|
Post by dustytretch on Aug 26, 2012 13:48:34 GMT
New member on the forum here, got interested in katanas and swords after a concoction of what I know now are inaccurate portrails on popular games and movies, although 13 assassins and Ironclad may be an exception. I am interested in music tech, modular synthesisers, physics, science in general and watchmaking. I am 16 next month and I am trying to find a place to practice a japanese martial art based around swordsmanship near Ealing but it is proving difficult and I will probably leave it for this year as I have my GCSEs this year, so I will probably take it up more regularly next june when I finish school. I am reading through 'a book of 5 rings' with Miyamoto's other work included with annotations, I am also researching different katanas and how they are made. In terms of martial arts, I am reasonably adept at freestyle wrestling and do weight training, I can do 10+ one arm press-ups and 40 complete press-ups in 30 seconds.
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Aug 29, 2012 22:35:09 GMT
Welcome aboard! My main interest is in Japanese styled blades as well. Be sure to post any questions you may have on a sword, and don't hesitate to ask for advice before buying. I love wrestling. I leaned more towards Greco personally, as well as submission wrestling. I was never able to get the power in my legs to do good, driving double-leg takedowns, so the upper-body clinch, trips and foot-sweep takedowns were where I lived. The Book of Five Rings is fantastic. Other works similar to it that would be beneficial to read would be The Art of War and The 36 Stratagems. A fantastic book about Musashi would be Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings, by Kenji Tokitsu. Lastly, here are a couple good articles on katana construction. www.macabeeknives.com/articles/Shinken%20construction%20in%20the%20modern%20age6.pdfwww.forging.org/system/files/field_document/JapaneseSword.pdfPlease enjoy your stay!
|
|
|
Post by dustytretch on Sept 2, 2012 18:13:16 GMT
I have the book of 5 rings translation by him with annotations and all of Musashi's other work, once I have finished I will look into your recommendation as I am interested in the stories of his duels and travels, thanks!
|
|