[Salliter]

First, let me say that it is far much better when you don't make comparaisons with Phil Elmore when you debate. And also good reading, you won't regret it.

A couple of other schools participated in the homogenisation of kendo. But what I meant to say was that some ryu can look like kendo because they share some common roots or influence, but others are light years away.

Now I can't comment on what you saw, for the obvious reason that I wasn't there. But let me say that I never saw anything sloppy in what Obata sensei did. Maybe in beginner or intermediate grades students, or when new material was being practiced, but then it's not the same thing and I think we can agree on that. But I agree, humans are prone to make mistakes, this is why there is no 10th dan in kendo, am I right?

And to end the debate about comercialisation, everyone has their way of promoting their class, it's their right. Where I practice, we are maybe a bit more conservative on demos. As for Bercy, it's a martial art show, everyone, from aikikai aikido to goju ryu karate was invited there to please the crowd. Obata sensei received good comments from Kyochi Inoue after the show for his performance.

And as for the wearing of kamishimo, I have seen this done in koryu, namely the Asayama Ichiden ryu soke. For the use of two swords (for what I understood), it's usualy a training method (like a suburito), as it can be done with a wakisashi too.

So the morale of this story, don't jump on conclusions too early.