NEED HELP - Complete Newbie Wants To Start Learning Swordsmanship

[BunnyRabbit]

Okay, I wanted to start learning a Swordsmanship sport, but I don't know wich one, so far I've heard of 3 sports: Kendo, Jodo and Iaido, I don't know anything of these 3 sports, so can you please explain to me what's the difference, and please, no talk like Nito Ryu or Suburi cause I don't know ANYTHING of swords/styles/whatever.... so please, try to make it as easy for any noob to understand....

Thanks in advanced....

[Khabbi]

Not to be rude , but if you made a effort , theres a media page on this site with videos of Kendo , Iaido and Naginata .

And with a little search site like google or altavista you can prob find lots of info on Kendo , Naginata , Iaido , Kyudo and Jodo

Or a quick look in the forum could also help you out , Iaido , Naginata and Jodo even have sections in the forum

[BunnyRabbit]

Yeah, well first of, I'm not very good at english and such, so all the pages I find at google/altavista are useless to me.... and second, I didn't knew this forum had a site, I actually found this forum on google, while searching on Kendo, I'll check the video's right away....

but I still want an expert's opinion on this :(

[xvikingx]

Yeah, well first of, I'm not very good at english and such, so all the pages I find at google/altavista are useless to me.... and second, I didn't knew this forum had a site, I actually found this forum on google, while searching on Kendo, I'll check the video's right away....

but I still want an expert's opinion on this :(

After responding to you on another thread I took interest in this one...

You say you are not good at English but you seem to be doing just fine to me; so why is it you cannot check past threads or other websites? I mean, if English is too difficult for you then I don't know what you expect from this site. I only speak two languages, but I have managed to find several related sites in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Swedish, Korean, and of course Japanese.
You want to learn 'swordsmanship' (meaning kendo, kenjutsu, iaido, or something like that right?) but you don't want to research it or pay for it yourself. These arts take a lot of self-discipline; you may want re-evaluate your reasons for wanting to start 'swordsmanship', otherwise you maybe a little disappointed afterwards.
Like Khabbi I am not trying to be rude or get down on you, I am just wondering. Go to the main page ( www.kendo-world.com ) and go to the tab labled "community", there is pleanty of links there offering several different languages.
People will be reluctant to answer a question that's been asked a thousand times by someone who doesn't want to type "newbie" into the search tool.

[BunnyRabbit]

well, I do want to learn this sport very hard.... but I just don't have the money, it's not like I don't wanna pay or anything, it's just like that I want to start ASAP.... but don't worry about that, this isnot the reason I started this thread....

Also, I can speak English quite well, but the sites I've been through had all these terms I wasn't formilliar of, so I didn't understand anything of it.....

I just want an opinion of you guys, wich one you like best, and what's the difference......

[BunnyRabbit]

Okay, I'll double post, cause I can't edit for some strange reason.....

Anyway, I did soe research, and Iaido sounds great, yet lame, is it only drawing and fake slicing and such, or do you actually spar with people?

And as what i've seen, Jodo is the same as Kendo only with larger shinai's? and with no bogu?

[Khabbi]

"Anyway, I did soe research, and Iaido sounds great, yet lame, is it only drawing and fake slicing and such, or do you actually spar with people?"

We used to sparr , but we quit , you know all the blood , cut of arms and dragging out the bodies to the dumpsters got to be too much work .And the cops were bothering us all the time , :ermm:

[BunnyRabbit]

mmmhhhh.... well, excuse me, I didn't know those where REAL swords :/
So it is kinda dangerous sport..... let's say some whise kid, some punk gangster, want's to have some fun..... "hey yo, sensei, WAZAAAAaaaAAAaa" "AAAAARrrrghhhhh....."

well, enough kidding around, what's it like then? cause I saw some movies, and they where like ALL the same..... is the sport JUST that, or is there more involved...

[Khabbi]

"let's say some whise kid, some punk gangster, want's to have some fun..... "hey yo, sensei, WAZAAAAaaaAAAaa" "AAAAARrrrghhhhh....."

what ?

"is the sport JUST that, or is there more involved"

its just that and more , much more

[BunnyRabbit]

Like what more?
Can you give me some examples?

[mingshi]

Kendo is, in my definition, a marginal sport/martial art. Iaido and Jodo are mainly form practices, so you aren't supposed to be sweating in an hour or two doing them.

For more info, check http://www.kendo-sask.com/swordfaq.htm

[BunnyRabbit]

So, kendo is learning how to get better and stronger with a sword, and Iaido & Jodo is to learn how to do it in style?

[litige]

So, kendo is learning how to get better and stronger with a sword, and Iaido & Jodo is to learn how to do it in style?

No, kenjutsu is learning how to get better and stronger with a sword...

Hekc a shinai weights only a couple grams, a sword on the other hand....is much more heavier, and to many fencing style and techniques that is not in kendo.

[Yowai]

Stop confusing him with junk.

Kendo: Hit each other with stick for points.
Naginata: Hit each other with long stick for points.
Iaido: Swinging and dancing with a stick.
Jodo: Swinging and dancing with a stick.

[Kaoru]

Bunny-san,

Yowai-san has just given you the most basic way to explain. Do you understand what he means yet.

To talk to people who actually practice Koryu(Classical Japanese sword arts. The Iaido practiced by many Kendo people is NOT Koryu. Seitei gata Iaido is what I am talking about. Any Iaido Ryu(style) other than that, is Koryu.) Iaido and Kenjutsu and meet other Jodo practitioners other than here, please go to E-Budo.com.

Here:

Sword Arts Forum

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

Main page:

http://www.e-budo.com/vbulletin/index.php?

The registration button is at the top center of the page.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a serious forum for Iaido, Kenjutsu and Jodo people, besides other arts. There are many sensei and advanced students who can help you there. Please do not be flippant there as you are here, because you will not be taken seriously. Please be aware that you must sign your full given name in each post you make. It is a rule there that is enforced.
You will get better informed replies there, as this is just primarily a Kendo forum.(Sorry guys, but it's true.)


Anyway, I did soe research, and Iaido sounds great, yet lame, is it only drawing and fake slicing and such, or do you actually spar with people?

By the way, it is NOT fake slicing. This is QUITE real, I assure you. Swords are NOT toys. Iaido is the art of drawing and cutting in one fluid motion.

You never will spar in Iaido. For obvious safety reasons. Iaido is comprised of kata and two person kata. Kata is a series of cuts done solo or with a partner. But, in Iaido(Like Kendo), the two person kata is NOT sparring, because there is no real contact.

Don't call it fake slicing on e-budo should you decide to post there. You basically, when you learn Iaido or Kenjutsu, are learning to kill. BUT: that is NOT why you decide to study it. If you say that to a sensei, they wll turn you away. The original reasons for training(i.e. to effectively kill/take out your oponent) are still there, as these arts can still be considered deadly, but the main reasons for learning these two arts have changed since the Samurai were abolished as a class.

Kenjutsu is different to Iaido, in that in some Kenjutsu Ryu(styles), there is some sparring. And, one of the components learned, is Iaido. It is the battlefield art, and focuses more on what happens after the draw, as opposed to the draw itself.

In bioth Iaido and Kenjutsu, you will only be allowed to use a bokuto(wooden sword resembling a katana.) for a while. Later, you will be given permission by the sensei, if he/she thinks you are ready, to use an Iaito, which is a blunt edged sword, safe for beginners to practcie with, Only after about 5-6 years practice will you even be allowed to use a real sharp edged sword called a shinken or live blade. The reason for waiting so long? If you do not know what you are doing, you can easily lose a finger or even worse. That is a very real possibility. A beginner should never ever pick up a live blade before they are told by a sensei they may.


well, I do want to learn this sport very hard.... but I just don't have the money, it's not like I don't wanna pay or anything, it's just like that I want to start ASAP.... but don't worry about that, this isnot the reason I started this thread....

Oh, and Bunny-san, please do not even THINK about trying to teach yourself. I don't care if you can pay for lessons or not. DO NOT TRY IT. This is for your own safety. You can start right away, if you find a dojo to train at. Ask at e-budo. There are people from all over the world who can help you. Maybe even one from Norway. Actually, I think there is one guy who is from Norway who does Iaido on e-budo. Ask on the Sword Arts Forum.

Anyway, for a more detailed explanation of these arts, please go to e-budo.com.

The only things I know about Jodo, are these: A four foot staff is used. It is not a bamboo staff. It is usually made out of wood. And, it is the art of learning to defend against a sword.

I cannot give you a further description on Jodo. Go to the Jodo forum on the main page of e-budo to ask there for more information.

Kendo is not like any other of these arts except for our kata, which is derived from Kenjutsu. We use shinai(bamboo sword) and wear bogu, which is armor, when we spar. This is the only JSA(Japanese Sword Art) that has true sparring for competition. You will spar only after 3-6 months of training. In kata, only bokuto is used. Swords are never used except in demonstrations by high ranking sensei(to my knowledge). This is only a basic description of Kendo. While Kendo is a JSA, the cutting areas are limited as opposed to Iaido and Kenjutsu. That is one thing that makes it so different.

I hope this information helps you! :)

Kaoru

[me123]

Hi Bunny,

I study ZNKR Iaido (basic iaido) and i cannot explain the benefit i get from constantly facing my toughest opponent (myself).

If you want the glory, guns blazing arts etc - try something with more contact (Kendo / Jodo). Iaido is all about perfection, discipline and concentration. It is something you can apply to your everyday life.

If you don't see the advantages of the spiritual side of it - don't bother studying it, as you will waste other peoples time.

The art is not only about drawing and cutting - it's about how you do it and learning how to make sure your mind does not stop. (ie - you think about what your opponent will do next - your mind has stopped.) Learn about instinct and reaction. Discipline yourself to listen to others and interpret their words into your actions...

Dont take the value away from it by turning up and just wanting to cut things. If you want to study, would suggest you need to know what you want out of it first. Then, ask the sensei at the dojo if you can get this from training.

That should give you your answer on whether to study this art or not.

[Wifenmummy]

Okay, I'll double post, cause I can't edit for some strange reason.....

Anyway, I did soe research, and Iaido sounds great, yet lame, is it only drawing and fake slicing and such, or do you actually spar with people?

And as what i've seen, Jodo is the same as Kendo only with larger shinai's? and with no bogu?

awww no bashing here! plz! id love to be able to practice iaido if it was possible if there was a dojo around but there isnt! :redface: :ogre: :confused2

[kanyil]

If you want the glory, guns blazing arts etc - try something with more contact (Kendo / Jodo).
Surely you meant Naginata? I was under the impression that Jodo's no-contact.

[Beckmeisterrr]

Hi, I'm doing Iaido and Jodo at a dojo that does all three. I am still trying to re-shuffle my schedule to fit Kendo as well. I have been told by several sempai and sensei to do all three arts because they complement each other and they open your mind up to various scenarios and help you to better realise your potential.

I have to disagree that Iaido is 'lame' for most of the good kendoka also do Iaido because they see how Iaido helps with their Kendo and vice versa. Same goes for Jodo.

I'm not sure how it is in your country, but here, the Australian Kendo Renmei sets out the training so that all the weapon arts complement each other and the budoka ultimately gains more when he or she trains in all the arts.

Personally, I've found that Iaido has helped me to better prepare my mental focus when I do Jodo. Zanshin and Metsuke is the focal point in an art where the enemy is not another person, but rather your own limitations and short comings. Jodo has helped my Iaido because in that instance, the enemy is physically present and it helps me to better guage my distance and my improve on my cuts and blocks. When I do take up Kendo, I am sure that there will be elements of it which will help me in my other arts.

All the best in your search!

bec

[Beckmeisterrr]

In Koryu for Jodo, there is an open sparring. The "moving and dancing" is mainly seen in seitei Jodo where the sotei and tandoku is done kata style.

[neko kenshi]

Kendo has matches and competitions as well as martial art aspects. Jodo is an art using a staff, I don't know much about it. Kendo can be considered a sport and a martial art, while Iaido is mainly an art, and has no competitions. If you are only looking for sport, you may want to take something else completely, but kendo would be your best bet. But be sure to be very respectful on your future posts, some people may take offense to you calling an art we practice "lame".

[gdane1989]

i've heard that you generally don't want to jump into iaido first because you have to first learn the basics in kendo. And if you don't know how to handle a real sword (By learning from a bokken) I wouldnt suggest jumping the gun, so says my sensei

[Rurouni Kenshin]

Corrct me if I'm very wrong being a bit of a noob n such.

Kendo involves actual combat with an opponent and iaido consists of kata with imaginary opponents though Iaido looks more into style and technique while Kendo teaches you to read an opponent. Both go hand in hand ofcourse.

[Ninjujinkaku]

Kendo is sport with little combat application, iaido isnt a sport but it also has little combat application, for combat application you have to take kenjutsu/iaijutsu, you still learn the same basic stuff, its just that you dont learn all the nasty ways to apply it. kind of like judo and jujutsu.

[joekc6nlx]

Kendo is sport with little combat application, iaido isnt a sport but it also has little combat application, for combat application you have to take kenjutsu/iaijutsu, you still learn the same basic stuff, its just that you dont learn all the nasty ways to apply it. kind of like judo and jujutsu.
I'm going to disagree with you just a little. Kendo is not a sport, it is an art. True kendo is performed during kata. The kata provide training for perfection of spirit and form which can be used during shiai.

Shiai, or tournament, kendo is a sport, so you are partially correct, but kendo in its purest form is an art.

[Ninjujinkaku]

blah blah blah, People say judo is a sport and sometimes i feel like telling them about the kata and all that and how it is an art, waste of breath. People like generalizations so kendo is a sport. The katas in kendo as well as Judo dont have most of the nasty stuff you find in kenjutsu/jujutsu as well so its actual combativeness is mostly gone.