WKC live stream!!

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LFqtbbMnZjE

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Takizawa sensei's explanation of kiriotoshi

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This video was taken from Takizawa sensei's recent visit. He demonstrates a technique called kiriotoshi This technique is the specialty of the Itto Ryu, which is an old style of Japanese swordsmanship that had a large influence on Kendo. The aim is to cut through you opponent's attack and steal the centre line from them, while they cut you . It is a very difficult and subtle technique. Watching how easy T sensei makes it look might inspire you to give it a try.
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How many 8 dans are there?

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This is a question I get a lot. And here's the answer: 剣道段位・称号登録者数　　(平成15年1月現在) Numbers of kendo grade holders, as at January 2003 初段　634,678 (shodan) 二段　385,890 (nidan) 三段　162,061 (sandan) 四段　41,463 (yondan) 五段　38,573 (godan) 六段　14,011 (rokudan) 七段　11,877 (nanadan) 八段　466 (hachidan) 九段　13　(kyū-dan-9th Dan) only 4 still active: Inoue sensei, Okuzono sensei, Taniguchi sensei and Kurasawa sensei. 全国登録計　1,288,033 (All Japan Total) (women 28%) 称号 Shogo 錬士　19,258 (Renshi) 教士　18,000 (Kyoshi) 範士　376 (Hanshi) There had been only five 10th dan in kendo history. From 1995 the grades 9th and 10th cannot be awarded. The total 9th dan ever awarded seems to be about twenty. And then, by Curtis Marsten sensei's reckoning , it takes more than 86,000 people to pass 6 and 7 dan for there to be just ten new 8 dans! (Note: these figures are only for Japan. Thanks to Raffa at Kendo World for this info). b
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High school Kendo in Japan: To-o-gijuku High School

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The Japanese experience of Kendo in school and university has always fascinated me. These four videos from Let'sKendo are really interesting. Probably only for the die-hard Kendo otaku amongst you all! The first three videos shows the regular training at To-O-Gijuku High School (東奧義塾高等学校) in Aomori Prefecture. It's fascinating to me to see their training space: the huge banners, trophies, soft arm chairs and heaters (probably for visiting old 8-dans in the colder months!), photos and calligraphy. From the amount of framed photos and certificates, I'm guessing this stadium doesn't get used for basketball all that much! What else is interesting to watch is their unique training routines. I've mentioned this in training recently, how many dojos have their own versions of kiri-kaeshi and so on. Their warm-ups are as much to do with fostering a unique identity as a club and as a team, as they are a physical preparation.  Note also how quickly and in unison the whole club...
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