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Post by Elf-knight444 on Aug 30, 2014 20:11:27 GMT
So I have fencing training already and thats great, because it is pretty easy to find a fencing school, and there is a lot of knowledge on it because of the rapier being a relatively "modern" sword. But where could I get training for katana use? I have seen a couple dojos that teach it, but they use very flimsy swords that I can't even believe is acceptable, and they also require you to train with a multitude of other weapons before going on to sword, including nunchuka, bo, komma, sai, and others. I am not particularly interested in learning to use these (except for bo), so my hunt for katana training goes on.
Euro sword training is even harder to find, if not completely impossible. I am mostly interested in hand and a half training. Any leads would be very helpful.
Also, cold steel makes a variety of nice looking bokkens for both euro swords and katanas, made of a nice, durable, high grade polypropylene. I have one question about these: obviously the weight and durability is perfect, but how is the handling? Are they crowbars, or do they handle like a sword should, more or less? If they aren't that great, what are some other places I can get polypropylene bokkens? I don't like wood as much because it can crack and splinter. Thanks once again!
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Aug 30, 2014 20:20:18 GMT
You should check the HEMA alliance forum to find a club that trains western styles.
As for the CS: the western designs are godawful. Nothing but plastic clubs. Stay away. For nylon wasters I can recommend Rawlings or better, Pentii. Can't say anything about the bokken.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Aug 30, 2014 20:35:00 GMT
For Asian sword dojos, you can try finding one here: www.e-budo.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?124-Sword-Arts-Dojo-Finder. There are others on the board who can help when it comes to HEMA training. I've seen a fellow Iaido member use a CS bokken - I noticed that it had a very plastic look and feel to it, and it was also lighter than a wooden bokken. There are some top quality wooden bokkens that can last a lifetime, but are usually much more expensive than the red oak (standard "first" bokken) variety. www.kingfisherwoodworks.com has really nice ones for sale - I have a white oak bokken and jo from them, and they have lasted many years in kumitachi as well as for kata. There are some bokken made from lignum vitae, hickory, and other hard woods - just be aware that they will damage a less dense bokken during kumitachi.
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Post by frankthebunny on Aug 30, 2014 21:29:00 GMT
Where are you located? If you're in or near NYC, look up my friend Raab Rashi at Sword Class NYC
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Post by Krelian on Aug 31, 2014 3:35:12 GMT
There's a good chance some dojo/school recommendations could be offered to you if we know what city you lived in/near. If you're looking for traditional/historical Japanese sword training it shouldn't really be necessary to train with them in other weapons first. That usually indicates it's a karate school that may not REALLY have an authentic/historic sword curriculum. For bokuto it's generally best to use the same size/material/et cetera as the rest of the class. Honestly it really sucks if one student uses a super hardwood while everyone else uses white oak. The hardwood won't take any real damage (which is nice) but it'll wear out everyone else's very quickly which isn't nice for them. If everyone uses the same the wear is much reduced and it's generally just more courteous for everyone. Please keep in mind that my insight is just from ONE person and it reflects my personal views and opinions from just a single traditional Japanese sword school.
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Post by Elf-knight444 on Sept 1, 2014 0:14:09 GMT
Thanks. I will check out HEMA. I am in northern california, and I have decided I am primarily interested in kenjutsu. Kendo looks fun but impractical, and I really want to learn to use a real sword in a skilled and safe manner, not sportsy fighting with shinais. Anyone else know much about synthetic bokkens? Looks like my euro sword problem is solved. LGMartialArts: I tried looking on that forum, unfortunately wasn't much help.
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Post by Krelian on Sept 1, 2014 2:42:38 GMT
Northern California is a pretty broad ballpark. I'm in Sacramento and just north of here in a suburb called Roseville I attend a dojo that teaches Masaoka-ha Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu (made popular in the US by the highly respected Masayuki Shimabukuro). Ono-ha Itto-ryu kenjutsu and Shinto Muso-ryu Jo are also part of the curriculum. I know there is also at least one good historical European sword school in the Sacramento area as well. If you're closer to the Bay I might know of one or two good places out there as well. If you're further north I'd have to do a little Googling to see if there's anything out there.
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Sept 1, 2014 7:05:04 GMT
The earliest use of a bamboo weapon to train with instead of a sword is credited to Kamiizumi Nobutsuna (1508-1572?) The "modern" shinai, with four slats of bamboo, is generally credited to Nakanishi Chuzo Tsugutate (died 1801) While training with the Bokken was common they were fierce weapons in their own right and injuries and even fatalities in training were not uncommon. Depends a lot on where you live (?)
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Post by pokey on Sept 1, 2014 12:32:14 GMT
If you mean longsword, well you are in luck, as its probably the most popular HEMA weapon there is.
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Post by wazikan on Sept 1, 2014 17:05:23 GMT
Im in northern ca, depending on where you life you might have some good schools to check out. But northern cali is a big ass area. Can you add your citty
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Post by Student of Sword on Sept 1, 2014 17:17:27 GMT
Northern California is the size of a country; narrow it down to a city.
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Post by Elf-knight444 on Sept 1, 2014 17:55:45 GMT
It wasn't shinais that they used.
I am a little north of folsom. Depending on how often classes are held, sacramento might work but its about an hour of driving. Anything closer? Thanks everyone for your help!
I read our admin Paul Southren's review of the CS bokken and it seemed largely favorable, and I know where to get one for $20.
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Razor
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,883
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Post by Razor on Sept 1, 2014 18:22:33 GMT
How far north of Folsom are you? Because it takes about 30 min to get from Sac to Folsom, and about an hour to get to where I live in Lodi to Folsom.
It sounds like Krelian's dojo is in Roseville, and that's only about 24min away from Folsom.
I study HEMA and I do longsword, rapier, and broadsword. You are more than welcome to come over and train with me.
@ Wazikan and Elf-knight44, have you guys ever herd about my SBG meet ups? My last one was in April and Krelian was one of the members at my last one........That reminds me I have to still post the pics from it :oops:
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Post by Elf-knight444 on Sept 2, 2014 1:30:25 GMT
about 30 minutes from folsom, but roseville is about an hour and 15 minutes away
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Post by wazikan on Sept 2, 2014 5:10:11 GMT
I havent heard of the meet ups. I study bujinjan taijutsu in san francisco and enbukan battojutsu in concord.
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