New York City

[eli1021]

Not to start a pissing contest but does anyone have an opinion on the various NYC dojos? I went to a couple practices at the NYC Kendo Club a few years ago but it is pretty far uptown (I live in the 'forgotten' burough).

[R A Sosnowski]

Not to start a pissing contest but does anyone have an opinion on the various NYC dojos? I went to a couple practices at the NYC Kendo Club a few years ago but it is pretty far uptown (I live in the 'forgotten' burough).

The situation in NYC is similar to that in the Greater Washington DC area where I live; I have got 5 Dojo and one Kumdo Dojang within a 45-minute drive. I have talked to various people and have gotten their opinons on some of the other groups. In the end, what I hear is that they like where they are, and they don't like one or more of the other groups because of (blank) and (blank).

If I had to decide based on the opinions of others, I would not consider practicing anywhere. :D

The important aspect is how you relate to the particular dojo -- the only way you are going to know is to check them all out. And then you have to reevaluate while practicing.

That being said, I can tell you that I have heard very good things about Ken Zen in Manhattan.

HTH,

[sminki]

Not to start a pissing contest but does anyone have an opinion on the various NYC dojos? I went to a couple practices at the NYC Kendo Club a few years ago but it is pretty far uptown (I live in the 'forgotten' burough).

The dojos in NYC are all respectable. Since you say NYCKC is too far uptown for you, either Ken Zen (downtown) or Shidogakuin (midtown) may work better, but you say you're in the "forgotten borough" and I don't know where that would be.

[R A Sosnowski]

The dojos in NYC are all respectable. Since you say NYCKC is too far uptown for you, either Ken Zen (downtown) or Shidogakuin (midtown) may work better, but you say you're in the "forgotten borough" and I don't know where that would be.

As I know about only one Kendo Dojo in Manhattan, I could not make the statement that they are all respectable in good faith, but I would suspect that to be true, especially if they are members of AUSKF.

It seems to me that any borough other than Manhattan is forgotten. :D

However, having been born and raised in Fairfield County, CT, a suburb of NYC, I believe that "forgotten borough" is a reference to Staten Island.

[eli1021]

Yep, Staten Island. I work downtown so I will be checking out Ken Zen as soon as I get a chance. (Next week I am getting my bogu back from storage in the midwest.) I figured that you guys could warn me in advance if there was a disreputable dojo around, and maybe alert me to advantages/disadvantages of some of the particular dojos... I got my ikkyu in Japan back in '97 and haven't practiced Kendo since, with the exception of those two sessions at NYCKC. I'm pretty eager to get back into it.

In the end, what I hear is that they like where they are, and they don't like one or more of the other groups because of (blank) and (blank).

That was exactly what I was looking for, actually. Compare a bunch of critical statements like that and theoretically you can decipher a pattern.

[Hai_hai]

Yep, Staten Island. ...

I've never heard it called the forgotten borough. If you called it something like "The armpit of New York", that would have been slightly more clear.

[eli1021]

I've never heard it called the forgotten borough. If you called it something like "The armpit of New York", that would have been slightly more clear.

The armpit of New York is Troy.

[slidercrank]

In the end, what I hear is that they like where they are, and they don't like one or more of the other groups because of (blank) and (blank).

That was exactly what I was looking for, actually. Compare a bunch of critical statements like that and theoretically you can decipher a pattern.
Really, the best way for you to find out is for you yourself to visit each of the 3 dojos. The 3 dojos mentioned by Sminki are all very good. Each is headed by a high grade Japanese sensei, all of whom are or have been deeply involved with AUSKF at national level. In short, all very reputable.

In addition, there's a smaller dojo in Manhattan called Kenshinkai. Around W54 St and 7th Ave. It's very small compared to the 3 big dojos, but it's also very nice.

You have visit each and feel for yourself which sensei and dojo atmosphere you are most comfortable with. Take your time. Good luck.

[sminki]

In addition, there's a smaller dojo in Manhattan called Kenshinkai. Around W54 St and 7th Ave. It's very small compared to the 3 big dojos, but it's also very nice.


Oops. Forgot KenShinKai. Very good dojo. Taught by Ken Kishino sensei who's young and dynamic (highly-ranked in Japan during his highschool and college kendo competition days). His kendo is great.

[Kiki]

Oops. Forgot KenShinKai. Very good dojo. Taught by Ken Kishino sensei who's young and dynamic (highly-ranked in Japan during his highschool and college kendo competition days). His kendo is great.

KenShinKai won the TX Longhorn Tournament last year. IMHO the whole team had strong and clean kendo. Very nice people too.
http://www.kenshin-kai.com

[Tobrak]

Not to start a pissing contest but does anyone have an opinion on the various NYC dojos? I went to a couple practices at the NYC Kendo Club a few years ago but it is pretty far uptown (I live in the 'forgotten' burough).

Hello,

I do practice at Ken Zen at Tarrytown,NY, where I still a newbie but I can tell you that I enjoy the practices very much.
Mr. Chapman , our sensei, have a lot paticience and dedication to all, specially to newbies like myself.
I would at least visit/practice once at Ken Zen just to form a opinion, it worked form me....good luck!

[nothing]

Not to start a pissing contest but does anyone have an opinion on the various NYC dojos? I went to a couple practices at the NYC Kendo Club a few years ago but it is pretty far uptown (I live in the 'forgotten' burough).


There is a great dojo in Fort Lee NJ.. pm me for info