[Aagotiq]

They look like they really hurt

[gZAhTyWY]

Of course they hurt! Anyone who allows themselves to be struck over the head with a piece of bamboo deserves the pain and the resulting loss of brain functions!

Actually, the shinai, being split, and quite flexible, doesn't transfer that much energy, and the men (and tenegui under it) help to cushion the effect of the strikes.

You feel a jolt, but not pain, unless something isn't adjusted properly, or maybe you turned your back at just the wrong time?

[Abedgebeefs]

You feel a jolt, but not pain, unless something isn't adjusted properly, or maybe you turned your back at just the wrong time?

Or you tip your head forward and make it hit a wee too far back. The fabric look of the armor hides its strength. My initial reaction to receiving kiri-kaeshi the first time was kind of like, "Oh no, I going to die.... That was it? This isn't bad at all."

[Mymnnarry]

Depends what you get hit in the head constantly with... also, some people have the added advantage of being 'dumb' without having to be hit.

[jhkjurter]

uhmmm, I don't remember...

[elalmhicabalp]

Ahh yes - i forgot to mention, if you hit hard enough, you have effectively created a brain wipe mechanism, without the use of technology...

You see - all Bill Gates needed was many Shinai and some heads to target.

also :-

"Actually, the shinai, being split, and quite flexible, doesn't transfer that much energy, and the men (and tenegui under it) help to cushion the effect of the strikes"

does not take into account being hit over the ear, where basically a vacuum can be created by your Men. It does however, produce a uniquely cool ringing noise in your ear for a few days.

[GECEDEANY]

It also depends on the person doing the swinging. Some people have the problem of hitting too hard so even the strongest of armor wouldn't fully protect you. I do have the added protection of my new afro on top of the tenegui and men so it's not all bad.

[hechicxxrr]

If only the samurai of old knew about the protective benefits of the 'fro!!

The top-knot could have been a signature "top-fro"

[CealialactBek]

I will refer you to another post on the subject

[Zpxbawtz]

They look like they really hurt

Not really, I have no noticeable drain bamage.

[Gogogo]

It doesn't really hurt unless someone misses his target.
It does sting a bit when someone makes a very nice strike on your men and you get a little beep in your ears.
But it's not really pain.

[poonnassunlix]

It doesn't really hurt unless someone misses his target. . . .
But it's not really pain.

I really must introduce you to some of the folks in our dojo who are apparently students of "Lumberjack Kendo Ryu" I swear some of them have no idea of the concept of tenouchi.

[Breeriacoirl]

Yeah, they're quite annoying. But still that doesn't really hurt its more of an annoyance.
Sometimes if I get too exited I do it too, then I notice it and control it again.
But those people just keep wacking it :S

[Enjoymmsq]

My sensei said that people who practice kendo suffer from fewer strokes because of all of the hits to the head.

[HOTgirlsXXL]

My sensei said that people who practice kendo suffer from fewer strokes because of all of the hits to the head.

You mean we have them less often, or they hurt more when we have them less often?

What was the question again?

[Helloheshess]

Actually this is an interesting question. I've seen in various newspaper articles that people with head injuries are more at risk of Alzheimers. Just think about the notorious brain injuries of boxers... I know kendo isn't as rough as that but I feel a little dubious about what repeated - even if "gentle" - blows to the head will do in the long run. Not to speak of mistaken blows to the side of the head/too far "over", where the only protection is a thick cotton wadding. Can anyone verify the brain state, neurologically speaking, of any ancient/elderly longterm kendokas?

[Qnnoshxj]

I remember a program on Discovery in which there was a 7th dan, around 70 yrs old and he was behaving normally... (not like Muhamad Ali) So I suppose our precious brains are safe ;-)

[CevepBiageCefm]

...Can anyone verify the brain state, neurologically speaking, of any ancient/elderly longterm kendokas?

Bearing in mind how good the Kendo of elderly, ancient or longterm kendoka tends to be, shouldn't that be, "Is anyone brave enough to comment on the brain state, neurologically speaking, of any ancient/elderly longterm kendoka"?

Cheers,

Matt.

[Machater]

Just think about the notorious brain injuries of boxers...

I was told once that the brain injuries of boxers is caused mostly by the way their head gets snapped back when they get hit, and not so much from the hit itself. That isn't as much an issue for us (punches in the mengane aside).

[Flikemommoilt]

I was told once that the brain injuries of boxers is caused mostly by the way their head gets snapped back when they get hit, and not so much from the hit itself. That isn't as much an issue for us (punches in the mengane aside).

Does this imply something about tsuki? Granted most of us don't take nearly as many as a boxer does punches.

I also wonder if getting hit on the top of the head instead the face would make any difference. The brain is right under where you take a men cut, boxers usually get hit in the face, which except for the forehead doesn't have brain right behind it.