2015 Steveston Kendo Tournament Final Match Taro Ariga x Dean Ara

Old team Canada captains in the Steveston tournament finals. 1st place Dean Masahiro Ara, 2nd place Taro Ariga. "I lost the finals but I felt great having a woderful match with a strong j7 Dan player! By the way, this is the 4 Dan and up division, not the masters division." (14 minutes match)

[@johnlillard4305]

I'll say "tough loss" but I'm not even sure that's really the right thing to say, like you said, it was well fought on both sides. I really enjoyed how Ariga-sensei seems so calm but he still explodes at the right moment. It must have been tough since Ara comes out so...almost nervous with that very energetic shinai movement. Very well done indeed. Thank you for sharing such a high-class match.

[@zarcath]

isn't the "energetic" shinai/testing opponent movement meant to unnerve your opponent or cause them to make an opening?

[@johnlillard4305]

yeah, it is, that's kind of exactly my point. There's kind two very different "methods" here right? A weaker opponent(like me!) could have easily fallen victim to or got distracted by that. In the end, I do not believe that's what lost Ariga the match though, it looks more that he doesn't commit to a headstrike as much as he would have liked too, and Ara makes him pay with a wicked kote. I think you see a lot personality here from both sides. Ara seems more energetic, you seem taking big aggressive attacks for men and continuing to build off it with combinations, while Ariga seems much more calmer, probably a bit more of a "counter puncher" mentality, but he's not lethargic about it either, he's making some more subtle moves to try and break Ara down, and test Ara's center, but that's just my take, the opinion of one humble kendoka, who'll probably never be famous. I suppose I mention liking Ariga because where I'm at right now, I aspire more to have that kind of resolve and ability to "fight my own fight" as well as I think he does. Ara brings a lot here and I think Ariga "stands tall" to a tough opponent. One of my favorite kendo matches on youtube.

[@rowanmoon4996]

They're movement's have this gracefulness to them that i can not explain. they have this air about them.

[@zarcath]

I think after a certain level all kendo matches end up looking like this. no wasted movement/energy. Lower levels, or depending on what's on the line or who's playing, you'll see different methodologies. If you want to see aggressive kendo, look for the Police Kendo tournaments or the Imperial Guard. they're pretty ruthless. Korean Kendoka seem like they're pretty aggressive too. These guys are on edge for 14 minutes straight. they're not just standing around taking a breather. To be on edge for that long is really, really tough and wears you down.

[@rowanmoon4996]

Nice Kote shot!!!!

[@fabritz1891]

00:30 just the tip

[@rowanmoon4996]

You can see how they're mind is working and how there body is preparing for there move. You can see how they deliberately plan there move. Keep there eyes sharp looking for an opportunity to strike.

[@fivexp5315]

You can also see them wasting 14 minutes of your life.

[@alannacodo6176]

FiveXP Lmao true.This is boring as hell

[@tgblail]

So boring... I really liked the idea of learning Kendo, i'm from a smaller town and we don't have it here but wow... From the 5 videos i've watched it's relatively boring. I'm not sure on the rules but if it's anything like fencing they suck. It seems really passive, and being the art of the samurai if you even slice their leg you should win. It's the fucking art of a samurai. Katanas will slice your leg off not matter what. and then finish them off from there...I hate "point systems". although I guess it's the modern way of saying "oh. i'm not as bad as I thought I was" and they can come back. You know from being dead if this was actually in the time when this "sport" was relevant

[@32Mihailo]

tgblail Attacks are made for most efficiency. If you tried to attack someones leg,it most likely wouldn't be killing blow and by the time you finish it,he'll have like 5 opportunities to strike you out. It might seem boring when looking like this,but it's really more of a mind game,they're both making strategies in their heads,checking each other out,and then boom it all comes down to one fast strike.

[@djaxupjazz]

tgblail Kendo is not an art of war or of killing people, and to be honest it never was. Read up "the purpose of Kendo", even the Wikipedia entry has it. Kendo wants to mold you into an honest, straightforward and determined person. It is a martial art with quite an active tournament scene and long tradition. It has evolved (or devolved, if that is your point of view) a lot over the decades. You might want to check out Kenjutsu, maybe this is more to your liking.

[@nathanael2572]

tgblail This is beautiful kendo, especially for tournament play (where ideal technique or philosophy are sometimes sacrificed for defensiveness or expedience). The techniques are crisp, powerful, and so very fast. Yes, it does seem "passive" much of the time (though the mental battle NEVER stops)...until the players explode into action. They release their gathered energy the moment they see an opportunity. And for the record, a katana will not "slice your leg off no matter what." If the angle is even slightly wrong or the cut even the tiniest bit wobbly, you are just as likely to break or otherwise ruin the blade as take off a limb. This isn't broad sword fighting.

[@Vojvodda]

tgblail This is how it would happen in a real life battle between 2 samurai.You cant just go charging in like a fool you would get killed right away.

[@Darkness56]

you dont know much about swordsmanship do you. this is real swordsmanship not the movie crap thats entertaining. in a real fight its who ever loses that split second of focus that loses and that can come from a long stare down then quick bout.