Samurai sword fighting.?

Question

Has anyone ever taken samurai sword fighting classes and if so did you enjoy it.

I have fancied doing this for a while but don't know anyone else who has do it for a bit of advise. Think it would be fun.

Answer 1

I've not taken classes, but my dad and i used to do it. it is really fun. however you need self discipline and hard work and then you will succeed as well with any other martial arts andfighting like that. just go for it, if you think it will be fun, you'lll enjoy it.

Answer 2

Here are some basic terms to help you in your search for a school.  

Kendo=Japanese sword training that uses bamboo sword and padding to ensure safety while learning.

Kenjitzu=Japanese sword training that uses real sword and wooden sword in learning process.

Kempo=Japanese term for Chinese martial arts.  Usually taught as a complete fighting style(weapons and empty hand)

Hopefully, this will aid you in your search for a school.

Answer 3

what you talking about is called kempo, like any other martial art, it is a vigorous, and teaches self discipline, youll like it , go for it

Answer 4

well if you want to compete keep in mind that many other styles of sword fighting exist and many if taught right are any more as good as if not better than =Japanese styles as always it is the fighter not the style you could try sca or fma styles or Chinese ones

Answer 5

i use my 18th century samurai sword for gardening and general kitchen applications.

oh i still do it to this very day... yes, the neighbours think i am strange.. but my hedges are neat and my spring onions are chopped so fine they almost melt in the pan.

Answer 6

I learnt a bit of iaido in my aikido classes and loved it. As well as learning how to draw the katana and strike it's also very much a meditative practice and I found it very useful. I wouldn't describe it as fun, it requires a lot of focus and concentration whilst at the same time trying to retain a relaxed state of mind.

Kendo, as it's now normally taught as a sport would perhaps be perceived as being more 'fun' as you're competing against one another.

Give both a go and see which one you like!

Answer 7

Come on, who wouldn't enjoy beating their friend over the head with a sword?

Kendo is the modern, competitive sport derived from Samurai sword fighting.  It's more fun because you actually get to go to tournaments and fight for real (don't worry, it's safer than Judo).   Because it's fun, it's also very prolific.  Look in the yellow pages and on the web for a Kendo school or class.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendo

Some older, more traditional teachings emphasize a more martial, less sporting aspect of the Japanese sword.  Which is also interesting to some of us, but unfortunately means you never actually get to fight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenjutsu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iaido

Answer 8

I've been studying Iaido for the past two ( 2 ) years. Yes I like it very much. The sheathing and unsheathing of the Katana ( Samurai Sword ) to and from its scabbard ( saya ) ( Thing that holds the sword ) is in its self a perectionism art form.  The 8 basic cuts and footwork are cool as well.  The ettiqette of Iaido ( it's rules ) is one of the things I love best about it though.  "Having a heart that repects the other" is one of Iaido's best virtues.  Becoming educated in the varuious parts of the Katana ( sword ) such as the the Ken ( Blade ), Ito ( Braid/handle wrapping ), Tsuba ( Hand Guard ), Tsuka ( Handle ) and the other various parts of the sword and scabbard is in its self very interesting to even the most novice beginner.  The various ways to unsheath the sword as well as the "Shaking off of the blood" before return the sword to the scabbard have a mental, spiritual and physical effect on me.  Shaking off the blood does not imply actually shaking literal blood from the sword it's a bit more mentally visual than it anything.  I love to draw the sword from the beginning of a right upward cut usually or maybe but the opponent's face pulling the scabbard away from the sword after I seperate the sword for the saya ( scabbard ) with my thumb.  I think Iaido is one of the coolest art forms on the planet.  Not only do you learn just the actually footwork, techniques and cuts, but also everything that goes into the care of your sword such as how to properly disassemble the sword and clean it with a cleaning kit., The proper way to handle the sword for example it's like finger nails on a chalk board to me when I see some kid in his front yard or at a flea market holding the sword turned over the wrong way not knowing that he is damaging the inside of the saya ( scabbard ).  eeww yuck!!

People see a sword and they think "well it's just a sword I can sheath it and unsheath it any way I want.  This isn't true about any type of "Samurai Sword" at all it must be handled by a well trained student.  Other wise you just hear rattling inside the saya ( scabbard ) because some kid doesn't know the perfectionism put into properly handling a katana.

AS A FOOTNOTE: Kendo and Iaido are two entirely seperate arts.  Kendo utilizes the "shinai" ( Kendo Stick ) which is made of wood and wire as to where in Iaido we usse the actual sword used in battle during feudal japan.  Iaido takes many, many, many years to master as to where Kendo offers compitition after and during their training.  Iaido is the real deal practiced with the actual razor sharp blade.  In Iaido beginners will always be required to use the "Bokku" wooden sword to begin their training with or maybe a plastic type bladed katana depending on the school or academy.  Iaido is not a sport. There are no competitions for the Iaido art other than cutting stationary objects.  Iaido is more for the "warrior spirit" type who is willing to to remain abased and modest.  Iaido is a way of life not just something Iaido's pratitioner's do for bragging rights.