Newbie (not started yet) has some questions

[indigo0086]

Well, I am interested in learning Kendo, but before I would like to ask some questions to those who know about the subject.
1)Okay, I found two close by one being Naginata miami @ http://www.angelfire.com/ne2/Naginatamiami/, and Miami Komei Jyku: Muso jikiden eishin ryu iai jutsu @ http://www.miami-komei-jyuku.org/index2.php. Now what exactly is the "difference" if any between the two"

2) I see that there is a lot of protection in kendo, is it right to assume that there are no duels withought the armor? How much in general will the armor and shinai cost?

3) Also, there are the shinai, and the bokken. Is the bokken ever used in kendo? I haven't seen anywhere where the bokken is used with the armor.

thanks if you choose to respond and I hope I am able to join a local kendo place, even though by local I mean in the same city, but not that close by.

btw, I am 19 year old and live in miami FL.

[indigo0086]

also, hwat are other forms of japanese swordsmanship, and what would you recommend studying if I am not interested in kendo?

[KendoShiai]

Not sure about the fist site you have listed as it only gave me an error when I tried to open it. However the other site is a good friend of mine. Pla Sensei is a very excellent Kendo Sensei and very capable of teaching. There is another Kendo School in Miami as well. It’s at http://www.angelfire.com/ne2/shidogakuinmiami/
Another good friend of mine as well. His name is Mike Meade and very competent as well. Good Luck.

Eddie Miller
www.orlandokendo.com
Orlando Kendo Kai

[indigo0086]

yeah, (http://www.angelfire.com/ne2/shidogakuinmiami/) that's the one I was talking about. I want to go to where Pla Sensei teaches, but I am informed that there is heavy traffic down there all the time, but I don't know yet. Also, do you have any information on the other questions?

[KendoShiai]

The Bokuto is used only for Kata and now for the Kihon Waza training, that is when we are swinging at each other but stop just short of killing. Its used to kind of get the feel back for how a Katana sword would feel and operate. But we never sparr without Bogu on and we never hit with the Bokuto.

Eddie Miller
Orlando Kenod Kai

[indigo0086]

ok I understand. From reading understand that kendo was less focused on working on learning how to use a real katana but use the shinai. While I would like to learn to use a real katana later on, I am content with shinai. So Boken aren't allowed on the mat while sparring? just for practice?

[Kaoru]

yeah, (http://www.angelfire.com/ne2/shidogakuinmiami/) that's the one I was talking about. I want to go to where Pla Sensei teaches, but I am informed that there is heavy traffic down there all the time, but I don't know yet. Also, do you have any information on the other questions?

Hi!

I highly recommend Pla-sensei, for a sensei. I met him at the AUSKF Summer Camp in Charleston a few weeks ago, and he spent all morning the second day, working with me on kata. I was the only one there not in bogu yet, and he didn't mind teaching a beginner of only a few months at all. He is the most patient, kind person! And, he is very good at teaching and at Kendo. You would not be sorry at all! Good luck! :)

Kaoru

[Kaoru]

ok I understand. From reading understand that kendo was less focused on working on learning how to use a real katana but use the shinai. While I would like to learn to use a real katana later on, I am content with shinai. So Boken aren't allowed on the mat while sparring? just for practice?

That's right. Bokken are only used in the kata. It's much too dangerous to use them for sparring. The kata are fun, too!

Kaoru

[indigo0086]

That's right. Bokken are only used in the kata. It's much too dangerous to use them for sparring. The kata are fun, too!

Kaoru
what exactly are kata? I am looking in this kendo glossary and it says that it "basics" do you mean simple strokes and stuff?

[indigo0086]

also, I am going for the first time, not as a member, but to speak to him about becoming one on monday, should I bow to him even though I am not a member?

[goshawk]

also, I am going for the first time, not as a member, but to speak to him about becoming one on monday, should I bow to him even though I am not a member?
well, bow if you like to, i didn't bow to anyone when i first time enter a dojo to ask for details cos i didn't know :P but good manner is always welcome by people

[indigo0086]

I met Pla-Sensei, and he is one of the coolest guys I've seen. Before he starts the lesson and warmup, he gives a handshake and a cheek to all the dojo dudes, and he is really funny too. He incorporates humor in his lessons but is also serious when teaching. He also is very generous and just overall nice guy. I was saying to him how I lived on the other side of town, and then one of the senior members said that it wasn't far. Pla informed me that that student lived even further than I, almost 6 miles further. I live about 17 miles away from the dojo. He also told me of a martial arts supply place that gives special deals to his students. 14 dollar shinai and 40 dollar hakama uniform.

[Kaoru]

I met Pla-Sensei, and he is one of the coolest guys I've seen. Before he starts the lesson and warmup, he gives a handshake and a cheek to all the dojo dudes, and he is really funny too. He incorporates humor in his lessons but is also serious when teaching. He also is very generous and just overall nice guy. I was saying to him how I lived on the other side of town, and then one of the senior members said that it wasn't far. Pla informed me that that student lived even further than I, almost 6 miles further. I live about 17 miles away from the dojo. He also told me of a martial arts supply place that gives special deals to his students. 14 dollar shinai and 40 dollar hakama uniform.


Oh, he certainly is. I agree that he is funny, but also serious when teaching. It's a very good combination. Have fun in your class!

You live only 17 miles from the dojo? Boy are you ever lucky. That is really close. :)

Oh, the kata emulates Kenjutsu techniques, and use the bokken. It is done with two people. I'm just a beginner myself, and I'm sorry for the poor description of it. I wish I could give you a better definition.

Kaoru

[wingdelta]

Heyyy.... my shinai gost $50... and my hakama + keiko gi was another $300 =(

[indigo0086]

Heyyy.... my shinai gost $50... and my hakama + keiko gi was another $300 =(
I'm sorry to hear that.

[A P]

I'm sorry to hear that.

I agree with you all the way..

Wayyyyyy to exspensive, but I guess you must be feeling rich at the moment

when you order it.

[goshawk]

I'm sorry to hear that.
it will be quite normal when we starting to feel like to buy bogu :D

[wingdelta]

I guess you must be feeling rich at the moment...

when you order it.

Haha... not really... To my knowledge, that's a reasonable price around here... It's in Canadian dollars... but it does seem like a bit expensive.... bogu... another thousand dollars >.<...

[tango]

There is some pretty good kendo happening down in Miami.

Kato-sensei (at Shidogakuin) is just fantastic.
Mike Meade, Carlo Rivera, Frank Nieves, Lew Murhpy, William Collazo.. a bunch of great guys and they are very good kendo players (although I'll be happy if I never fight Murphy again.. The guy is 20 feet tall and I've always had a problem trying to reach his men... haha.. LOVE YA, MURPH!).
And if I'm not mistaken, I think Frank Nieves is on the U.S. National Team.
All of those guys are good, hard players.
I consider myself fortunate to have geiko'd with all of them, both formally and informally.

Miami Valley kendo club is also quite, quite good.
(I'm extremely jealous!)
Ariga-sensei, Morimoto-sensei, Ozaki-sensei.. fantastic guys. I just visited their website (http://members.nuvox.net/~on.frankv/mvkendo/ and I'm glad to see Frank Victores still listed there.. (I thought he might have dropped off the planet!)..

Anyway, there's just some fantastic kendo instruction going on down in Miami. You're quite fortunate to be down there.

Rgds,
Rogers Gossett
Memphis, TN

[indigo0086]

There is some pretty good kendo happening down in Miami.

Kato-sensei (at Shidogakuin) is just fantastic.
Mike Meade, Carlo Rivera, Frank Nieves, Lew Murhpy, William Collazo.. a bunch of great guys and they are very good kendo players (although I'll be happy if I never fight Murphy again.. The guy is 20 feet tall and I've always had a problem trying to reach his men... haha.. LOVE YA, MURPH!).
And if I'm not mistaken, I think Frank Nieves is on the U.S. National Team.
All of those guys are good, hard players.
I consider myself fortunate to have geiko'd with all of them, both formally and informally.

Miami Valley kendo club is also quite, quite good.
(I'm extremely jealous!)
Ariga-sensei, Morimoto-sensei, Ozaki-sensei.. fantastic guys. I just visited their website (http://members.nuvox.net/~on.frankv/mvkendo/ and I'm glad to see Frank Victores still listed there.. (I thought he might have dropped off the planet!)..

Anyway, there's just some fantastic kendo instruction going on down in Miami. You're quite fortunate to be down there.

Rgds,
Rogers Gossett
Memphis, TNhttp://www.kendo-usa.org/results/floridacherry_2003.htm

he was telling me how he almost came first place but was beaten in the last minute by a korean player. ALso, Raul Magaden is also on the lest at third place, they are both at my dojo

[Rawoo]

that is expensive
are they good quality?
I dont mind paying a lot but if quality is poor
I'd be pissed!

[CUDALAX21]

Hey hey,
I'm 17 and live in miami Fl and i just sent an e-mail to whom i think is this Pla-senai you're talking about. Is there a phone # i can get from any of you so i may get in contact with him?