Kakari Geiko Videos and Holiday Pictures at our Dojo's last class of the year 2008

Dojo Holiday Puctures Slides Show:
2008-12-18 Merry Christmas: Official Last Class of the Year




Kakari-geiko (掛-稽古, かかり-げいこ): short, intense, attack practice which teaches continuous alertness and readiness to attack, as well as building spirit and stamina.

Here are 12 videos/students' "Kakari Geiko" in the following playlist. Enjoy!

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2008 EUSKF Shinsa Results, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.

Results of Ken Wa Kan at the 2008 EUSKF Shinsa:

Ni Dan: Jason, David C.
Sho Dan: MaryEllen, Kelly
I Kyu: Andrew, Alex, and Mike L.
Ni Kyu: Rebecca, Joe, Anthony, and Yuko
Yon Kyu: Yu-Wen, Nicole
Go Kyu: Liz

Congratulations to everyone!

Also, I would like to thank you for your supports to Ken Wa Kan in the year of 2008! It's been such a wonderful year for our dojo. In 2008, we have been through many excellent Kendo events together- 1st Friendly Tournament, Yu Sensei's visit from Taiwan, demonstrations at several occasions, AUSKF Championship at Las Vegas, AEUSKF Tournament in New York, Baltimore Tournament, EUSKF Shinsa, visited other dojos, invited Senseis and kenshis to Ken Wa Kan, and of course, many happy hours like Yang sensei's New Year's party, Kelly's Holiday party, and our dojo's Anniversary party...etc.

Even though we have achieved some goals, there are a lot more to be pursued. I wish in this coming new year of 2009, we can work and train together to make Ken Wa Kan become a more cheerful and wonderful place and family for everyone to study the Art of Kendo!

Again, Thank You so much for your support and hard working! Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year of 2009!

Vincent

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Driving condition tonight

There is a "wintry mix of snow and sleet" alert in PA 19380/West Chester area from this afternoon 3 PM till tomorrow morning.

http://www.wunderground.com/US/PA/067.html#WIN

Please watch the driving condition in your area, give yourself extra time to travel, and always consider your safety first! I will keep an eye on this situation, and make any necessary announcement later. Please check your email again at 6:00 PM, and be aware of receiving any phone call or message from Jason or David.

Vincent

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Welcome visitors from Ken Zen Dojo NY/ NJ on Thursday, Dec. 11.

We welcome friends from Ken Zen, NY/NJ to visit Ken Wa Kan.

On Thursday, Dec. 11th, there will be Song Sensei, 5-dan, Son Sensei, 4-dan, Mr. Kim, 2-dan, and Mr. Kwon, 1-dan coming to our dojo.

Song sensei is the Individual Champion at 3-dan and above Division at Baltimore Tournament this year. These four kendokas were Ken Zen Team-A members who won the 1st Place at Team Division at the Tournament as well. Also, Mr. Kwon received the Kento Sho (the best spirit award) at the Tournament.

Please do your best to attend the class, meet new friends, and learn from visiting senseis and kenshis.

Vincent

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EUSKF Shinsa yesterday

The 2008 EUSKF Shinsa and Godo Keiko finished successfully yesterday. I would like to thank all our members' cooperation throughout the whole process, and the supports from our members' family at this biggest annual Kendo event in our Federation.

I believe you have learned and improved a lot during the preparation and after the test. I will let you know the shinsa results as soon as I have it.

Vincent

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Holiday-season Schedule

Thursday, December 18, 2008: Our dojo's official last class of the year. Please do your best to attend.

Dojo doors will still be opened for practices on Tuesdays of December 23 & 30, 2008, and January 6, 2009. Feel free to come if you need some exercises during the holidays:)

No class on Christmas Day, December 25, 2008, and New Year's Day, January 1, 2009.

Thursday, January 8, 2009: Ken Wa Kan New Year's Opening Class. Please be with us at this fresh start of the Year 2009.

Vincent

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Happy Thanksgiving

We hope you, and those for whom you are most thankful, have a memorable and happy Thanksgiving.

Vincent

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No class on 11/27, Thanksgiving Day

We will not have a practice on this coming Thursday, Nov. 27th, Thanksgiving. So, we will only have 3 classes left before the Dec. 6th shinsa. Please do your best to attend each class.

Keep warm, be healthy, and have a nice weekend.

Vincent

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AUSKF Kendo Promotional Exam Study Guide: Expections of Rank

http://auskf.org/docs/studyguide.htm

Kendo Promotional Exam Study Guide

Expectations of Rank

6th-kyu through 2nd-kyu:
can be awarded at the dojo level depending on the regional federation. Other federations formally test for these grades and some have age restrictions for children. 1st-kyu and above
are done through the formal examination process. While it is normal to have both adults and children testing for the same level of kyu there can be a great deal of difference in the basic skills between the adults and children. Most often the children have been doing Kendo much longer and have much better basics than the adults. However when the mental maturity of the adults is factored in this should not be a problem. An experienced examiner will understand this kind of situation and grade accordingly. (see attachments for skill guidelines used by some regionals)

1st-kyu requirements:
enter and leave the court properly, strike with ki-ken-tai-ichi, good energy and 1 or 2 yuko-datotsu.

Shodan:
same as above with nidan waza included. Nidan: demonstrate the use of shikake waza, harai waza, debana waza, hiki waza, and oji (oh-ji) waza. Obviously the occasion may not arise to use most of the mentioned waza, but the candidate should show better basics than the Shodan level and be able to use more advanced technique as above. The Kenshi at this level should not be obsessed with the use of waza but start to master the opportunity of attack. Cuts should have good vertical motion with the use of both hands and te-no-uchi.

Sandan:
Use seme and ken-sen to initiate attacks and have sharp waza. Particularly the use of oji type of waza should be incorporated in the candidates Kendo.

Yondan:
should display very solid Kendo and kamae, display mastery of a variety of techniques, yuko-datotsu, excellent footwork and posture. An attacking kamae full of spiritual energy should be displayed rather than a waiting kamae that reacts to the opponent.

Godan:
starting with the Godan examination the candidate must truly exhibit the use of seme and ken-sen to create the moment of attack. Often failure is caused by the candidate doing shiai style of keiko and trying to win points. One must demonstrate the control of the center, the opponents spirit, and mastery of the footwork and shinai. The Kendo must be logical without unnecessary strikes and actions. The strike is followed by zanshin that is true mental alertness.

Rokudan:
the same as Godan, but even more, the ri-ai must be demonstrated. Strong control of the center, efficient use of waza and footwork, mental control of the opponent and situation.

Nanadan:
all aspects of the previous ranks must be present and an essence of dignity that speaks to quality Kendo. This dignity shows both on and off the court in the persons life.

Kodansha Kendo is not only just winning a strong shiai, strong keiko or beating an opponent in the shinsa. You must express your Kendo with the correct kamae, strong ken-sen, reasonable ma-ai, smooth flowing footwork, body movement and a strong, smooth stroke in your strikes. This must be performed in one rhythm with sharp te-no-uchi.

8087

Results: 2nd Annual Baltimore-Annapolis Kendo Tournament

Congratulations to Andrew and Bruce!!! We are all very happy for you.

http://www.seuskf.org/B-A_Tournament_Results_2008.pdf
2nd Annual Baltimore-Annapolis Kendo Tournament
November 8, 2008
Final Results

Mudansha
1st Place Ryan Tatu (Shu Do Kan Dojo (PA))
2nd Place Andrew Zodda (Ken Wa Kan Kendo Dojo)
3rd Place Eric Test (Koryo Kendo Dojo)
3rd Place Jae Kwan Cha (Shodokan of USA (Washington, D.C.))

Women
1st Place Christine Eickhoff (Virginia Tech Kendo Club)
2nd Place Chiaki Lewis (Shu Do Kan Dojo)
3rd Place Marissa Vincenti (Triangle Kendo & Iaido)
3rd Place Hiromi Robinson (Northern Virginia Budokai)

Shodan/Nidan
1st Place Ueda Takehisa (Shidogakuin Washinkan)
2nd Place Brian Sherry (Northern Virginia Budokai)
3rd Place Yong-Eun Sung (Ken Zen Dojo)
3rd Place Sean Tseng (George Washington University Kendo Club)

Sandan and Above
1st Place Keun-Kab Song (Ken Zen Dojo)
2nd Place Summerlin Walker (Shidogakuin Washinkan)
3rd Place James Kim (Triangle Kendo & Iaido)
3rd Place Bruce Gingrich (Ken Wa Kan Kendo Dojo)

Team
1st Place Ken Zen Dojo "A"
2nd Place Virginia Tech Kendo Club "A"
3rd Place George Washington University Kendo Club
3rd Place Northern Virginia Budokai "A"

Kanto Sho
Young Kwon of Ken Zen Dojo

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Tournament practice on Thursday, 11/6

In order to help some of our newer members to prepare for their first tournament on 11/8 in Baltimore, we will have a tournament practice in class on Thursday, Nov. 6th. Bogu and shinai safety check session will be followed.

Vincent

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2008 EUSKF Kendo Shinsa (Promotion Test) Registration

Please see the following document for the details of EUSKF promotion exam on Saturday, December 6th, 2008.

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Photos: 2nd Anniversary Godo Keiko & Party (to be continued....)

Thank Sensei Rex Hung, Morris, and Jason who contribute these wonderful photos for the moments we enjoyed. Please let us know if you have more pictures in your personal cameras and are willing to share.

Please note: All the photos are reduced in size and pixels.

2008-10-04 KWK Kendo Dojo 2nd Anniversary Godo Keiko

2008-10-04 KWK Kendo Dojo 2nd Anniversary Party

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Thank you, Baltimore tournament & 2008 EUSKF Promotion Exam

First of all, thank you for attending Ken Wa Kan 2nd Anniversary Kendo Godo Keiko and Dinner Party last Saturday. It would not be a great success without your participation. All of you showed visiting senseis and kenshis your great kendo spirit and training!

Second.... Our next goal is Baltimore tournament that will be on November 8th, Saturday. Please cooperate with Jason and David when they need your assists for the application. Thank you.

Finally.....2008 EUSKF Kendo Promotion Exam will be hold at KyuDoKan, Scarsdale, NY on December 6th, Saturday. Normally, the exam starts around noon, and ends at 5 PM. This year, Godo Keiko (open practice) will be added at the end of the day. More details will be followed soon.

Vincent

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10/4 Timeline: 2nd Anniversary Kendo Keiko and Dinner Party

Ken Wa Kan 2nd Anniversary Kendo Keiko and Dinner Party is on Saturday, October 4th, 2008.

2:40 - Dojo doors open
3:10 - Anniversary open and pictures taking
3:15 - Iaido demonstration and introduction
3:45 - Kendo group warm up
4:00 - Kendo basis and kihon practice
4:30 - Kendo jigeiko
5:30 - End of Kendo joint practice
6:00 - Dojo doors close
6:30 - Dinner party at Zwei Asian Cuisine and Sushi bar

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Begins on Sept. 30th, Tuesday, classes start at 8:00 PM

Since September 30th, Tuesday, our classes will start at 8:00 PM and end at 9:30 PM.

This schedule will be good through this Fall, winter, and the next Spring.

Thank you for your attention!


Vincent

Kendo Lecture

Fairly recently I found Kenshi247.net, a fantastic kendo blog that discusses many of the more esoteric and philosophical ideas behind kendo. Some discuss the history of kendo, personal revelations, various events, and translations on thoughts from famous sensei.

This particular post was written by Fujii Minoru sensei, Shihan of the Hokkaido College Kendo Federation, during his visit to Kenshikan in Melbourne, Australia. Quite a long read and very detailed so read it over in sections to digest the material.

David

Ken Wa Kan 2nd Anniversary Party, Saturday 10/4/2008

Good morning, Ken Wa Kan,

This is an announcement that the 2nd Ken Wa Kan Anniversary party will be on October 4th, Saturday, 2008.

Please mark your calendars and try your best to join us.

3:00 PM~5:30 PM (at Dojo): Group pictures, Iaido demo, and Kendo jigeiko

6:30 PM~10:00 PM (at Restaurant): Dinner Party

More details regarding to the party will be announced on the end of next week.

Best,

Photos: AUSKF 2008 National Championship July 3-5 in Las Vegas, NV.

Note: Photos' right edge in the slideshows may be cut off due to big resolutions. For full frame pictures, please go to our album.

2008-07-02-05 AUSKF 2008 National Championship in Las Vegas

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Photos: Aug. 3rd, AEUSKF Tournament at Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, NY

We thank Yuko, Jason and Mr. Hung provided us these wonderful pictures from the tournament day. Enjoy!

Note: Photos' right edge in the slideshows may be cut off due to the big resolutions. For full frame pictures, please go to our album.

2008-08-03 AEUSKF Tournament at Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, NY

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Photos: July 26th Kelly's Summer Party

We thank Kelly and her family held such a wonderful summer party for all of our dojo members. We had a great time.

Here are photos from the party:)

2008-07-26 Part 1 Kelly’s Summer Party (Note: Photos' right edge in the slideshows may be cut off due to the big resolutions. For full frame pictures, please go to our album.)




2008-07-26 Part 2 Kelly’s Summer Party

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Photos: Yesterday's tournament practice

Before going to the AEUSKF tournament in Brooklyn New York on Sunday, we had a nice tournament practice last night. Here are selected photos.



2008-07-31 Tournament Practice

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Photos: Maryellen's pool party

On Saturday, June 28th, after the Kendo demonstration at Philadelphia Faremount Park Japanese House & Tea Garden, we went to Maryellen's pool party and had a wonderful time.

Here you are the photos.




Photos in Ken Wa Kan's Photo Album:
2008-06-29 Maryellen’s pool party

6712

Share: Professor Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dream

" The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. They are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people." ~ Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008). Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams~

Randy's page from Carnegie Mellon University:
http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/

Randy's Lecture on Youtube:
http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Randy's Lecture Transcript in PDF:
http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/Randy/pauschlastlecturetranscript.pdf

6668

Thursday 7/31 Tournament Practice; Sunday 8/3 AEUSKF Tournament at Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, New York

On Thursday, 7/31, we are going to have a tournament practice. All members with bogu will be grouped to compete. The game will start at 7:40 PM, so please arrive our dojo on time, get dressed, and be ready.

On Sunday, 8/3, we will participate Individual and Team Games of 2008 AEUSKF Shiai (Tournament).

Time: 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM

Date: Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

Location: Polytechnic University

Address: 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201 (which is on Jay Street between Tech Place and Willoughby Street in downtown Brooklyn.)

We wish all of our members who are going to the tournament be healthy and be safe, have a good time and enjoy the games!

6615

Kelly's Summer Kendo Party

Kelly is having a Summer Kendo party next Saturday (July 26th) at her house and everyone from Ken Wa Kan is invited. The party will start at 1:30 pm.

If you have questions about the directions and the location, please contact with Jason or Kelly.

6511

Congratulations to Kelly won 3rd place in Women's Mudansha Division in 2008 All US Kendo Championship

Congratulations to Mrs. Kelly Nickels who won the 3rd place of 2008 All U.S. Kendo Championship Women's Mudansha Division for EUSKF.

We are very pround of you!!!

More photos of our team members from the event during July 3rd to July 5th in Las Veags will be posted on web soon.

6387

Photos of Demo at Japanese Summer Fest. at Phila. Fairmount Park

Thank you all for the beautiful and successful Kendo demonstration at Japanese Summer Festival, Japanese House & Garden, Philadelphia Fairmount Park hold by Shofuso and the Japanese Association of Greater Philadelphia on June 28th last Saturday.

We enjoyed a wonderful summer sunshine afternoon spending with families and friends together, and diversity Japanese cultures at the park.

Here you are the fantastic photos!

Part I:
2008-06-28-01 Demo at Japanese Summer Festival, Philadelphia Fairmount Park: Demonstration



Part II:
2008-06-28-02 Demo at Japanese Summer Festival, Philadelphia Fairmount Park: Preparations



Part III:
2008-06-28-03 Demo at Japanese Summer Festival, Philadelphia Fairmount Park: The rest of the stories

6299

Westtown School's thank-you card and gifts

Westtown School sent us a "Thank you" card and gifts (three school's t-shirts) last night. It's a shame that we didn't get a chance to talk with them while we were in class.

Here, we say "thank you" to Westtown School. It's our pleasure on 19th of April to present and demonstrate "Kendo" in front of your students, parents, and teachers.

We are looking forward to meeting with your community once again in the near future.

6234

Photos of Yu Sensei's visit on May 31, 2008

For full album please visit:
2008-05-31 Yu Sensei Visit Ken Wa Kan

6044

Repost of the video

Sorry, it seems that the video is unable to be linked directly. Here is the URL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4SHWXQBVL4

Kendo in High Speed Camera(Slow Motion)

During shiai, points are scored in the blink of an eye but it takes more than being the faster competitor to score a clean hit. The shimpan look for how well a kenshi sets up the opportunity to score and how they react to the situation as this video illustrates. I'm working on a more detailed translation of what the narrator says but the subtitles convey most of the pertinent information. This video is from the most recent All Japan Kendo Championships and the winner, Shoji Teramoto, is a graduate of the International Budo University and the first IBU alumni to win the title.

Summer Schedule 7:30-9:00 PM

Effective on June 10th, next Tuesday, Kendo classes will start at 7:30 PM and end at 9:00 PM.

2008 summer schedule:

Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:30 ~ 9:00 PM

Have a nice weekend

5962

Welcome Yu Sensei!

Welcome Yu Sensei, Kendo 8th dan to visit Ken Wa Kan.

Time: 2:30 ~ 5:30 PM

Date: Saturday, May 31th, 2008

Location: Ken Wa Kan Kendo Dojo
325 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA 19382

For detail information, please contact us.

5865

Shinai Maintenance

With Yu Sensei's impending visit, now is a good time to brush up on your shinai maintenance skills. Be sure to check your shinai regularly for splinters/splitting, tighten the nakayui (leather strap) and tsuru (string), and rotate the slats if necessary. Here is a brief video that goes over many of these steps.

Photos of First Friendly-Match Kendo Tournament with Princeton Kendo & Iaido Club on May 3rd.

Results of this tournament:

Mudansha:
1st: A. Zooda (KWK)
2nd: S. Wang (Princeton)
3rd: W. Daryl (Princeton)
4th: K. Nickels (KWK)

Yudansha:
1st: B. Gingrich (KWK)
2nd: J. Harrison (KWK)
3rd: E. Dycus (KWK) and P. Maenner (Princeton & KWK)

Please note all the photos on this internet album were resized to smaller resolution. Please contact us if you like to view them in original formats.

Part I:
2008-05-03-1 First Friendly-Match Kendo Tournament with Princeton Kendo & Iaido Club



Part II:
2008-05-03-2 First Friendly-Match Kendo Tournament with Princeton Kendo & Iaido Club

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Saturday, May 3rd, 2008. First Friendly-Match Kendo Tournament

This Saturday, May 3rd, from 2:30 to 6:00 PM is our First Friendly-Match Kendo Tournament with Princeton Kendo and Iaido Club.

Come and enjoy all the fun of Kendo.

5505

Thank you for the successful demo at Westtown School

Special thanks to Eric, Jason, David, MaryEllen, Rebecca, Mike, Yuko, and Ryan.

They devoted their time and expressed a strong kendo spirit to help Ken Wa Kan prepared and presented a very good Kendo demonstration in front of hundreds teens/parents at Westtown school last Saturday. Also, thanks Yu-Wen and Morris to stop by to cheer with our demo members.

I wish this event can better help our community to know what Kendo is, and to promote Kendo in PA.

If you have pictures from the demonstration, please forward them to me. Thank you very much.

5430

Kendo Demo at Westtown School on Saturday, 4/19

We are going to have a Kendo Demonstration in Nihon-Matsuri (Japanese Festival) at Westtown School tomorrow, Saturday, April 19th.

Westtown School: 975 Westtown Road, Westtown, PA 19395-1799

Location: Theater, Belfry, South Room

Festival Time: 4/19/2008 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Our Kendo Demo will be at 11:00 to 11:30 AM)

5378

April 7 at CT, and April 14 at NJ

EUSKF Ishizuka Sensei informed us two unique opportunities to meet with Kendo Senseis who visiting from Japan. The events will be hold in Greenwich, Connecticut and Jersey City, New Jersey respectively. Our members are welcome to attend.

Monday, April 7th, 7:00-8:30 PM, Greenwich, CT

Masaharu Kakehashi-sensei, 8th dan Hanshi who is retiring as the chief instructor (Shuseki Shihan) of Tokyo Metropolitan Police will be visiting Connecticut on Monday April 7th from 7 - 8:30pm.

The location is Western Greenwich Civic Center, 449 Pemberwick Road, Greenwich, CT 06831.


Monday, April 14th, 7:00-9:00 PM, Jersey City, NJ

Hiromitsu Sato-sensei who was the team captain for Japan at the 13th World Championships and 3rd place winner at the 2007 All Japan Kendo Federation Championships will give a seminar on Monday, April 14, 2008 from 7pm to 9pm.

The location is Community Education & Recreation Center, 180 Ninth Street, Jersey City, NJ.

5200

Ken Wa Kan Kendo Events in April and May

4/19, Saturday, 11AM~Noon: Kendo demonstration at Westtown School Japanese Festival. (Westtown, PA 19395)

5/3, Saturday, 2:30~6:00 PM: First Friendly-Match Kendo Tournament with Princeton Kendo and Iaido Club.

5/28~6/1: Yu Sensei, Kendo 8th Dan, is coming from Taiwan to visit the East Coast. We have invited Yu Sensei to Ken Wa Kan on Thursday, 5/29. More details will be followed.

5165

First Friendly-Match Kendo Tournament, May 3rd at 2:30 PM

In order to help Ken Wa Kan and Princeton dojo's young fellows to get familiar with tournaments, and meanwhile to prepare for the tournament in NYC which will be hold during the summer, Ken Wa Kan is going to hold a Friendly-Match Tournament with Princeton Kendo & Iaido club on the first weekend of May.

Time: 2:30 PM, Saturday, May 3rd.

Location: Ken Wa Kan Kendo dojo, West Chester, PA

For all our members who have bogu, please come and enjoy the good Kendo moment! For the beginners, please come, get to know and welcome our friends from Princeton! Also welcome to bring your friends/family to observe.

More details about this Tournament will be announced soon.

5107

Photos Updated: 2008 Members & 2008-03-01 Make-up Class & Dinner Party

For the full album, go to: 2008 Members





For the full album, go to: 2008-03-01 Make-up Class & Dinner Party

4994

Kindergarten kids doing Kendo 幼稚園の剣道

Check this out...it's fun watching!

Kindergarten kids doing Kendo

http://videocast.yahoo.co.jp/video/detail/?vid=288230376151770603

4914

Make-up Class postponed to Saturday, March 1st, 2008

Due to the massive winter storm forecast, we have postponed our Saturday Feb. 23rd make-up class to March 1st. Please mark your calender.

Time: 2:30 PM, Saturday, March 1st, 2008

Location: Dojo

Timeline:
2:30~3:00 PM: Nihon Kendo kata
3:00~3:20 PM: Kendo basis w/o bogu
3:20~3:50 PM: Kendo advance skills w/ bogu
3:50~4:30 PM: Kendo Jigeiko
4:30 PM~: Shinai fix/safety introduction

Possible having dinner together after the class if interested.

4856

Make-up class on 2/23

We have scheduled a weekend-class to make up the previous two cancelled classes in the past 4 weeks due to the winter storm and bad weather condition. Please mark your calendar and do you best to attend.

Time: 2:30 PM, Saturday, February 23rd, 2008

Location: Dojo

Class Timeline:
2:30~3:00 PM: Nihon Kendo kata
3:00~3:20 PM: Kendo basis w/o bogu
3:20~3:50 PM: Kendo advance skills w/ bogu
3:50~4:30 PM: Kendo Jigeiko:
4:30 PM~: Shinai fix/safety introduction.

Also, if you are interested in having a dinner together after the practice, please let Jason know by Thursday, 2/21. Then we may arrange something depending on how many people express their interests to attend.


Vincent

4775

Class canceled tonight: Feb. 12, 2008

Due to the winter storm this afternoon and evening in our surrounding areas, our class tonight has been canceled. Please keep warm and be safe.

4748

Interesting Kendo Video

Hi, everyone,

David shares with us a very interesting and educational video. Here is his message:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Sensei,

I came across this video that shows how a hand-made shinai is made and it's produced by the same people who made the video detailing how a set of bogu is made. Below is a rough translation of each of the subtitles as they appear.

http://sc-smn.jst.go.jp/8/bangumi.asp?i_series_code=B070601&i_renban_code=237

On the right you'll see three options to play the video. One for Windows Media Player and two for Real Player.

0:20 How A Shinai is Made

0:27 The shinai, used in kendo, is made of bamboo and part of the equipment developed towards the end of the Edo period (1603 - 1868).

0:37 A shinai is made of 4 slats of shaped bamboo.

0:49 A shinai is generally 3 shaku and 9 sun long, which is equal to 118 centimeters. (Handle, center/balance point, and tip)

1:03 These are bamboo trees that will be used to make a shinai.

1:13 This is a prepared section of two-year-old bamboo.

1:25 One bamboo section is split into 6-8 slats.

1:35 The rough shape of the slat is cut using a small cleaver-like knife.

1:57 Width shaping.

2:05 Using a hand plane, the sides of all four slats are smoothed.

2:27 Straightening

2:32 The bamboo is placed over a gas flame.

2:40 The heat from the flames make the bamboo fibers soft.

2:51 "Straightening" is the bending and twisting of the bamboo to give the correct shinai shape.

3:03 A "straightening block" is used to shape the slats.

3:25 Before straightening.

3:30 After straightening.

3:35 It is clear how straight the slats are now that the bends and twists have been corrected.

3:48 Molding.

3:58 The edges on the outer side of the slats are cut to a rounded shape.

4:19 The same is done on the inner sides.

4:50 A plane is used to shave the inner sides to a 45 degree angle.

5:11 Each pass towards the tip makes very thin shaves.

5:26 The 45 degree angle of the inner sides allows all for slats to stay securely together.

5:43 (left) After molding (right) before molding.

6:19 Surface Correcting

6:27 Both sides of each slat are shaved to center the outer skin.

6:45 A file is used on the node of the slat.

7:17 A tool called a kaki is used to smooth the edges of the slats after shaving.

8:00 An electric sander is used to smooth the entire slat.

8:16 A hard shark skin is used to further polish and smooth the slats.

8:39 All four slats are secured and bound with string.

9:28 A steel plate is placed inside the tsuka (gripping end) to ensure that the slats do not move.

10:01 The slats are then placed on top of of a "shakudai" (measuring board) and any extra length is cut off the tsuka.

10:19 A rotating sander smooths and rounds the tsuka.

10:52 The tsuka area is shaved down.

11:25 A round plane is used to smooth down the entire tsuka.

11:46 Sandpaper is used to futher smooth the tsuka.

12:04 A hot brand is used to label the shinai.

12:26 The shinai is then fitted with a tsukagawa made of cow leather and a plastic stopper underneath the tip cover, also made of cow leather.

12:35 The sakigawa (tip cover) and the tsuka are secured to each other with a string (tsuru).

12:48 And this is what we receive as the finished product.

The end.

David

Photos: Joint Practice at Princeton Kendo & Iaido Club on Feb. 3rd, 2008

Thanks Enrico and Sensei Yang share with us the photos they took at the joint practice at Princeton Kendo & Iaido Club on Feb. 3rd. (Photos uploaded more on Feb. 6th)



2008-02-03 Joint Practice at Princeton Kendo & Iaido Club

Group Photo:


Senseis:

4637

Share: All Japan Kendo Federation video I

Something interesting from Youtube!

This is a documentary about kendo basics, enjoy!

The purpose of pructising Kendo is：
To mold the mind and body,
To cultiuote a digorous sprit,
And through correct and rigid training Kendo fundamentals REI-HO and basic Movements

PLANNING,PRODUCTION AND SUPERVISION
ALL JAPAN KENDO FEDERATION (全日本剣道連盟)
SAKIGAWA Kendo Federation video I SHINAI mended with tape Broken SAKIGAWA 全劍連 示範

All Japan Kendo Federation video I [1/3]

All Japan Kendo Federation video I [2/3]

All Japan Kendo Federation video I [3/3]

Joint practice at Princeton Kendo & Iaido club on Feb. 3

I have just received a confirmation from Yang sensie about the joint practice at Princeton Kendo & Iaido club. Both Ishizuka sensei (President of EUSKF) and Kato sensei (President of GNEUSKF) will be there. If your schedules are good, please come and enjoy the training.

Time: 3:20~5:30 PM, February 3rd, Sunday.

Location: Princeton Kendo & Iaido club.

Please let Jason or me know if you can make it by this weekend, January 26th. Thank you for your attention.

Keep warm and see you in class.

Vincent

Kendo Class Canceled today, Thursday, January 17th, 2008

Due to the bad weather and highly potential driving hazard in the areas of 19341 and 19382, tonight's Kendo class has been canceled.

Keep warm and be safe! I will see you next Tuesday.

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Photos: Visiting Reiun Kenkai Dojo, Hummelstown (Hershey), Pennsylvania on Jan 12, 2008

To view the full-size pictures, please go the the following link:

2008-01-12 Visiting Reiun Kenkai Dojo, Hummelstown (Hershey), Pennsylvania

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Vedio: 2008-01-03 New Year's First Class, Man Strike

Vedio: 2008 New Year Class Opening

Videos: 2007-12-18 Keiko: 3 clips; 2007-12-20 Kendo Man Strikes & Hikido: 4 clips

Videos: 2007-12-18 Keiko: 3 clips

1: Peter VS. Jason. 2: MaryEllen VS. Andrew. 3: David VS. Peter.

Videos: 2007-12-20 Kendo Man Strikes & Hikido: 4 clips

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