Katana Training

[seriojbn]

My 18 yo son has been fascinated with Japanese culture, history etc... since he was in middle school. He has owned a cheap bokken for about four years and practices with it in our back yard every day. He has had no formal instruction but seems to know what he is doing. He reads everything he can get his hands on regarding Japanese... anything. He does have other interests, so he is not spending all his time on this. He has had some martial arts instruction in the past but not with swords. He uncle gave him a Katana (non live blade) about a month ago and he has been practicing with it some. It is not a very expensive unit, but it looks real. I encourage him to use the Bokken. I am ordering him a new Bokken, medium quality but much better than the cheap one he has (about $40, on-line, Japanese white oak).

I would like to find a school where he could get formal training. He has no interest in college although he is extremely bright. He always did very well in school with a minimal effort (remembers everything he reads and everything he hears in class). He has Asperger's which is a form of Autism, very high function, very bright. People in history thought to have had Asperger's include Albert Einstein and Thomas Jefferson.

Any help figuring this out would be appreciated.

Thanks so much,

jbn

 

[babakanoosh45]

In your area, look for a Martial Arts school that provides training in one of these disciplines.
Aikido
Kendo or
Iaido
Then present the question you asked here to them. I am sure you will find exactly what he will need.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

In your area, look for a Martial Arts school that provides training in one of these disciplines.
Aikido
Kendo or
Iaido
Then present the question you asked here to them. I am sure you will find exactly what he will need.

+1:thumbup:

Finding a suitable instructor is vitally important when dealing with weapons-based martial arts (not that it isn't important anyway, but moreso due to the extra risk involved).

 

[yerscattergun]

Don't waste his time or your money, teach him how to shoot or box.

 

[DennisStrickland]

check with Cotdt,he,s up on katana training.

 

[harkamus]

Don't waste his time or your money, teach him how to shoot or box.

I'm sure you were trying to be constructive, but the OP did not ask for other alternatives. He's made it quite clear that his son loves the Japanese arts.

I'd go with the suggestions already posed. Look for schools of the disciplines listed above and ask if they can/will accommodate.

 

[Bai Lang]

That's great that he is interested in other cultures a good practice bokken may be the cold steel one made out of poly carbonate its tuff as hades not traditional but very forgiving can bash almost anything with it not hurt it.

You may ask some Japanese people in your area who has the goods as far as sword arts People Japanese restarant, cultural center, Buddhist temple and so on. If you are sincere they may try to help you.

Some Aikido dojo's teach the sword as well- some better than others- may ask there.

Good Luck!

 

[seriojbn]

Don't waste his time or your money, teach him how to shoot or box.

Very funny, and I mean that. I too enjoy a quick wit.

 

[J_Curd]

I've seen tons of Shotokan schools offer Katana instruction, but unless you take private lessions it's usually reserved for higher ranks in the system.

 

[mdauben]

In your area, look for a Martial Arts school that provides training in one of these disciplines.
Aikido
Kendo or
Iaido

These are probably your best options. Just to give a bit more background on each:

Aikido - Is primarily an empty handed art but instructors traditionally include practice with short staffs (3-4 foot) and boken (wooden swords). You and your son will probably want to discuss the subject with the instructor, as some place more empasis on weapons that others, and some do not include weapons training until the student reaches at least the intermediate levels. Since the training is generally with wooden swords and no protective equipment, it is not "full contact".

Kendo - Kendo is the japanese version of fencing. That is, it is a sport based on sword fighting. The training and practice will be primarily focused on the tournament scene (which means a more restricted range of techniques than the other two options). Since shinai (flexible bambo practice swords) and protective gear are used, practice is full contact which many prefer.

Iaido - This is training in drawing and cutting with the sword in one smooth motion. This training is done with metal swords, sometimes at least partially sharpened and most of the training is solo (in the form or prearranged katas) so there is no contact involved and little or no free form practice.

Chances are Aikido is going to be the easiest to find. Kendo and Iaido are quite a bit less common in the US and chances are you will have trouble finding them unless you live in or near a major urban area with a large Japanese-American population. Hope that helps you and your son find a suitable school.

 

[CWL]

What city and state do you live in?

If you live near a larger university, there are now many that study Iaido and Kendo as a club sport.

If your son really does get into Japanese blades, becoming a sword polisher might be a good career choice for him. Sword polishers charge by the inch to polish swords.

 

[Kohai999]

Kendo - Kendo is the japanese version of fencing. That is, it is a sport based on sword fighting. The training and practice will be primarily focused on the tournament scene (which means a more restricted range of techniques than the other two options). Since shinai (flexible bambo practice swords) and protective gear are used, practice is full contact which many prefer.

Iaido - This is training in drawing and cutting with the sword in one smooth motion. This training is done with metal swords, sometimes at least partially sharpened and most of the training is solo (in the form or prearranged katas) so there is no contact involved and little or no free form practice.

Depends upon where you train. The foundation for all Japanese sword arts is three pronged...

1. Kata or Waza....this includes basics(kihon) and practice swinging(suburi)

2. Kumitachi...pre-arranged PAIRED sparring technique....can be as dynamic or static as the partners ability...it is NOT fencing, but it is unpredictable. Teaches timing, distance and demonstrates to the student how to move while facing an opponent.

3. Tameshigiri..test cutting.

Depending on the school, the lesson plan can also include Batto Ho(more/different drawing and cutting techniques), and/or Kenjutsu(swordfighting with the sword already out of the scabbard).

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[mdauben]

Depends upon where you train. The foundation for all Japanese sword arts is three pronged...

Thanks for adding that information. I admit that while I have some experience with both Kendo and Iaido, it was pretty basic and I never progressed much beyond the beginner level in either.

I was trying to give the OP more of a beginners view of the two arts, as I believe that some of the things you discussed (such as Kumitachi and Tameshigiri) are generally reserved for more advanced students, aren't they?

 

[Kohai999]

Thanks for adding that information. I admit that while I have some experience with both Kendo and Iaido, it was pretty basic and I never progressed much beyond the beginner level in either.

I was trying to give the OP more of a beginners view of the two arts, as I believe that some of the things you discussed (such as Kumitachi and Tameshigiri) are generally reserved for more advanced students, aren't they?

Again, it depends upon the school. At the Jikishin Kai Hombu Dojo, beginner students start to train in Kumitachi very soon after the start of their training, with a MUCH more experienced student who has much familiarity with the training format. Kumitachi is usually done with wooden bokken, but may be done with iaito by advanced students, or for a public demonstration.

Tameshigiri can be offered as a teaching aid to a student who shows good ettiquette and familiarity with a sharp sword after as little as a few months of training.

There are many schools for training in sword arts....the philosophy of the Sensei is critical to find the right training. We spend a lot of time with the sword, learning to respect it, and not "dance" with it....but to cut.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson