A Quick Guide to Bogu Stitch Patterns & Futons
Getting a new bogu should always be a fun and enjoyable undertaking, and understanding what comprise bogu will help keep it that way.
Sakakibara Kenkichi – The Father of Kendo?
When it comes to kendo and its development, it is difficult to point towards a definitive “father” of kendo. Naito Takaharu and Takano Sasaburo are often given such praise. It goes without saying that modern kendo would likely be a very different activity if not for their influence (if it Read More
These are MUST-VISIT places for Budoka
These are MUST-VISIT places for Budoka Not only in kendo, but in any contest are decided not just on raw ability. “Luck” can also play an important part. There is a saying “do your best, and leave the rest to Providence.” In order to win, the basic idea is to Read More
Understanding and Selecting Kendogu Vol.3
The Tare- If the Tare-obi is thin or narrow it will burden your back The thickness and stuffing You may think that if a tare is thin then you could tie it tightly to make a good fit. As it is not struck as often as the men or kote, Read More
Understanding and Selecting Kendogu Vol.2
The Kote- Can you correctly grip the shinai from the top? Kote-buton and the kote-gashira As with the men, the stuffing of the kote-buton is very important. There are many items that lack adequate impact absorption in the kote-gashira (fist) area, and so you should be careful. Any futon that Read More
Understanding and Selecting Kendogu Vol.1
As we meet the new academic year, there are many people who have just begun kendo, are starting again as school begins, or just want to purchase a new bogu. But what kendogu should they get when there are so many to choose from? For those who find this all Read More
Why is Hidari-do Called Gyaku-do? Vol.2
So that it could be employed in the regular curriculum under these conditions, a kind of ‘Bujutsu Calisthenics’ was developed. The responsibility for the instruction for these fell to Ozawa Unosuke. Ozawa would publish the ‘Bujutsu Calisthenic Method’ in the 30th year of Meiji (1897). By taking the then regular Read More
Why is Hidari-do Called Gyaku-do? Vol.3
Still more, in the first year of Taisho (1912) the Great Imperial Japanese Kendo Kata (the modern Japanese Kendo Kata) were enacted and, as I’m sure you’re aware, only the right-do is used. In 1922, Kaneko Chikatsugu, having studied at Koshi, announced that the reason for left-do being omitted in Read More
Why is Hidari-do Called Gyaku-do? Vol. 1
Striking points (datotsu-bui) like men and kote, the rules of shiai, the flow of keiko, and proper etiquette…For everyone reading this, these are all common sense things when it comes to how kendo is and how it is to be done. Have you ever stopped and wondered how it is Read More
Interview with Matsuzaki Kenshiro Vol. 4
I don’t want second place! “The number one university in Japan for kendo is Tsukuba.” Being told this from a young age by his father, it always stayed with him. On my high school career survey, I wrote Tsukuba as my number one choice. I felt strongly enough about it Read More