DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post

**plantBanceper** · 11-29-2005, 08:00 AM

A lot of interesting submissions from everyone. I'll take a look at those postings in e-budo as Mr. Russell suggested. Thanks to all.

Just a few more historical points about police use of kendo. I had already gone into it a little in the "kata" topic, so sorry to reiterate: After the Meiji restoration, some samurai revolted due changes that were being made (one aspect the dismantling of the class system, ending wearing of swords, etc..) In the course of suppressing that revolution, swords and traditional weapons were used in addition to rifles and cannons. Up to this time, the Meiji gov't was discarding the traditional bujutsu, preferring instead to develop modern western-style military and police. However, quelling the rebellion with swords provided the bujutsu-stalwarts within Keishichou, or the Tokyo Metropolitan Police (TMP), with a sufficient argument for the implementation of a bujutsu curriculum. Since that time on, the police have had strong, direct relationship with kendo. The basis for the present Nippon Kendo Kata have their roots in the formation of the first curricula for instruction of the cadre, the use of the dan system (adopted from Jigoro Kanofs Judo,) and the original implementation of the Kyuu-system are directly the result of TMP use. One other eventual development is the Keishichou Kata, one of which includes a body-check, knocking-over the opponent leading to a decapitation cut to the down-on-all-fours opponent.

Indeed, the original purpose of police kendo was for gpracticalh purposes. With this history, the practice of budo is remains intertwined with the very existence of Japanfs modern police. Although some policemen select other activities for their physical activity, many patrolman-level officers are practicing kendo as their primary physical training. In order to facilitate their training, and leadership of the required practice of kendo (or judo) in the police academies, a cadre of teachers are maintained as a separate and distinct specialty. In addition, all departments maintain special corps including kidou-tai, or riot police. Commonly, these special officers train extensively in kendo or judo. In the special cases of Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Osaka prefectures, special units are exclusively deployed for kendo training, tournaments, and rotations to field departments for kendo related activities. The groups of selected officers are sometimes referred to as the gTokurenh or Special Group as well. The winner of last year's all Japan tournament, Mr. Iwasa, is a Keishichou police officer, the previous year's champ (and World Champ) Mr. Eiga is a policeman from Hokkaido, the previous champ of seven times, Mr. Masahiro Miyazaki is a Kanagawa-ken police officer, and so on.

As for the use of tripping and knock-downs, I cannot refer to any rulebook and I am not sure one exists (Ifll check in the coming days.); however, it may be a more lax (!) interpretation of the no tripping rule in the AJKF and IKF rule books. I have seen and engaged in this kind of exchange. Perhaps a little different that where the imagination might take one, these engagements should not be pictured as a sumo bouts of pushing around, nor judo matches with intricate or combination techniques. On the contrary, tripping usually takes the form of a quick, simple foot block that off balances the opponent, creating an opportunity to use a valid strike. Also, they are not used extensively, being somewhat an unusual sight.

Finally, Ifll mention that even though this type of practice may have some appeal for some, falling on a wooden doujou floor, even for the seasoned judo or aikido man/woman is a dangerous situation. A head injury is potentially fatal, and although not as serious, who needs a twisted ankle, knee, broken wrist, collar bone, etc.? Even though one might be able to endure this type of practice, what about their training partner? To everyone: I highly recommend against engaging this type of practice in any case.

Thanks to all. If anyone has anything to add, we look forward to hearing from you.

11-29-2005, 08:00 AM	#2
plantBanceper Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 375 Senior Member	A lot of interesting submissions from everyone. I'll take a look at those postings in e-budo as Mr. Russell suggested. Thanks to all. Just a few more historical points about police use of kendo. I had already gone into it a little in the "kata" topic, so sorry to reiterate: After the Meiji restoration, some samurai revolted due changes that were being made (one aspect the dismantling of the class system, ending wearing of swords, etc..) In the course of suppressing that revolution, swords and traditional weapons were used in addition to rifles and cannons. Up to this time, the Meiji gov't was discarding the traditional bujutsu, preferring instead to develop modern western-style military and police. However, quelling the rebellion with swords provided the bujutsu-stalwarts within Keishichou, or the Tokyo Metropolitan Police (TMP), with a sufficient argument for the implementation of a bujutsu curriculum. Since that time on, the police have had strong, direct relationship with kendo. The basis for the present Nippon Kendo Kata have their roots in the formation of the first curricula for instruction of the cadre, the use of the dan system (adopted from Jigoro Kanofs Judo,) and the original implementation of the Kyuu-system are directly the result of TMP use. One other eventual development is the Keishichou Kata, one of which includes a body-check, knocking-over the opponent leading to a decapitation cut to the down-on-all-fours opponent. Indeed, the original purpose of police kendo was for gpracticalh purposes. With this history, the practice of budo is remains intertwined with the very existence of Japanfs modern police. Although some policemen select other activities for their physical activity, many patrolman-level officers are practicing kendo as their primary physical training. In order to facilitate their training, and leadership of the required practice of kendo (or judo) in the police academies, a cadre of teachers are maintained as a separate and distinct specialty. In addition, all departments maintain special corps including kidou-tai, or riot police. Commonly, these special officers train extensively in kendo or judo. In the special cases of Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Osaka prefectures, special units are exclusively deployed for kendo training, tournaments, and rotations to field departments for kendo related activities. The groups of selected officers are sometimes referred to as the gTokurenh or Special Group as well. The winner of last year's all Japan tournament, Mr. Iwasa, is a Keishichou police officer, the previous year's champ (and World Champ) Mr. Eiga is a policeman from Hokkaido, the previous champ of seven times, Mr. Masahiro Miyazaki is a Kanagawa-ken police officer, and so on. As for the use of tripping and knock-downs, I cannot refer to any rulebook and I am not sure one exists (Ifll check in the coming days.); however, it may be a more lax (!) interpretation of the no tripping rule in the AJKF and IKF rule books. I have seen and engaged in this kind of exchange. Perhaps a little different that where the imagination might take one, these engagements should not be pictured as a sumo bouts of pushing around, nor judo matches with intricate or combination techniques. On the contrary, tripping usually takes the form of a quick, simple foot block that off balances the opponent, creating an opportunity to use a valid strike. Also, they are not used extensively, being somewhat an unusual sight. Finally, Ifll mention that even though this type of practice may have some appeal for some, falling on a wooden doujou floor, even for the seasoned judo or aikido man/woman is a dangerous situation. A head injury is potentially fatal, and although not as serious, who needs a twisted ankle, knee, broken wrist, collar bone, etc.? Even though one might be able to endure this type of practice, what about their training partner? To everyone: I highly recommend against engaging this type of practice in any case. Thanks to all. If anyone has anything to add, we look forward to hearing from you.
	Quote