I'm interested in dabbling in Katanas. Have to get a practice one first though.

Noshtero

Noshtero

Joined
Oct 10, 2002
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So as cool as big sharp things are, my respect for such a deadly instrument means I wouldn't consider owning (and thus playing with) a quality katana until I know what I'm doing.

Reality is.. I may never find the time to actually do this, but I'd like to investigate it anyway.

So here's my question. Would I be better off buying one of those Wind Dragons that got such nice reviews for such a cheap sword at $60ish, and then blunting the edge? Or would I be better off getting a plastic/wood katana?

My main concern is the weight and feel. The review of the Wind Dragon said it actually was weighted pretty decently. I worry one of those plastic trainers, Cold Steel or otherwise, would be uniform weight throughout and wouldn't be a realistic feel. I'm not OVERLY concerned with what it looks like, but if all things are equal I'd prefer my practice sword to look like a real sword instead of looking like a toy.

Thoughts?
Thanks!
 
Hmm... Well right off I didn't know about Iaitos. So being that those most likely go up in quality just like the real deal does... I'm going to have to qualify this out a little more.

At this point, I don't think I want to invest a lot of money because I may do this for a day and never again. So let's go this way. If I really get into this I'll end up with a quality katana, and a quality iaito. But for now, let's try to keep this under $100.

Thanks very much for the post on iaitos. That's is definitely the way I'll go if I really get into this.
 
Ya see I'm looking into the Cold Steel training Bokken and it talks about "realistic size, weight, feel" etc... but the thing weighs 17.7 ounces. How does a 1 pound plastic sword feel like a real sword that weighs 2 to 3 times as much?
 
Hey all. I know I didn't give you a chance on this one, but I think I have my direction.

It turns out... there's an Iaido school 5 minutes from me. I'm going to look into starting lessons and doing this right. In that case, I'm sure an iaito will be recommended to me. If not, I'll be back here and on swordforums looking for more advice.

Thanks Bimmer1. You got me on the right direction.
 
:rolleyes:You're doing the right thing. Swords, even more than knives, are not toys. You need real training and will get it at an iaido dojo.

My "second" daughter is a multiple-degree black belt and national champion in TKD. She is also "into" iaido and is my go-to expert for questions like this. Her comment? "Get thee to the dojo.";):D
 
Talked to the Sensei. I'm SOO in luck on this one. Check these credentials out:

"holds the rank of Go Dan (5th dan), received directly from Moriteru Ueshiba, Aikido Doshu. She spent 13 years in Japan training at the Aikido World Headquarters and teaching Aikido professionally at a dojo in Tokyo. She also has yudansha ranking in Judo and Iaido 3rd dan, and is a member of the Kenshukan Dojo in Tokyo."

We talked a bit about my Tae Kwon Do background (former Cho Dan Bo, but never tested for 1st Dan). She said she'd take me on as a student. I start this Saturday with sweat pants and a stick. Suh-weet. Pretty damn excited about this.
 
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Noshtero said:
Talked to the Sensei. I'm SOO in luck on this one. Check these credentials out:

"holds the rank of Go Dan (5th dan), received directly from Moriteru Ueshiba, Aikido Doshu. She spent 13 years in Japan training at the Aikido World Headquarters and teaching Aikido professionally at a dojo in Tokyo. She also has yudansha ranking in Judo and Iaido 3rd dan, and is a member of the Kenshukan Dojo in Tokyo."

We talked a bit about my Tae Kwon Do background (former Cho Dan Bo, but never tested for 1st Dan). She said she'd take me on as a student. I start this Saturday with sweat pants and a stick. Suh-weet. Pretty damn excited about this.
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Congrats. And, well, you know us -- keep us informed. We'll need pics.;)
 
Noshtero said:
Talked to the Sensei. I'm SOO in luck on this one. Check these credentials out:

"holds the rank of Go Dan (5th dan), received directly from Moriteru Ueshiba, Aikido Doshu. She spent 13 years in Japan training at the Aikido World Headquarters and teaching Aikido professionally at a dojo in Tokyo. She also has yudansha ranking in Judo and Iaido 3rd dan, and is a member of the Kenshukan Dojo in Tokyo.".
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Aiki swordsmanship is vastly different than what those of us in the JSA community learn.....not bad per se, but different.

IF you are not learning how to cut at the dojo you are studying at, you are missing out of 1 of the 3 most important things in the study of Japanese swordsmanship.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Ya from my understanding, this is straight Iaido. No Iaijutsu, no tameshi-giri, no kendo.

So on your topic of the 3 important things of JSA, I assume you mean drawing, cutting, and fencing. This would only be drawing.

I'm good with that for now though. Gotta start somewhere.
 
Noshtero said:
Ya from my understanding, this is straight Iaido. No Iaijutsu, no tameshi-giri, no kendo.

So on your topic of the 3 important things of JSA, I assume you mean drawing, cutting, and fencing. This would only be drawing.

I'm good with that for now though. Gotta start somewhere.
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Sure you have to start somewhere, but you should look hard at the limitations and and possible advantages of the system you are about to learn.

1. Solo practice-waza(kata), suburi(cutting), and basic warm up.
2. Paired practice(katachi or kumitachi)-pre-arranged sparring.
3. Cutting

Those that would offer "Iaido" wihout paired sparring, cutting or a martial attitude are dancing with the sword. That looks pretty, but it ain't a martial art. This is not only MY opinion, but that of many in the JSA community.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
1. Solo practice-waza(kata), suburi(cutting), and basic warm up.
2. Paired practice(katachi or kumitachi)-pre-arranged sparring.
3. Cutting

Those that would offer "Iaido" wihout paired sparring, cutting or a martial attitude are dancing with the sword. That looks pretty, but it ain't a martial art. This is not only MY opinion, but that of many in the JSA community.
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My father teaches both Sietei-Gata Iaido and Eishin-Ryu Iaido. While I can't speak for any other school but his, he does include all three but the emphasis is definitely on the drawing and cutting.

As for the feel and balance of a "real sword", I don't think I would worry about that quite yet. Pick up a quality boken and start swinging (ok, not litterally). You want to get form and motions down (such as the "drawing" of the sword as it swings).

My father actually won't let new students use an Iaito sword, only bokens, for about the first 6 months.

It is very much an "inner art" IMO, and a beautiful one. Just be prepared to be spending an inordinate amount of time on your knees in seiza. If you are serious about iaito, and your teacher hasn't suggested it already, I would pick up a pair of kneepads.
 
viva la said:
It is very much an "inner art" IMO, and a beautiful one. Just be prepared to be spending an inordinate amount of time on your knees in seiza. If you are serious about iaito, and your teacher hasn't suggested it already, I would pick up a pair of kneepads.
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Lol, I did my first class last weekend. Hard wood floors.. lots of seiza... and big black bruises on both knees/shins/tops of feet. My knee pads will be delivered tomorrow :)

We see the problem already. I'm a big guy, and I try to power my way through everything. I grip the sword like I'm trying to squeeze juice out of it. Same thing with seiza. I try to just grit my teeth and power through it when I should be learning about the correct balance and posture.

In an effort to bring this conversation back to swords instead of arts, I did get my iaito yesterday. That thing is just awesome. I've had a couple wall hanger katanas over the years, but it's a world of difference to hold an actually functional sword.

Thanks again for planting the Iaido seed. I already know I'm going to really enjoy this.
 
My dad has 4. I keep trying to explain he doesn't need 4 and should give me one. :)

Hope you enjoy Iai, it is a great art.

I have often gone to Bugei Trading Co looking at Iai (and reg swords) but have never had the courage to drop the coin.

As an aside, my tattoo guy is one of my fathers students. When ever I go in for work he says "I better do a good job or your dad will make me spend 45 minutes in seiza.
 
viva la said:
My father teaches both Sietei-Gata Iaido and Eishin-Ryu Iaido. While I can't speak for any other school but his, he does include all three but the emphasis is definitely on the drawing and cutting.
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Pretty sure you mean seitei kata under an organization like the AJKF/ZNKR, right? Seitei kata is good for competition in that it is a unified style for all other schools to meet under, but it is NOT the ancient form of swordsmanship that many crave...it is a modern construct, started in 1952.

Who is your father and where does he teach. Don't worry, I'm not going to be pissy, just curious.

IMO, six months of swinging a bokken is a bit too long, unless it is one of the newer ones that has a saya. Students develop too many bad habits.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Pretty sure you mean seitei kata under an organization like the AJKF/ZNKR, right? Seitei kata is good for competition in that it is a unified style for all other schools to meet under, but it is NOT the ancient form of swordsmanship that many crave...it is a modern construct, started in 1952.

Who is your father and where does he teach. Don't worry, I'm not going to be pissy, just curious.

IMO, six months of swinging a bokken is a bit too long, unless it is one of the newer ones that has a saya. Students develop too many bad habits.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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No, I took it directly off the website of the school, it is Seitei-gata. He teaches in Methuen, MA and has been studying for about 15 yrs IIRC.

You are correct, students do develop bad habits, but I don't contribute that to using a bokken vs a sword, I think it is contributed to sloppy training and/or sloppy teachers.
 
viva la said:
No, I took it directly off the website of the school, it is Seitei-gata. He teaches in Methuen, MA and has been studying for about 15 yrs IIRC.

You are correct, students do develop bad habits, but I don't contribute that to using a bokken vs a sword, I think it is contributed to sloppy training and/or sloppy teachers.
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kata and gata are used interchangeably.

Seitei Kata/Gata:

http://www.kampaibudokai.org/Seitei.htm

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

I attribute bad habits to students lack of familiarity with proper technique as propagated by many factors. A beginning student is a blank slate, or empty cup...it is the task of the Sensei and Sempai to fill that cup.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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