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
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
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
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
Striking points like men and kote, the rules of shiai, how to have keiko, or perhaps the shape of the bogu, and 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 Read More
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
So, what is the full story to Matsuzaki becoming so accomplished? While we can only get a glimpse, it is worth it. December of his second year of junior high school Matsuzaki was the Taisho for his team in a prefectural tournament. He was defeated, and the team was knocked Read More
Even though I had been able to focus on each individual match until now, with the finals in front of me, my emotions began to blur. It would have been fine if I were able to fight having accepted those emotions, but I allowed them to create a sense of Read More
Not making limits, going beyond them It was the 67th All Japan Kendo Tournament. In the shadows of Kunitomo Rentaro bathing in praise from every direction for his first All Japan victory, someone else was also gaining attention. Now, as Matsuzaki Kenshiro (21) takes each and brilliant step down this Read More
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS We are proud to present our newly developed Face Shield – a clear shield that you can insert into the men of your bogu that will cover both your mouth and your eyes, severely restricting the transmission of particles without hampering your ability to breathe. Designed Read More
