Editorial By Alex Bennett Alex Bennett reminisces on the Kendo World's journey from its first to this, its 25th edition. He then goes on to discuss recent changes to attitudes in Japan in budo and kendo with regards to harsh training regimens. The Features of Kendo and My Experience By Takeyasu Yoshimitsu Takeyasu-sensei was until recently president of the All Japan Kendo Federation. He has since retired from that position but acts as the supreme advisor to the AJKF as well as president of the International Kendo Federation. In this article Takeyasu-sensei gives his congratulations to Kendo World on reaching its 25th edition, discusses the development of kendo and his 80 years of kendo experience. Making the grade: Roberto Kishikawa on passing the 8-Dan examination Interview by Dr. Stephen R. Nagy November 27, 2013, marks an important date for kendoka around the world. That early evening, Roberto Kishikawa, a Brazilian national and permanent resident of Hong Kong, was promoted to 8-dan by the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF). As the first, non-Japanese kendoka to pass the 8-dan grading in Japan, Kishikawa-sensei has excited and inspired the overseas kendo community to strive for the highest levels of kendo. This article is an interview with Kishikawa-sensei concerning his exam experience, views on kendo and journey to 8-dan. The 61st All Japan Kendo Championships By Michael Ishimatsu-Prime A summary and thoughts on the 61st All Japan Kendo Championships which Tokyo's Uchimura Ryoichi won for the third time. Hanshi Says Hanshi Says is a popular series in which Japan's top Hanshi teachers give hints of what they are looking for in grading examinations based on wisdom accumulated through decades of training. This issue features Nakano Makoto-sensei from Ibaraki prefecture who passed the 8-dan examination in 1979, and was awarded the title of Hanshi in 1989. Nakano-sensei asserts that in order to pass grading examinations, examinees need to make the examiners lean forward in their seats. He also discusses the importance of striking opportunities and the how kiri-kaeshi and uchikomi are a neccessity. Grading Successfully: Part 1 By K8-dan Shigematsu Kimiaki-sensei In "Grading Successfully Part 1", Shigematsu Kimiaki-sensei, a kendo instructor with Chiba Prefectural Police Force, gives a detailed explanation of how to approach a grading. He covers a vast array of topics such as sonkyo, seme, hassei, datotsu, waza selection, and many more. This is an essential guide for those who are about to take a grading, particularly for the higher dan levels. Nuts 'n' Bolts of Kendo: Effective Training Methods - Waza Training By Nakano Yasoji (Hanshi 9-dan) In this article, Nakano-sensei discusses the different types of keiko and how they should be carried out, as well as different types of waza and ideal situations in which they should be employed. "Why am I alive?" By Hamish Robison This is the first part in a series of articles on Ogawa Chutaro (1901-1992), one of the great kendoka of the post-war era. Reidan Jichi: Kihon Dosa - Part 5 By Oya Minoru (Kendo Kyoshi 7-dan) Kihon-dosa, or basic movements, refers to kamae, footwork and manipulation of the shinai. In other words, it entails all of the principles behind the striking and thrusting movements for scoring yuko-datosu (valid attacks) in kendo. This article looks at the four basic techniques of men, kote, do and tsuki in detail. Unlocking Japan Part 25: Oh the Shame By Lockie Jackson The final entry in Lockie Jackson's column finishes with an account of witnessing a yakuza throwing his weight around and the feelings of shame that followed. sWords of Wisdom: "Mumyo wo kiru" (Sever ignorance) By Alex Bennett ... ... ...