Kendo 8th dan Examination①

This week we take a deeper look at the Japanese martial art of kendo. Martial artist and kendo expert Alex Bennett explains the intricacies of scoring an ippon. We also reveal the depth and subtleties of the exam that evaluates candidates for kendo's highest rank of 8th dan, which with its pass rate of less than 1% is considered the most difficult exam of any kind in Japan. We introduce kendoka hoping to reach the elusive grade, a lifelong challenge for many.

[@master58100]

Just have flashback about your friends and allies during the examination, that will surely bring out your inner strength.

[@coreygraham1160]

@kirito

[@forgeflammable4918]

this was the best comment 🤣🤣

[@RobertGuilman]

You're not going to succeed until you heard a "you say run" theme on your head XD

[@Nitsujima]

And by flashback you mean AT LEAST 2 filler episodes 😂😂

[@123MrMOORE]

You don’t have enough hate, Sasuke

[@nanaland1235]

Imagin doing everything perfectly, great stance and strikes, but the judge says your "aura"isnt strong enough.

[@Aethgeir]

"You lack da will of da warria"

[@WhereThereDude]

i'll wait for him in the back alley :p

[@yeeeessssssssss]

Achieving aura for my sensei is easy... shout as loud as you can

[@sjames5694]

There is no 'perfection'. There is only ensuring you cut your oponent as he cuts you.

[@Inventive15]

Imagine it's about who you know.

[@DaveDexterMusic]

ah, the traditional japanese arts of kendo and competitive bmx biking

[@agnidas5816]

Both are fairly close in age actually. Kendo is a modern invention made up by people who have no idea what a real battle field sword fight looks like nor knew any one who could tell them.

[@crimsonstrykr]

@@agnidas5816 - DNBK renames the sport of swordmanship, gekiken, to Kendo in 1895 -Kendo gets banned in 1946 by Allied forces after Japan's defeat. -Kendo re-established in 1950 -All-Japan Kendo Federation established 1952 -International Kendo Federation established 1970 -BMX bikes made: 1970s. Yep. Checks out. Same year, Kendo and BMX - give or take 5 decades if we count official Kendo name, several hundred years if we counting entire sports of swordmanship.

[@littlemisspipebomb4723]

Imagine training for 50 years to sword good, but the judges say your vibes are rancid

[@roarbertbearatheon8565]

Imagine training for 50 years in such a superficial way that you miss the essence of the art you're supposedly studying

[@SeaSerpentLevi]

I mean after 50 years of training i dont think you would really care so much about the results as you care about the process. I cant see someone that really studies something for 50y that thinks more about the prize/trophy of a competition/exam than to keep improving and practicing until his last day alive.

[@SeaSerpentLevi]

@olaolapepsiman LMAO

[@nicolepadred6790]

Imagine thinking people study Kendo to “sword good”

[@SeaSerpentLevi]

@@nicolepadred6790 you dont study kendo to sword good You study kendo to BAN KAI!!

[@michaelpatterson7990]

I like it, 10 years between 7th and 8th signifies commitment to the craft to maintain a high level and refine it. The guy that passed on his 13th try shows that even after failing 12 times he stayed committed and still strove for improvement until he succeeded. In this day and age of instant gratification I can respect this accomplishment even more.

[@llamaofvinter5801]

7 times down, 8 times up. My favourite Japanese proverb. Never give up.

[@ShiningDarknes]

except get fucked if you decided you wanted to start and you are in your late 30s/early 40s since now you will be pushing 80 by the time you get your first go at it assuming you pass all previous exams first try and you progress at the fastest possible rate.

[@KoRNeRd]

What if you had the required skill for 8th before passing the 7th? What if you had it before the 6th, 5th... 1st kyu? Is it awarded for waiting? No.

[@MrTrollo2]

@@KoRNeRd You can not have the required skill, as the required skill is a duration of expertise in the field. If one part of the degree is to show you are able to push on for 10 years without giving up, there is no way to show that skill in less time. Because the duration is part of what you are proving. If you don't care about degrees and prefer raw fighting skills, what would you get the 8th dan for? Another fact is that they are gating it until a point where you definetely surpassed your best physical conditions, so it obviously is about discipline, technique and perception. Not at all about who could win a 1v1.

[@ShiningDarknes]

@@KoRNeRd if anything skill even when practiced can fade with age. Age hits everyone different even if you take the best care of your mind and body there are plenty of illnesses/diseases that only really start to effect you when you hit over 40. When you got it, you got it. It is not always "instant gratification," sometimes it is just skill/mastery at an early age. Some people are just better at things than others. Do I think everyone should still have to take the exams to get to the top? Yes, but there should be no artificial time-gate. It should take you as long as it takes you, not as long as someone else has arbitrarily decided it should take you. Requiring 1 year between by virtue of only having the exams once per and only allowed to move up one rank in any given year should be all the time-gating it needs ,if any. That way it take 8 years minimum after moving past the learning ranks instead of over 30 years. Besides this presence they are talking about cannot be trained anyway, not really so if that is really all that separates 7 from 8 when it comes right down to it...well if you already had it way back at the start what is the point waiting? "dedication" fuck you it isn't continuing AFTER mastery is dedication. I ask you this: "why is there no 9th?" if time were such a factor why is it that 10 or 15 years later 8th does not try to move on to 9th? If you can get there at 45ish and many still train and are still good at 60...why stop? Because the time thing is bullshit that's why. Because they lose that dedication, because they STOP CLIMBING their proverbial cup has filled and instead of emptying their cup so that it may fill again they have let it remain full and grow stagnant.

[@angelalorenzo2062]

He said it not me! He said he felt his spiritual pressure. That 8th dan one of the captain's of bleach😂😂

[@Trynottoblink]

Lmaooo this is exactly what I thought.

[@tomasotreasaigh111]

He said 'its me, its you!'

[@adighraiz2008]

I don't see eye patch so its must be kumamora

[@sk-oq3nu]

KONO REIIYATSU DA

[@friscokid66]

"negative emotions well up-the four obstacles of surprise, fear, doubt and indecision"...that should be the real enemy in any situation

[@noonecares5340]

aren't doubt and indecision the same?

[@Jans6ever]

@@noonecares5340 Doubt is doubting your own capacity, indecision is not knowing what to do.

[@jakubmike5657]

Also the other guy with a sword. That can be quite an obstacle, especially if he is 20 years younger than you with far better reflexes.

[@K2shadowfax]

There be wisdom! Any person who has put more than a few years of serious study into any martial discipline--or other taxing pursuit, e.g., ballet, piano, soduku, mah jong, poker, moto.gp, cricket, rugby, golf, shooting, archery, etc...etc...--knows the truth in the a/m statement; it applies to all things in LIFE...because, imvho, it is about mastering one's 'self'...I called it, the 'white dragon'...and that, aside from dojo politics, was my biggest battle in 20 years' of study. But then, as a lowly yudansha, what do I know?... lol Also, notice the Shihan's wrists: those are what a 'swordman's wrists' look like; if you meet them - run...seriously, just run! lol

[@gabrielpoujol3808]

Hesitate and you lose

[@skunk12]

Kendo Expert: "Before we continue our match, i have something to confess... im not left-handed." Opponent: "im not left-handed either."

[@skunk12]

@Michael Terrell II 🙂👍

[@user-1281]

? sorry

[@darthXreven]

my name is Jin Sakai, you killed my father, prepare to die STOP SAYING THAT!!!! Princess Bride is the best, since it's japanese martial arts i had to reference Ghost of Tsushima lol still, inigo is the best

[@eddiewinehosen6665]

@@user-1281 It's from the Princess Bride.

[@BlueSpiritFire1]

The rules seem quite stuffy at first, but I think the achievement is such a great reward for anyone who sticks with Kendo for so long. it also gives me a lot of appreciation for the art hearing Iwatate talk about it.

[@shutemdwn]

Well that ended rather abruptly.

[@u.v.s.5583]

Yes, two guys stare each other down, then one hits the other with a broom of bamboo sticks.

[@Gumbyfanaccount]

Yes that is how a sword fight goes

[@andrearomano1911]

@@Gumbyfanaccount not really, if you take a look at HEMA fights, you'll see that they are often way more intricate and, in my opinion, interesting.

[@Gumbyfanaccount]

@@andrearomano1911 hema is an altogether more base and carnal sport, kendo is more of showmanship of the skill than hema, both cool but I guess the equivalent of kendo in western sports would be fencing, very quick technical things

[@andrearomano1911]

@@Gumbyfanaccount but even then fencing has a very strong historical heritage and you can see very elaborate moves and interesting matches... That is if you're watching it on a 120Hz gaming monitor😂

[@illfaptothis333]

Hesitation is defeat

[@pinkworm5348]

- Isshin Ashina *got my platinum yesterday* :D

[@illfaptothis333]

@@pinkworm5348 congrats that's a lot of XP

[@money96plyr]

Isshin has been fuckin me up...

[@spencerkimllido7327]

@@money96plyr git gud

[@kotoko71]

PjSwankTank git gud

[@officialzwei7729]

I Like the manga better

[@thestudentsofscience2660]

OfficialZwei ok Meng hao

[@OmnipotentSaiyan]

I just seen a British Samurai... I’m done bruh 😂😂😂 3:50

[@GameBoy-ft3bb]

@@OmnipotentSaiyan das a new Zealander look at the flag

[@Nethezbet]

Everyone is so perfect that the judges then have to rely on "feel." Sounds like artificial difficulty in order to maintain the "importance" of the rank.

[@JS-kr7zy]

Plus the mandatory 10 year wait. Sounds like a completely ceremonial rank with zero actual merit. I bet they charge a lot to sit it though.

[@Nethezbet]

@@JS-kr7zy I would be more interested to see how high a rank the greatest fighters are with the best records. I am sure we would hear that none of that matters from the "masters," but the rest of us know that the best in a given sport doesn't necessarily correlate with the guy who has done it the longest. I mean, respect to those who played the game and got 8th dan, but I think this process is a bit arbitrary.

[@novantha1]

Tbf, you do see this in higher levels of a lot of skills. You start by learning a few rules, and mastering them, and then you learn a few more. And then you realize you've been doing something weirdly, and make a rule of your own, which maybe gets broken later. Eventually you start getting so many of these that you pick an action because there's three reasons for it, and two against, and then you start setting things up in advance so that as many "rules" are right as plausible. If you've spent ten years putting this series of rules together, it's not like you can explain all of them to someone newer to it than you; in fact, it'd take you ten years! In gaming when you ask pro players why they do X, they'll give you reason Y, but if you present them a similar situation they'll give you a wildly different answer because it wasn't ever just because Y, but also Z and W, and L. If you ask a master carpenter why they used X cut you'll get the same answer. So... Odds are that they probably have good reasoning, it's just they have to boil it down to a "feeling" because you can't just explain ten different reasons you feel that way about something.

[@3colors93]

you have to see it more like a bonus to compliment you for dedicating your life to it (literally). See 7th dan as highest and once youre older you get 8th dan as in "You still have it in you after all these years"

[@elchuma5989]

We'll put this is bullshit I'm sure I'd pass all nine test n 1 day but they won't let u bc they Wana feel important

[@j.j.oliphant9794]

The 10 years between 7 and 8 makes a lot of sense when you look at it from the perspective of preserving and perfecting the art of Kendo. 8th Dan members are those who will shape the sport. They will be looked at for teaching the best techniques and art form. If it was simply a one off spar win, you would certainly end up with a more polluted 8th Dan class leading the way. These masters have a level of understanding and experience and dedication in the sport that goes beyond just winning a match.

[@WAVE0025]

"Your aura isn't strong enough" In other words, you failed the vibe check, now get out of my sight

[@KoRNeRd]

Or the bribe check? You mean you did not go for private lessons to a 9th dan? I mean, to learn proper aura.

[@MakeSomeNoiseAgencyPlaylists]

no no AURA; as you wrote....vibe is an empty lifestyle word from your country....sorry !

[@rairai5114]

I miss practicing Kendo as an art. Only a few senseis were able to train and teach me in a way that is not a game or just a sport. I miss their advise and teachings. Iwatate Sensei reminds me of them. I think I was very fortunate. I always craved coming back to it. :)

[@Hallelujah3r]

Why not go back? Don't have the time?

[@rairai5114]

Takes a lot of will at my age and with a family that depends on me. Maybe some day :)

[@MoldyOog]

@@rairai5114 Maybe your kids might enjoy it.

[@andrewraslan5348]

Do HEMA

[@andrewraslan5348]

@@suprememasteroftheuniverse this comment is so interesting and intelligent that it got tenure at Oxford

[@ryannguyen7466]

To sum up, the pursuit of perfection is pushed to the extreme.

[@nigellegall755]

You mean the pursuit of tradition is pushed to the extreme ridiculousness.

[@stefha6062]

@@nigellegall755 i think you dont train Kendo. I do and had the honor to face some 8 Dans. And its fucking true: They have a complete other Aura and Skill compared to 7th Dans (except the ones who are on their way to become an 8.Dan. Yes, its about perfection in the Art of the sword. But if you ever have faced them, you kmow why they are true Grandmasters.

[@shredfreak83]

@@stefha6062 Their mental fortitude is completely different. The dan system literally acknowledges that the mind is a very slow learner. 8th dan will also treat that bamboo stick as an actual sword rather then a bamboo stick. Their movements can be described as decisive and without hesitation. Trying to bait an 8th dan is cute, but when they take it you won't see it coming (granted you didn't fell hook & sinker for theirs).

[@SirCowdog]

​@@stefha6062 I think you meant the "Perfection in the Art of Kendo". Kendo is not necessarily the same thing as perfection of swordwork. Not only is Kendo more of a sport with arbitrary rules, it's constrained by tradition and expectation of a VERY specific style of art. There are many other ways of using a sword, both as an art form and for real life combat. If nothing else, you should at least recognize that swords and mastery of them is not limited to Japanese styles. That absolutely doesn't detract at all from the level of mastery 8th dan kendo displays and follows. They are at the height of their skill and state of mind! Anyone who claims that it's "ridiculous" probably hasn't ever focused their study of anything to a high enough level to understand.

[@YawehthedragondogofEL]

More like the pursuit of ass kissing and groveling to "superiors".

[@theoutsiderspost4982]

All of the sword experts in the comments is cringe worthy. I did not know the Internet had such masters.

[@P3t3rPizzarelli]

You should know better, it could’ve been fatal. While you were being ignorant of our godly swordsmanship, we were studying the blade. My wife’s boyfriend says I’m pretty tough with a katana. I’ll let you off with your life this time but next time you won’t be so lucky...

[@inhumanesounds]

That's a fuckin masterpiece

[@eyelenz6532]

😂😂😂🙉🙉

[@redthered3242]

@@P3t3rPizzarelli lmAO nice

[@sugarnads]

Lol. I did fencing for 4 years. I could encircle hell out of your property

[@confiance1492]

AMAZING. An art with integrity, seriousness and patience

[@TheRealTrucido]

So what practical application has Kendo been involved with? Do soldiers carry swords into battle now-a-days? Or is this just for funzies?

[@ossian1977]

Fascinating. But I would like to see the same kendo student going up against 8th dan XYZ without being aware of it. I think they would fare much better. Can't do it in any other sport or martial art (yes, that mask is a blessing). That "saps your energy" is 90% "oh shit I am crossing sword with the revered 80 year old master".

[@suprememasteroftheuniverse]

A 80 years mummy.

[@frankr4038]

If the student knows what they are doing it will most likely take seconds to understand who they are facing. And if they don’t .... it will only take them seconds to know who they are facing! LOL

[@eedwardgrey2]

@ROOTSCONTRA I've been doing kendo for years and these guys can kick your ass no matter how much older they are; they're slower and weaker but that doesn't matter one bit because of their technique. And the right timing and foot angle determines for a large part how effective they are. And if we'd let them win they'll notice and get pissed .

[@fademusic1980]

@ROOTSCONTRA Kendo isn't for street fights. its a Sport like Fencing. Is some fencing master just going to pull a raipier out of no where if he got jumped? Nooooo. I don't care if you're 30 YO in that situation if they're armed and you aren't and you only train weapons you're screwed. Now if you actually want to carry a sword for WHATEVER reason (maybe a baton) Kendo can be useful for teaching the principals of control but you really want to study some kind of Kenjutsu focused on the use of real swords. The extent of training the "cut" in kendo is making sure the blade is properly aligned, they don't teach you to drag the follow through as you would with a real sword, its a points based game. Much less a combat sport than a physical game of chess. Kumdo, the Korean variant of kendo, is much more aggressive and less tactical but I feel more grounded in the reality of an actual sword fight. There are several traditional schools of Kenjutsu in japan however.

[@sugarnads]

@@fademusic1980 i fenced for several years. I reckon id have a go against that old bloke. Use his type of sword.

[@BrentDelong1253]

Such a well done video. Thank you.

[@esotericist]

most fun (and toughest) sport I have ever learned. thanks you Sensei Nakane (Thailand)

[@realtruth1988]

Absolutely incredible persistence and dedication!

[@qwerty6699]

the main character will be a 1st dan but with the skill of an 8th dan holding the sword with one hand and doesnt wear helmet to show his spiky hair. also he's blonde for some reason and his cousin is secretly in love with him

[@coldjune_parallax]

So, basically Kirito?

[@corruptangel6793]

Not until the 3rd arc 😅

[@u-8743]

The more I learn of Japan the more respect I have for the culture and people.

[@snowtail1951]

The host mentioned she was gonna show us Japanese BMX moves Imagine combining Japanese swordsmanship with Japanese BMX skills Wait that sounds like the plot for an anime-

[@crimsonstrykr]

Two guys on BMXs with katanas in their hands stand in a open field full of flowers, slow wind drifts, one of them unsheathes their sword an inch, Gurunge by LiSA plays in the background, lighting starts appearing.....

[@5chr4pn3ll]

I get the feeling 8th Dan is more about internal politics than skill

[@Catgat37]

Although I am delusional and have no idea what I am talking about.

[@deymargonzalez6466]

It seems so. The age restriction in and of itself proved it.

[@akatsuki6371]

@@deymargonzalez6466 Age restriction hardly matters really. If it takes 31 years from first dan and you can get first dan starting from 13 years then the minimum age you could be anyways would be 44 years so in comparison a two year wait is basically nothing. That's assuming you pass everything your first try, which is definitely not most people.

[@zaksmith1035]

@@akatsuki6371 You most certainly proved his point.

[@JS-ob4oh]

At the highest rank of any martial art, it's all politics. It isn't just kendo. What the judges of the 8th dan exams are looking for is someone who can perpetuate an image of the "perfect" kendo master.

[@stevefowler2112]

Kendo is a very technical and exquisite and potentially deadly martial art and I practiced it from my time as a young Marine on Okinawa until my early 30's as a civilian when I gave it up due to work and family obligations and other hobbies/pursuits (mostly Golf and tracking Porsche GT cars). I earned 6th Dan when I was 28 and never stood for another examination. I have great respect for the older masters but the truth is that the players who win the tournaments are typically guys in their late 20's at the peak of their physical abilities and usually hold 4th thru 6th Dan's....the 7th and 8th Dans are really ceremonial examinations (a U.S. Recon Marine vet. and former Close Combat Instructor and now recently retired Aerospace Engineer with a large American defense contractor's Missile Systems company).

[@milkiesLoverboi69]

Thought so. Thinking realistically, the huge difference in speed and power there must be between a man on his prime and one of these 7th and 8th dan must be enough to atleast level if not overpower the skill gap

[@oddgeir2330]

5:11 Rules made by a 46 year old.

[@OldSchool82]

ikr why not 40 or just round it up to 50,no...46.

[@fademusic1980]

Well there is actually some bad math there. You can only reach 1 Dan if you are 13 or older. It takes a minimum of 35 years just in time spent waiting to examine to reach 8 dan testing and thats if you pass every other exam the first time you take it so the minimum age requirement would be closer to 48

[@mkh1688]

Rules made by elitists.

[@randyspaceship]

maybe made by a man who gave his life to that art

[@devonmarauder1388]

This is traditional art. So it has tradition. Follow it.

[@Manudyne]

"Forgive me, Master. I have to go all out. Just this once..."

[@Pooty_With_A_Fat_Booty]

This is do fascinating, and I was just watching a Project Runway finale.

[@treatb09]

so, you could be the best swordsman on earth, and not be an 8th dan...

[@3colors93]

yeah but you have to see it more like a bonus to compliment you for dedicating your life to it (literally). See 7th dan as highest and once youre older you get 8th dan as in "You still have it in you after all these years"

[@Kelen019]

Yep. And you could be the worst swordsman and be a 8th dan. This is a load of nonsense.

[@ThePipeMonk]

At 8th Dan, you become Kendo. You are no longer practicing the art, you are art.

[@treatb09]

basically, the sword is natural to the swordsman. it becomes nothing different than his fingers, hands, legs and feet.

[@makegainz4218]

@@ThePipeMonk Seems like a lot of nonsensical ego bs.

[@stoutlager6325]

Minimum age for 8th dan eligibility: 46. So, 8th dan likely isn't the most competitive class then as far as competition is concerned.

[@gammazzz3894]

well it filters out the people who don't want it badly enough to train for that long among other things

[@danilov114]

It is more of a honorary one for a true master-teacher and dedication for a martial art...

[@daswordofgork9823]

Well, atleast you won’t have 5 year old tenth dans in Kendo unlike here in the US

[@RaimaNd]

8. Dan basically isn't a competitive rank to achive but the absolute master rank to teach others.

[@ghigsmartinez]

Mochida Moriji became a 10th dan in the age of 72 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmewgmmIer2Ir7M 1:12 definitely not for competition...

[@alexandredescheneaux938]

So fast and skilled, I love this!

[@RaspberryRockOffGridCabin]

Is there a practical use for kendo or is this just another sport er cise ?

[@bpr3ssur3]

Dude has King's haki.

[@thiagof9481]

Looks like there is only one movement, the overhead chop

[@Doflaminguard]

Thats thw fastest move so its commonly used.

[@ruru_nii4800]

Overhead strikes are very common to find in Japanese sword styles, as they are one of the fastest strikes and the head is also the most effective area’s to get hit with a sword.

[@prodigypenn]

@@ruru_nii4800 that may be true for kendo, but in the more traditional styles most of the strikes don't come from , dai jodan, the high position, they tend to do more from chudan or seigan, the middle guard postions, which allow for quicker movement to strike at an opening, or to parry

[@crimsonstrykr]

Ichimonji is the best combat art

[@twig4661]

i started practicing kendo on my own bc i always loved the way the japanese swordsman moved in combat. not only that, and more importantly, how they carried themselves in life. if i can get even a little bit of that, then id be happy.

[@Hallelujah3r]

Ever thought of joini by a class?

[@majorhippo2772]

And then a medieval knight just comes in with a longsword and cuts you in half, Why not also join a HEMA class? Join as much classes as you can, lifes short.

[@twig4661]

@@majorhippo2772 wrong. every medieval knight would do the honorable thing and unscrew their pommel and end me rightly.

[@majorhippo2772]

@@twig4661 Oww yes of course, please forgive my stupidity me lord.

[@levifontaine8186]

That’s good advice. I’m a HEMA fencer but I’m also learning some Japanese Swordsmanship as well.

[@armandoguerra7658]

Samurai: “Do not hesitate” Participants: “now? No, not ye...NOW?”

[@possumlodge5368]

Casting Sport: When the fish just aren't biting.

[@madfish3130]

'Each has such a solid defense, the opponent cannot attack.' Actually, they are fighting a fierce battle in the mind world. Their sword intent is flaring about. Only masters can see it.

[@MrBottlecapBill]

The buddy gets whacked by the same type of attack anyone who ever picked up a stick would do lol. SOLID defense bro!

[@vanquisher4700]

@@MrBottlecapBill oh! There it is, guys I found the dumbfuck.

[@avef]

Amazing. I remember my 2dan test. 8th, wow. 押忍

[@SimplyApollo]

7:55 feels like this is applicable to any sport really. very wise words.

[@user-bp4em5gc6l]

some can learn for 3 years, but some can not learn even for 30 years

[@jooom]

at 1:46 when you said 8th dan is the highest rank in Kendo, actually after kenshi acquire 8th Dan there's still one more title left for kenshi to receive which is title 'Hanshi' the kenshi must be 8th dan for at least 10 years and pass the screening process by the kendo federation, have a recommendation letter from the president of International Kendo Federation and a letter from the president of regional kendo federation then must pass an exam to acquire the title hanshi. So.... Hanshi Kyoshi-Dan will be the true highest rank in Kendo.

[@Kumaryoku]

Isn't that more of a license than a rank though?

[@EL-xg4yq]

8th Dan is the highest you can obtain through examinations. 9th and 10th Dan are honorary.

[@egyember794]

@@EL-xg4yq Chuck Norris has 11th Dan.

[@DoctorX101]

Yeah, as A Ton notes there is no such thing as a "Kyōshi-Dan." He would become a Hanshi with a dan grade of either Kyu (9) or Ju (10): "Hanshi Kyu/Ju-Dan."

[@mojo5093]

kendo is so incredibly boring, it's a only a chopping motion anyone who enjoys it is lying to themselves they believe they know the mind altering complexity it takes to go "chop"

[@BluntInnit]

thanks that was really interesting and incite full

[@3colors93]

insight*

[@AvgDude]

Given the age requirement for 8th Dan, in a real sword fight, a 7th Dan may actually be the most dangerous fighter due to equal skill and younger age alone.

[@danielakbari3447]

no shot

[@sicskillz12]

I think ive been watching too many sekiro videos for youtube to recommend me this

[@larsgrosse644]

Same my dude

[@benyamingabriel4609]

Same here

[@MurasakiToshiko]

I just imagine everytime Iwatate's student face him off they're nervous af while Iwatate just stands there and be like "DID YA SAY SOMETHING!?"

[@TeteBruleeFR]

Iwatate is just profiting from the situation, really... In Japan, their is a huge tradition to respect your elders, even if they are only a few years older than you. The true elders are almost venerated people. Plus he is a 8th dan master Kendo, and get the reputation and recognition that comes with it. Last, his student are facing him, one at a time, once, then have to make room for the next student. They only have one go before they have to wait for the next chance. So of course they are nervous AF x) At this point, Iwatate could as well be a completly asleep, as long as he stand his ground and apply a little pressure to his student's shinai, his student will be sweating bullets.

[@MurasakiToshiko]

@@TeteBruleeFR oh god chill jeez i just made a joke cause the old guy is so cute that it feels like his not even scary...

[@TeteBruleeFR]

@@MurasakiToshiko that's the whole point, to us non kendo practitioner, and not Japaneese, he isn't scary at all x)

[@graymcgoldrick8388]

Thank you for this

[@Khora]

This is extremely interesting.

[@PrimalRampageGaming]

*Rapier user enters the room*

[@Todie85]

Falcata/Gladius/Sabre...really any other one handed sword beats Traditional kendo two handed grip

[@forexjammer]

@@Todie85 no shit, it's a sport and spiritual training.

[@HPalternetive]

Todie85 You know I it’s just painful to watch it... I just want to see them do something actually creative and effective like.. Trusting or blade holding (half swording) or any tricky angles that are totally an option but they just don’t do it for some reason

[@hmswarspite1064]

@@HPalternetive that's because kendo has very strict rules i believe. Hema is totally different, you are encouraged to explore what works and what doesn't. Now i'm not an expert, but that is what i figured out from my own experiences.

[@matthewpham9525]

Todie85 I wouldn’t be so sure about Gladius and falcata, the blades on those are way too short to be able to compete.

[@raphaellauf7786]

his face just looks into your soul

[@ARCOFJUPITER]

" master present " is the term. The sense and feeling of a master.

[@mannyjimenez6942]

Surprise,fear,doubt, and indecision are the keys to losing. Isnt that what stops us from doing things? Wise words indeed for anyone smart enough to listen and correct it.

[@DoctorMGL]

6:56 start here close your eyes and just listen , it's sound like a torture room lol . imagine a tourist who don't know what's inside and he pass near by the house and hear those sounds "911 what's your emergency" lmao

[@full1049]

​Maybe I can offer some points for why the dan examination works that way. First, about meritocracy when favoring about who wins more. Victories alone do not automatically translate into high skill level, as it depends on the skill level of the opponents; if they are all at a low level, winning against them may mean you are not as bad as them, not that you are indeed good. For instance, say that we have a way to objectively and precisely quantify the skill of a person in a single number, and say that it goes from 0 (completely inept) to 100 (perfection). A system that jugdes based on wins alone may give the highest rank to someone with a skill of, say, 40, if all the competition available is below that. Meanwhile, a system that judges based on technical requirements may result in only people with a skill level above, say, 95, to gain the highest title, even if at risk that no person alive having that rank for some time. The dan examination seems built around the latter. If true, then meritocracy here is about achieving a high standard of skill, as to avoid the possibility of ending with a given rank populated with people at a lower skill level than intended. Imagine a situation where the people with your most prestigious rank in a given year are equivalent to the skill of a much lower rank some decades later. Something similar currently happens in the Olympics, where many of the champions in previous decades would lose even to the one that got the last place nowadays, or not even qualify. I think the dan evaluation system is built to avoid that. Second, about someone from a lower rank possibly winning against someone of a higher rank, that already happens in chess. They use a statistical skill ranking called Elo rating. A person that has a score 200 Elo points above the other is expected to win about 75% of its matches against the latter. If this happens in a game that is completely about intellect, with no random elements, surprises or reflexes involved, you can expect the same to happen in other competitive systems; the real question about skill then is to which side the chances are favourable to, and by how much. Third, about the "aura" part. I hate that way to describe it too due to the subjectivity it has, but it seems similar to the skill of reading the intent of the opponent and manipulating him. This particular type of skill happens in Poker, where some people consistently perform better than others despite the randomness of the game. It is also present in many competitive brawling and strategy videogames with a big competitive scene, like Street Fighter, Super Smash and Starcraft. There, players describe situations where the opponent knows what you are thinking for long periods of time, if not the entire match, and proceed to dominate you by punishing everything you do with the proper answer. The second part of the dan evaluation seems built to evaluate if the candidate is able to generate such situations against his opponent consistently. I do not know why the 10-year wait, though. Maybe it's related to the saying that one needs 10 years of practice in order to achieve world-class mastery in any endeavour. Correct or not, I suspect that to be the motivation behind that requirement.

[@raikou889]

wish i could find somebody this passionate about kenjutsu. ive been debating on just transferring to kendo, but i refuse to give up on finding a master to train me

[@turtlesaredifferentfromtor6745]

You find one yet?

[@reecio-exe6324]

I was not ready for her to start speaking English and it honestly freaked me out

[@user-rr5ce1wb2j]

Really? English is compulsory for all Japanese students and has been for a long time.

[@skelee1401]

That man gave an aura through the camera, holy heck

[@charlieanthonygarcia1140]

Anime Hero: *kills the villain Villian: *memory flashback of not being an 8th dan for being not enough Hero: :'( Villian: thank you for saving me :'(

[@ahmadabidzainalabidin6271]

That sensei forearm grip... Damn a beast

[@BeckVMH]

Exactly, I noticed the same. Massive forearms. For example 10:18

[@dmaster225]

Ive experienced the aura thing when in a fight once. But I would say its used interchangeably with focus. And its about who catches the other guy on that moment they lost focus.

[@davidgraham370]

I'd say it's both. I used to train weekly with an 8th Dan Kenshi, and he says that focus and semme go hand in hand, you use semme to try and disrupt their focus. Hope this makes sense

[@tirtafirdaus1991]

Im not a kendoka, just a person who has interest on kendo. Can we say that the goal of 8 dan exam is basically moving the heart of the judges? Im just thinking how difficult it'd be. Can't imagine tbh, as im not practicing kendo. But to move a heart of a person who dedicated his/her life for one thing, "needs to be artful" is the least thing i can say.

[@Pheezh]

Tirta Firdaus it is not like that. It is becoming the Kendo. It is becoming the beautiful movement of water through the fire.

[@Pheezh]

Tirta Firdaus it is not like that. It is becoming the Kendo. It is becoming the beautiful movement of water through the fire.

[@kreanukreanu]

I am not a kendoka either, but I am a karateka. The art is definitely needed, but it takes more than that. You have to understand the techniques and philosophy to near perfection and be able to execute with you body also to that level. Every move is precise and deliberate by also totally natural.

[@zechariahhuntington7653]

I'm not kendoka but I practice Tang Soo Do and one of the things my master has instilled in me is when fight not to be the strongest or most aggressive but to be the water to the rock. In a river bed the water always wears away the rock through persistence and technique thus the water to the rock.

[@levifontaine8186]

I practice western Swordsmanship and we have a different ranking system in my school but the dedication it would take to become 8th Dan is immense. I’ve been training for 5 years and I’m not even ready to think about being an instructor, so I have much respect for these guys.

[@Egg-sb7wn]

How to get to 8th Dan in less than a day: Watch and learn the Kung Fu Panda

[@carlhicksjr8401]

So, I fought as a heavy fighter in the SCA [the largest medieval reenactment group in the world] for about 10 years. This gives me some minor ability to observe kendo, and I can tell you I'd really think twice before engaging Alex Bennett over bare blades. That guy's center is a fortress.

[@kenneth9343]

Points base on magic that sounds great.

[@squallstopher608]

**Stands there touching each other's tips** "Each has such a solid defense, their opponent cannot attack"

[@Andreas-gh6is]

They are both reacting to the subtlest of movements absurdly early. When the one opponent tries to attack, the other sees it by the tiniest of movements and reacts fractions of a second later, then again the first one reacts by aborting the attack. It's a nerve wrecking combination of chess and mikado sticks.

[@AlkaVirus]

Imagine reading this out of context.

[@lordbane3749]

They basically had 20 encounters in their minds mate. Don't look with your eyes

[@kimfucku8074]

That explains Yoda's age!

[@ravensubong239]

Timing & grace..

[@X-Gen-001]

Fascinating.

[@Sniperdan77]

Alex Bennett looks like Hawkeye from the avengers. 😘 Hello 2019

[@f.i.l.d.e.p.s]

how can you pass the exam when you already devoted your entirelife for it, getting old and losing your reaction time in the process

[@matteoar]

Thing is when you trained that much and for that long, you don't really need reaction speed. You make your opponent do what you want him to do. Plus, and you'll have to trust me on this one, they don't lose any reaction speed. Or at least not in a quantity noticeable by a early Dan (I am personally a 1st, but I know of 3rd that think the same and it's probable that the other ranks think as such too).

[@darkbit4603]

Kyudo - the sound of an arrow being released from bow

[@thedukeofskull1383]

Sparring with the Sensi... I would have been nervous also at one time. You must think that you are not going to get killed, you can learn what to do right. Get it in your mind that it is a REGULAR opponent and learn from it 😀. There are Karate schools in Japan that everyone wears a white belt to hold you Gi together. No one knows who is high rank or beginner. 👍

[@ffp08]

All I can hear is BABYMETAL - Karate playing in my head while watching them fight.

[@kevincrady2831]

"THAT is why you don't get to be on the Council, Anakin."

[@speedkiller3026]

but he got to be on the council? just not the rank of master

[@All-Hail-Lelouch]

The passing rate in kendo to 8th dan is even higher than me actually getting an ssr servant in the f/go gacha.

[@RiffosaurusRex]

These guys taking all these years to train, and I just bought my 8th dan degree online.....

[@alexzawodzinski7628]

the 30 somthing year olds that have been practicing since they were 10 or younger would just own them, the rest is politics, the older people demand respect or youll be banned from the community.

[@vesicapiscis9717]

8th dan is Pretty much a reward for sticking with the Sport for your whole life

[@suprememasteroftheuniverse]

It's pretty much bullshit. It's also about power and money. The exam are expensive and this artificial exclusivity makes it an status item.

[@TheSADHU88]

Boys I think your time is wasted in kendo if that is your opinion

[@SirConto]

The eight dans have the most polished skills and the most knowledge. They would be able to teach you better than said 30 year olds. But it's definitely a fact that in the all japan kendo championship and the world championship the winners competitors and the winners are generally people in their late 20s or early 30s (most seem to retire from those competitions at 33 or 34) with either 5th or 6th dan ranks. Being that much younger does of course make a difference.

[@deadby15]

I also think it's largely a scheme to siphon money off those who seek fame and honor, but if it's not obligatory, it's their decision.

[@41tinman41]

Today I learned that there's a sport for casting fish line. To think I was trying to get my line as far as I could as a kid.

[@farhcawalid8224]

When I was 5 years old I remember my uncles competing there

[@hugohepworth5633]

1:41 that was clean af tho

[@sclarke6969]

no it wasnt tho, both got hit, nil points

[@larrybowman1493]

I'm comfortable at 7th Dan, I don't really need to go to 8th Dan

[@quantumtimeloop5818]

this is my next goal ... my next black belt i WILL get ... so much discipline.......

[@lenwenzel7440]

Those requirements of 46 years of age and the lengthy years in each grade before challenging the next seems to have besides being an indicator of dedication another purpose. That being a protective screen for people of higher grades in that even if a brilliant natural kendo genius competes, it will be many years before he can challenge higher grades even if he has the skill, and genius to do so. A protective screen for the status and dignity of higher grades.

[@DukeOfKidderminster]

2:33 No! Not the younglings! 😭

[@emp5352]

TIL that getting the 8th dan is really just a popularity contest.

[@3colors93]

you have to see it more like a bonus to compliment you for dedicating your life to it (literally). See 7th dan as highest and once youre older you get 8th dan as in "You still have it in you after all these years"

[@TheWarforged]

Pretty much seems like it, where competency comes second place to arbitrary waiting periods between dan, couple this with near constant very low pass rate indicates a desire for exclusivity not competence. Of course those who are included in the exclusivity will have competence but given Human norms and averages so will more than 0.5%.

[@djaxupjazz]

@@TheWarforged and still, those 8th Dan Kenshi are just totally badass in Kendo. It is not just a political title. Show me an incompetent 8th Dan... I dare you.

[@smokingbeetles5793]

This shows how fast duels ended back then.

[@teatimewithrobbie31]

Sure why not, it’s 11:07pm and I’m glassed. Let’s watch.

[@CarlTheSpud]

2:00 "im inside you guard" "yeah so?" "Im inside your guard im gonna bop ya" *feints slipping under guard* "bruh im inside you guard im gonna bop you." "Try i- *BOP*

[@user-dt5my7cj1q]

Actually a pretty good explanation

[@CarlTheSpud]

@@user-dt5my7cj1q thanks i dont watch kendo a ton but it was pretty easy to see his opponent giving him every opportunity to correct himself. Gotta respect that.

[@durkadurkerjackson1664]

02:19 is it just me or is that not exactly like the ichimongi in sekiro

[@devictor9486]

...No, because Ichimonji was the one based off of this, not the other way around

[@bobdobalina798]

Beauty in form is followed by function

[@philippetacconi9550]

Humility and harmony = victory

[@harrymcnicholas9468]

Why so many people commenting on something they know nothing about?

[@SwordTune]

How do you know they don't know anything? What if they're 5th dan or something like that, and they're just giving their input.

[@springfieldleo6184]

@@SwordTuneReading the comments below, we've got more morons than normal people. Can you believe that there's one right down there calling shinai a straw sword? I feel offended.

[@snowkracker]

Harry McNicholas freedom of speech?

[@stefha6062]

@@snowkracker that word about "freedom of speec" is one of the most misunderstood things. Yes - talk about all you want. But if you have no experience in the theme or sport you talking about, you should be careful with judging or speak as you would be an expert. And thats the point! But most people just want to talk in every theme and think, theyre so cool that they can jugde everything. For example i am no expert in medicine so i never would think, that i know it better as the expert. Btw i am practicing Kendo and if you read some comments you think: Theese guys never did martial arts or any sport anyway. Just shut up guys...

[@opsimathics]

freedom of speech asshole.

[@Liyurm]

sooo whens the anime coming out?

[@SirConto]

"Bamboo blade" and "Musashi no Ken" are two animes about kendo. Neither is about 8 dans though.

[@nacholibre1962]

I could never be so singleminded about anything. It would bore me shitless.

[@MrBlackbutang]

If you noticed the calmest of two opponents wins. Secret to all great things

[@saltydog9321]

it takes at least 20 years to figure out how to put your foot straight instead of sideways. I've been trying for 15 years and still haven't mastered it