[Niobaralegra]

Hi everybody,

I really appreciate how helpful you all are. That made me feel better about this whole thing.

Atama, I don't know how I did maintain my composure. Somehow, I managed to seal off all emotion. I had been in seiza putting on school bogu when this teacher and I had the conversation. So, I had to look up at him. A bit intimidating...

sminki, I asked him what federation the dojang belonged to, and he said it was the International Kumdo-Kumbup Federation. I asked him if it had a website, and he said no, and that it was "directly out of Korea." His exact words. I've never even heard of it, and he also said that that one guy, Master Chan Joo Jung, on the site doing the cutting-remember which one? is the head of it. So, it sounds like it isn't legit to me. Oh, and I wrnt back to look, and I see what you mean about the two swords. It looks silly. I agree with you. It should be displayed with a wakizashi, and not a Chinese sword. He isn't a member of any of the standard legit organisations. Oh yeah, and I think you're right about the
level of quality of instruction. Even though I've only practiced for four mobnths, I can see bad technique in his cuts, and not to mention the bad footwork. I've been going to a lot of Kendo websites lately doing some checking. He also never practices with us-just demonstrates and tha's all. I only found out that most sensei do practice with their students when I discovered this website. He never cleans the dojang floor, either, and each week, I have to fight the urge to ask him for a broom to sweep the floor. I'm afraid that if I did ask him for it, he'd get insulted. If I wore hakama and went into seiza on that floor, I'd feel pretty insulted because I respect my uniform. I use my TKD Gi form when I used to practice it a long time ago, and still hate to kneel on that floor in it. Oh, something else interesting... ALL the Kumdo students except me, take his TKD classes. I never will, because every time I watch the black belt class before Kumdo practice, I want to laugh because their technique is so bad, so I end up not watching so I don't. I hold a blue belt in ATA Tae Kwon Do(Before they changed the belt levels a little, so all I had left was red, before I could earn my black belt. I got really lucky... the teachers I had there were just amazing, and etiquette was a very integral part of class.) so I have a good idea what they do not know. And, like you described in your first dojang, he has so many students in his TKD classes, it isn't even funny. Too many, in fact. It's dangerous to have so many in one class. He also has another dojang in another town not far from mine. Anyway, I think that makes me stand out because I don't take TKD like everybody else. He tried once to get me to and I turned him down saying I didn't have time. Anyway, thank you for looking into this for me. I appreciate it!

Oh, believe me, guys, I'd love to tell him what a disgraceful and dishonorable person he is, and not only that, he lied to me and my sister-in-law. He really lost face and he is shameful indeed. He just has no respect or honor, and that to me, is just shameful and appalling. But, I won't because it won't solve the issue and besides, being unkind to him, is not worth it. I won't be like him. How am I supposed to respect him now? I lost my respect for him yesterday.

I wish very much to go to another dojo, because I love Kendo. Well, at least I get to go to the Kendo seminar in Charleston, South Carolina this October. My parents are going with me, because they love the place, and while they sight-see, I get to learn something! Anybody going there? It's the 11th and 12th. Check the AUSKF site about it. So, ha, ha, I'm ordering bogu anyway, because this is stupid.

I may stay until November, when it will be time to pay for the next three months, and then leave, so I can practice foe the October seminar that I am not telling him about. Also, there is a new kid that sticks to me like glue. So, I'd feel bad about leaving this new kid who is so shy it isn't even funny. He's 15, and copies everything I do. I feel sorry for him because of this guy now.

Anyway, I'd love to get a new Kendo dojo up here. What a shame... Oh well. My sister-in-law did say that she might take me down to the other dojo in Minneapolis to see what it was like. It IS a long drive though... I hope we can go. It won't be this week though. I hope we can. If not, oh well. I know it's a long drive. I'd beam myself there if I could though!

I'll tell you guys if I get to go.

Kaoru