Kendo: The Definitive Guide (Hardcover)

~ Hiroshi Ozawa (Author) "1 Fasten the front of the keiko-gi (jacket) left over right, tying the mune-himo (chest string) in a bow..." (more)
Key Phrases: correct maai, right kote, swing the shinai, Nihon Kendo Kata, Long Sword Form Shidachi, Short Sword Form Shidachi (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Kendo - the Way of the Sword - is one of the oldest of Japan's martial arts and the one most closely associated with the samurai. Kendo: The Definitive Guide is the first book in English to provide a practical and truly comprehensive approach to the subject. Everything that the novice needs to know, from basic information about purchasing, wearing, and maintaining essential equipment to competing in international tournaments, is explained in simple, straightforward language. Step-by-step explanation of fundamental techniques needed to be mastered to attain black belt level is illustrated in easy-to-follow line drawings. With appendices giving the rules at international competitions and important information about Kendo clubs outside Japan, Kendo is the definitive guide for all non-Japanese Kendoists. A special section about the history and development of this martial art and guidelines for running practice sessions also make it a unique resource for all teachers of Kendo.

About the Author

HIROSHI OZAWA is an associate professor at the Science University of Tokyo and Kendo kyoshi, 7th dan. He was born in Saitama prefecture in 1950 into a highly respected Kendo family which was instrumental in incorporating Kendo into the physical education curriculum as a core subject. He makes regular trips abroad to demonstrate and teach Kendo, and also writes books about samurai ethics.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 244 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International (July 31, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770021194
• ISBN-13: 978-4770021199
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #119,034 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good, January 21, 2005

By	J. Leigh "jleigh7" (chicago) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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I own both the Complete Kendo book and the Heart of Kendo book.
This book is by far better than the other 2 as far as providing technical information.

Pros:
- The pictures are much better drawn (at least when compared to the other 2 books). Still in some cases a photo would have been more useful.
- The section on kata is presented as numbered steps in 2 columns, one for uchidachi and the other for shidachi. This makes it much easier to understand.
- Many of the movements are described as numbered lists. The other 2 books I looked at just write long paragraphs of text making it very difficult to decipher, even after you've learned the movement in class.
- Goes thru a complete treatment on how to put on the equipment.
- Extensive coverage of waza.

Cons:
- The information in the book is not ordered in the same order as you would learn things in a Kendo class so you will need to hop around chapters.
- Sadly there is no index in this book either. I don't quite understand why in this day and age books don't have indices. All 3 Kendo books I own do not have them.
- The descriptions are rather brief so it reads more like a manual than a book.
- The sections on suburi describe that you should swing "big". So in most of the diagrams the shinai is shown drawn all the way behind and almost touching the person's back (even in shomen suburi). What the book does not say though is that this is intended initially to train beginners to swing big. But when you actually perform a strike you generally aren't supposed to swing that far behind your back. But I am nitpicking...
- Book does not cover equipment maintenance.
- There is some use of terms that are not defined in the book.
- Book does not explain how to put himos onto men.

I would recommend getting this book in addition to one of the other 2 books to fill in some missing gaps. However even after owning all 3 books I find none of them cover the full body of knowledge that a beginner encounters. So these books are no substitute for a real class (obviously).

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent beginner reference guide!, November 23, 1999

By	Gary Chan (Orange County, California) - See all my reviews

For a beginner this book is indispensible! One of the few books where I've applied what was read or read over what was taught in class. The book also makes learning Kendo Japanese terms much easier which helps me to focus more on Kendo than on Japanese. The illustrations also correctly show the proper techniques with easy to understand descriptions. As with any book, this should supplement your Kendo training.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Must-have for beginners and up, February 5, 2001

By	Enrique Pineda (Athens, GA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book includes history, training philosophy, instructions for equipment, basic footwork and strikes, techniques, kata and even tournament regulations. It has almost everything you would need to know about.

I have to work a little to find the information I need, as (of course) Ozawa organizes information differently from the way it's presented to students in the school that I attend. But it's all there, if you know what you're looking for. It's unfortunate that there isn't any information on shinai or armor maintenance.

This book is an excellent guide throughout your Kendo training.