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Post by Robert in California on Feb 6, 2020 18:43:11 GMT
The sword instructor(s) that one is a student of, is not so much important as how good is/was the student(s). In the early 1980's my Kenjutsu Sensei, was Mr. A. Takahashi, moved here from Japan and married a U.S. citizen. He was of samurai family lineage. He spoke almost no English. He was senior in kenjutsu, kyudo, tea ceremony, Japanese calligraphy and art, and empty handed techniques. I took classes for est. 4 years, until I job requirements had me moving out of the area. I never got very good, IMO. Not his fault, it was mine. My college coursework took up most all my free time, me being a "B" student who busted his butt to try to get "A"'s (sometimes successfully, sometimes not). Prior to him, back in the Missouri Ozarks, while in the Army, I book learned what I could from Mr. Lovret's "Kenjutsu Shodan". A good book, but now hard to find, and pricey. My point being that this sword interest we all have, is about a love we have in historical weapons and their use. Relatively few folks have this interest, but at least it has daily life practicality more than if we were all, say, stamp collectors. While the sword school we went to, or the sensei we were a student of, is interesting, it is not worth an argument about. My Sensei, Mr. Takahashi was the real thing, if a samurai could exist in this modern world (which he could barely do and that only because his wife was an English speaker and had a good job), but it would be silly for me to brag that he was my Sensei, because I never became the disciple he wanted. Jkoo/Sinoswords are a middle of the road grade sword. And improving because Van Yang wants to improve his swords. Better now than when John Walter Pope (represented here at SBG by his brother, "Maewyn") tested the three Jkoo swords of which the third freebie Jkoo sword sent him was: (which btw, has pics of it next to a standard Jkoo tsuka so one can see Jkoo's try at making an "hourglass" tsuka.) sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/57333I admit to bias against Huawei because of the four custom Huawei's I got from Jackie, all had problems, and the customer service was poor (try 12 months wait time). But I also admit my bias is unfair to Huawei because it is pretty clear, that Huawei has improved since then. If tomorrow, I bought a new Huawei, odds are, I'd be singing Huawei's praises (value for the price, as I do for Jkoo). I'd probably sing the praises of SBG swords that are in current production. Look at this blade and tell me it is not good looking. I could fall in love with this one, it so appeals to me: sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product907.htmlMy point is that it is not the school or sensei that counts, it is the student that results. And that bragging about this stuff is like bragging about how we are the leader of an outlaw bicycle gang or the "pro" at the miniture golf place, since it is really only of importance to our insular groups. The bigger world of folks out there don't care and probably think we are a bit nuts anyway. So we might as well get along with each other. RinC
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Post by Lord Newport on Feb 6, 2020 18:53:42 GMT
The sword instructor(s) that one is a student of, is not so much important as how good is/was the student(s). In the early 1980's my Kenjutsu Sensei, was Mr. A. Takahashi, moved here from Japan and married a U.S. citizen. He was of samurai family lineage. He spoke almost no English. He was senior in kenjutsu, kyudo, tea ceremony, Japanese calligraphy and art, and empty handed techniques. I took classes for est. 4 years, until I job requirements had me moving out of the area. I never got very good, IMO. Not his fault, it was mine. My college coursework took up most all my free time, me being a "B" student who busted his butt to try to get "A"'s (sometimes successfully, sometimes not). Prior to him, back in the Missouri Ozarks, while in the Army, I book learned what I could from Mr. Lovret's "Kenjutsu Shodan". A good book, but now hard to find, and pricey. My point being that this sword interest we all have, is about a love we have in historical weapons and their use. Relatively few folks have this interest, but at least it has daily life practicality more than if we were all, say, stamp collectors. While the sword school we went to, or the sensei we were a student of, is interesting, it is not worth an argument about. My Sensei, Mr. Takahashi was the real thing, if a samurai could exist in this modern world (which he could barely do and that only because his wife was an English speaker and had a good job), but it would be silly for me to brag that he was my Sensei, because I never became the disciple he wanted. Jkoo/Sinoswords are a middle of the road grade sword. And improving because Van Yang wants to improve his swords. Better now than when John Walter Pope (represented here at SBG by his brother, "Maewyn") tested the three Jkoo swords of which the third freebie Jkoo sword sent him was: (which btw, has pics of it next to a standard Jkoo tsuka so one can see Jkoo's try at making an "hourglass" tsuka.) sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/57333I admit to bias against Huawei because of the four custom Huawei's I got from Jackie, all had problems, and the customer service was poor (try 12 months wait time). But I also admit my bias is unfair to Huawei because it is pretty clear, that Huawei has improved since then. If tomorrow, I bought a new Huawei, odds are, I'd be singing Huawei's praises (value for the price, as I do for Jkoo). I'd probably sing the praises of SBG swords that are in current production. Look at this blade and tell me it is not good looking: sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product907.htmlMy point is that it is not the school or sensei that counts, it is the student that results. And that bragging about this stuff is like bragging about how we are the leader of an outlaw bicycle gang or the "pro" at the miniture golf place, since it is really only of importance to our insular groups. The bigger world of folks out there don't care and probably think we are a bit nuts anyway. So we might as well get along with each other. RinC Thanks for sharing your interesting background story. I am not sure what brought it about and the point you are making with it. I agree that all the petty politics and sniping in the JSA community ( I couldn't believe how bad it is in Japan) is one of the reasons when my rotator cuff issues developed it was easy to end a 12 year JSA career. While I dont think there is any validity to the one art is better or superior to the other bullsemprini, where you studied, who you studied under and how far you progressed do speak volumes about your work ethic, skill level not to mention the value / validity of the information one has to share here in SBG as well as provide context to opinions expressed. Progression thru the JSA system, regardless of Ryu-ha is called rank for a reason and it confer's on its holder a certain degree of validity and authority the same way if not more so that rank in the military or corporate world does. Regardless of your hobby/interest/ sport, the world is full of people trying to project themselves as something they are not...a function of insecure and petty people. Sadly, they are everywhere. I have found them in High school, college, the military, the corporate world, JSA, the shooting sports, sailboat racing, Car/vehicle/watch collecting, living history community and the list goes on... ad nauseam
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Post by bradc on Feb 6, 2020 19:26:32 GMT
The sword instructor(s) that one is a student of, is not so much important as how good is/was the student(s). In the early 1980's my Kenjutsu Sensei, was Mr. A. Takahashi, moved here from Japan and married a U.S. citizen. He was of samurai family lineage. He spoke almost no English. He was senior in kenjutsu, kyudo, tea ceremony, Japanese calligraphy and art, and empty handed techniques. I took classes for est. 4 years, until I job requirements had me moving out of the area. I never got very good, IMO. Not his fault, it was mine. My college coursework took up most all my free time, me being a "B" student who busted his butt to try to get "A"'s (sometimes successfully, sometimes not). Prior to him, back in the Missouri Ozarks, while in the Army, I book learned what I could from Mr. Lovret's "Kenjutsu Shodan". A good book, but now hard to find, and pricey. My point being that this sword interest we all have, is about a love we have in historical weapons and their use. Relatively few folks have this interest, but at least it has daily life practicality more than if we were all, say, stamp collectors. While the sword school we went to, or the sensei we were a student of, is interesting, it is not worth an argument about. My Sensei, Mr. Takahashi was the real thing, if a samurai could exist in this modern world (which he could barely do and that only because his wife was an English speaker and had a good job), but it would be silly for me to brag that he was my Sensei, because I never became the disciple he wanted. Jkoo/Sinoswords are a middle of the road grade sword. And improving because Van Yang wants to improve his swords. Better now than when John Walter Pope (represented here at SBG by his brother, "Maewyn") tested the three Jkoo swords of which the third freebie Jkoo sword sent him was: (which btw, has pics of it next to a standard Jkoo tsuka so one can see Jkoo's try at making an "hourglass" tsuka.) sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/57333I admit to bias against Huawei because of the four custom Huawei's I got from Jackie, all had problems, and the customer service was poor (try 12 months wait time). But I also admit my bias is unfair to Huawei because it is pretty clear, that Huawei has improved since then. If tomorrow, I bought a new Huawei, odds are, I'd be singing Huawei's praises (value for the price, as I do for Jkoo). I'd probably sing the praises of SBG swords that are in current production. Look at this blade and tell me it is not good looking: sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product907.htmlMy point is that it is not the school or sensei that counts, it is the student that results. And that bragging about this stuff is like bragging about how we are the leader of an outlaw bicycle gang or the "pro" at the miniture golf place, since it is really only of importance to our insular groups. The bigger world of folks out there don't care and probably think we are a bit nuts anyway. So we might as well get along with each other. RinC Well said. From my perspective, when I speak here on the topic of swords, I speak for myself not as a representative of my school. I don't keep my identity a secret, but I would rather people judge me on my record, and if I contributed useful information here, rather than as an unauthorized representative of my school. -PS keeping identity a secret is absolutely not a dig at anyone, it's a personal choice. And I am not meaning to imply school and rank are always not relevant. For example my ryu ha doesn't include tameshigiri in its curriculum so take my comments on such with the appropriate amount of salt
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Post by Lord Newport on Feb 6, 2020 19:38:30 GMT
The sword instructor(s) that one is a student of, is not so much important as how good is/was the student(s). In the early 1980's my Kenjutsu Sensei, was Mr. A. Takahashi, moved here from Japan and married a U.S. citizen. He was of samurai family lineage. He spoke almost no English. He was senior in kenjutsu, kyudo, tea ceremony, Japanese calligraphy and art, and empty handed techniques. I took classes for est. 4 years, until I job requirements had me moving out of the area. I never got very good, IMO. Not his fault, it was mine. My college coursework took up most all my free time, me being a "B" student who busted his butt to try to get "A"'s (sometimes successfully, sometimes not). Prior to him, back in the Missouri Ozarks, while in the Army, I book learned what I could from Mr. Lovret's "Kenjutsu Shodan". A good book, but now hard to find, and pricey. My point being that this sword interest we all have, is about a love we have in historical weapons and their use. Relatively few folks have this interest, but at least it has daily life practicality more than if we were all, say, stamp collectors. While the sword school we went to, or the sensei we were a student of, is interesting, it is not worth an argument about. My Sensei, Mr. Takahashi was the real thing, if a samurai could exist in this modern world (which he could barely do and that only because his wife was an English speaker and had a good job), but it would be silly for me to brag that he was my Sensei, because I never became the disciple he wanted. Jkoo/Sinoswords are a middle of the road grade sword. And improving because Van Yang wants to improve his swords. Better now than when John Walter Pope (represented here at SBG by his brother, "Maewyn") tested the three Jkoo swords of which the third freebie Jkoo sword sent him was: (which btw, has pics of it next to a standard Jkoo tsuka so one can see Jkoo's try at making an "hourglass" tsuka.) sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/57333I admit to bias against Huawei because of the four custom Huawei's I got from Jackie, all had problems, and the customer service was poor (try 12 months wait time). But I also admit my bias is unfair to Huawei because it is pretty clear, that Huawei has improved since then. If tomorrow, I bought a new Huawei, odds are, I'd be singing Huawei's praises (value for the price, as I do for Jkoo). I'd probably sing the praises of SBG swords that are in current production. Look at this blade and tell me it is not good looking: sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product907.htmlMy point is that it is not the school or sensei that counts, it is the student that results. And that bragging about this stuff is like bragging about how we are the leader of an outlaw bicycle gang or the "pro" at the miniture golf place, since it is really only of importance to our insular groups. The bigger world of folks out there don't care and probably think we are a bit nuts anyway. So we might as well get along with each other. RinC Well said. From my perspective, when I speak here on the topic of swords, I speak for myself not as a representative of my school. I don't keep my identity a secret, but I would rather people judge me on my record, and if I contributed useful information here, rather than as an unauthorized representative of my school. -PS keeping identity a secret is absolutely not a dig at anyone, it's a personal choice. And I am not meaning to imply school and rank are always not relevant. For example my ryu ha doesn't include tameshigiri in its curriculum so take my comments on such with the appropriate amount of salt What a shame you missed out on all the added training, sore shoulders and arms, rolling and soaking tatami mats, getting tatami juice all over yourself and the dojo, picking up all the cut tatami and carting out to dumpsters, sponsoring Tai Kai's and having to do all the above times 10, bad cuts and bent blades and all the other less than fun part of studying tameshigiri. I have found in the JSA community, its all good if thats what you want to make of it. The most valuable things I got from my limited JSA career were the lasting friendships...
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Post by bradc on Feb 6, 2020 19:43:01 GMT
Well said. From my perspective, when I speak here on the topic of swords, I speak for myself not as a representative of my school. I don't keep my identity a secret, but I would rather people judge me on my record, and if I contributed useful information here, rather than as an unauthorized representative of my school. -PS keeping identity a secret is absolutely not a dig at anyone, it's a personal choice. And I am not meaning to imply school and rank are always not relevant. For example my ryu ha doesn't include tameshigiri in its curriculum so take my comments on such with the appropriate amount of salt What a shame you missed out on all the added training, sore shoulders and arms, rolling and soaking tatami mats, getting tatami juice all over yourself and the dojo, picking up all the cut tatami and carting out to dumpsters, sponsoring Tai Kai's and having to do all the above times 10, bad cuts and bent blades and all the other less than fun part of studying tameshigiri. I have found in the JSA community, its all good if thats what you want to make of it. The most valuable things I got from my limited JSA career were the lasting friendships... Don't you get to be "that guy" and convince the newbies cleaning is some sort of practice benefit This time with the broom is a good opportunity to practice your footwork 😂 Or dont be that guy and make friends for life. Your call;)
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Post by Lord Newport on Feb 6, 2020 20:15:12 GMT
What a shame you missed out on all the added training, sore shoulders and arms, rolling and soaking tatami mats, getting tatami juice all over yourself and the dojo, picking up all the cut tatami and carting out to dumpsters, sponsoring Tai Kai's and having to do all the above times 10, bad cuts and bent blades and all the other less than fun part of studying tameshigiri. I have found in the JSA community, its all good if thats what you want to make of it. The most valuable things I got from my limited JSA career were the lasting friendships... Don't you get to be "that guy" and convince the newbies cleaning is some sort of practice benefit This time with the broom is a good opportunity to practice your footwork 😂 Or dont be that guy and make friends for life. Your call;) You just reminded me of all the fun on my hands and knees wiping down the mats and cleaning Sensei's swords (I liked handling them actually)...
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Post by amstel78 on Feb 7, 2020 18:33:42 GMT
Jkoo/Sinoswords are a middle of the road grade sword. And improving because Van Yang wants to improve his swords. Better now than when John Walter Pope (represented here at SBG by his brother, "Maewyn") tested the three Jkoo swords of which the third freebie Jkoo sword sent him was: (which btw, has pics of it next to a standard Jkoo tsuka so one can see Jkoo's try at making an "hourglass" tsuka.) sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/57333Robert, that "hourglass" or Rikko profile tsuka for the sanmai blade; I'm curious but did it use a full same wrap, or inlet panels? If I bought a katana from JKoo, one of my requirements is that the tsuka follow a haichi or rikko profile. I would like a full wrap as well, but not sure how well they can accomplish that profile with a full wrap. Thanks, James
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Post by Google on Feb 7, 2020 19:02:26 GMT
The lineage discussion is not to brag about one claiming skills because he went to this or that sensei. It is neccesarry because some people give advice, or otherwise gain credibility due to skills they pretend to, but not really have. This transperacy is very important, if we want to have an honest community with good information shared.
Regarding jkoo vs huawei and in general: imho there are better alternatives to jkoo. I don't like huawei since i've been burned years ago too, but i can't deny that today they are one of the strong names, with solid products. Better than jkoo. Jkoo also have many fundamental issues in their products even today, that others do not. That's why i prefer to spend my money elsewhere.
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Post by ambulocetus on Apr 1, 2020 2:32:37 GMT
Robert, you wouldn't by chance still have that copy of "Kenjutsu Shoden" would you? That book is seriously hard to find, although I hear they are thinking about a reprint. My teacher was a student of Lovret Sensei, and while many consider his style to be...let's say controversial, I feel like what I learned had value. Are there any kata you still remember?
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Post by Robert in California on Apr 1, 2020 5:26:06 GMT
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Post by ignatius on Nov 20, 2023 22:14:14 GMT
Robert, you wouldn't by chance still have that copy of "Kenjutsu Shoden" would you? That book is seriously hard to find, although I hear they are thinking about a reprint. My teacher was a student of Lovret Sensei, and while many consider his style to be...let's say controversial, I feel like what I learned had value. Are there any kata you still remember? This is a resurrection from the dead post, But if you are still on here, id be curious to know who your teacher is? I briefly studied at Sandia Budokan under Godfrey Sensei who inherited the Dojo from Tart Sensei, all students of Lovret. We get a lot of hate...a LOT...i was in back in the early 2000s and the internet flaming was strong, and 23 years later, it is still JUST as strong. But just like you, everything I learned had both practical and esoteric value and the individuals I had met are all astounding. If you purchase the Masayuki Shimabukuro Black Belt Magazine video on Amazon Prime, you will see EXTREME similarities with our Ryu.
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