Shinais and bokkens.

[Fervent]

Kendo uses Shinai, so what about the bokken, does Kendo use that too or is it used by some other style? I was looking at these swords online, and theres Shinai, bokken, and ninja bokken!? What style uses a ninja bokken? And I heard something about how the curvedness of the katana makes it stronger than the straight blade of the ninja sword.

Does kendo use all three of these wooden practice swords?

I dont know anything about kendo, but it looks interesting. Would it be too late to start since Im already 19? Should I have started like when I was 8 or something?

I got lots of questions, but I withhold them for now.

[Anjin-san]

Kendo uses Shinai, so what about the bokken, does Kendo use that too or is it used by some other style? I was looking at these swords online, and theres Shinai, bokken, and ninja bokken!? What style uses a ninja bokken? And I heard something about how the curvedness of the katana makes it stronger than the straight blade of the ninja sword.

Does kendo use all three of these wooden practice swords?

I dont know anything about kendo, but it looks interesting. Would it be too late to start since Im already 19? Should I have started like when I was 8 or something?

I got lots of questions, but I withhold them for now.
Kendo uses shinai and bokken, It would have been cool if you had started Kendo age 3 or 4 but 19 is nowhere near too old to start.

[Khabbi]

Anjin-san is right , there is no age limit in kendo or any other budo.

Bokken / bokuto is used in suburi and kata ( training stuff )

The ninja bokken is a sales trick , there was no Ninja straight blade , when u stick the word "ninja " infront of things it sounds cooler and sells more , Ninja Pizza might be next or Ninja burgers :smiley:

other budos that use the bokken / bokuto : Iaido , Jodo , Aikido ,

So find a dojo dude and start tomorow =)

[Fervent]

So whats the best style?

Iaido , Jodo , Aikido, or kendo?

Why so many different? Howcome they don't all have the same techniques?

How much do kendo lessons cost anyways? : ( I saw kendo armor costs $500. Thats like half a computer or something.

[Shiro]

So whats the best style?

Iaido , Jodo , Aikido, or kendo?

Why so many different? Howcome they don't all have the same techniques?

How much do kendo lessons cost anyways? : ( I saw kendo armor costs $500. Thats like half a computer or something.

There is no best style, they're all different.
In Iaido you learn how to draw a sword and execute techniques with it, but you never fight anyone.
In Kendo you use the shinai to fight an opponent, the bokken is used too, but only for the kata (series of forms).
I won't say anything about Aikido and jodo, since I don't know much about those arts.

Lesson aren't that expensive, but it depends on the dojo. And yes, new armors are expensive, but maybe your dojo can find used amors, less expensive and they do their job :).

[nodachi]

And I heard something about how the curvedness of the katana makes it stronger than the straight blade of the ninja sword.



I read in a book entitled Swords and hilt weapons that katana of older styles in construction used to be more straight. The curved blade came into being a little bit later. The book mentioned something like the curved blade made cutting with it more efficient than with a straight blade. I don't know if that is because of physics or if it is some deep meaning behind sword making that I just don't know. But FYI... maybe someone can clear that up more.

I could try and find a more detailed explanation or quote from the book, but I am a tad lazy right now, so apologies to all...

[Fervent]

Yeah, I heard something like that about curved and straight blades, something about the curved blade having more or less cutting area or something.

So you never hit anyone using a bokken?

[Khabbi]

well , like shiro said , there is no "best style" you do the ones you like ,

And armour is not that expencive , the question is what u like the best , do you want to do kendo or do you want a new computor ? , or a new car ?.
We want to do Kendo so thats why we buy a Bogu for 500 or more :smiley:

Budo for dummies :

Kendo is the one where you hit each other in armour
Iaido is where you learn how to draw the sword
Jodo is where you learn how to handle the Jo ( small staff)
Aikido is where you learn how to "fight" by using grips and the attackers force
Kyudo is where you learn to use the bow

theres alot of other budos

[nodachi]

So you never hit anyone using a bokken?

Not on purpose, but it's funny sometimes when you opps and bap someone or get bapped yourself on the head. :)

Not full force obviously.

[Khabbi]

"So you never hit anyone using a bokken?"

reminds me of when a friend asked me if we sparred in Iaido :smiley:

told him there would be to much hassel draggin the bodies out after each prac , lol :smiley:

[Caleb]

So whats the best style?

Iaido , Jodo , Aikido, or kendo?There is no superior martial art, only superior martial artists. Kendo and Iaido are sometimes practiced at the same time, since they go so hand in hand. You should practice one budo for a while, and If you really want to, start another start it after you get the basics absolutly down. But be careful, cause if you start 2 at once, you will start confusing waza, terms etc.

[JLF]

Hey, I'm curious too. Since it bears on this thread:

What is the difference between Suburi Bokuto and a regular Bokuto? Is it just a marketing ploy or is there a no kidding diffence?

[Will]

Hey, I'm curious too. Since it bears on this thread:

What is the difference between Suburi Bokuto and a regular Bokuto? Is it just a marketing ploy or is there a no kidding diffence?

Suburi Bokuto is heavier and used for more exercise. Bokuto is used for kata.

[meow]

I dont know anything about kendo, but it looks interesting. Would it be too late to start since Im already 19? Should I have started like when I was 8 or something?
There is no problem to start kendo at the age of 19. In fact you can start kendo at any age I guess. (As long as you don´t have any injuries and your doc advises you not to do so...) I am 36 and started kendo just a few weeks ago and I really enjoy it.

Don´t worry too much if you are too young or too old or if you will ever be the next kendo world champion. Just go to your next kendo dojo, ask if you may join a practice session and if you like it, practice.

The most important thing is that you like kendo and have fun practicing.

[Fervent]

http://www.knifezone.ca/tomahawksword/ninjabokenpractice.htm

What do uses that kind of boken? I like that way it looks, but why is the straight katana always called the ninja sword/boken no matter where I go? Whats its real name?

If wazas are techniques, then whats ougi?

[Kaoru]

http://www.knifezone.ca/tomahawksword/ninjabokenpractice.htm

What do uses that kind of boken? I like that way it looks, but why is the straight katana always called the ninja sword/boken no matter where I go? Whats its real name?

If wazas are techniques, then whats ougi?

Hi Fervent-san,

To ask about swords and their uses go to e-budo. There are lots of Koryu(classical Japanese sword arts-not Kendo) practitioners there who can anser these questions. There are many sensei and knowledgeable Japanese sword art students on that board who can help.

The straight sword is called a ninja-to by the way. Anyhow, go here to ask your detailed Japanese sword types questions:

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

To register, click on the register button at the top center of the page. Be sure when you post in the forum, to give your full real given name. It is a rule there and is enforced, and you will be reminded to do so. Have fun!

Kaoru

[Fervent]

Didnt somebody in an earlier post say they just attach the name ninja to that boken to make it look cool like ninja pizza, but I dont really like ninja, just the sword. : (

[Fervent]

Ok, I found what style uses the straight bokken. Its called Kurama Ryu, awesome. : D

But, is it a sparring art? Im interested in kendo cause you can spar with other people.

My goal is to learn the mechanics of sword fighting so I can draw it correctly. I drew the sword being held in the middle of the hilt while slashing with the left hand. : / Is their any techniques that slash with the left hand, I was suppose to draw him slashing with the right, but I always accidentally draw them holding with the left. The left hand is suppose to be holding the bottom of the hilt and the right goes on the top with space between the two.

[yangs]

It does not matter how old you start to practice kendo. One of my senpai started practice kendo when he is 40. And within two years he joined the national team.

The curvature of katana works like cutting with your kitchen knife. You have to press your kitchen knife from the ridge to generate the power. Katana, if examined closely, have a heavier ridge and a lighter blade. Therefore, when you swing it generate a great power. Moreover, the curvature make a perpendicular line from ridge to the point where you cut. This design make the blade is fully supported by the ridge. Beside that, curvature make sword stronger. (like a dam)

I think the reason why ninjas use straight sword is that it is easier to cut throat from behind using a straight sword. Therefore, ninja usually uses straight and shorter sword than bushi.

[meow]

But, is it a sparring art? Im interested in kendo cause you can spar with other people.

My goal is to learn the mechanics of sword fighting so I can draw it correctly.
Yes, kendo does sparring. You will learn how to fight using a shinai.

In kendo you do not learn how to draw the sword. To learn this, you will have to learn iaido. But in iaido there is no sparring.

As a beginner it might be a good idea to first concentrate on one art for the first couple of years, so you won´t get confused. There is already a lot to learn in kendo.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Fervent, try reading here (www.kendo-sask.com/swordfaq.htm) first, it should answer a lot of your questions.

[Fervent]

Meow: I wasnt talking about drawing the sword as in Iai, Im talking about drawing with a pencil. I draw swords(with a pencil), and I need to draw them properly(with a pencil) and Im talking about drawing on paper. : )

Im an artist(not martial artist :) ), Ive been drawing swords for years, but when it comes to sword combat, Ive drawn lots of inconsistencies, like the sword being held with the left hand and slashing with the left hand(bad habit). So, to know how to draw it(on paper with a pencil), I must know the mechanics of sword fights and stuff. And what better to study it than to experience it for yourself? :D

I would show my works, but right now Im on my brothers computer and my computer is being repaired at my cousins house.

Anyways, my favorite sword to draw(on paper with a pencil) is the straight katana. So I need to know what styles and how that sword is used in function and stuff. Anyways, I won't be online for a while as Im working on a project...

[darkrune]

So you never hit anyone using a bokken?
There would be many broken bones and such if you sparred with a bokken, and sparring with a foam-encased bokken isn't that great either; my friends and I used to do so until we broke two of the three bokkens we bought, at which point we decided it'd be a good idea to switch over to the more expensive, but less painful shinai.