ironchefkorea

Hi. I don't really know how to say this, without sounding like a Kill Bill fanboy with too much time on his hands, so I'm just going to say it.

I want to learn how to use a Katana. With school and work I don't do much in my free time aside from browsing the internet, watching movies and playing video games, and I need some sort of physical activity. When I was younger I was a pretty troubled kid, so violence and the working out that I did to supplement it took up that part of my life, but now that I'm over that phase, I want to do something disciplined.

Anyway, where should I start? What kind of a place should I look for where I could eventually learn the basics on swordsmanship? I realize it would be nigh impossible for me to go very far in the art, as I'm Korean and would never really be able to advance beyond basic stuff (I'm not interested in Kendo, Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, or other Korean martial arts - I mainly want to learn the Katana), but I want to learn what I can. What type of training weapon should I get, and later on the road, what would be a really nice, but very functional sword to purchase (mainly as a showpiece)? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out.

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TheKak

What does being Korean have anything to do with being able to learn how to use a sword? You can go as far as you want to take it! But anyway, www.swordforum.com has a lot of good information, and they have links that can help you find a school/teacher in your area, and can help you learn everything you need to know about swords before you purchase one.

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im2smrt4u

You have to start with the basics first. To really learn anything , you need to learn a martial art that involves a sword. Then, maybe a few years from now you will start training with a bokken.

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Slims

If you want to learn how to use a Katana specifically, take Kendo.....You can usually find lessons in any major city, and most universities have a kendo club.

However, Kendo is bound by tradition and is thus ultra stylized and limited (you are not allowed to stab to the body, only the throat, etc.) in ways that can prevent you from ever becoming truly effective with the sword. The rigidly structured swordsmanship taught by kendo is the reason Akido exists.....When Akido guys take on olympic-style fencers who have been given a boken or a shinai, they get their asses kicked because they are no longer able to anticipate what is going to happen (for instance, they get stabbed in the gut, repetedly).

Anyways, go get lessons, from a tradional school of some kind (either Kendo, or strip fencing, etc.). Don't waste your time with any of the fringe fencing groups that are out there, they are almost without exception only considered impressive by themselves.

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MrTuffPaws

As a student of kendo, I have to tell you, if you want to learn how to use a sword, don't take kendo. Kendo is, IMO, a sport and not a martial art. Sure, you learn how to strike, but only three places, the head (men), the wrist (kote), and the side (do).

The katas in kendo are more along the real lines of sword play, but in general kendo training, you will not become proficient with a sword.

If you want sword play, try finding a dojo that will teach iado.

Do a search hear and you should be able to find what you need.

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/index.php?

Fire

I tend to second tuffpaws, but I feel that Kendo is a good place to start- from there Iado comes well recommended- and do cross train if you realy want to be able to use the weapon effectively- what greg 700 said is true and something that I run into all the time, one style cannot often deal with another different style unless it involves lots of cross training- I developed by learnong whatever I could from wherever I could and then doing a lot of bouting with various friends that were better than me in their respective styles- the net result is that I can now claim to be at least proficient with about any bladed weapon that i can lay hands on- perhapes useless in the modern world, but kind of neat by my way of thinking..............

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sadistikdreams

Heh heh heh...
Being the extreme bookworm I am, I am self taught from so many books. I picked up a wooden practice sword, and just figured out how to use it. You can cross train kendo, iado, and other sword practices, but it won't really ready you for any "real" swordfights. But I doubt you'll be fighting Lucy Liu anytime soon.

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Lunchbox7

There are specialised japanese sword fighting schools around but they are rare. Since we dont know where your from it is hard to recomend one in particular. If you come from western sydney there is one at Cranebrook. Apart from that I learnt to use katana and other weapons when I used to do Ninjitsu. The good thing about that was you learnt to use your sword to grapple as well as cut and parry. The beauty of it is that you can still use it in every day combat if necessary. I keep an axe handle in my car. It is roughly the same weight and balance as a katana and really intimidating. Thankfully Ive only had to use it twice but I felt more comfortable with it due to my training. If you dont carry an axe handle around with you there are heaps of other similar weapons that can use the same principles eg baseball bat, cricket stump, big stick etc. If you find a good school go for it.

mr sticky

You may want to check into your local Society of Creative Anachronism. I understand that these people enjoy learning the past of warcraft, albeit mostly European. The hold "battles" with less stringent requirements of shot placement. etc. (but still loads of safety rules). Could be more your alley.

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Charlatan

I too am a student of Kendo and would recommend it only if you are serious about learning the way of the sword. The training is hard but it gives you a much more well rounded approach to dealing with sword play.

Iado can be done seperately or it can grow naturally from Kendo and it will probably teach you far more about handling a katana than Kendo. Again, if you are just a fanboy who wants to learn to wave a katana you should just avoid Iado as well.

Personally I don't see Iado or Kendo as sports as the real battle of these "martial arts" is with yourself rather than your opponent (not to get all Mr. Miyagi on you...)


Given your comments on self discipline etc. it really sounds like martial arts could benefit you.

mtsgsd

It may be available in any city (though I doubt it) but even so, you may not be able to get in. When I was living in the Chicago area there was only one school that taught it. They wouldn't even talk to me on the phone.

I found out later that you pretty much had to have connections to be considered there. I wasn't a black belt yet, but I was involved in martial arts already and in fencing. Kendo is what has always facinated me though. Oh well can't do any of that stuff anymore anyway.

moonstrucksoul

if you don't want to do the schooling, i would think that your best option would be to get a friend, two bokken and go to town on eachother.

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shakran

About my best advice would be: Don't be like this guy:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/katanaslip.html

Ripsaw

I would consider this a perfect way to get someone seriously hurt, or killed. Bokken are weapons. 'Going to town on each other' with those would be like taking two baseball bats and having a go. ironchefkorea, find a teacher if you are really serious about this.

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PredeconInferno

I'm going to second the advice on Iado.

Problem is, it's expensive. To get started at the school I was looking at will end up being about $500. However, they will teach you how to properly use a katana.

I'm in Aikido currently and I must say, it's very good.

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Charlatan

That was very funny... Stupid idiot should know not to play with swords...

moonstrucksoul

i thought he said he didn't want to go through alot of school. i didn't mean attack with intent to do harm, but they could practice sparring. nobody has to get hurt.

as for that video: buahahahahah, what a cheap ass blade.

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shibbidyjoe

Heh. I love watching those guys at like 3 in the morning. They obviously hate each other.
Anyway, I can testify to the moderate success of grabbing a couple of bokken and sparring with a friend. When I was a kid, my dad and I took a kendo demonstration class which came with a bokken. About a month ago, I dug the buggers up and told my friend (who had already expressed an interest in learning to fight) that we were going to duel. First thing I did was a good old fashion downward strike at his head. His reaction was ("Oh shit!") to cower and hold his sword in front of him. So, going purely on guesses, I showed him how I would have blocked it. Not that I would have actually blocked it; I probably would have done about the same thing he did. But once we had both practiced it for a few minutes, there was a noticble improvement in reaction time. So we starting doing combos, and built from there. Now, though we aren't exactly proficient, I can throw him a sword and slice at his head, and he'll block without missing a beat. Practice makes perfect.

-Shib

striderkevin

If you can find a place that teaches Iaido, that would definitely be the way to go. There are probably some Aikido places that teach Iaido in conjunction. As for the video, that guy totally deserved that for banging the sword on the table. Comes to show how cheap the crap they sell on that show is.

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queedo

Eishin-Ryu Iaido is a excellent sword style to learn. Check out this link.

http://dwinit.com/iaido

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