[Nadin Maison]

I personally just thought it would have been a little more interesting. But Kenzan described it best in another thread, can't remember it exactly, but it was something like: poke, scream, fist pump, rinse and repeat. haha

Kendo is a bunch of people yelling and beating each other with a stick. That isn't what kendo is but it's a more than apt description. To the outsider, any complex act is simplified.

I don't think it's fair to jump on people about something they don't understand without explaining what it is they don't understand.

I call it like I see it. From some of the things I've witnessed around here, there's a bit of jumping when someone asks a question that displays naiveté about kendo. The level of tolerance of such questions and statements varies between users of course.

We don't need to know the specifics to know that throwing your mask is bad. And I can't believe that all that fist-punching hoo-ha after every point is part of fencing etiquette. Salute the president, salute your opponent, that's obviously etiquette, even if done perfunctorily these days.

Are you telling me that every single fencer does this? If so, fencing needs to be overhauled at the elite level. I was recently at an international tournament and I can tell you that there was no mask throwing. Also a mask starts off at $AU200ish. It's not something to be thrown about.

Fist punching did occur. I didn't agree with it and found that other fellow fencers also did not agree with it and felt that it goes against the honour code of fencing. This was limited to fencers in their teens and early twenties.

i don't think we should judge either. But you have to remember, most people are never going to set foot in a fencing school, maybe that is their disadvantage, idk, but what we all see of fencing is what we are going to know and think of it. So if fencers want us to appreciate the etiquette and stuff that is said to be a part of fencing, then that should be displayed more in the Olympics (probably the only place normal people will see real fencing matches.)

What in the hell is being shown at the Olympics? The Australian broadcaster is !@#$@ at their job. I've seen nothing but swimming, cycling, swimming, cycling, equestrian, swimming, cycling, diving, swimming, cycling, and gymnastics. And even though swimming is over, I'm still seeing the freaking swimming team on TV.

If that is all you're seeing of the Olympic matches then I'm not surprised at the attitudes displayed.

As someone who can understand both camps, maybe Imouto you could explain what some of the etiquette of fencing is. What is acceptable and unacceptable?

The BIG thing that separates kendo and fencing IMO is the fact that in kendo there is something more important than winning. In fencing, it appears that nothing is more important than winning. Perhaps that's just the Olympic influence.

b

There is something more to fencing than winning. Fencing is about drawing first blood from your opponent. A bunch of aristocrats got together and drew up rules about how to go about winning arguments without killing each other and developed fencing. The idea was that the winner of the argument would be the person who drew first blood of the other person.

Well that was the original idea and I've come across fencers with this ideal. They're dangerously good fencers and I love having a bout or two with them because I'm forced to consider my move, albeit far too slowly.

There is a pre-match ritual of saluting the referee/umpire first and then to your opponent. This is all done with the mask off. I think the idea behind this is that everyone can see each other eye to eye.

I've since discovered that there is some yelling in fencing. Fencers also need to sell the hit on a target. Yes there's all the gadgetry and fancy electronics but sometimes the final decision rests with the ref particularly in bouts where both fencers land a hit at the same time. Then the rest falls down to which fencer was the aggressor and who had right of way. I have noticed some fencers yelling when delivering a hit. I wouldn't call it a kiai though it is similar I suppose. Though even fencers call it yelling.

All the other stuff in between points such as mask throwing and generally acting like a ponce isn't considered good etiquette or respectful. Some coaches will haul their charges over hot coals for it. Others won't. Some people consider this as part of the psychological game and will go so far as to say that is shows the aggression to the referees.

My opinion and also of other fellow fencers. This is a waste of energy and all that it shows is that you're falling apart on the piste, (the long strip area of where the bout occurs).

Post match etiquette should include taking off the mask and glove. Then you walk to your opponent to shake their hand and thank them for a good bout. And most importantly, don't forget to thank the referee.

You can cheer and jump for joy when you're off the piste, not before. Though obviously this is also ignored by a number of fencers.

Hope that helps in some way.