Has anyone had SERIOUS Martial Arts WEAPONS training?

Question

I mean serious like Kendo, Kenjitusu, Iado and several other kind that are not even sword from Sai, Nun Chucku, Shuriken, Etc.

Which weapon do you feel that you are the most trained with and can teach to other's and at what age do you think a student should be allowed to start weapons training or do you think it depends on the maturity of the child?

Answer 1

We study several weapons as part of our training primarily kenjutsu.  We also study bo and jo heavily and a little sai, tonfa, and manrikigusari.

I can teach basic sword and bo, but and still a student in all weapons.

Students in our dojo start weapons training at 6th kyu.  Since we do not take students younger that 13 in our jujutsu class, this means most of them are 14-15.  Students may occasionally train with sword before 6th kyu since our art comes from sword and it helps in their understanding.

It is important that a student is mature enough to understand the seriousness of weapons training.  Take sword as an example:  If i am a samurai with a sword in a fight, I have a one in three chance of going home today.  Either I kill you, you kill me, or we kill each other - ther are no other choices.  and woden weapons can be just as lethal.

It is also important that students have the skills to handle weapons.  Your bo work can't be good if you do not know the proper stances and can't punch correctly.

Answer 2

I trained with Iado and Kenjitsu for years since I was 13 and I am 24 now and I love it.

I would say that is serious.  I do not have any other training in Martial Arts than this though.

Answer 3

For weapons training based on Japanese Martial arts:

http://www.worldkobudo.info/

contact them or check the links

Good luck

Answer 4

I am pretty good with a BO staff. Spent years practicing with it but I would not call myself a Master just good with it.