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

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

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

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

[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/tomahawkswor...enpractice.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?