Celebrity Kendoka - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**xanaxonlinexanax** · 06-12-2006, 01:30 PM

Hello all! I was just wondering the other day, do any of you know of any famous people who play/study kendo or iaido who do not live in or are originally from Japan, Korea or Taiwan? And I don't mean of the Lopez-Knowles-Beckham school of kendo where you use two tsuba and don't cut off the red string from your shinai...

Nor do I mean people who are famous because they perform martial arts either. Kapoeira has Wesley Snipes, fencing has Gen. George Patton, pentathalon has Dolph Lundgren AND Gen. George Patton. I was just wondering about our arts/sports. I can think of two (sort of):

Sensei George Nakano - California State Assemblyman
Steven Segal (aikiken, since he is a high ranking aikido practitioner) - actor, although eh does kind of fall into the whole famous because of martial arts slot

Just wondering...

**OShellszz** · 06-12-2006, 01:43 PM

Hello all! I was just wondering the other day, do any of you know of any famous people who play/study kendo or iaido who do not live in or are originally from Japan, Korea or Taiwan? And I don't mean of the Lopez-Knowles-Beckham school of kendo where you use two tsuba and don't cut off the red string from your shinai... Nor do I mean people who are famous because they perform martial arts either. Kapoeira has Wesley Snipes, fencing has Gen. George Patton, pentathalon has Dolph Lundgren AND Gen. George Patton. I was just wondering about our arts/sports. I can think of two (sort of):
Sensei George Nakano - California State Assemblyman

Steven Segal (aikiken, since he is a high ranking aikido practitioner) - actor, although eh does kind of fall into the whole famous because of martial arts slot

Just wondering...

Don't think Seagal should be on the list. Aikiken isn't kendo or kenjutsu. Aikiken just a tool to improve your aikido. And if you ever seen him use a sword in a movie, baseball bat grip comes to mind (sorry Steve, you suck).

Obata, founder of shinkendo, from the movie Black rain and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

, maybe? Not sure if he has even done kendo, but he's a well established swordsman. Ok he’s not very famous and has been in some terrible movies, but he’s still kind of famous.

**Mjypksun** · 06-12-2006, 02:27 PM

How about our own rock star David Lee Roth?
Before you all get your panties bunched up, when he still had the radio show he did a kendo morning and he mentioned coming to NYC Kendo Club and he was introduced to Kataoka Sensei as a world famous rock and roll star who trained in kendo and wanted to train at NYC.
Kataoka sensei smiled and handed him a broom and told him to clean the floor.
He did.

p.s. Kataoka sensei was in Black Rain too.

**FLOMOUSLY** · 06-12-2006, 02:39 PM

What's Davey up to now? Still doing iai or kendo?

**Retapleapse** · 06-12-2006, 04:34 PM

I doubt he still practices it, but Tom Cruise did a few monthes of kendo or some kenjutsu ryu when getting ready for 'The Last Samurai'. And so did Samuel L. Jackson for the Star Wars movies he was in.

I hardly think that counts, though.

**Pedsshuth** · 06-12-2006, 04:43 PM

I remember Tom demonstrating some sword work for a reporter/interviewer when The Last Samurai was due out - it looked remarkably like what he was doing with a pool cue 20 years earlier in 'The Color of Money'...

**Heacechig** · 06-12-2006, 04:50 PM

I believe most of the Star Wars fight choreography was based off of kendo. I think there was a mention of the fight between Obi-Wan and Vader in the original series.

I don't know if he's celebrity AND he was born in Japan, but I believe that Car and Driver or Motor Trend mentioned the CEO of Honda was a San-Dan in kendo. Which led me to buy my Civic.

**Abaanto** · 06-12-2006, 11:19 PM

I doubt he still practices it, but Tom Cruise did a few monthes of kendo or some kenjutsu ryu when getting ready for 'The Last Samurai'. And so did Samuel L. Jackson for the Star Wars movies he was in.

I hardly think that counts, though.

Along those lines Arnold Schwarzenegger (and one of the female so-stars) learned kendo for a few weeks from Miyahara sensei when preparing for Conan the Barbarian. But, as you said, it doesn't really count.

**Sawyer** · 06-13-2006, 12:43 AM

Heres a snippet from a tv inverview with Tom Cruise about the Last Samurai:

Interviewer: 'You have obviously mastered the art of Japanese swordsmanship, how long did it take you?'

Shorty : 'About 8 months'

**2swasseneons** · 06-13-2006, 01:11 AM

believe most of the Star Wars fight choreography was based off of kendo yes, and if I heard the rumour correct, many of the Aussie Kendo people were roped in as extras

**pongeystrhjst** · 06-13-2006, 01:14 AM

What's Davey up to now? Still doing iai or kendo?

Word is he has a dojo at his house in California.

**fuslkdhfma** · 06-13-2006, 01:23 AM

One of the uncredited extras in Star Wars (Episode IV) is very highly ranked in a koryu art. I won't publish his name to avoid him embarassment...!

**gardenerextraordinaire** · 06-13-2006, 03:21 AM

Obata, founder of shinkendo, from the movie Black rain and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

, maybe? Not sure if he has even done kendo, but he's a well established swordsman. Ok he’s not very famous and has been in some terrible movies, but he’s still kind of famous. Ninja Vanish!

**Menierofe** · 06-13-2006, 06:13 AM

The martial arts stunt coordinator in the Sean Connery Bond film, "You Only Live Twice" was none other than the sainted Mr. Draeger. There's some footage of a bujutsuka doing what looks like TSKSR iaijutsu infront of Himeji castle (or, as the film would have us believe, the secret ninja headquarters).

Don't know if there's been mention of Takakura Ken (Black Rain, The Yakuza, and countless nikyo yakuza films of the early 60s) yet. He was 5dan, I believe. And so was celebrated novelist and histrionic closet case, Mishima Yukio.

I think a Wikipedia entry might lists Steven Segal as having studied kendo. Could be wrong...

Oh, and of course, Kurosawa Akira, who showed promise in kendo at a young age.

**LoisCampon** · 06-13-2006, 06:15 AM

Don't think Seagal should be on the list. Aikiken isn't kendo or kenjutsu. Aikiken just a tool to improve your aikido. And if you ever seen him use a sword in a movie, baseball bat grip comes to mind (sorry Steve, you suck).

Ok, I was reaching there a bit...

**pymnConyelell** · 06-13-2006, 06:25 AM

And you want to know if there's any celebrity kendoka because....?

Just out of sheer curiosity. Kendo and iaido, while to us are world spanning arts and sports, to most of the public, and even to those who practice other arts, they are quite obscure. It would be interesting to note how many very public figures actually practice an art wherin they wouldn't necessarily receive that much publicity, as opposed to those that are quite public with their martial arts "prowess" (or even those who profess to "mastering" sword arts in eight months...

).

**GueseVekdet** · 06-13-2006, 07:32 AM

Peter Weller studied iaido for a while, and may still be studying for all I know. Not sure if he ever attained a notable degree of proficiency.

**boxcigsnick** · 06-13-2006, 07:39 AM

I remember a thread on here or E-Budo about a Japanese porn star who studied iai. Anyone remember her name?

**Adfcvkdg** · 06-13-2006, 07:48 AM

Y'all forgetting Chuck Norris; many centuries ago it was predicted: a being so powerfull it couldn't be defeated bare handed - hence the sword was invented in hope to take him out when that day arrived. Little did they know, cuz Chuck cant be deafeated at all.............

**CreativeSuiteDown** · 06-13-2006, 07:56 AM

Shame such a hairy dwarf has such a cool online fanclub.

06-12-2006, 01:30 PM	#1
xanaxonlinexanax Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 540 Senior Member	Celebrity Kendoka Hello all! I was just wondering the other day, do any of you know of any famous people who play/study kendo or iaido who do not live in or are originally from Japan, Korea or Taiwan? And I don't mean of the Lopez-Knowles-Beckham school of kendo where you use two tsuba and don't cut off the red string from your shinai... Nor do I mean people who are famous because they perform martial arts either. Kapoeira has Wesley Snipes, fencing has Gen. George Patton, pentathalon has Dolph Lundgren AND Gen. George Patton. I was just wondering about our arts/sports. I can think of two (sort of): Sensei George Nakano - California State Assemblyman Steven Segal (aikiken, since he is a high ranking aikido practitioner) - actor, although eh does kind of fall into the whole famous because of martial arts slot Just wondering... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-12-2006, 01:43 PM	#2
OShellszz Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 403 Senior Member	Hello all! I was just wondering the other day, do any of you know of any famous people who play/study kendo or iaido who do not live in or are originally from Japan, Korea or Taiwan? And I don't mean of the Lopez-Knowles-Beckham school of kendo where you use two tsuba and don't cut off the red string from your shinai... Nor do I mean people who are famous because they perform martial arts either. Kapoeira has Wesley Snipes, fencing has Gen. George Patton, pentathalon has Dolph Lundgren AND Gen. George Patton. I was just wondering about our arts/sports. I can think of two (sort of): Sensei George Nakano - California State Assemblyman Steven Segal (aikiken, since he is a high ranking aikido practitioner) - actor, although eh does kind of fall into the whole famous because of martial arts slot Just wondering... Don't think Seagal should be on the list. Aikiken isn't kendo or kenjutsu. Aikiken just a tool to improve your aikido. And if you ever seen him use a sword in a movie, baseball bat grip comes to mind (sorry Steve, you suck). Obata, founder of shinkendo, from the movie Black rain and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , maybe? Not sure if he has even done kendo, but he's a well established swordsman. Ok he’s not very famous and has been in some terrible movies, but he’s still kind of famous. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-12-2006, 02:27 PM	#3
Mjypksun Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 468 Senior Member	How about our own rock star David Lee Roth? Before you all get your panties bunched up, when he still had the radio show he did a kendo morning and he mentioned coming to NYC Kendo Club and he was introduced to Kataoka Sensei as a world famous rock and roll star who trained in kendo and wanted to train at NYC. Kataoka sensei smiled and handed him a broom and told him to clean the floor. He did. p.s. Kataoka sensei was in Black Rain too. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-12-2006, 02:39 PM	#4
FLOMOUSLY Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 354 Senior Member	What's Davey up to now? Still doing iai or kendo? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-12-2006, 04:34 PM	#5
Retapleapse Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	I doubt he still practices it, but Tom Cruise did a few monthes of kendo or some kenjutsu ryu when getting ready for 'The Last Samurai'. And so did Samuel L. Jackson for the Star Wars movies he was in. I hardly think that counts, though. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-12-2006, 04:43 PM	#6
Pedsshuth Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 457 Senior Member	I remember Tom demonstrating some sword work for a reporter/interviewer when The Last Samurai was due out - it looked remarkably like what he was doing with a pool cue 20 years earlier in 'The Color of Money'... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-12-2006, 04:50 PM	#7
Heacechig Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 484 Senior Member	I believe most of the Star Wars fight choreography was based off of kendo. I think there was a mention of the fight between Obi-Wan and Vader in the original series. I don't know if he's celebrity AND he was born in Japan, but I believe that Car and Driver or Motor Trend mentioned the CEO of Honda was a San-Dan in kendo. Which led me to buy my Civic. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-12-2006, 11:19 PM	#8
Abaanto Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 512 Senior Member	I doubt he still practices it, but Tom Cruise did a few monthes of kendo or some kenjutsu ryu when getting ready for 'The Last Samurai'. And so did Samuel L. Jackson for the Star Wars movies he was in. I hardly think that counts, though. Along those lines Arnold Schwarzenegger (and one of the female so-stars) learned kendo for a few weeks from Miyahara sensei when preparing for Conan the Barbarian. But, as you said, it doesn't really count. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-13-2006, 12:43 AM	#9
Sawyer Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 512 Senior Member	Heres a snippet from a tv inverview with Tom Cruise about the Last Samurai: Interviewer: 'You have obviously mastered the art of Japanese swordsmanship, how long did it take you?' Shorty : 'About 8 months' Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-13-2006, 01:11 AM	#10
2swasseneons Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 385 Senior Member	believe most of the Star Wars fight choreography was based off of kendo yes, and if I heard the rumour correct, many of the Aussie Kendo people were roped in as extras Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-13-2006, 01:14 AM	#11
pongeystrhjst Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 718 Senior Member	What's Davey up to now? Still doing iai or kendo? Word is he has a dojo at his house in California. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-13-2006, 01:23 AM	#12
fuslkdhfma Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 429 Senior Member	One of the uncredited extras in Star Wars (Episode IV) is very highly ranked in a koryu art. I won't publish his name to avoid him embarassment...! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-13-2006, 03:21 AM	#13
gardenerextraordinaire Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 709 Senior Member	Obata, founder of shinkendo, from the movie Black rain and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , maybe? Not sure if he has even done kendo, but he's a well established swordsman. Ok he’s not very famous and has been in some terrible movies, but he’s still kind of famous. Ninja Vanish! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-13-2006, 06:13 AM	#14
Menierofe Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 415 Senior Member	The martial arts stunt coordinator in the Sean Connery Bond film, "You Only Live Twice" was none other than the sainted Mr. Draeger. There's some footage of a bujutsuka doing what looks like TSKSR iaijutsu infront of Himeji castle (or, as the film would have us believe, the secret ninja headquarters). Don't know if there's been mention of Takakura Ken (Black Rain, The Yakuza, and countless nikyo yakuza films of the early 60s) yet. He was 5dan, I believe. And so was celebrated novelist and histrionic closet case, Mishima Yukio. I think a Wikipedia entry might lists Steven Segal as having studied kendo. Could be wrong... Oh, and of course, Kurosawa Akira, who showed promise in kendo at a young age. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-13-2006, 06:15 AM	#15
LoisCampon Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 393 Senior Member	Don't think Seagal should be on the list. Aikiken isn't kendo or kenjutsu. Aikiken just a tool to improve your aikido. And if you ever seen him use a sword in a movie, baseball bat grip comes to mind (sorry Steve, you suck). Ok, I was reaching there a bit... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

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06-13-2006, 06:25 AM	#16
pymnConyelell Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 412 Senior Member	And you want to know if there's any celebrity kendoka because....? Just out of sheer curiosity. Kendo and iaido, while to us are world spanning arts and sports, to most of the public, and even to those who practice other arts, they are quite obscure. It would be interesting to note how many very public figures actually practice an art wherin they wouldn't necessarily receive that much publicity, as opposed to those that are quite public with their martial arts "prowess" (or even those who profess to "mastering" sword arts in eight months... ). Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-13-2006, 07:32 AM	#17
GueseVekdet Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	Peter Weller studied iaido for a while, and may still be studying for all I know. Not sure if he ever attained a notable degree of proficiency. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-13-2006, 07:39 AM	#18
boxcigsnick Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 569 Senior Member	I remember a thread on here or E-Budo about a Japanese porn star who studied iai. Anyone remember her name? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-13-2006, 07:48 AM	#19
Adfcvkdg Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 468 Senior Member	Y'all forgetting Chuck Norris; many centuries ago it was predicted: a being so powerfull it couldn't be defeated bare handed - hence the sword was invented in hope to take him out when that day arrived. Little did they know, cuz Chuck cant be deafeated at all............. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-13-2006, 07:56 AM	#20
CreativeSuiteDown Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 452 Senior Member	Shame such a hairy dwarf has such a cool online fanclub. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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