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This month
October 2009
Learning from Shogun
(via)Learning from SHOGUN was distributed by the Japan Society of New York through the good offices of Peter Grilli, and two printings quickly sold out. The authors are pleased to make it available here in PDF format for interested readers and teachers, but please remember that this is copyrighted material and may not be reproduced for more than personal or instructional use. Note that the PDF version is bookmarked for easy access to the separate chapters. We also want to emphasize that Learning from SHOGUN is about Clavell's novel, not about either the TV miniseries or the feature film versions. A postscript to the book does offer my own first impressions of the miniseries, however, of which I was able to see a preview before it appeared on national television.
Taito: Be Ready To Draw
(via)Taito (tai-to)is a command and means "wear your sword". You have a shinai in your hand and carry it in your left hand in the sageto position.
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September 2009
Muso Shinden Ryo Iaido Koryu Kata (All Japan Kendo Federation) - View topic • sharethefiles.com
(via)These Iai arts were performed by NAGAE Matasaburo, in his sixties (guess). He was born and lived in Nagasaki, received the 7th grade of Kendo and 8th grade of Iai from Zen-Nippon Kendo Renmei (All-Japan Kendo Federation). He also practiced Shinto Munen style Iai. The original movies were recorded in 8mm films, then edited in a VHS tape. It's not known who took and maintained these films (maybe one of Matasaburo's disciples did). They were converted to DV (digital video) format, stored in HDD, finally created QuickTime H.263 format (360x240, 15fps, compressed).
Jo Ha Kyu
(via)This essay will examine the meaning of the term “johakyu” (序 破 急) and how the concept is expressed in iaido kata. I will first examine the term’s history, application and meaning; and following this, the expression of examining johakyu in Ipponme Mae of the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Seitei Iai.
Shinichido - Kendo and Iaido in Crawley - Iaido
(via)The origin of the forms of Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Seitei Kata started in 1967 when it was realised that the majority of modern Kendo practitioners in the ZNKR had little or no experience of the techniques of using a real or live sword. And had realised that Kendo had become the way of the shinia . A committee was set up, comprising of the following members (...).
Iaido -> Description of all Seitei-Katas
(via)The 12 basic forms are called Seitei-Iai (Standard-Iai). They were created by the the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR = All Japan Kendo Federation or IKF). They are training forms, which include all important sword technics. Seitei-Iai forms will provide the basic education (Kihon).
Nihon Katchû Seisakuben -- An Online Japanese Armour Manual
It was originally my intention to produce an issue of the Compleat Anachronist pamphlet series which would enable an armourer with fairly average skills to produce a good Japanese armour. The idea has grown to the point where it’s probably too unweildy for such a publication. Also, using the Web to present the information allows me to use color photographs and color illustrations to clarify things that are simply not well presented in a black-and-white printed document. There was another problem, though: specifically, the issue of what constitutes “proper” Japanese armour for use in the Society for Creative Anachronism. Unfortunately, many aspects of Japanese armour fly in the face of thirty-odd years of SCA-style combat. What this means is that, in many instances, a decision will have to be made — namely, are you making armour for combat or for dress?
I will present dress armour primarily, as I am a firm believer in authenticity of appearance. Where concessions for SCA combat must be made, I will explain the necessary diversions and provide explanations on how to finish the armour in either functional or authentic form.
An introduction to Iaido to the prospective student
(via)NOTE: Japanese martial arts are very diverse, and so any generalising statement or rule will have exeptions, probably about 50% of the cases. None of the following should be taken as absolute truth.
ZNKR iaido, by José Martinez-Abarca
(via)Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Iaido was developed in the 1960s and 70s by an appointed panel of the All Japan Kendo Association (ZNKR or JKA). The original intention was to produce a standard that could be used for gradings nationally and internationally. The idea was to provide a common foundation as a way to unite the various traditional schools of iaido or koryu and to expand the scope of the ZNKR. It was not merely a method to get kendo players to pick up real swords as has been incorrectly assumed.
Dailymotion - Stage Iaido Aikido Michel Prouveze - une vidéo Amis et Famille
(via)Interview de Michel Prouvèze, 5ème Dan Aikikai, 4ème Dan de Iaido durant un stage basé sur les relations Aikido-Iaido, de la pratique des armes, à la pratique mains nues. Cet entretien a eu lieu à Waziers dans le nord, le 5 novembre, lors d'un stage organisé par la Ligue Flandre Artois d'Aikido de la Féderation Française d'Aikido Budo Aikikai de France.
Le Dôjô, lieu d'édification de la Voie, par Georges Charles
Que l'on soit Judoka, Karateka, Aïkidoka, Kendoka, Kyudoka...le lieu où l'on construit sa pratique est le Dôjô.
Malheureusement ce terme, comme l'endroit qu'il désigne, est souvent vide de signification et la pratique perd alors sa vocation profondément éducatrice.
Il n'en demeure qu'une image vaguement orientalisante dans un contexte sportif.
Matsu Gallery - Japanese Woodblock Prints
The gallery specialises in fine Japanese prints and paintings from the 1700's to the present day. Please feel free to browse through our stock of Prints and Paintings.
We have included a section on Printmaking for those interested in the process, or for those less familiar with woodblock prints.
There is also a section on Kabuki as historically, many prints draw on Japanese theatre and dance for their subject matter.
Yamato-e - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(via)Yamato-e (大和絵 [jamatoꜜe]) is a style of Japanese painting inspired by Tang Dynasty paintings and developed in the late Heian period. It is considered the classical Japanese style. From the Muromachi period (15th century), the term Yamato-e has been used to distinguish work from contemporary Chinese style paintings (kara-e), which were inspired by Sung and Yuan Dynasty Zen Buddhism paintings.
Shogun Gallery - Fine Japanese Woodblock Prints & Mogul & Persian Miniature Paintings - Shogun Gallery - Fine Japanese Woodblock Prints & Mogul & Persian Miniature Paintings
UKIYO-E | MEIJI | SHIN HANGA | SOSAKU HANGA | MOGUL | PERSIAN
[Aïkido 01 !]
(via)DOJO DE BOURG EN BRESSE - DOJO DE MACON ET BAGE - DOJO DE CEYZERIAT - DOJO DE OYONNAX
Ranking
Before discussing the system of ranking which is currently employed in Aikido, it would be useful to make a short historical summary of the concept of ranking within the Japanese martial traditions.
August 2009
Samurai Archives Wiki
by 1 otherThe Samurai Archives Wiki project is an attempt to create the most concise and detailed database of pre-20th century Japanese history on the internet. Although the SamuraiWiki is hosted on the Samurai Archives, this is a general resource intended for everyone interested in Japanese history. This wiki is in no way affiliated with Wikipedia.
Senpai et kōhai - Wikipédia
(via)Dans la culture japonaise, le senpai (先輩, senpai? ou sempai) est l'élève avancé et le kōhai (後輩, kōhai?) est le jeune élève. Le senpai a un rôle de tuteur auprès du kōhai[1], et il a un rôle de relais de l'enseignement du sensei, le professeur ; en retour, le kōhai doit le respect au senpai. Deux élèves de même ancienneté, quant à eux, sont mutuellement dohai.
