (if not the father) of kendo as it exists today. I spend a lot of my time either reading his books, or reading books of others that trained under him or were influenced him in one way or another. […]

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kendo theory

The transition of kendo

As a followup on the article of Takizawa Kozo hanshi a while back, I present a translated chart of his that shows how kendo has transformed/evolved over the years. I wont attempt to explain it, I will simply present and translate it; I leave any conclusions to yourself. Please click on the chart to see […]

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history kendo kenshi

Takizawa Kozo hanshi

“Commencing in a moment, the final of the 70th imperial guards competition. The competitors: Takizawa Kozo kyoshi, Abe Saburo kyoshi; the shinpan: omote shinpan Mochida Seiji, ura shinpan Saimura Goro and Ogawa Kinnosuke.” At the same time that the announcers voice rang out in the packed Saineikan dojo, the two competitors and the three shinpan […]

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kendo

What Is the True Meaning Of Gratitude?

As a follow-up/tie-in to the popular I am a Deshi translation I would like to present the following piece to readers. Although both this article and the deshi one were written by children, I believe there is something worthy of study for all kendoka, irrespective of age. Enjoy! What Is the True Meaning Of Gratitude? […]

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kendo theory

Pursuing the spirit and modern kendo (part 5)

This is the final part in a five-part series that translates a lecture made by Morishima Tateo. To see the rest of the published series plus a bio on Morishima sensei, please click here. 心の修行と現代剣道 Pursing the spirit and modern kendo PART 5. 4. The essential mechanism for striking Lastly, I would like to discuss […]

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kendo

I am a deshi

Even if Japanese is not our main language, in a kendo environment we often use the Japanese term “sensei” to mean teacher. What about the other 1/2 of the equation, the student? I can’t recall any Japanese terms being used in any of the 10+ countries I’ve had the fortune to do kendo in. Traditionally, […]

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kendo theory

Pursuing the spirit and modern kendo (part 4)

This is the fourth part in a five-part series that translates a lecture made by Morishima Tateo. To see the rest of the published series plus a bio on Morishima sensei, please click here. 心の修行と現代剣道 Pursing the spirit and modern kendo PART 4. 3. Mai (間合) and ma (間) MAI is the physical space between […]

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kendo theory

Pursuing the spirit and modern kendo (part 3)

This is the third part in a five-part series that translates a lecture made by Morishima Tateo. To see the rest of the published series plus a bio on Morishima sensei, please click here. 心の修行と現代剣道 Pursing the spirit and modern kendo PART 3. (2). From “technique kendo” and “power kendo” to “spirit kendo” The steps […]

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kendo theory

Pursuing the spirit and modern kendo (part 2)

This is the second part in a five-part series that translates a lecture made by Morishima Tateo. To see the rest of the published series plus a bio on Morishima sensei, please click here. 心の修行と現代剣道 Pursing the spirit and modern kendo PART 2. 2. The road to regenerate kendo (* due to length, this section […]