This is Kendo Today

Description

This is Kendo Today with Sensei George Alexander

Finally! An instructional video on the art of Kendo, Japanese swordsmanship. This exciting video fully explains the techniques of modern kendo. Kendo is both an art and an exciting sport. Its roots lie deep in the culture of Japan and the spirit of the samurai warrior. This is Kendo Today features Sensei George Alexander as your instructor. He is a world renowned martial arts teacher and author. He fully explains how to where the dogu protective armor, the use of the shinai, bamboo practice sword, as well as dojo etiquette. This video gives a concise explanation of the techniques of kendo including fighting postures, stances, footwork, basic strikes, warm up drills (kiri kaeishi), explanation of Zen concepts in swordsmanship and much much more! This is the video you've been waiting prearranged sparring drills (Yakusoku Renshu), combination strikes (Nidan/Sandan Waza) and sword point control. It also includes many "never before seen on video" advanced sparring (Keiko) techniques such as shikake waza (Attacking Techniques), Oji Waza (receiving Techniques) and an for on Kendo! "A Great Video to Learn Real Kendo" says Dr. Gordon Warner author of the book This is Kendo. 90 min.

Customer Reviews:

Good intro, especially for sport enthusiasts, not traditionalists........2005-10-09

It does a good job of going into what the sport of Kendo is today! I have no experience and I'm only just about to visit my first kendo class, but from what I have read (several books now) and have seen pictures of (both the intro to this video and in the books) this video is more focussed on the sport aspect of kendo than the art (justu-form) or martial way of this particular doctine of combat.

Pros:
-Decent summary of background and history.
-Shows several sets of the same techniques or strikes.
-Illustrates and explains armor and how to wear it.
-Great overview of the sport of kendo.
-Shows good examples of warm-ups and drills.

Cons:
-While for beginners, it doesn't show bowing techniques.
-Doesn't show any kata at all.
-Shows several "advanced techniques" which should be omitted.
-Foot positioning is a bit different than what most books show.
-Doesn't focuss on the "-jutsu" or traditional art-form.
-Doesn't discuss how the "-do" (the way) relates to life.
-focus is on the sport or "point-scoring" aspect of kendo.

Excellent instructional DVD.......2004-10-26

Very well presented, thorough and accessible.

A great intro to Kendo with some very insightful advice.

This item is also sold in a different cover on Amazon as 'This is Kendo - d' so don't make the mistake that I made of buying both!

Interesting intro.......2004-08-01

This is an interesting introduction to Kendo. I was interested in the martial art form. I cannot speak for the technical aspects of it, but if you are trying to get a basic picture of what Kendo is. This video is great for us that do not actually participate in this sport/art.

The DVD is filmed on a camcorder and the sound sometimes reminds you of this fact. The best part of the video if you want to see real Kendo is the intro. I just wish more of this actual Kendo would have been added.

a must see!.......2004-07-20

A must see video. If you want to learn or improve your existing Kendo
Techniques, you need to own this video. It has g helped me in ways I couldn?t even begin to describe here. Just watch it for youself and you will be amazed.

DVD:

DVD

DVD