Kendo With One Arm

[Mulboyne]

The IHT/Asahi today carries the impressive story of Toshimitsu Takamiya who has just won a university kendo tournament in Osaka. He lost his right arm in an accident when he was 2 years old. It only appears to be on the web in Japanese Here.

He uses a shinai which is 3cm shorter than the conventional swords. He says that allows him to swing it more deftly. And there is the "baffled" factor. "My opponents were not accustomed to fighting with a player who only has one arm. Besides, they can never take a decisive point with a technique such as migi-kote as I do not have a right arm," he says with a smile. (Migi-kote is a technique where players strike their opponent's right forearm)

Takamiya's teacher reminds the Asahi that a foreigner (Henry Smalls) won kendo tournaments despite having no legs.

[Big Booger]

The IHT/Asahi today carries the impressive story of Toshimitsu Takamiya who has just won a university kendo tournament in Osaka. He lost his right arm in an accident when he was 2 years old. It only appears to be on the web in Japanese Here.

He uses a shinai which is 3cm shorter than the conventional swords. He says that allows him to swing it more deftly. And there is the "baffled" factor. "My opponents were not accustomed to fighting with a player who only has one arm. Besides, they can never take a decisive point with a technique such as migi-kote as I do not have a right arm," he says with a smile. (Migi-kote is a technique where players strike their opponent's right forearm)

Takamiya's teacher reminds the Asahi that a foreigner (Henry Smalls) won kendo tournaments despite having no legs.

Amazing. I can't imagine how difficult kendo must be with two arms.. doing with 1 arm must be all the more challenging.

[adamukun]

It's ironic that a missing arm seems to actually be an *advantage* in Kendo. Just goes to show you that its not real swordfighting but more of a shrieking and tapping contest.

[Steve Bildermann]

Just goes to show you that its not real swordfighting but more of a shrieking and tapping contest.

Shhhhhhhh...don't say that so loud if Kendo players are around

[DrP]

ARTHUR:
Now stand aside, worthy adversary.
BLACK KNIGHT:
'Tis but a scratch.
ARTHUR:
A scratch? Your arm's off!
BLACK KNIGHT:
No, it isn't.
ARTHUR:
Well, what's that, then?
BLACK KNIGHT:
I've had worse.
ARTHUR:
You liar!
BLACK KNIGHT:
Come on, you pansy!
[clang]
Huyah!
[clang]
Hiyaah!
[clang]
Aaaaaaaah!
[ARTHUR chops the BLACK KNIGHT's right arm off]