Alabama Kendo?

[naruto]

Anyone know of any dojo's or related in the Birmingham, AL area.

If so please post a relpy.

Much appreciated!!

[R A Sosnowski]

Anyone know of any dojo's or related in the Birmingham, AL area.

If so please post a relpy.

Much appreciated!!

Sorry, according to
http://www.auskf.info/mainpages/States/A_states.htm, "The AUSKF has no affiliated dojo in this state [Alabama] at this time."

However, those pages are not known to be up to date. There may be someone in Alabama, but just not listed.

[naruto]

I had checked that site and got the same results. Just hoping someone knows about one that is not listed.

Maybe time to by some training books and videos.

Any suggestions would be welcome for sure.


Thnx

[tango]

unfortunately, i don't think there is one..
B'ham might be halfway between sweetwater, tn and charleston, s.c. ... possible the closest would be atlanta, ga. ... unless you're closer to the panhandle of florida, but i don't know of any schools there right off hand...

sorry!

[MHM]

All concerned,

I am a USAF officer currently serving in Tokyo Japan that may be relocating to Birmingham Alabama on or about 1 Aug 06. By that time, I should be a strong shodan. I am hoping that since the last posting on this subject (06-03-2004 05:11 AM), another kendoka has moved into the Alabama area and is in need of a practice partner. All replies appreciated.

[grasshopper_r2]

I have a small club in Chattanooga. Nothing formal just for fun.

[Kaoru]

I have a small club in Chattanooga. Nothing formal just for fun.

Is it AUSKF affiliated or not? Do you train in a legit Kendo dojo? You must be a AUSKF member in a dojo if you are going to run a study group. I couldn't help noticing the fact that you do "Modern Sport Kendo" in your profile. If you are doing legit Kendo, It's not called Modern Sport Kendo. Kendo is just Kendo... If not, well. You know my opinion likely, and you know I'll not send someone there. No offense meant. If you can go to the Shodan and learn proper Kendo from him, and try to attend a legit dojo and get a mentor to be able to have a study group(Of which the Shodan would run.), then fine, otherwise, no. Just a thought. Not trying to be mean.

Kaoru

[Kaoru]

All concerned,

I am a USAF officer currently serving in Tokyo Japan that may be relocating to Birmingham Alabama on or about 1 Aug 06. By that time, I should be a strong shodan. I am hoping that since the last posting on this subject (06-03-2004 05:11 AM), another kendoka has moved into the Alabama area and is in need of a practice partner. All replies appreciated.
Hi!

Welcome to the forum!

A good idea would be to make contact with a sensei in a state close to you to help you in your own training and with any group you may decide to start. You'll need to join the AUSKF(If you are not already. What do they do with US people federation-wise who start Kendo in Japan?), find a dojo for instruction and travel to it from time to time, if not able to do so several times a month and join the regional federation of your area too if you want to get up a group. And, as soon as you can get enough people, you'll need a sensei who is 4th dan or higher to mentor your group from time to time, as dojo leaders under 4th dan can't have a dojo/group without one.(That's what I was told anyway.)

To get a head start, I suggest you contact Curtis Marsten-sensei who is on this board with the username Curtis. He has loads of ideas as to what to do to get started. You being a Shodan(Even Ikkyu is.) if you pass(Hope you do!) is an advantage to starting a small study group that could turn into a dojo someday. :) We need Kendo in Alabama... :)

Look at both the Kendo America websites and the AUSKF sites for info, since one has dojo websites for the listed dojos the other does not.

Hope this helps!

(I just looked and the closest dojos to you will be in Sweetwater, TN and Atlanta, GA.)

Good luck and hope your transition back to the states goes well! :)

Kaoru

[Ignatz]

Is it AUSKF affiliated or not? Do you train in a legit Kendo dojo? You must be a AUSKF member in a dojo if you are going to run a study group.

Hold on a minute Kaoru, you can't just make up "rules" even if you think they are for the best. I understand that you want the best for everyone but perhaps you could be a little less heavy handed and inflexible.:rambo:

To grasshopper_r2: If you want to have acknowledged rank and participate in AUSKF functions, i.e. tournaments (above mudansha), seminars and such then you have to go through the AUSKF deal but just because you are not AUSKF does not mean you are not "legit". My own first sensei was not AUSKF and I'm not sure whether he is now or not. His teacher quit the AJKF years ago over some political thing. Regardless, many people in AUSKF know him and have great respect for his kendo. Most, if not all, of his students are AUSKF now for various reasons. Gosh, years ago we even belonged to two different federations in NYC (it seemed that everyone had their own) While my kendo has changed dramatically over the last couple of years, I don't think that anyone has ever suggested that I didn't learn in a "legit" dojo.

Being AUSKF does have great advantages in that you have a large number of excellent and high ranked people that will help you, something that is good if you don't have a 5, 6, 7 or 8 dan handy. And even if you do, we believe that you should go out and learn from everyone that you can.

I strongly recommend that you try to get some kind of affiliation with AUSKF or dojo because it will help you a great deal. Unfortunately your location is in SEUSKF and it is my experience that you might wait years and never get any response from the federation. I would suggest then that you try to contact someone from one of their dojos personally for assistance. Since you have been to a seminar that Ota sensei taught you must know someone so see if they can get you hooked up or become affiliated with their dojo.

Again, Kaoru, I know you want to help and you do a wonderful job in steering people to dojos but a little more velvet glove and a little less iron fist might be better.;)

[Kaoru]

Hold on a minute Kaoru, you can't just make up "rules" even if you think they are for the best. I understand that you want the best for everyone but perhaps you could be a little less heavy handed and inflexible.:rambo:

You're right, I could have said it better than I did. But, that is what I was told by my sensei if a real Kendo group is to be considered qualified for ranking and etc. and legitimate status. I didn't make it up. For example, I can't have my study group without being an AUSKF and MWKF member and be considered a qualified legit, if you will, Kendo study group.

To grasshopper_r2: If you want to have acknowledged rank and participate in AUSKF functions, i.e. tournaments (above mudansha), seminars and such then you have to go through the AUSKF deal but just because you are not AUSKF does not mean you are not "legit". My own first sensei was not AUSKF and I'm not sure whether he is now or not.

It depends. If the teacher is not AUSKF, the student should double check on the teacher's qualifications and background.
There is Kendo and then "Kendo" if you know what I mean. And I hate McDojos(Thanks to my first "Kumdo" dojang.). No rank can be earned and then recognised if the teacher and dojo is not a member of the AUSKF and the respective regional federation as far as I am aware.

His teacher quit the AJKF years ago over some political thing.

I don't see what that has to do with your 1st teacher's affiliation with the AUSKF. That should not hold any bearing on being a member of the the AUSKF. :confused:

You happened to get lucky and your sensei knew what he was doing, from what you said. But, there are others out there, who claim to teach Kendo/Kumdo and are not affiliated with the AUSKF and are not legitimate teachers. So, you do have to be careful in choosing a dojo.

Grasshopper-san has access to a dojo just North of him in Sweetwater if he does not already attend it. :) It's listed in the AUSKF and Kendo America websites.

Again, Kaoru, I know you want to help and you do a wonderful job in steering people to dojos but a little more velvet glove and a little less iron fist might be better.;)
You're right. I'll try to word my posts better. Thanks. :)

Kaoru

[grasshopper_r2]

Glad to see your still doing the Kendo Police thing Kaoru (lol). I stand on my 18 years of Sound Kendo Training. I do not currently belong to the Organization, however I do attend seminars, and try to keep in touch with my friends. I do not seek rank, nor do I give it. I simply offer a friendly invitation to train. Nothing more nothing less. Who knows mabee we will meet someday and you can grade me (lol).
Until then, try to live life without so much tension.

ps.. I mean no offense just humble humor.

[MHM]

ALCON,

It has been a while since I checked this thread and was pleasantly surprised see so much activity. Recently, I've had the opportunity to practice 3-4 times a week with an extremely accomplished 3-dan who is preparing for his 4-dan test. Thus, I haven’t had much time for internet browsing.

It is looking more and more likely that I will be relocating to Birmingham. I'm pleased to see Sweetwater and Atlanta are nearby and Nashville, Memphis, and Peachtree aren't much farther.

I checked with some of the Japanese companies in Alabama and the Alabama Japanese-American Association, but didn’t have any luck.

So far, I'm thinking the best way to approach this kendo in Birmingham experiment is to:
1) Visit the nearer dojos on weekends
2) Find a site and offer practice to those passing through or visiting the Birmingham area
3) Buy an extra set of bogu, hakama, and shinai and suit up a local volunteer.

I'll save the study group/dojo establishment for later.

On the subject of deviant or sub-standard kendo, it sounds like I've been spoiled here in Japan. The kendo in the dojos I frequent is uniformly outstanding. I had a chance to do Kumdo at a dojo in Korea and was also impressed.

V/R,

MHM

[Kapplow]

Anyone know of any dojo's or related in the Birmingham, AL area.

If so please post a relpy.

Much appreciated!!

theres a kendo my space group thats home is in alabama.
heres the site
http://groups.myspace.com/kendocb

[JSchmidt]

Kauro, you need to chill out. Just because it's not in the AUSKF, does not mean that it's not kendo or 'legit'.

[Kaoru]

theres a kendo my space group thats home is in alabama.
heres the site
http://groups.myspace.com/kendocb

Thanks Kapplow-san!

Gah, I'm really annoyed because I can't seem to figure out who the heck runs that group! I'd like to find out if they plan to join the AUSKF or not... They can't grade without that, and etc. And by the looks, many have bogu. I'd love to know more as to who they are and who runs practice and their level and all. Possibly, I'd love to add them to my list if they are the real deal. Looks pretty good. Except I HATE the background... Makes my eyes go cross-eyed and I can barely read the page. Can someone please read it for me, and find some info? I just can't manage it, even when I enlarge it. So, some help please? Thanks.

Kaoru

[Kaoru]

Kauro, you need to chill out. Just because it's not in the AUSKF, does not mean that it's not kendo or 'legit'.
I know. :) But, it's often a sign that it's not legit. Better to ask questions first than be sorry after a person joins such a group or adding such a group to my list without checking to see if it's the real deal first.(Not trying to sound stupid or anything or be impolite.)

Kaoru

[Gregory]

Kaoru! Please clean your box :)

[Mugu]

Thanks Kapplow-san!

Gah, I'm really annoyed because I can't seem to figure out who the heck runs that group! I'd like to find out if they plan to join the AUSKF or not... They can't grade without that, and etc. And by the looks, many have bogu. I'd love to know more as to who they are and who runs practice and their level and all. Possibly, I'd love to add them to my list if they are the real deal. Looks pretty good. Except I HATE the background... Makes my eyes go cross-eyed and I can barely read the page. Can someone please read it for me, and find some info? I just can't manage it, even when I enlarge it. So, some help please? Thanks.

Kaoru

I wouldn't blame your eyes Kaoru. I have very good eyes and I could barely read a word on that site. Sorry, not much of a help unless they take out that horrid background and use a different color of font.

[Perce4]

All -
I'm also U.S. Air Force. And also missing kendo.
We're in Prattville, near Maxwell AFB. But our last assignment was in Hawaii, which has awesome kendo. Current plan is to travel to Atlanta as often as we (my whole family took up kendo) can. But it sounds like there may actually be enough folks in the area to start a practice group!
Looking forward to hearing more from the Alabama kendoists ...
V/R,
- Clayton Perce, 3rd kyu, perce4@juno.com

[Kapplow]

Just found out theres some kind of study group in dothan for kendo. I dont know much more about it but I can get you in touch with the right ppl.

[tango]

This would be really great news for an Alabama group to get started...

Hope they can put something good together down there...(or over there, I should maybe say)

[runsyi]

All -
I'm also U.S. Air Force. And also missing kendo.
We're in Prattville, near Maxwell AFB. But our last assignment was in Hawaii, which has awesome kendo. Current plan is to travel to Atlanta as often as we (my whole family took up kendo) can. But it sounds like there may actually be enough folks in the area to start a practice group!
Looking forward to hearing more from the Alabama kendoists ...
V/R,
- Clayton Perce, 3rd kyu, perce4@juno.com

Hey Mr. Perce-

Glad to hear you and the family are still at it. Best of luck to you!

Shelly

[rhino8]

I am a student at UAB and was wanting to join a local kendo group. It has been a while since the last post on this forum and I was wondering if a group was found or created. I do not have any kendo experience but I do have a little experience here at the UAB aikido dojo.

[Knicky]

Nope.

Far as I know Alabama`s always been dead.

Since your at UAB (My family lives in Birmingham), I`d drive to Atlanta for GKA.

And before the...thats to far. It is; but there are people at the club that drive the same distance I believe.

[Gideon]

I think I've heard of folks at GKA that drive down from like Charleston, SC or something like that... or somewhere in South Carolina. I was stunned.

[MikeW]

GKA is a good place to train and is worth the drive if one can do it.

[Matlock]

You're right, I could have said it better than I did. But, that is what I was told by my sensei if a real Kendo group is to be considered qualified for ranking and etc. and legitimate status. I didn't make it up. For example, I can't have my study group without being an AUSKF and MWKF member and be considered a qualified legit, if you will, Kendo study group...

Kaoru-san,

Please remember that kendo is about enjoying what you do and getting together with others who enjoy the same. I, as an individual, was never associated with any Federation in the US, AUSKF or MWKF, and it was never a problem because I never had the intentions to promote or compete, no one questioned my legitimacy. However I remained current on my membership with the ZNKR in Tokyo. When I helped sempai a dojo in the US, I earged the members to join AUSKF and MWKF for the benefits, such as gradings, seminars and tournaments, but it was never a requirement for them to join. We were more like, "Come play kendo, and enjoy." Our club insurance was taken care of in another manner.

I am not a fan of the off-groups calling themselves Kenjitsu Backyardigans, claiming they have made up their own style of kenjitsu based off a video game. But hey, if they have fun and enjoy what they are doing... I say let them do what they want. Of course, this is an extreme example but you know what I mean; we cannot change people.

Cheers