DVD - Classical Iaido & Kendo (the Art of Drawing the Sword)  E-mail this product to a friend

From the back cover:

This video covers the Nihon Kendo Kata: covering the 7 long sword forms and 3 short sword forms.

Learn the graceful art of the Samurai while becoming "one with the sword."

* * * * POST VIEWING NOTES: * * * *

Very nice coverage of sword handling terms, use, strikes, parries, and even how to sit and put down the sword "properly". Runs through each of the katas at "normal speed" then again slowly with lots of explainations.

Very nice breakdown of the details - how far to hold the blade from your head, angle of wrists, angle of parries, etc. Also a nice use of multiple angles - usually 90 degrees to first one - and in slow motion when applicable. Keeps everything clear.

Also a nice touch - it shows common "badly done" ways of doing moves with several examples (more than one way to do it wrong...) Great because it reminds you of what you might be doing wrong and allows self-correction. It would be nice if more videos did this since it's TREMENDOUSLY helpful if you're struggling through this stuff on your own (though, ideally, between visits to your instructor).

If you're into sword work (Iaido or Kendo) or would like to learn more than just a couple of terms, this is a really nice DVD. Video quality a little below average (tape transfer), but still acceptable. Audio voice over clear. The only significant negative is no chapter stops.

Approximately 38 minutes long (and almost ALL of it is "action").

You can also checkout a short sample of the DVD here.


Shipping for this item:
- U.S.: $6.20
- Canada: $5.75
- Internationally: $8.65 to $9.10

The average shipping weight of this item is 0.38 lbs.
Item No: 84-1-010 bw