Newbie

[Ronin2167]

Hello everyone,

I am new here. I don't have any experience with Kendo but but I do have a small amount of experience with Jodo. I had to stop taking classes in it though because I could not attend the only day they had class.

I am however active in Aikido and am interested in finding a place to train in Kendo or Iaido. I live in Oklahoma City and am only aware of one school teaching Kendo. Redland Fencing. I am not familiar with there reputation though.

Does anyone know of any more schools in my area teaching kendo or similar art that I can study at? I would appreciate any help.

Also...I have read a few other forums that I will not name that are very anti-kendo do to the fact that is more of a sport than actual fighting art, such as Kenjutsu....I have encountered similar ideology in Aikido vs Akijujutsu. What is everyone's take on this thought process?

I am sure that the subject has been discussed before....but I would like some fresh thoughts on it.


Thanks
Ronin2167

[Jerry Wellbrock]

I have just checked the AUSKF list of dojo and the only one listed in the state of Oklahoma is the one you mentioned....Redlands Fencing.....I know nothing about them.....but you should visit them and observe their training and feel free to ask questions of both the students and instructors.....Good Luck

[lewis]

Ronin,

You may be out of luck for kendo. I live in Colorado and we have the same problem. If you are lucky enough to have a kendo dojo in your state, it is probably too far a drive to get there regularly. There is not much you can do in that situation.

One long shot is to start asking around. Sometimes you can find a sensei of another art that has played kendo in the past and is willing to take students. It's not the same as a dojo with twenty students, but it may be all you can get.

[David J]

Originally posted by Ronin2167
I have read a few other forums that I will not name that are very anti-kendo do to the fact that is more of a sport than actual fighting art, such as Kenjutsu....I have encountered similar ideology in Aikido vs Akijujutsu. What is everyone's take on this thought process?

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

You'll find differences in people here's opinion re- the sporting aspect of Kendo, but there is a whole lot more to it than that. Have a look at the "favourite aspects of Kendo" thread, or many of the other ones such as "what I dont understand about Kendo" to get a feel for the deeper side that many of us see in Kendo. Invest a few bucks in a cheap book (try "Complete Kendo", or see the "books, glorious books" thread), watch some mpeg movies and try to see some Kendo for real. Be warned...you may be hooked, and if you have no dojo to visit...

<rei>

Dave

[ben]

"Also...I have read a few other forums that I will not name that are very anti-kendo do to the fact that is more of a sport than actual fighting art, such as Kenjutsu....I have encountered similar ideology in Aikido vs Akijujutsu. What is everyone's take on this thought process?"

rec.martial-arts (oops! I named one) generally has a lot of "kendo is just a sport" sentiment. You will always find that it comes from people who don't do and have never done kendo. Martial arts seem to be notorious for this kind of pettiness. It's a sign of immaturity. No experienced practitioner of any art-form will ever be fooled into making perjorative statements about other artforms. It is a very sign of their experience. I think we start out closed-minded but become more and more open as we progress. Rinzai Zenji said: "Personally, I don't dislike anything." I think that's pretty cool.

Good luck. I hope you find a good teacher to train with.

b

[James]

These arguments as to what martial art is 'real' are spurious.
A guy sitting in a Tank could probably argue that karate is an ineffective martial art and just a sport.
People come to kendo for all reasons sport,romantic notions,discipline,darth maul, self improvement.
All of them are fine, it's not where you're from it's where you're at.
If you get to end up doing something that enriches your life, and better still is a lifelong passion then who can argue with that.
Well probably the guy on the barstool next to you will argue that it's not ninjitsu.
As Ben says anyone who has any serious experience of doing any disciplined activity or art is unlikley to attack other people who have chosen a different path.

Get to a dojo, try it out, ask any questions you have, if you take to it great, if it's not for you, that's fine too.

j

[Matthew Lagden]

I wholeheartedly agree - I started kendo seeing it as a way to get fit and maybe burn off some excess aggression, but have stayed with it because there is so much more to it - a depth and beauty and complexity that I find utterly beguiling, and which makes it much more than just a sport.

[Ronin2167]

I am atrracted to it because of a few things really. 1st..I have to admit to the romaticism of it...yes...I have delusions of being a samauri or even a Jedi...but not really...just the fun and fantasy that it will bring.......I have always been interested with martial arts.....and have dabbled in a few till I finally settled on Aikido last year....and love it. ALso....I could stand to lose some weight and I find myself lacking the self discipline to go jogging or to the gym...that's just not me....it's not what I call fun.

I have always been alarmed with the way other styles of martial arts, say they are better or that one isn't any good....I think it is a search that each individual takes up and hopefully finds what is best for them.......There is no right or wrong .....only the way you apply it.


Thanks all for your replys
Ronin2167

[Hotei]

www.springwinddojo.com

We start on August the 3rd, 2005.

[Addison]

Hi im in the REDLANDS fencing- Kendo and its tight.I have been thier for almost two months.You should come and visit,its tesdays 6:00-8:00,thursdays 6:00-8:00,saturdays 9:00 Am-11:00 Am, Sometimes longer to.They are strict AND ITS AWSOME.

[euclid]

Hi im in the REDLANDS fencing- Kendo and its tight.I have been thier for almost two months.You should come and visit,its tesdays 6:00-8:00,thursdays 6:00-8:00,saturdays 9:00 Am-11:00 Am, Sometimes longer to.They are strict AND ITS AWSOME.

Erm...you might want to take a look at the date on this thread

[Addison]

LOL LOL LOL my bad.

[Martino]

At least we know that new people know how to use the search feature.

If we remain really quite maybe the thread will go to sleep for another 5 years.

[Addison]

LoL.................