Alexander Bennett

I expected some history, but I got a lot more - although the majority of it focused on roughly the 1930s-1950s, with another more in depth section from about the 1980s-2000s. It was fascinating, covered a much broader base (although all leading back to kendo, of course) than I might expect, and . . . occasionally horrifying, particularly in both the preparation for WWII and the post-war occupation and control.

While I'd of course expect a book such as this to be written by someone with a show more passion for kendo, occasionally Bennett's bias seems to take a more forward position. Describing things he experienced as torturous, bullying, and befuddling only to then praise the entire experience (and declare it all as important/necessary for the proper study of kendo) feels a bit dissonant as a reader from outside these experiences.

Likewise the shades of nationalism (particularly wartime but also in general) painted to illustrate both the setting in which kendo developments happened (or were undone) and the specifics of why it was redeveloped in certain ways . . . were illustrated clearly, but occasionally the tone shifted in unexpected ways towards agreement/enthusiasm, even for the more negative views offered. show less