[obegeLype]

I was browsing youtube and I found an odd numbchuck vid, at the comments on the side it said this Graig guy also did kenjutsu. So my investigative nature took over and I took a look at his website. OK, karate and sword skills usually don't go well together. But wtf, let's give the guy a chance.

Big mistake:
1. He's a 3rd dan kenjutsu (my alarm bells went off, big time ) No ryu, what so ever. Am I surprised? Saddly, no.

2. Some picture from his site:
JSA Horror 1
and JSA horror 2
I hate karate guys/gi's with swords: they're cutting carrots from strings, for F@$% sake.

3. One of his teachers was a UK soke (where have I read that before ):
Soke Professor Robert Lawrence (Founder) He's dead BTW, the history of Mr. Lawrence: http://www.fudoshinbujutsu.net/profiles/shoman.html. Although I can judge his skills, I have my doubts: he got his 10th dan from some unknown MA association, he studied more weapons than I've got fingers and no weapon related ryu are mentioned. Doesn't sound promising, does it?

4. His kenjutsu curriculum. It scared the $h!t out of me:
8TH KYU - YELLOW BELT

KATA:1ST STANDING

IAI: TO FRONT
1 TO REAR
1 TO EACH SIDE

DUELLING (BOKKEN): 1 DEFENCE AGAINST HEAD CUT

EXERCISES:
20 PRESS UPS
20 SIT UPS
20 SQUAT THRUSTS WTF and it get worse at higher grades. (for entertainment purposes, take a look at the black belt requirements).

5. He's got a 12, 13 and a 14 yo karate shodan

6. And now, what really pisses me of: The video, the sword crap starts at 1:03 The horror, the horror.

[agracias]

Okay, Tijs, don't hold back, tell us how you really, really feel about all this.

You are of course correct to be horrified and outraged by a fool such as this. But remember Mr. T, you cannot correct all the worlds ills, but only point them out to others. You have done your job, and done it well!!!! Carry on.

[SobiquYo]

I was browsing youtube and I found an odd numbchuck vid, at the comments on the side it said this Graig guy also did kenjutsu. So my investigative nature took over and I took a look at his website. OK, karate and sword skills usually don't go well together. But wtf, let's give the guy a chance.

Big mistake:
1. He's a 3rd dan kenjutsu (my alarm bells went off, big time ) No ryu, what so ever. Am I surprised? Saddly, no.

2. Some picture from his site:
JSA Horror 1
and JSA horror 2
I hate karate guys/gi's with swords: they're cutting carrots from strings, for F@$% sake.

3. One of his teachers was a UK soke (where have I read that before ):
Soke Professor Robert Lawrence (Founder) He's dead BTW, the history of Mr. Lawrence: http://www.fudoshinbujutsu.net/profiles/shoman.html. Although I can judge his skills, I have my doubts: he got his 10th dan from some unknown MA association, he studied more weapons than I've got fingers and no weapon related ryu are mentioned. Doesn't sound promising, does it?

4. His kenjutsu curriculum. It scared the $h!t out of me:
WTF and it get worse at higher grades. (for entertainment purposes, take a look at the black belt requirements).

5. He's got a 12, 13 and a 14 yo karate shodan

6. And now, what really pisses me of: The video, the sword crap starts at 1:03 The horror, the horror.

I may be picky but I didn't realise that kenjutsu had a grading system but then I can only speak for our dojo and style. I await enlightenment.

I nearly choked when I read the black belt requirements - rice bowl! Wtf?

Jeez! That video scared me a bit. What those kids are doing with those swords!!!!

[CruzIzabella]

Okay, Tijs, don't hold back, tell us how you really, really feel about all this.

It would be better if I don't, it could get me banned from the forum

[antiggill]

Without light, there is no darkness.
Without crap-o-la, there is no excellence.

Therefore, these sorts of folks do in fact serve a purpose.
Embrace them Mr.T.....
Embrace their crackpot ways, and let the hate flow through you.
Together, you can rule the galaxy as Ninja and son!
They..are..your....father!
NooOoOoOoOooOoooooo~!
(One of them will undoubtedly loose a hand eventually, so it's TRUE!)

[Barbshowers]

4. His kenjutsu curriculum. It scared the $h!t out of me:
WTF and it get worse at higher grades. (for entertainment purposes, take a look at the black belt requirements).

I think that you're quite right in your presumptions about this multi weaponed dojo.
But at least all the shodan there are very fit if they have perform the feats described in the curriculum.
I mean we have seen stuff from likewise dojo where the fatter and bigger the people the higher the rank.
So it may be a good thing to provide fit people that can cut carrots and jump over shinken. I mean if everything fails they can always get a job in Gordon Ramsey's kitchen.

[Darlmtgq]

Ummm, did anyone look at... nidan I think it was. They have to write "Sword thesis"

[Sdinozes]

Take a look at the fees!

[sniskelsowwef]

Take a look at the fees!

Do you have any idea how much it costs when you have to cut/slice carrots for an hour for say twenty people? Carrots don't grow by themselves you know you have to buy them in the supermarket. They might consider turning into a Mc Dojo so they can sell the sliced produce. Any of the British folk willing to sell them idea?......

[broksaksaak]

That Sensei Craig, he's a tricky one alrighty. I love the Direct Debit part of the fee structure.

[monologue]

A fool and his money are soon parted.
- Thomas Tusser

[emorbimefed]

i want a dan grade for doing press ups.
the scary thing is, the kids are quite good with their baton twirling
te films in nottingham yes?
theres a good iai clb there. we should get them to have a day trip out to there or something

[Jxmwzgpv]

And the jumping over swords thing is a bit terrifying alright. I really hope that was an iaito, but then, maybe they're not taught to cut properly so it all evens out http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/sworddance.jpg On the other hand, it is an original approach to counter the whole 'stick and carrot' technique. http://www.blonnet.com/2004/04/10/im...1000040902.jpg

[st01en_lox]

In this case possibly a fool and his feet too!

[Optosypoeds]

Take a look at the fees!

thats about normal for darn sarf i think
it depends on how much the hall costs and how much is being pocketed mind
the equipment prices are quite reasonable though
less than a hundred quid for a shinken
id be interested to know what exactly is on the 'sword dvd'

[Unamannuato]

I only got through half the video before I threw up all over my keyboard. I demand a refund!

[pharmacologist30]

Aside from the shody 'look at me mom' weapon twirling antics and the limp ass kicks that don't get above thigh height, I'm more concerned about what would happen if they got into a real fight against an armed opponent! From the looks of the looks of the video they would have no idea how to react to an assailant that actually aimed for them! It only seems useful against someone aiming for a spot around three feet away from you! (insert standard muto dori comment) I feel sorry for the students paying their (parents) hard earned cash! Don't get me started on the kenjutsu! (insert chosen swear word spoken through a cough).

[leadmoffer]

why have I seen so many karatekas, obsessed with showing skill with a katana, why do they always do it wrong, why so many try to follow their own path... OMG Slay them all !

[Evdokia]

why have I seen so many karatekas, obsessed with showing skill with a katana, why do they always do it wrong, why so many try to follow their own path... OMG Slay them all !

No need! The way they are using those swords they will do it themselves.

[FreeOEMcheapestPHOTOSHOP]

Sad thing is....I have the DVD. Got it as a present from an unknowing parent!

Have only watched it once, but never again...