What would you do.......?

[Doji Lance]

If you HAD to choose, wich would it be Iaido, or Kendo? Just woundering, and the reason behind this would be?

[Jerry Wellbrock]

Why seperate the two....are not kendo and iaido just different aspects of the same martial art.....

[Doji Lance]

just a question my friend to make ya think about the two.

[S. Takamori]

Why does I have to make a choise?

[Doji Lance]

you dont, just thought id ask......

[lewis]

Takamori,

Here is a little background. In the US, and presumably other places around the world, it is normal to find a dojo or sensei in one art and not the other - if you can find one at all. So it isn't that strange a question for us.

In college, there were two iaido instructors who taught students - but no kendo at all. As far as I know they didn't do kendo and they never talked to the students about it. The nearest kendo dojo that I knew of was 5 hours away (although there must have been one closer). Later, at a different college while in graduate school, there was kendo for students, but no iaido (unless you went to the main dojo an hour's drive away and with no student discount). At that time, the dojo was the only iaido dojo within 600 miles of the college. Right now in my area, there are 3 or 4 kendo dojos but only one that also teaches iaido that I know of.

That said, it is a common worry in the US that when you move to a new place you will won't find a dojo close enough to continue study in both or even at all. So Lance's question resonates with us, even though we all agree with Wellbrock's point.

[chidokan]

I used to travel 6 hours each way once a month to get to my teacher. Didnt go down too well with the mrs. but it was the only way I could learn iaido. the kendo club was right on my doorstep so I can sympathise a lot. Twenty odd years later I teach both,(not very well though!) and can visit quite a few dojos within an hour. Just keep plugging away, a club will always turn up eventually even if you have to start one yourself...

Tim

[Justy]

I'm lucky enough that I don't have to choose, but if I had to, I'd drop kendo before iaido. Iaido just means more to me. I don't have any detailed explanation why, it just does.