All Japan Kendo Federation Nihon Kendo Kata

Rating:
Summary: Good, but a copy of the Official All Japan Nihon Kendo Kata
Review: As mentioned previously in the other review you get every Kata you need, yetI do not know why this studio is claiming
this is their title as this is actually just a copy of the
"official" All Japan Kendo Federation Nihon Kendo Kata produced
by the All Japan Kendo Federation.


Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I have only been learning Kendo for 4 months so weigh my review for what it's worth.

I have found the DVD to be an invaluable supplement to classes and to the often-badly-diagrammed textbooks. Some prior knowledge in Kendo is necessary to understand the DVD.

This DVD presents:
- Rei
- An quick introduction to all 10 katas: 7 kendo kata plus 3 kodachi kata (with the short sword)
- It then reviews all opening stances, e.g. Chudan, Hidari Jodan.. etc..
- It shows how to switch swords and how to wear the sword depending on whether you have a bokken or a katana.
- It then goes through all the 10 kata again in more detail as follows. For each kata:
1. It presents the kata movement from 2 angles.
2. It repeats some of the movements in closeup and/or in slow motion.
3. It demonstrates common mistakes.
4. It repeats the movement one more time.

Everything I have mentioned above is presented in its own DVD chapter and the menus have thumbnail images for them as well as labels for quick and easy access.

The one odd glitch I found is that when you put the disk in, it starts out on DVD menu page 2 rather than 1. Just make sure to go back one page before playing the video.

The video is shot very well. The 2 Japanese kendoka practice in an empty white room so there is nothing visually distracting in the background. All text labels are clear and bold with black outlines to improve visibility. The audio is well narrated with a clear british voice.