Iaido VR Kendo witch is best to study?

Question

I have been using and practicing freelance with a bokken using what i have been tougt by one other in an iaido class..

I love the mind and spiret with natuer of iaido but like the sparring with bokkens they do with kendo..

iaido is really ritualized.. kendo is more hands on but is baced on points ...i dont like the point thing. i want to learn the art of the j*p sword shoud i just take both classes?? that would be way to expensive$$ help me out guys....?<?<>?

Answer 1

find someone that teaches both,i did and it makes a very good combination.

Answer 2

Firstly, most Kendo sparring does not use Bokken, we use Shinais instead of Bokken.  Bokken is used mainly for kata.  You may be mistaking Kenjutsu which uses bokken for sparring.

Kendo is very hands on, but it is not based on points.  Points are a product of competition, and do not deter from the spirit and mind aspects, and much so &#039;zen&#039; components in Kendo, since both Kendo and Iaido are both sword martial arts.

Plenty of people take Kendo for the martial arts aspect, fitness and exercise, and ever grade, or never compete.  Competition isn&#039;t for everyone, but you can still participate in kendo without it.

If you can afford it, there is nothing wrong with taking both, but if you want exercise, along with developing discipline, spiritual meaning in some aspects, and lots of fun with a dash of odd pain here and there, then I&#039;d suggest Kendo.

Answer 3

&#039;Bushido&#039; has a good point as some Japanese sword schools do teach both arts.

On the other hand, if there are no schools like that where you live, you will have to make up your own mind.

However, it sounds like you already prefer the  combat aspects of kendo better than the more &#039;spirituality&#039; and self-development  aspects of iaido.

Good luck!