Konichiwa

[Rurouni]

Hello all. I am completely new to the world of Kendo...I begin this saturday. I have just recieved my shinai today. I may have a few questions for you in the future and I hope you wont mind me askin'.

Oh yea...JAPAN RULES!!!

[Sentunim]

Hello all. I am completely new to the world of Kendo...I begin this saturday. I have just recieved my shinai today. I may have a few questions for you in the future and I hope you wont mind me askin'.

Oh yea...JAPAN RULES!!!
did rorouni kenshin spark your interest?

[Yowai]

Oh yea...JAPAN RULES!!!

Trust me when I say this: Japan does not 'rule'.

[khehtra]

heh im new here too yup sure em and just wanted to say that

.............TAHOE ROCKS!!!!!(only in the winter)

[Rurouni]

did rorouni kenshin spark your interest?


A little. My uncle was the biggest influence because he studied Kendo for sometime and showed me a few techniques. I started checkin out japanese culture and I was astounished with the samurai and their code(bushido). The ideas of Seppuku and tsuifuku were awesome...I honostly am not sure exactly what sparked my whole interest about it.

[Musha]

Yes it does Yowai, who do you think North Korea maybe?

[xvikingx]

The ideas of Seppuku and tsuifuku were awesome...

What the hell is wrong with you?!

[litige]

Samurai wannabe

[hyouriittai]

A little. My uncle was the biggest influence because he studied Kendo for sometime and showed me a few techniques. I started checkin out japanese culture and I was astounished with the samurai and their code(bushido). The ideas of Seppuku and tsuifuku were awesome...I honostly am not sure exactly what sparked my whole interest about it.

Yeah, there are some underlying concepts that make the samurai interesting -- I don't know if I'd call some of those concepts "awesome ideas." But yeah, watch out, though. Your last few posts have set yourself up for flames, just warning ya'. Careful with the bushido and Japanese cartoon references, ya? Hope your experiences in kendo are what you were looking for.

[Rurouni]

I don't know if I'd call some of those concepts "awesome ideas." .
Apologizies to anyone who took it to offence...

OH and im not a samurai wannabe...or whatever

[Rurouni]

What the hell is wrong with you?!

Um absolutly nothing..."awesome", no. Admirable and brave, yes. How many people in the world today would you say had the courage to cut their own stomach open, or allow himself/herself to be beheaded????

[xvikingx]

How many people in the world today would you say had the courage to cut their own stomach open, or allow himself/herself to be beheaded????

I am going to take a wild stab at this... 0! It is quite obvious that if you gutted yourself or had your head chopped off, you would be unable to brag about how "brave" you used to be. Besides people now a days have enough common sense that if they decide to take their own life, they will do it in a less painful way.
If you admire self-mutalation and brutal deaths, you should check out Jesus Christ and Roman colonialism in Mesopotamia. This guy Jesus allowed the Romans to whip him, beat him, nail him to a peice of wood, hang him up, throw rocks at him, shoot him with arrows, and stick him with a spear. Pretty killer huh dude? [For the record I am not a follower of any Christian faith]
Anyways, If you are still really into seppuku, you should read "Patriotism" by Yukio Mishima. It's right up your alley. Plus it's only 50 pages.

[Rurouni]

If you are still really into seppuku, you should read "Patriotism" by Yukio Mishima. It's right up your alley. Plus it's only 50 pages.

i'll check it out...and there is no need to be rude...

[Musha]

xvikingx have you ever read some of the strange things that come up in newspapers and on the web or magazines some times.
People think they are vimpires and suck each others blood and all kinds of crazy things.

And you must have heard of all the suicide bombers in Iraq and other countries strapping bombs to them selves and running into bars and government buildings.

I was reading about a famouse event that happend near the Uji river infront of Byodo-in.

"Yorimasa planned to make prince mochihito emperor but Kiyomori received word of the plot, brought in reinforcements to the capital, and put a close guard on the person Go-Shirakawa. Prince Mochihito retreated to the monastery of Miidera to escape arrest, but had to move on in the direction of Nara. Minamoto Yorimasa, who was now with him, had the bridge at Uji partially destroyed to foil the Taira pursuers. Some of them managed to ford the river and battle ensued outside the Byoudo-in temple. Yorimasa received an arrow wound, and urged the Prince to escape, while he himself, to avoid capture, committed harakiri in due form right in front of the beautiful Phoenix Hall of the monastery."

If he had been captured all kinds of bad things would have happened to him so it would have been better to commit Harakiri. I don't think he did it for a joke or some thing :D. I also can't believe you think no one commits suicide any more? I think you are living in a dream world if you don't :D.

Also I don't think Ruroni wants to actually do it, right?

[Rurouni]

[/QUOTE]
If he had been captured all kinds of bad things would have happened to him so it would have been better to commit Harakiri. I don't think he did it for a joke or some thing :D. I also can't believe you think no one commits suicide any more? I think you are living in a dream world if you don't :D.

Also I don't think Ruroni wants to actually do it, right?[/QUOTE]

NO of cource I dont WANT to...but if i was in Yorimasa situation, I would have done the same thing...anyway, the point im trying to make is that many people now adays would rather live with their shame and take it to their graves. I honestly, truly would rather die than to live in shame of somthing I have done and i know for fact that people look down on me for it...whether its a bullet to the head or a knife to the stomach...they are one in the same. I mean no disrespect to anyone, this is just what I would do...

[LNGUYEN]

There are many other people from other countries who didn't might to die for their countries and good causes, now that is courage. However, no one care to talk about them. The Samurai who committed sepuku because they had no other chance, otherwise, do you think they would do it? Because a samurai lost in a fight once, he had to commit sepuku. It was even more stupid, in my own opinion. In my culture, we didn't value very much for those who commit something similar to sepuku, we admired those who fought to the end and died for the country and knew that he had a good death.

[xvikingx]

xvikingx have you ever read some of the strange things that come up in newspapers and on the web or magazines some times.
People think they are vimpires and suck each others blood and all kinds of crazy things.

And you must have heard of all the suicide bombers in Iraq and other countries strapping bombs to them selves and running into bars and government buildings.

Yes, I have. So what exactly is your point? When did I say "I don't think people commit suicide anymore"? Musha, I am concerned about your reading comprehension skills. Wait, that's not true; I just think they are poor. Try reading my post a few more times, or just go away.

[xvikingx]

i'll check it out...and there is no need to be rude...

I am being rude by recomending a book I thought you might enjoy?!

.....Are you sure there is nothing wrong with you?



::sorry for the double post; still not sure how to quote two different post at once::

[Musha]

xvikingx I think you better go and join Yowai and ALI G's gang :D.


Yes, I have. So what exactly is your point? When did I say "I don't think people commit suicide anymore"? Musha, I am concerned about your reading comprehension skills. Wait, that's not true; I just think they are poor. Try reading my post a few more times, or just go away.

Viking you are from the US so can't comment on my reading comprehension if you don't speak English in the first place.
2 where am I going to go? If you are in the US you are 1000s of miles away so I think I am pretty far away right?.

Sorry for arguing again but there seems to be a lot of people set in there ways on this forum :(. I thought people were supposed to come here and put down a view, or ask a question. Then people that knew that question. Or wanted to comment on that point of view could enter a comment. Why is having one un offensive point of view been course to type abuse, even going onto talking about peoples mothers in a different post that stopped with me when I left school and I'm not even 20 :D.

[Rurouni]

There are many other people from other countries who didn't might to die for their countries and good causes, now that is courage. However, no one care to talk about them. The Samurai who committed sepuku because they had no other chance, otherwise, do you think they would do it? Because a samurai lost in a fight once, he had to commit sepuku. It was even more stupid, in my own opinion. In my culture, we didn't value very much for those who commit something similar to sepuku, we admired those who fought to the end and died for the country and knew that he had a good death.
Samurai commit seppuku to defend their honor and name(country name, lord, family, etc)...that is couragous enough

[Rurouni]

I am being rude by recomending a book I thought you might enjoy?!

.....Are you sure there is nothing wrong with you?



::sorry for the double post; still not sure how to quote two different post at once::
Oh I apoligize, I miss interpreted you. Seemed like your message had a strong tone to it, apologies.

[xvikingx]

xvikingx I think you better go and join Yowai and ALI G's gang
How do you know I am not Yowai or ALIG... or BOTH! muwahahaha!


2 where am I going to go? If you are in the US you are 1000s of miles away so I think I am pretty far away right?.
Sorry for criticizing your English. To make it up to you here is a free lesson. When I wrote "go away" it was not meant literally, but rather it was meant figuratively. This means I didn't want you to actually get up from your chair and go somewhere else, I wanted you to leave this thread if you could not add to the discussion on the same level as everyone else. So stop being a smartass.
Here is another free lesson for you. The number 2 is not used as a replacement for "to".


I thought people were supposed to come here and put down a view, or ask a question.
Very true, I don't know if that is what people are "supposed to do", but if they do I have no problem with it. But Musha, you did neither; you didn't pose a question or put down a certain veiw. You strung random thought together, without making a point. You also managed to accuse me I saying things that I hadn't like:

even going onto talking about peoples mothers in a different post that stopped with me when I left school and I'm not even 20 :D.
and:

I also can't believe you think no one commits suicide any more? I think you are living in a dream world if you don't .
You think I'm living in a dream world?! Who is the one making up random dialogue?
You know what? It doesn't even matter anymore because my discussion with Rurouni about how seppuku is glorified, is over. The only thing you are doing is perpetuating a fight you started. So your attempt to lable me as a "troll" is a little hypocritical, don't you think?
If you wish to get your shit ruined even further, PM me and quit posting irrelevant tripe on this guy's thread.

[xvikingx]

Oh I apoligize, I miss interpreted you. Seemed like your message had a strong tone to it, apologies.

No need to apologize. I am sorry for the harsh tone; I guess that is just my style. Enjoy the book, it's a good one.

[Rurouni]

No need to apologize. I am sorry for the harsh tone; I guess that is just my style. Enjoy the book, it's a good one.
Will do, and thanks for telling about book...i never guessed there was one like it :)


It doesn't even matter anymore because my discussion with Rurouni about how seppuku is glorified
I didn't want to give you the idea that I am "glorifying" it, I was simply trying to make the point that back inthose days, someone who has done something like disrespecting his lord or giving his family a bad name(etc etc) had the will power to take his/her own life(therefor clensing that person his/her wrong doings). I ment that I had the up-most respect for that person, and if someone were to do something like that today, I would give them the same respect.

Say what you will about me having something "wrong" with me...there is nothing wrong, just respect...(and YES i DO admire the Samurai..DO somethin' !!)

[xvikingx]

I didn't want to give you the idea that I am "glorifying" it...
I didn't mean you specifically. This discussion began with how you worded it before, but I understand your point now. And I do agree with you to a certain degree. I think it takes quite a bit of guts to commit seppuku. *no pun intended*


(and YES i DO admire the Samurai..DO somethin' !!)
I'm sorry, I don't follow.

[hamish]

There's a lot of stuff written about 'bushido' and 'the samurai way', but most of it is based on stuff that was invented well after peace had flourished, including most of the 'commit seppuku if you look at someone the wrong way' kind of code. This was more of a way of controlling the vast numbers of warriors with no wars to fight, which was one reason why it was so easy for the militarists to subvert it for their own purposes leading up to the 2nd World War.

If you respect people that would kill themselves for a cause (their lord's name, their honour, to convince their lord that they are mistaken etc.) What kind of situation do you extend that respect to? Is it only to some historical past, or are you willing to translate it into the modern world?

For the most part of Japanese history, I think you'd find that most samurai would do anything to stay alive!

The question should be: What connection does it have to kendo? None at all!

[Rurouni]

For the most part of Japanese history, I think you'd find that most samurai would do anything to stay alive!

The question should be: What connection does it have to kendo? None at all!
I think ive made my point, i dont feel i should explain myself any further(I couldn't anyway because too many people are misinterpreting what i am trying to say). I never said all samurai want to die...I am aware of the fact that every human being wants (well almost) to live. You guys can continue to argue about this but im done...kendo does mean "the way of the sword" doesn't it? Correct me if im wrong....please.

[ShinobiKenjutsu]

A little. My uncle was the biggest influence because he studied Kendo for sometime and showed me a few techniques. I started checkin out japanese culture and I was astounished with the samurai and their code(bushido). The ideas of Seppuku and tsuifuku were awesome...I honostly am not sure exactly what sparked my whole interest about it.
In my study of ancient languages and cultures, (though I primarily focus on the middle east and europe) I too was astounded by the code of honor the knights of japan shared. This sparked my interest in asian martial arts, so many years ago. While I am new to this site, I am an old practitioner, and yet I level with your statement here completely. Bushido is the most profound facet of asian culture I have ever studied, and it incorporates well into many facets of modern life. Good luck in following your dreams.

[Rurouni]

In my study of ancient languages and cultures, (though I primarily focus on the middle east and europe) I too was astounded by the code of honor the knights of japan shared. This sparked my interest in asian martial arts, so many years ago. While I am new to this site, I am an old practitioner, and yet I level with your statement here completely. Good luck in following your dreams.
Yes the asian martial arts(japanese specifically) are amazing. Kendo, for example(and in my opinion), is the only martial art i have taken that practices not only technique, and right mind, but etiquete. My sensei(s) take it so far that if you were to lean on, drop, step on...he's freak. They treat the shinai as if it were a real sword. In other martial arts like Tai kwon do, I never learned anything further then the technique, and timing. My Instrucors didn't mention anything past it...so I naturally got bored.


Bushido is the most profound facet of asian culture I have ever studied, and it incorporates well into many facets of modern life.
It strongly agree. Many people about this I discuss to simply disregard it, ignore it, when in fact, it CAN be incorporated into your life. The book of five Rings I'd day is a good example, I havn't completed it yet, but from what i have read so far, Musashi did just that(then again he did live in the times where Samurai still existed).


Good luck in following your dreams.
Will do. You do the same :)

[ShinobiKenjutsu]

I am enraptured utterly and completly with the asian martial teachings. Over 36 years ago, when I was in about 5th grade, I started western fencing. When I became a student of history and philosophy, I became at first a devout existentialist, and remained that way untill I attained my doctorate, and began to delve deeper into ancient cultures in my duties as prof. of ancient languages
When I started to learn more about asia, and the martial arts, a whole new world was opened to me, and I now practice various forms of martial arts, among them Tae Kwon Do, Kenjutsu, kyudo, Iaido, multiple styles Shao Lin gung fu, Tai Chi, and kem-po, ninjutsu, and have become, in philosophy but not practicing religion, a Zen Buddhist, and also a follower of the philosophy of the Tao Te Ching. These doctorines have preserved my youth and my vigor, and I owe my success in life in many regards to the words of the eastern minds.