hi, I am new

[JohnHershman]

hello, my name is John. I am 20 years old and a practicioner of Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujitsu (Shodan working on Nidan). I have a terrible facination with anything sharp... esp swords. I collect all kinds except the farest fetched of the Fantasy swords.... they kinda strike me as dumb.
anyway. I have been using a bokken for many years, for both exercise and controlled sparing. My dad is my instructor, but he doesnt specialize in iaido. He like empty hand much more. He has taught me some of the draws and ceremonial parts of Iai, but he is out of practice, so most of my experience as of late has been repeated down strikes with a bokken.
My dad's instructors were the former Grand Master of our system(RIP) Sekichi Odo and a brief period under Don F. Dragger.
I am considering going into the Airforce after college in order to go to Japan and train in Iaido or Kendo.

Anyway nice to meet you.

[joekc6nlx]

Hi John,

Welcome to the forums. You didn't say whether you were more interested in iaido or kendo.

Where do you live? You may be close enough to a dojo where you can get formal instruction.

[Jinshi]

nothing wrong with loving swords I have a ton (almost all katana's)

My first instructor gave me an original Japanese katana as a gift after I finished his Battojutsu lessons (I asked him to teach me and he did although he was a bit hesitant at first)

[Andou]

Welcome to the forums, John. If you can tell us more of where about you are, I'm sure one of us could help you find a place to learn.

[Richiro]

howzit bra!

[Hisham]

Welcome to the forums.

[JohnHershman]

yeah I guess it would help if i said where i was.

I am currently living around Central Virginia USA, but I go to school in Frankiln Springs Georgia. There is my problem. I dont stay in any one pace to long so I dont want to start something I can not finish with training. I would really bite to have a to leave after training for 3 months then have no where else to train.
but yeah... I guess I had better flesh out my profile.

[joekc6nlx]

John,

How much longer will you be in school? Georgia has an excellent kendo association, the GKA. I have been honored to meet some of the members, including their sensei. I'm not sure exactly where Emmanuel College is located, so it may be that it's not close enough to where you could get to the GKA dojo.

I'm not familiar with any dojos in the central or southwest parts of Virginia, but northern Virginia has some excellent dojos, and I believe Richmond also has an excellent dojo, although I might be mistaken on the existence (not the quality). The only one I know of in SE Virginia is The College of William and Mary, although I have heard that there is a possibility of one opening in the Hampton Roads area, probably Virginia Beach.

[WolfofMibu]

hi john, what are you more interested in kendo, or iaido? i have done kendo for 2 years now but i am still looking for someone to teach me iaido.

[piggy]

hi john,
it would be difficult to keep changing dojos as your location changes but there are people in this forum from all over the world so im pretty sure we could help you anywhere you go.
i myself live on the opposite side of america so i know nothing about gorgia.

[JohnHershman]

Emmanuel College is In Northeastern GA about 45 min from UGA or Athens.


and as far as to which..... I like both equally.... Kendo and Iaido both have apeal to me. I want an art that has both sparing action and live blade work... and I would like an instructor that would let me use a longer sword.... I am very big... 6' 1" and about 275 lbs due to weight lifting.... reason i need a longer sword being I can draw it without bringing the saya out of my belt at all. I think a 35 to 40 inch blade would be good for me, but I dont even know where to find one good for iai practice.

[MeStabYou]

Hey man im new too! Im into Kendo and Iaido. post me back! Peace out

[samurai]

Hi John. hope you'll enjoy yourself as much as others!have fun!