Best Dojo in Boston?

[Ren Blade]

I live in Boston, Massachusetts. I am looking for the best dojo to train with a particular interest in Kenjutsu but had no luck finding one. Aside from that, if no one can recommend a good Kenjutsu school or master, what are the best Kendo or Iaido schools?

[Will]

uh...yeah, besides some backwatered place in Japan, i doubt you'll find a kenjutsu school anywhere...

besides, why take kenjutsu, the art to kill others, over kendo...unless, you want to learn how to kill people...

Man, why do people always want to learn how to kill people with the sword
Here's a quick kenjutsu lesson, you hit them with the sword, they DIE. Now you have all the information you need to go off and kill people with the sword...search no further for your kenjutsu instructor, you now know the secret of a thousand years.

but seriously, kendo is the modern day version of kenjutsu so it will be near impossible to find a kenjutsu school seeing how it was made obsolete. It's kind of like wanting to buy a Commodore 64 to do your work over a computer with a Pentium 4...it'll be impossible to find and of no use

[nodachi]

If you live in Boston, then look up on the internet "Boston Kendo" and you will find websites for Boston Kendo Kyokai (i think that;s the formal name of them). It's in Brookline, not far off the green line. That's the best bet for you for your location. Unless you are in college and you have access to Harvard or MIT's kendo clubs.

[Compact Diss]

http://www.doshikai.org

This Dojo is located in Acton.

In Boston

www.boston-kendo.com (http://www.boston-kendo.com)

Also....

http://www.bostoniaido.com/


You obviously have seen the "Last Samurai", I can see by your signature....

I have watched classes both in Boston and in Acton. At first I was interested in Kendo but as I learned more about the arts I came to realize that it is Iaido which I am more interested in pursuing at this time.
I will begin Iaido in Acton on Monday.
Contact either if you are interested, both Barry and Dave are very easy to talk with.
Do google searches or search through this site for answers to your questions. It seems as if every question I have had has already been answered on the web.

Good luck and hope to see you in the future...
Check out my post in the "Iaido" section

Joe

[Kaoru]

I live in Boston, Massachusetts. I am looking for the best dojo to train with a particular interest in Kenjutsu but had no luck finding one. Aside from that, if no one can recommend a good Kenjutsu school or master, what are the best Kendo or Iaido schools?


Hi!

Well, I know Massachusetts has Koryu(Kenjutsu or Iaido) there. Expect to drive some distance though. I will be back tomorrow with the dojos I come up with. I know where to look, so give me time to hunt them down.

WARNING: Koryu, the study of it, requires extreme discipline and concentration. It is not like the film The Last Samurai. It is HARD WORK.
You will be using a bokken for quite a while, and/or an Iaito(blunt bladed katana) for a very long time, Only after at least 5 years give or take, will you be allowed to use a shinken(live blade) in practice, if at all. Some schools do not do tameshigiri(test cutting). Your sensei will tell you what you are allowed to use.

Also, expect to follow strict etiquette in a Koryu dojo. It is my understanding that they are even more strict in etiquette in a traditional Koryu school than Kendo even, and Kendo depending on the dojo, can be very strict regarding it, as well. This is very good.

First, you will call the sensei and ask him/her if you may watch a practice.
The first class you go to, you will be expected to present yourself properly(I mean look nice when you show up.) and watch the class. There, you will be able to talk to the sensei before and after the class and ask questions, should you have any. It is wise to show up on time for the practice, even if you are just going to watch the class to see if it is what you want to get into. This shows good character. Koryu sensei can be picky on who they accept, from what I have heard from students of both Iaido and Kenjutsu. I know a couple people who study both. They want a serious student who will take the time to put in the effort and dedication to work hard. If you show you are serious, they will have no problem taking you as a student. Remember, this will be a weapon you will be holding, and it is no place to goof off. If you are willing to accept all this, then go for it. :)

Regarding "best." It really depends on if you and the sensei are compatible with each other and and get along. Each sensei has their own way of teaching, and what may fit one student, may not fit another. This is why it is good to visit more than one school, if you have that option.

Oh... by the way, Koryu Iaido is not the same as the Iaido taught in some Kendo dojos. The Iaido developed by the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (Japan Kendo Federation, or ZNKR) is called the Seitei Gata. I believe it was developed in the 1950's. Koryu Iaido goes back hundreds of years. So, what I will be looking for, for you, is Koryu Iaido and Kenjutsu. While there is nothing wrong with the new Iaido, what you are looking for, is Koryu, from what you asked in your post.

Anyway, sorry for my rather serious post, but you need to know that seeing the movie and actually learning this stuff is totally different.

So, I will be back sometime tomorrow with any dojo(s) I may find. I know something exists there. I just have to find it.

Kaoru

[Kaoru]

uh...yeah, besides some backwatered place in Japan, i doubt you'll find a kenjutsu school anywhere...

besides, why take kenjutsu, the art to kill others, over kendo...unless, you want to learn how to kill people...

Man, why do people always want to learn how to kill people with the sword
Here's a quick kenjutsu lesson, you hit them with the sword, they DIE. Now you have all the information you need to go off and kill people with the sword...search no further for your kenjutsu instructor, you now know the secret of a thousand years.

but seriously, kendo is the modern day version of kenjutsu so it will be near impossible to find a kenjutsu school seeing how it was made obsolete. It's kind of like wanting to buy a Commodore 64 to do your work over a computer with a Pentium 4...it'll be impossible to find and of no use

Hey Will,

Watch me find it... hehehe! By the way, if it wasn't for Kenjutsu and Iaido, you would not get to be practicing Kendo as you are now. So... Don't bash it please. Be thankful for it instead. Kendo was born as a result of these two beautiful swordarts. Also, no student who is looking to learn to kill will be accepted into a Koryu(classical swordart) dojo, just so you know. If a sensei would find this motive out, that student would be thrown out.

Kaoru

[Compact Diss]

People who are looking to kill I do not think would waste their time learning a skill such as Iaido. Anyone looking to kill would not waste their time here.

[Kaoru]

People who are looking to kill I do not think would waste their time learning a skill such as Iaido. Anyone looking to kill would not waste their time here.


You'd be surprised... I've seen at least one or two posts asking if it can be used on another forum. Disgusting...

Kaoru

[Will]

Hey Will,

Watch me find it... hehehe! By the way, if it wasn't for Kenjutsu and Iaido, you would not get to be practicing Kendo as you are now. So... Don't bash it please. Be thankful for it instead. Kendo was born as a result of these two beautiful swordarts. Also, no student who is looking to learn to kill will be accepted into a Koryu(classical swordart) dojo, just so you know. If a sensei would find this motive out, that student would be thrown out.

Kaoru

oh i know kendo is the evolved form of kenjutsu, i'm not bashing it. I'm just saying, it's out of date. I was giving reasoning on why you wouldn't be able to find a kenjutsu dojo, because kendo is it's modern form. Though, i am bashing the people who want to learn how to swing a sword for the sake of pretending to be a samurai... come on...


and the killing stuff was a joke

[Kaoru]

oh i know kendo is the evolved form of kenjutsu, i'm not bashing it. I'm just saying, it's out of date. I was giving reasoning on why you wouldn't be able to find a kenjutsu dojo, because kendo is it's modern form. Though, i am bashing the people who want to learn how to swing a sword for the sake of pretending to be a samurai... come on...


and the killing stuff was a joke

Oh, I see. :) Actually, it's not out of date. It's just not used anymore. I see what you mean by out of date, but it really isn't, in terms of why people today, study it. In terms of using it the way it was intended before swords were banned in 1876, yes, it is out of date. Kenjutsu exists here in the US. It is rare, but there are some 15-20 Kenjutsu dojos in the US at least. Koryu Iaido is not as rare as Kenjutsu, and is easier to find. Kendo is not Kenjutsu by any means, but is derived rather, from it. The cuts used in Kenjutsu with exception of the four we use, as well as they, are not allowed in Kendo. They have also, many more kamae than we do.

Well, the people who want to pretend to be Samurai and learn it, will most likely soon quit because they will find that it is harder than they thought, and that they actually have to work hard to learn it, and find out they won't be doing a bunch of fancy stuff like they saw in the movie. Iaido can at times seem to be boring, from what I've been told, because of the constant repetitions of a single technique just to get a cut right. It's not like using a shinai or bokken. I really am not sure how to explain properly, even though I know what I am talking about, but since I do not practice either Koryu myself, it's not a good idea for me to try to, in case I miss something and get it not quite right. If you wish to learn more, go to E-Budo here, to ask questons:

http://www.e-budo.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?forumid=16

Anyway, granted, there are always a few who are serious and will be willing to put in the time and realise that it is not fantasy, and they are working with a real weapon and understand that the sword is not to be fooled with.
That's why I posted my warning, to let people who decide they want to study a JSA(Japanese Sword Art for those new.), because they saw a Samurai movie know that this is a serious art and not a game.

And, hahaha, I'm glad the killing stuff was a joke. Sorry, but it was kind of hard to figure out it was a joke... ;) If you'd put an emoticon, it would have made it a bit more clear. :) No offense meant...

And, I ran out of time today to hunt down the dojo. I'll have to do that tomorrow I guess. I thought I'd have time today... But, only had time to post. Sorry Ren!

Kaoru

[Ren Blade]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and advise. I have long been interested in Japanese sword styles long before The Last Samurai. I have a Katana that is sharp already so I have the respect for a live blade already and I don't toy with it. I realize the hard work that would be involved. But thanks again. Much appreciated.:)

[Ren Blade]

I'm checking out the sites provided. I'm looking for classes that are available on weekends as I'm very busy at work Mon-Fri and have obligations nightly Mon-Fri. I'm looking for a school or teacher that would be available to teach on weekends. I'm searching on Google as well. If anything I wouldn't mind learning from someone here who may live in the Boston area and is willing to teach and I would be more than happy to discuss tuition with you.

[Ren Blade]

I'm happy to have just found a class on Saturdays. I'm going to call and stop by the school.