[kasandrasikl]

There I was, eating a pizza for dinner and thumbing through the local newspaper and what do I see but a advertisement for Samurai sword classes taught by some american who lived in Japan for 5 years now teaching in Los Angeles and calling himself "SHIHAN"... what nerve. So I jump upstairs to my computer to look up this dude's co called dojo and look what I find:

"Our main instructor, Peter Steeves, has 20 years of martial arts experience, and is the only licensed Jinenkan instructor in California. He has taught in the public schools in Japan, and helped bring the concept of "Edutainment" to many cities there. Peter moved to Japan to train with the master instructor of the Jinenkan, and is one of only a handful of people worldwide to hold a 4th degree black belt in this system."

So you have some assistant language teacher living in Japan and soaking up all the Japanese culture so he can come back to the US and teach us Americans the true meaning of Japanese culture. Hmmm...

But wait...it gets worse...

"We practice 「古武道」 (Kobudo) or "old martial arts" just as they were practiced by the samurai hundreds of years ago in Japan. Our training is based on the concept of 「心技体」 (Shin Gi Tai) "spirit-technique-body" all developed individually, and working in harmony together."

I really do not think that the Samurai of feudal Japan based their training on the spirit-technique-body... But heck, I cannot wait to take a look at this place...and by such great luck, they have a new class on Thursdays called "Combination: Samurai Sword & Ninjutsu" What a great chance to see what this delightful artform can really offer!!!

Most of the people on this great forum of ours really work hard for our skills. We put a lot of sweat and tears into training over a number of years just to call ourselves "kendo players". It just eats me up that someone trains for 5 years in Japan and comes back to be a "Shihan" of his own McDojo.

Other people like myself have trained a number of years in Japan in kendo and various arts. We are grateful for the experience and came to appreciate the finer points of the arts, but if anyone of us came back from Japan and claimed, as this dojo does that "We train on legitimate, samurai-era traditions and techniques, just as they have been handed down through generations in Japan", we would be excommunicated from all self-respecting dojos.

I am not asking you to hate this McDojo...oh no. I am not asking you to make fun of this McDojo...certainly not. I am just asking that we create an organization to keep our arts clean... It shall be know as the "McDOJO HATERS WORLD ORGANIZATION" ARE YOU WITH ME!!!!!!!?

Ok...now back to my pizza.

Alex

http://www.jinenkan-la.com/index.php

[Jxmwzgpv]

The whole reason I came to Japan was so I could get my shodan in something and teach ninjutsu back in the States. I will be Grand Master Leiv of the Fuka-manko ryu. I wonder if anyone will catch that

[ThekvandoVideo]

Interesting - I'm not sure why stockbrokers and real estate agents specifically would need to learn the secrets of the Samurai sword...
http://www.jinenkan-la.com/classes.php
Are these dangerous professions in LA are they? :-)

I also note on the FAQ page as to what makes them different to others:
"Modern martial arts are predominantly sports. Clearly, anything found in the Olympic Games is a sport. If there are rules, points, judges, etc. then it’s a sport. While sports are fantastic, they are not “martial arts” in the most exact definition of those words."

But it's a nice looking website and their favourite store is e-bogu so they "must be legit" right?!!!

But in the world of live and let live, the Sensei is quite possibly well versed in martial arts:
http://jinenkan.com/en/jinunsuisensei.htm
http://jinenkan.com/en/jinranking.htm
It doesn't necessarily make this dojo in LA something to recommend for anyone wanting to learn Kendo, but it will quite possibly do some people some good.

[jenilopaz]

~Would this local magazine happen to be a certain Japanese Language Mag codename "Todai?". That's where I saw it.
The Dojo is on Sawtelle Blvd, and it's not surprising, as you know, this is near Santa Monica and is kind of like L.A.'s "Little Osaka".

To Non-Angeleans, we also have a "Little Tokyo" in the heart of downtown L.A., and a larger Japanese community in Torrance and Gardena.

Sawtelle Bldv has become a very "Sexy", "Fashionable" and "Chic" place to be if you are into that sort of thing. Not to mention a prime trolling spot for pimple-faced, scrawny Japanophiles on the lookout for a Japanese Girlfriend....(shudder)
Woe be unto the unsuspecting exchange student...

At any rate, being on the border of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and West L.A., this area is also the commercial paradise for all of L.A's Hipster Gurus, Tofu hippies, Raw food quacks, Hypocritical richy-rich wanna-be-Burt's-Bee's-Groupie-Yoga-sporting, Holier-than-thou-level-69-Breathanarian-post-uber-Vegan-metrosexual-Tree-Huggers.
So basically, this Dojo fits in along with Giant Robot, and the other thematic money stealing establishments that we have no lack of here in the city of Angels.
It seems that bilking ignorant and affluent folks out of their hard earned cash for the belief that somehow,
we culture starved Angelinos will find yet again (For this week at least) our true path in life,
~ is an ongoing saga.
20 years ago it was Karate, then TKD, then Aikido (Until Segal got all fat and wife-beatingly unappealing) then came BJJ, then Yoga, then MMA, and now everyone wants to be a sword swinging, Warate-cho-mage Samurai.

Life in L.A.

There's a definite reason why we are fodder for many parts of the country.


That said, there's an excellent USAKF Kendo Dojo very near there.

http://www.wlakendo.org/about.php

[Allorneadesee]

wot about the stockbrokers and real estate agents Kenzan? Dangerous professions in LA? :-)

[Keyclenef]

The whole reason I came to Japan was so I could get my shodan in something and teach ninjutsu back in the States. I will be Grand Master Leiv of the Fuka-manko ryu. I wonder if anyone will catch that

Uh..yeah..

Naughty, Naughty, Grasshopper.

[slarceSelia]

The most dangerous profession in L.A.?

Mailman. No doubt.

[Kissntell]

L.A.'s "Little Osaka"

There's a little Osaka too? Nannde ya ne?! Where?

[Sheelldaw]

~Would this local magazine happen to be a certain Japanese Language Mag codename "Todai?". That's where I saw it.
The Dojo is on Sawtelle Blvd, and it's not surprising, as you know, this is near Santa Monica and is kind of like L.A.'s "Little Osaka".

Yep... it makes it all the sweeter when this ad is written in Japanese in a Japanese magazine all the while trying to reach out to Americans wanting to learn Japanese culture... Take a look, it is worth it just for the laugh. The "Shihan" is in a photo with the chanbara form weapons.

I have not been to West LA, but I hear it is good. Where are you at, Kenzan?

Alex

[Caursedus]

There's a little Osaka too? Nannde ya ne?! Where?

"Little Osaka" is a pet name for what L.A. issei here call Sawtelle Blvd (see link)
http://www.laweekly.com/eat+drink/di...oulevard/6844/

The Hipsters call it "Little Tokyo West" which sort of thier nice way of saying:

"I simply wouldn't be caught dead in downtown L.A., where legend has it, there are (Gasp!) homeless people..how revolting!"

[JulietOreira]

Where are you at, Kenzan?

Alex

Glendale....and sadly, not the "good" part...
LOL

[Honealals]

He, I'm in eagle rock. You also go to PCI, whoaw. I'm the curly haired new kid, wears the blue dogi and all. WHo are you?

[EmpaccalGah]

I had no idea that area existed. Thanks for the link. Where do you practice?

"I simply wouldn't be caught dead in downtown L.A., where legend has it, there are (Gasp!) homeless people..how revolting!"

Are you kidding me? There bums all over SoCal. It's like they carpet bombed the region with them. I had one get so mad at me once for not, get this, taking his money. He was almost in tears and I could barely control my laughter.

[pXss8cyx]

Viking,
U lived in Osaka right? Any chance you heard of Saiyama kenshin kai? I doubt it. IT should be near Tondobayashi,( take the red line from Osaka)

[Unrersvar]

Viking,
U lived in Osaka right? Any chance you heard of Saiyama kenshin kai? I doubt it. IT should be near Tondobayashi,( take the red line from Osaka)

I live just outside of Osaka. Sorry, I have not heard of the Saiyama kenshinkai. Tondabayashi (I think you meant this right?) is way out there in Izumi isn’t it? Did you live there?

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

~Would this local magazine happen to be a certain Japanese Language Mag codename "Todai?". That's where I saw it.
The Dojo is on Sawtelle Blvd, and it's not surprising, as you know, this is near Santa Monica and is kind of like L.A.'s "Little Osaka".

To Non-Angeleans, we also have a "Little Tokyo" in the heart of downtown L.A., and a larger Japanese community in Torrance and Gardena.

Sawtelle Bldv has become a very "Sexy", "Fashionable" and "Chic" place to be if you are into that sort of thing. Not to mention a prime trolling spot for pimple-faced, scrawny Japanophiles on the lookout for a Japanese Girlfriend....(shudder)
Woe be unto the unsuspecting exchange student...

At any rate, being on the border of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and West L.A., this area is also the commercial paradise for all of L.A's Hipster Gurus, Tofu hippies, Raw food quacks, Hypocritical richy-rich wanna-be-Burt's-Bee's-Groupie-Yoga-sporting, Holier-than-thou-level-69-Breathanarian-post-uber-Vegan-metrosexual-Tree-Huggers.
So basically, this Dojo fits in along with Giant Robot, and the other thematic money stealing establishments that we have no lack of here in the city of Angels.
It seems that bilking ignorant and affluent folks out of their hard earned cash for the belief that somehow,
we culture starved Angelinos will find yet again (For this week at least) our true path in life,
~ is an ongoing saga.
20 years ago it was Karate, then TKD, then Aikido (Until Segal got all fat and wife-beatingly unappealing) then came BJJ, then Yoga, then MMA, and now everyone wants to be a sword swinging, Warate-cho-mage Samurai.

Life in L.A.

There's a definite reason why we are fodder for many parts of the country.


That said, there's an excellent USAKF Kendo Dojo very near there.

http://www.wlakendo.org/about.php

HEY now! No hating on Giant Robot! GR started as a small press magazine and they consistently review good obscure music, film and art! You can get your hate on, but leave GR out of it!

[kjsdiuwe]

if its local, i reckon you lot should go down, pretend to be total beginners, and astound himm with your swordy skills.
hehe that'd show him

[beethyday]

There I was, eating a pizza for dinner and thumbing through the local newspaper and what do I see but a advertisement for Samurai sword classes taught by some american who lived in Japan for 5 years now teaching in Los Angeles and calling himself "SHIHAN"... what nerve. So I jump upstairs to my computer to look up this dude's co called dojo and look what I find:

"Our main instructor, Peter Steeves, has 20 years of martial arts experience, and is the only licensed Jinenkan instructor in California. He has taught in the public schools in Japan, and helped bring the concept of "Edutainment" to many cities there. Peter moved to Japan to train with the master instructor of the Jinenkan, and is one of only a handful of people worldwide to hold a 4th degree black belt in this system."

So you have some assistant language teacher living in Japan and soaking up all the Japanese culture so he can come back to the US and teach us Americans the true meaning of Japanese culture. Hmmm...

But wait...it gets worse...

"We practice 「古武道」 (Kobudo) or "old martial arts" just as they were practiced by the samurai hundreds of years ago in Japan. Our training is based on the concept of 「心技体」 (Shin Gi Tai) "spirit-technique-body" all developed individually, and working in harmony together."

I really do not think that the Samurai of feudal Japan based their training on the spirit-technique-body... But heck, I cannot wait to take a look at this place...and by such great luck, they have a new class on Thursdays called "Combination: Samurai Sword & Ninjutsu" What a great chance to see what this delightful artform can really offer!!!

Most of the people on this great forum of ours really work hard for our skills. We put a lot of sweat and tears into training over a number of years just to call ourselves "kendo players". It just eats me up that someone trains for 5 years in Japan and comes back to be a "Shihan" of his own McDojo.

Other people like myself have trained a number of years in Japan in kendo and various arts. We are grateful for the experience and came to appreciate the finer points of the arts, but if anyone of us came back from Japan and claimed, as this dojo does that "We train on legitimate, samurai-era traditions and techniques, just as they have been handed down through generations in Japan", we would be excommunicated from all self-respecting dojos.

I am not asking you to hate this McDojo...oh no. I am not asking you to make fun of this McDojo...certainly not. I am just asking that we create an organization to keep our arts clean... It shall be know as the "McDOJO HATERS WORLD ORGANIZATION" ARE YOU WITH ME!!!!!!!?

Ok...now back to my pizza.

Alex

http://www.jinenkan-la.com/index.php

I believe that the Jinenkan is a splinter group from what became the Bujinkan, and that the organisation itself is "legit". Peter Steeves came under some criticism for his actions on TV on a couple of threads on E-Budo, some by other senior Jinenkan members. A search on E-Budo might be helpful.

[jobsfancy]

Try this link for Mr. E. London, a Jinenkan Dojocho and regular contributor to E-Budo.
http://www.jinenkan-inazuma.com/

[xIuvyAuT]

Fundamentals of Success:
Using the basics of proper kamae, effective cutting, the intricate details of gripping the sword, and more. If you can truly do the basics well, you will be unstoppable!

Unbeatable Movement, Distance and Angles.
This is all it takes to let your adversary know that you’re prepared, and nothing can stop you.
Samurai Armor – How to Defeat It: Secrets of Kukishin Ryu
Learn one of the strongest martial traditions in Japan. This will change your thinking about martial arts forever!
No Sword? No Problem!
Learn the Secret “Mu-To Dori” techniques of the various schools. Can you really defeat an armed assailant – even if he has a sword - if you hold no weapons of your own? Musashi’s Secret:
Dominate your adversaries using powerful techniques using the full power and maneuverability of 2 swords at once!

Wowsers!

I saw the 'tameshigiri' clip where Mr Steeves was cutting up a pig carcass and plastic milk bottles as well. Choice of targets aside, I can't say I was impressed at all.

Advertising things like Muto Dori from 'various schools' and ryoto waza is quite distasteful.

Since the website mentions Musashi, it's worth quoting Musashi (from Scott Wilsons' translation of Go Rin No Sho)...

"When you look at the world, the various arts have been tailored to be items for sale. Likewise, a person thinks of himself as something to be sold and even the implements of these Ways are proffered as merchandise. This mentality divides the flower and fruit into two, and makes much less of the fruit than the flower. In this Way of the Martial Arts, especially, form is made into ornament, the flower is forced into bloom and technique is made into display; one talks of this of that dojo, teaching this Way or that Way, in an attempt to gain some benefit. Someone has said that “the immature martial art is a source of great injury,” and this is certainly the truth."