drunk sensei

[muschio]

My dear dojo contains:

- An almost-always drunk 3rd dan sensei
- A really bad shape floor with a 32 x 16 fts or a 16 x 16 fts dimensions inside a dance studio
- A 12 - 25 student population (in that same space)
- Money as my sensei's only motivation to teach
- Guy's-always-first-always-best-principle
- A guy making porn-movies remarks to the women there as a way to explain how to move the lower part of the bodie (our honorable sensei)

The thing is, when I first started training there (around 6 months ago) things were really different starting from the sensei to the attitude towars his students. Since the Kill-Bill-the-last-samurai-syndrome (2 to 3 new students coming in each class) the space there, the equipment, attention towards each one, everything has changed and all of the old students (4 of us) disagree with this " new method". In my country, there are 5 dojos at most and in my city it is the only one. What should we do?, our sensei doesn't even listen to us any more!

[Kendo ISB]

That is a shame, Sensei should never be drunk, they should listen and reply to their students. Sure, they don't have to do what the students tell them too, but it is customary to at least not be rude and drunk....The last samurai/kill bill syndrome is bad, but the dojo i practice at squashed it out by kicking anyone out that was into it. Im sorry to hear your plight, i hope it gets better.
And money should never be your sensei's motivation to teach. It should be because they want to carry on their skills to the younger and newer kendoists.

[meow]

Hi,

I am sad to hear you have these massive problems at your dojo.

My advice: Leave this dojo immediately. When your sensei is drunk during class, he can not teach you correct. He might even hurt someone because he might not be able to control his movement. He is also a bad example to his students.

The bad shape floor and the small room would be a problem that could be overseen, if everything else was perfect. But to me, the sensei and his teaching is the most important part. If your sensei doesn´t show responsibility for his students and makes sexual allusions, he should not teach. (How old is your sensei?)

Did you already talk to the other students? Maybe there is a higher ranked student (1st or 2nd dan) who can continue your training somewhere else, while you were looking for another school?

I think talking to your sensei could be a problem, as I suppose he is an alcoholic. (You said he is drunk almost every class...) Your sensei needs help from a doctor, and my experience is, that it is useless to talk to an alcoholic as he will become aggressive or lie to you or just ignore what you said. What kind of a relationship do you and the other students have to your sensei? Do you still like and respect him? (Although it´s hard to respect someone who is often drunk in public) If you care for him and still have sympathy for him maybe you could talk to him carefully in a suitable situation after class. This can be very delicate.

This is a very serious and very sad situation, but it shows that your sensei is a human like all of us.

I wish you all the best and hope your sensei will accept the fact, that he has a drinking problem and go see a doctor.

Kind regards

meow

[Kendo ISB]

Leaving the DOjo is a big step....but if you must, do it. Meow kinda took it a bit far by saying your sensei needs help. He probably does, but usually I treat my sensei with so much respect i don't dare say anything....As for a more advanced student.....usually its 3-4 dan that we allow them to start teaching....(shrug)
Good luck with your problem, try to get another teacher.

[meow]

Leaving the DOjo is a big step....but if you must, do it. Meow kinda took it a bit far by saying your sensei needs help. He probably does, but usually I treat my sensei with so much respect i don't dare say anything....As for a more advanced student.....usually its 3-4 dan that we allow them to start teaching....(shrug)
Good luck with your problem, try to get another teacher.
Of course, leaving the dojo is a big step. But I think the situation there is very serious and from my life experience I would assume that there is no easy way out...

About the respect for sensei: I did not want to sound disrespectful in any way. I would never advise her to affront her sensei. But the sensei does also have a responsibility for his students doesn´t he? And the way she described the situation there are a lot of problems coming together.

My experience with alcoholics is that they do need help. In most cases they are not able to get themselves out of this on their own. So in this case I do not only see her teacher as the sensei but also as a human being who might be in a crisis and needs professional help. After all, he is still a human and no god, right?

Of course this is a very delicate situation and one can not give advise what to do but only give hints and share his thoughts. It all depends on what kind of a relationship you have to your sensei. If you see him also as a friend you might feel responsible for him and offer him any help you can. But helping someone with a drinking problem ist difficult and might lead to some nasty argument.

If you just started your kendo there and do not have any further relationship to your sensei then maybe it is better to leave the dojo after thanking him for the training you have received in the past and show your respect. There is no "HOWTO" in this case, I guess...

All the best wishes to you muschio and all the best wishes to your sensei.

Kind regards

meow

[muschio]

My senpais and I have been talking about this for the last two weeks and we decided to take our last chance on tuesday. We already decided who is going to "do the talking" for us and the points to cover.
We got into the conclusion that a someone like me wouldn't be the appropiate person to do so, even tough I am a psychologist, since our Sensei shows a little more or less respect towards the ideas of people based on their gender.

I am really sad about all what is happening in our dojo, we even thought in asking help to our's Sensei's teacher (who lives in other city and comes from time to time to give us seminars and check around the advance on the dojo) but I think that this last chance will be definitely orientating our future course of action.

I really appreciate your help and comments and now, I feel much more listened and comprehended. Thank you very much to all of you.


muschio

[meow]

I wish all the best for you and your sempai.

Let us know how it went, ok?

Please don´t give up on kendo.

greetings

meow

[Chopstix]

I agree. Don't give up!

[neo_dragon_kai]

i just posted on ur other forum guys vs gals.
here, i'd like to wish u best of luck and to say that i firmly believe that
if u have enough determination you can acchieve anything.
i have seen many many GOOD female kendoka. and i mean damn good.
so dont give up.
as for your sensai, seriously, some one needs to kick his ass. and what's this kill bill last samurai stuff, he got that way after seeing the movies? that's ... odd... to say the least
best of luck

[Hai_hai]

Whoa whoa whoa, learn how to work the system.
Step one: Bribe your sensei with liquor to change the way the school brings in new students and the structure of classes.
Step two: Bribe your sensei with adult videos to change the way the school brings in new students and the structure of classes.

[Galo]

Hi,

I train with Muschio at the same dojo and with the same sensei, so we share sort of the same "tragedy", even if I'm male and might be "preferred" by the sensei. In other post, I may add my background on this story as well, but I'll stick to the thread for now.

as for your sensai, seriously, some one needs to kick his ass. and what's this kill bill last samurai stuff, he got that way after seeing the movies? that's ... odd... to say the least
best of luck
No, the point Muschio was trying to set is that because of these 2 flicks, lots of people "suddenly" noticed japanese culture and the art of the sword. So, from then on, we've been crowded with people joining every day (2-3 each class). The problem is not people joining, but how and why they want to join. We've had lots of people whose first question is "how long do I take to get to black belt?". Go figure. Anyway, her point in the end was that this load of new people has reduced significantly the sensei's attention to each of the students, and, on the other hand, paying way too much attention to potential students, much like a selling attitude.
This particular issue got a lot worse when the sensei decided to earn his living only with teaching kendo. Coincidence or not, it happened around the same time when Kill Bill was premiered in Mexico, and thus the sword arts became more visible.

Step one: Bribe your sensei with liquor to change the way the school brings in new students and the structure of classes.
Step two: Bribe your sensei with adult videos to change the way the school brings in new students and the structure of classes.
U know? The sad thing about it, is that it might actually work. Unfortunatelly, the sensei and several of the male students are not just males, but macho's. So, Muschio's claims become more apparent from her point of view, some of which I admit hadn't fully realized until she told me about them. I'm the dojo's daisenpai but I can't do much about these problems she mentions for several of them are because of the very sensei's attitude. And I know she's not the only one feeling that way.

Thanks all for your advises, we'll keep on training and trying to get a better enviroment for training as well.
Later!

[Yowai]

The solution to dealing with drunks is to drink yourself. That dojo sounds like a fun party. Have the sensei bring his AV and liquor to the dojo so everyone can have a blast.

[muschio]

Hi,

I train with Muschio at the same dojo and with the same sensei, so we share sort of the same "tragedy", even if I'm male and might be "preferred" by the sensei. In other post, I may add my background on this story as well, but I'll stick to the thread for now.


No, the point Muschio was trying to set is that because of these 2 flicks, lots of people "suddenly" noticed japanese culture and the art of the sword. So, from then on, we've been crowded with people joining every day (2-3 each class). The problem is not people joining, but how and why they want to join. We've had lots of people whose first question is "how long do I take to get to black belt?". Go figure. Anyway, her point in the end was that this load of new people has reduced significantly the sensei's attention to each of the students, and, on the other hand, paying way too much attention to potential students, much like a selling attitude.
This particular issue got a lot worse when the sensei decided to earn his living only with teaching kendo. Coincidence or not, it happened around the same time when Kill Bill was premiered in Mexico, and thus the sword arts became more visible.


U know? The sad thing about it, is that it might actually work. Unfortunatelly, the sensei and several of the male students are not just males, but macho's. So, Muschio's claims become more apparent from her point of view, some of which I admit hadn't fully realized until she told me about them. I'm the dojo's daisenpai but I can't do much about these problems she mentions for several of them are because of the very sensei's attitude. And I know she's not the only one feeling that way.

Thanks all for your advises, we'll keep on training and trying to get a better enviroment for training as well.
Later!
Just want to thank you for the support everywhere and stuff...

By the way, when will you join me at an adult store in order to buy sensei's pics and mags?, also the buzz... lol!.

[takashijarosu]

im a sensei and i never came in drunk but... if he had sake dose this not help his way? this is the natural drink of smaurai and can be a tool, and in terms of battle its a great weapon, with sake in you you absolutly hold no fear, and are fully comitted to attacks,and have a great fighting spirit do you not?

but as of teaching...while under its ways...ehhh thats wrong

[Sakabatou]

I can't belive theres a dojo like that in this world! Drunken senseis, horrible teaching... Uhg just hope this isnt what'll ever become of kendo. lol

[Kaoru]

im a sensei and i never came in drunk but... if he had sake dose this not help his way? this is the natural drink of smaurai and can be a tool, and in terms of battle its a great weapon, with sake in you you absolutly hold no fear, and are fully comitted to attacks,and have a great fighting spirit do you not?

but as of teaching...while under its ways...ehhh thats wrong


Hi takashijarosu-san,

By the way, a sensei never talks about being one. And, no. Sake is NOT a tool. Where on earth did you get that silly idea? How old are you? Because now I am curious... You don't sound old enough to be a sensei when you talk like this, IMHO. And NO, sake can NOT help a person find their way. Understand this please. Nobody ever gains anything by drinking, no matter what the type of alchoholic drink it is. What a horrible idea...

Kaoru

[Kaoru]

Hi Muschio-san,


I hope you guys will be able to get control of the situation, and can get him help. And, I hope things get better in your dojo, too. Good luck, ok? :)

Kaoru

[GBN]

My dear dojo contains:

- An almost-always drunk 3rd dan sensei
- A really bad shape floor with a 32 x 16 fts or a 16 x 16 fts dimensions inside a dance studio
- A 12 - 25 student population (in that same space)
- Money as my sensei's only motivation to teach
- Guy's-always-first-always-best-principle
- A guy making porn-movies remarks to the women there as a way to explain how to move the lower part of the bodie (our honorable sensei)

Ah, where to begin. I'll address the points one at a time then give some general background on me and my experience.

1. almost-always drunk sensei - what can you say about this except that it's completely irresponsible. I don't really mind if a student or teacher wants to drink outside of class, but to show up drunk is dangerous and disrespectful to your classmates/students/etc. The injury issue has been noted, but it also destroys morale because the students begin to realize that sensei doesn't give a shit.

2. floor condition - not much you can do about this unless you can build one yourself. If this were the only issue then I think you'd be fine. You'd find a way to make it work.

3. large student population - this will probably level off once the quick thrill wears off for the casual newbies.

4. money as sensei's only motivation to teach - this is a real danger sign for me. You'll see why later in the post. I guess it's a question of mixed motivations. Does sensei want to teach and help students or pay the rent? Probably both, but if push came to shove which do you think will take precedence.

5. guys-always-first-always-best - sexism. Plain and simple. Bullshit. Another danger sign.

6. porn quotes/references - see #5.

My analysis is leave this loser. I'd be suprised if your intervention will work but best of luck to you.

Ok, now my history.

I was involved as a student/instructor in a martial arts school in Southern California for 5 years before the school's closure. The school was closed by myself and another officer because the main teacher was molesting students. Should anyone be interested in specifics I've written a letter detailing the allegations and our actions. But the long and short of it was that the guy is a complete asshole. He's a reasonably good martial artist, but a complete waste as a person. My advice is never to put up with an asshole sensei. Better to keep looking for someone who you can respect and learn from.

Good luck,
Brian

[Mitsurugi_xx]

dude.... we ususally all get drunk AFTER the kendo practice.... not BEFORE...... Ya... that's a shame man... can you switch dojos?

[Serenity]

Dear muschio! :normal:

I feel so sorry for you! :down: I don´t know any better solution as talking to your sensei. :shocked: Only a conversation can solve problems, nothing else. I hope you and your fellow students will successfuly save this delicate problem.

Sometnig else ;) -> I´m pleased to see, that you still insist training kendo, beside all this problems. :cheerful: This fact shows how much do you love kendo. :happy: Keep on!!!

Serenity :glasses:

[Eiliries]

The only plausible advise I can give you is to show up drunk yourself, when in Rome do as the Romans.....

[GBN]

The only plausible advise I can give you is to show up drunk yourself, when in Rome do as the Romans.....
Why not just meet at the bar then? Why bother with kendo? Just start a drinking club.

Brian

[Eiliries]

Why not just meet at the bar then? Why bother with kendo? Just start a drinking club.

Brian
ZING!!!! You sure got me there!!!!! I have just realized that my advice was terrible! Thank you so much for making me a better person!

[Tenshi79]

Hey!

If you ask me, this is a complete disgrace.
Find a new dojo and leave this pathetic excuse for a sensei.

As has previously been stated, one gets drunk after kendo practice.....NOT BEFORE!!!

[nodaka]

your sinsei has lost his way. it's too bad, but it happens. in old Japan the stronger students youd have tried reasonning with the instructor. after no result from this you find the strongest student, possibly you, or not and chanlenge him. in old days it would have been to the death. since things have changed you should take your group of older students, before the changes happened beat down and overthrow your sensei. if not contact the governing body of kendo in your country and report him. if you do not have a gorverning body contact the "All Japan Kendo Federation" and report him. they more than likely will strip you sensei of any rank and forbid him to ever teach kendo again, Anywhere.

[nodaka]

bribe? what's the matter with you. forming a ku is the only way. when the system break down. Break down the system and start again.

[Yuudai]

That is a shame, Sensei should never be drunk, they should listen and reply to their students. Sure, they don't have to do what the students tell them too, but it is customary to at least not be rude and drunk....The last samurai/kill bill syndrome is bad, but the dojo i practice at squashed it out by kicking anyone out that was into it. Im sorry to hear your plight, i hope it gets better.
And money should never be your sensei's motivation to teach. It should be because they want to carry on their skills to the younger and newer kendoists.
Kicked out everyone into Kill Bill or The Last Samurai? That sounds waaay too extreme to me. But hey, as for your problem with your dojo, good luck, that sounds like a total disgrace to Kendo in general.

[Ric Flinn]

I agree kicking out every student who joined because they saw Kill Bill or the Last Samurai isn't necessarily a good idea. Many of the students who join might turn out to be dedicated kendoka, for whatever reason they joined. The movie might have just been what pushed them to act, or made them realize they were interested in Kendo in the first place.

As for your situation, I hope you'll give us an update. Personally, I think the senior members of the club should gather together, figure out what you'd like to see done with the club and sensei, and present it to him. Give him a chance- one chance- to make himself and the club right. He may not have any idea he's got problems or causing problems. Going to his sensei, or your local body, sounds like a good choice as well if confronting your sensei doesn't sound like an option.

Also, come up with a plan for dealing with new students. I recommend making them watch a class first. Just sit there and be quiet and watch. Since many new students don't bother with a second class, this makes sure they don't steal away precious class time. A good idea that we're trying is to have new students all start on the same day, once a month or every few weeks.

Making the transition to a commercial dojo with a sensei that only teaches kendo seems like a rocky road to me. I'm dealing with the a similar thing myself in a different class, my instructor is planning to quit his day job and become a personal training (during the day) and martial arts instructor (evenings) full-time. It doesn't feel right to me, and I don't like it much because it's obvious his focus has shifted a bit towards crap (er, stuff) like advertising and public relations. But he made the students aware of that, and assures us it won't be forever, so we're happy (mostly) to help bear the teaching duties. Classes are divided to handle the new students.

Good luck.

[gdane1989]

dear muschio,

sorry to hear about this, thats terrible. First of all, make sure he's not drunk when you try speaking with him, it'll never work. Such is the saying, never argue with a drunk or a fool. Oh, and about the sexist crap. That kind of shit pisses me off. If he ever makes an inappropriate suggestion towards you, quit, find a new dojo, I'd rather not be in kendo then learn under a bastard like that.

[origami2002]

Just curious, if you are still around here, what city are you in?

[JByrd]

I am very sorry that your experience with Kendo has been so bad. If it helps, I can tell you that my experiences with Kendo suggest that your situation is unusual. In 16 years of practice I have not seen such egregious behavior at any Kendo club from a student, let alone a teacher.

As difficult as it seems, we must try to separate "Kendo issues" from "human issues." Something like making lewd comments to a female student can never be excused on any Kendo-related grounds. Such behavior is not just an affront to Kendo rei-gi, but to basic human decency, and I would not condone that kind of behavior from anyone regardless of his rank or mine. Even the highest ranking teacher is just a person, and can be dealt with person to person. A dan certificate means absolutely nothing in a question of basic human decency.

I wish you much better luck in your future Kendo endeavors.

[rodvill]

Muschio and Galo, where expulsed from our dojo because of they bad actitude, our sensei have never gone to class drunk and he have never allow any bad conduct betwen the students (that´s the cause this two where expulsed)

[Louis X]

Could you give us all the details behind this story (Who, where, when, why, how) please.
I really don't understand the situation there and it'd help us judge what's happened for real. :)

Thanx

[Andoru]

Hmmmm the plot thickens....

[rodvill]

Well, this two persons (Muschio and Galo) once where students from our dojo, but both of them beging to have a pretty bad actitude with all the kojai, in the keikos Galo always hit to hurt his partner, in a few word, this two think thetselves as the owners of the dojo.

Galo beging a gruop of pseudo-kendo named tenken ryuu, and begging to teach kendo, our sensei warning him about that, but this person never listen to the sensei an continued with his group (teaching kendo without the permision from sensei), so, sensei decided to expulsed this two (and another one of their gruop) from our dojo.

Galo continued his pseudo-kendo gruop, but now he says to teach kenjutsu not kendo (hehe, averything they teach there was learned fron some anime series or video ganes) and he put himself the grade of nidan (avalated for no one just by him)

You can see their website here http://www.geocities.com/tenken_ryuu/

Also, here is the site of my dojo an kendo association.
http://www.kendojalisco.com

[lol]

ah this is what kendo is

a bunch of drunks with sticks

[gsx1100s]

If your Dojo is affiliated in any way with a larger Dojo , simply report the behaviour .

cheers Michael

[Akai Bushi]

Is a Sandan even allowed to have a school under the AUSKF?
I thought a Sensei had to be at least a Yondan to have a school?

[nodachi]

It's possibly the having a kendo dojo with a lower level sensei is better than no sensei/dojo at all situation.

[JByrd]

Is a Sandan even allowed to have a school under the AUSKF?
I thought a Sensei had to be at least a Yondan to have a school?
Good question. I'm not sure if there is a national standard, it may vary among regional federations. It is my understanding that in the PNKF, any club whose head instructor is 3 dan or lower is assigned an advisor who is 5 dan or higher. It is the responsibility of the advisor to visit the club periodically and collaborate with the instructor to make sure the club's training meets basic standards.

[splice]

Just a few things to point out to anyone considering this "school" (for you to pass on to your club, or people asking about Tenken Ryu). First, the name: Tenken Ryu. You'd expect "Ryu" to be the character for style or school, but I guess that wasn't cool enough, so they used the character for Dragon (also "Ryu"). Heaven sword dragon... Right.

Tenken itself? The term was used to describe Soujiro Seta in the anime "Rurouni Kenshin" (Tenken no Sojiro). There's an article or something up titled "Shukuchi". My spanish is very basic, but it seems to talk about the "Speed of God". Again, Shukuchi is the technique used by Sojiro Seta in Kenshin -- he's so fast he vanishes from sight. "Shun Ten Satsu", mentionned in the text? That's Sojiro's ultimate technique, going up against Kenshin's Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki. I think it's clear where these guys' inspiration comes from...

I'd suggest making a nice poster of Kenshin and other scenes from the anime, adding comments about learning the ultimate secret techniques of cartoon swordsmanship, and how to get your eyes to change color when you're angry in 21 easy payments!, and put it up somewhere where their students can see them.

Unless they really, really want to be learning swordsmanship from a cartoon character.

To be fair, I love Kenshin, I'm watching the whole series again, and it's what inspired me to take up swordsmanship. Of course, instead of doing the intelligent thing and pick up a reverse blade sword and flip out in the swampiest of places with my new students, I just tracked down an Iaido teacher and have been learning from him since then. I guess I suck :).

[rodvill]

Tes, that´s the kind of thing they do there, our dojo Fushicho Kensei, is a real kendo dojo, afiliated to the Kendo Association of Guadalajara, jalisco; and The mexican Kendo Federation, you can visit our site here:

www.kendojalisco.com (http://www.kendojalisco.com)

[Galo]

Well, this two persons (Muschio and Galo) once where students from our dojo, but both of them beging to have a pretty bad actitude with all the kojai, in the keikos Galo always hit to hurt his partner, in a few word, this two think thetselves as the owners of the dojo.

Galo beging a gruop of pseudo-kendo named tenken ryuu, and begging to teach kendo, our sensei warning him about that, but this person never listen to the sensei an continued with his group (teaching kendo without the permision from sensei), so, sensei decided to expulsed this two (and another one of their gruop) from our dojo.

Galo continued his pseudo-kendo gruop, but now he says to teach kenjutsu not kendo (hehe, averything they teach there was learned fron some anime series or video ganes) and he put himself the grade of nidan (avalated for no one just by him)

You can see their website here http://www.geocities.com/tenken_ryuu/

Also, here is the site of my dojo an kendo association.
http://www.kendojalisco.com

I never expected to jump again in this topic. However, since things here start to get heated over actual names and persons, I'll state the facts as they are and were. I'll gladly answer any replies here, except for pointless flames. Also, I'm answering this on my own responsability, not as a representative of no one other that me. I apologize for the lenght of it.

- It was never the intention of either Muschio or I to involve our former dojo or sensei directly into this discusion, far less to throw flames on either of them. Both my sensei's and dojo's names were omited. This is easily verifiable by reading the thread.

- Muschio's original post was to ask for opinions and suggestions. As she clearly stated, Kendo is a rare art in Mexico. I admit Muschio's original redaction may have been innapropiate in some way, but her points were clear and I can testify that they were true issues at the time of her post. This is also verifiable by reading the thread.

- Muschio and I LEFT the dojo because of personal decision, and were never expeled. We approached our sensei before a class started and told him about our decision to leave. Personally, I took this decision instead of confronting my sensei because I was only a student (even thou I was the daisenpai), and had no right to question his actions inside the dojo. I left my dojo the first week of June last year.

- The issues and concerns Muschio talked about in his initial post were shared with an FMK official by her. I don't know if this ever got to any action from the FMK. However, we backed out from any further action regarding this issues, as we had decided to left the dojo.

- My name is Jorge Galindo, I hold a 3rd Kyu in Kendo recognized by the FMK (Mexican Kendo Federation) granted by my former sensei himself, and two other senseis from Mexico City's Kendo Association. I've never claimed to own any degree other than that given by the FMK or any other recognized Kendo association.

- I hold a black belt degree granted by TenKen Ryuu, which is only valid inside this group and is not intended to be recognized by any other martial arts organization, federation or association, as stated in the formalization document of TenKen Ryuu, one copy of which was delivered to the state sports commitee. This degree is based in the standards and goals stablished by TenKen Ryuu for its internal operation only. The same applies to the rest of the members of the group and their ranks within it.

- Regarding the accusation of always looking to "hit to hurt his partner", I can only say that no one ever complained to the sensei regarding that, contrary to rodvill, whose attitude was reported to the sensei at least by Muschio.

- TenKen Ryuu is the name of a group formed after what it was called Kendo Extremo (Extreme Kendo) before I joined that group. The name was changed in part because of me joining the group, to avoid any confusion or problems with actual Kendo organizations. Unfortunately, it has been hard to wash out the former name of the group. The name is just that, a name, and does not imply anything regarding an actual style or technique. The groups has about 4 years of existance.

- I joined this group, when it was Kendo Extremo, in August 2003, by suggestion of my sensei of getting in and get information on what this group was doing and why the name. Also, in a attempt to get students for the dojo out of Kendo Extremo. To clear things out, I had already trained Kendo for about 6 months when I joined Kendo Extremo.
I realized that this group was not about Kendo, and decided to stay training there at the same time I trained Kendo. For me, this group was a complement for my Kendo training, not the other way around.
One student from Kendo Extremo did join the dojo, and some others tried to join the dojo too, with mixed results and decided to stay aside because of a "look down" attitude from other students.

- The concept of TenKen Ryuu (formerly Kendo Extremo) is to be a practice ground for martial arts practicioners who wish to practice, share and learn from other martial artists from different backgrounds. We have people who have trained in Karate, Kendo, Chinese Kenpo, Kung Fu, Happkido, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, fencing, among others. I trained in 2 other martial arts before joining Kendo.

- The sword is, however, the main training topic of the group. Also we have basic self-defense training.

- The group has never claimed to be a replacement for other traditional and/or stablished martial arts schools. In fact, several of the members do train in other schools, being myself the first to train in a Kendo dojo and at the same time being in this group. We've had and have members who did/do Kendo and train with us at the same time. In fact I am the first one to promote training in a traditional school besides TenKen Ryuu. Proof? If anyone comes to us asking to train Kendo (or any other martial art for that matter), we've always forwarded that person to a school any of the members has been in or knows about. Fushicho Kensei not being the exception. I repeat, TenKen Ryuu has never claimed to be a Kendo school or a replacement for one.

- Masters and teachers of some of our members have granted permission to share some of the knowledge they learned, being the special cases of Tae Kwon do and Kenpo as seeing that there's no commercial nor second intentions from the group, but to share and open the doors to people into martial arts and their approaches.

- The group has never been motivated by economic goals. Yet we have been constantly harrased by my former sensei and his students, coming to the point of diffamating us in public forums as this one, or pretending to be us in shamefull actions, for "cheating people" in their opinion. My belief, is that my former sensei sees us a threat for his income, since he earns his living solely from Kendo.

- Regarding the name of the school, or the names of the techniques of the Sukuchi division of the group, I can't speak for it. However, I can say that the instructor of that division is a certified 8th grade black belt in Chinese Kenpo.

- I do share the basics I learned in Kendo and Iaido to the members of the group who have an interest in them, however I've never claimed to be a master in either of them nor to hold any rank. I do not play with my rank nor seek to cheat anyone regarding this.

- The group does not wish to step into any other association, federation or school's ground. Yet, this attitude hasn't reflected from the students of Fushicho Kensei towards this group.

- I've continued my training with a 2 dan Kendo teacher. His first dan was granted by the AUSKF, he's one of the founders of the FMK and trained directly under sensei Yamashibu, who was in Mexico in the early 80's, among another couple of Japanese sensei. I do not pretend that this represents any other rank or degree than the one I stated lines above.

- Rodvill has been spreading word of this dojo to be the ONLY place to learn Kendo. Granted, I've never claimed otherwise. However, he pretends to make believe that this is the only place to learn any sword art, threatening by "law suits" or argumenting that this is the only place where you should be stuying ANY sword art, and discrediting other instructors, including his former teacher. I can't say for sure if his actions are under instructions from my former sensei, however, Rodvill's attitude towards other organizations is far from the ettiquete any practicioner of Kendo should have.

With that said, I hope to bring some light into this thread.

Jorge Galindo

[Galo]

I'm afraid a made a couple of mistakes in my reply of yesterday.
Also, I'd like to add some information for you people who wish to find some truth behind this topic's start and the latest events.
As in yesterday's post, I'll gladly answer any questions you have.

- I made an error when stating TenKen Ryuu's principal's degree. He's a 7th degree black belt in Chinese Kenpo, not 8th as I stated yesterday.

- Acording to the principal of TenKen Ryuu, the names used for his section (Sukuchi) were used so the actual names of the techniques were not used by the time the page was assembled. They will be changed soon, since he has recieved positive and formal permission to do so from his Kenpo master. Also, I must add that he has never pretended to teach any form of japanese sword art, but the art he was taught. I must insist than TenKen Ryuu is not a japanese sword school, but a ground to joint several martial arts and the possibility to share knowledge among martial practitioners.

- As I stated in my previous post, Rodvill has been spreading messages pretty much like the first two post he put on this thread, diffamiting me personally, Muschio, TenKen Ryuu and even his former teacher. He posted a message in the official Mexican Kendo Federation (FMK, hereafter) very similar to the one he posted here on 04-01-2005 11:33 AM. On Jan 11 2005, 04:02 PM, the president of FMK personally answered to his initial post. Here is the URL to the thread:
http://www.kendo.com.mx/modules/ipboard/index.php?showtopic=31&
The messages are in Spanish, so I'll give you the highlights of Dr. Prisciliano's answer:
* The local Jalisco State Kendo Association (AKIJEJ) hasn't completed the formal process to join the FMK, thus the Federation can't support and approve the teachings and working methods of AKIJEJ. It also asks the AKIJEJ to cease and decease of pretending to be members of the FMK.
* My former sensei (who's name is clearly stated in the FMK's answer) has been required to communicate with FMK and complete the payments required to be regularize the afiliation process with the FMK, alas, the admision of AKIJEJ into the FMK hasn't been even voted because of these irregularities. Also, it comments on my former sensei's denial of reply.
* The president of FMK asks rodvill to pass on the word to my former sensei in suggesting him to discipline himself, completing the affiliation (spell?) process and (literal translation) "to stop this simulation".
* It also requests my former sensei to act with responsability, and to comply with that very same he demands.

But don't take my word for it. If you wish to know more, ask someone who can read Spanish well if you want to know the exact content of this letter.

- According to my former sensei, Rodvill will be (or has been, can't confirm yet) expeled from Fushicho Kensei and AKIJEJ, for diffamation, usurpation of names (FMK), unethic behavior, and for actions which put AKIJEJ and my former sensei in a shamefull position of being exposed nationwide because of his student's (and AKIJEJ secretary, according to his signature in kendo.com.mx) actions.


I hope all this had never came to light the way it did. But as I have a pride and a name, and I couldn't allow rodvil (Juan Pablo Rodriguez) to keep diffamating me, Muschio, TenKen Ryuu or his former sensei (which I personally have the pleasure to know) the way he was doing just like that.

Again, I apologize for bringing this up this way, but I believe it had to be done.

Jorge Galindo

[rodvill]

I´m sorry to dissapoint you, but I heve been not expeled from the dojo or the association, ´cause I commit not diffamation, usurpation of names (FMK), unethic behavior, and for actions which put AKIJEJ in a shamefull position as you belive.

The work that we are doing with a real kendo in Jalisco speak four ourselves, is any of the kenshi in this forum want to comprove what I said, I invite them to visit our dojo anytime and comprove the reality.

By the way, my complete name is Juan Pablo Rodriguez Villegas, and I just responde to the diffamation made to my sensei.

[Galo]

Just to share where this story ends.

Funny, or should I say cowardly, rodvill edited his posts in kendo.com.mx to remove everthing he said. Still, FMK's president's answer is there to show what it was about. ( http://www.kendo.com.mx/modules/ipboard/index.php?showtopic=31 )

Rodvill WAS indeed expeled from the Jalisco's Kendo Association (AKIJEJ), and he no longer appears as "senpai" in the contact section or the AKIJEJ web page.

The AKIJEJ no longer presents itself as part of FMK or IKF and is no longer following the affiliation process to the FMK, AFAIN.

Officially, there's currently no Kendo association in Jalisco recognized by FMK.

Regards.

[Shiro7]

wow after reading this thread this got me so confused @_@... Rodvills post didnt help that well since i wasnt sure what he was trying to say.. All I say is, reading the first post, is that a drunk sensei is a bad sensei, especially talking lewd to people, if you keep this up it might lead to rape victims..

[nothing]

Contact the IKF, or governing body immediately....





n""

[Andou]

Can't believe that actually happened...I read through all the pages like it was a fictional story...Not saying that it is, but it was just full of the elements. That was quite the interesting read.

[Galo]

Can't believe that actually happened...I read through all the pages like it was a fictional story...Not saying that it is, but it was just full of the elements. That was quite the interesting read.

I know what u mean.
Specially seeing that many many people have trained Kendo for years and had never crossed to a situation like the one my friends and I had.

Currently, the AKIJEJ operates completely on its own. The FMK has nothing to do with them, and neither the other way around, so the FMK can't and should not do anything about it. At leats that's what I think, rergarding Mexican law. All there is left to it, and I hope it doesn't come to that point, is that if anything goes really wrong there, the students don't keep quiet.

I have cut ties with my former dojo and its sensei. From my part that's what I could do, along to share the info with the current president of FMK. Now, there's nothing left for me there.

I'm following my path now and don't want to interfere with the AKIJEJ, and expect them to do the same to me.

[Jerott-Clark]

Well, if you don't like him you could get him arrested for DIP. <Drunk In Public>

[Kingofmyrrh]

Well, if you don't like him you could get him arrested for DIP. <Drunk In Public>
This isn't taking place in the US...

[Galo]

This isn't taking place in the US...

Mmm, yeah.
Down here in Mexico you can be pretty much as drunk as you want, as long as you're not behind steering wheel and circulating.

Most you could get if you find yourself completely "out of service" in public is the generosity of the cops that might have a cab take you home.