for all you kendo users
 

i was wandering what yall thought about shinkendo.

I try not to think about it

What is shinkendo?

The site didn't have much information. Just where the dojo's are and such. Perhaps you could explain a bit more? What I understand the it is with live blades? Koaru would not approve....

Ahhh... what am I thinking (forgotten http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/tongue.gif). Thanks Makigai

Indeed Piggy. It did freaks me out a little when I view the clip with the way they swing the sword.

Shinkendo is Obata Toshishiro's creation. It is a sword art based upon his many years of experience in several different sword arts. Toyama ryu is a part of their curriculum. I guess you could classify them as a kenjutsu art. They are considered a legitimate sword art and, from what I have seen, Obata sensei is very picky about the quality of his instructors.
The only problem I have with them is that they are very stand-offish from the rest of the sword community. This is by design of Obata sensei. The high ranked members of the art that I have conversed with on-line seem to know what they are talking about, and are decent people. I've never seen any of their stuff live because, as I said, they don't mix with the rest of us. I have had very good reports from those that have seen them though.

What I understand the it is with live blades? Koaru would not approve.... Actually, I believe all of their single kata are done with live blades, as are several other sword arts. I remember hearing that they do not condone the use of iaito. Kaoru would approve, since it is all under a legitimate instructor that knows what he is doing.

The following is from http://www.isf-alga.com

"Sword training includes Suburi (sword swinging drills), Tanren gata (solo forms), Battoho (combative drawing and cutting methods), Tachiuchi (sword sparring) and Tameshigiri (the cutting of straw and bamboo targets). Training always begins using a Bokuto (wooden sword), and later advances to the level of learning to use an Iaito (imitation sword with dull edge). At more advanced levels, the student begins to practice cutting on Makiwara (soaked Tatami mats), and eventually bamboo using Shinken (real sword). Shinkendo requires rigorous physical training, depth of coordination, and intense focus - but the most important aspect of Shinkendo is the emphasis on spiritual understanding, which brings Bushi Damashii (the Samurai/warrior spirit).

I think it is similar in some ways to Iato.. Alot of Kata.. Not much interest to me personally. But if everyone had the same interest it would be a awlfully boring planet.

There are also a couple of books out on Shinkendo to date that provide a lot of information on the training, curriculum, background, etc. They have been appearing in some libraries, so they may turn up on a catalog search.

Best wishes,
Nicholas Lauridsen

Is this some sort of Kenjutsu or Iaido dojo?????

Shinkendo is actually its own style, founded by Obata Toshishiro-kaiso in 1990. The link posted up above has a good amount of information on the art (pretty generous for a website):

International Shinkendo Federation Website

Also, there are websites for other arts taught by Obata-kaiso:

Aikibujutsu
Toyama Ryu

A while back (2000), there was a Spotlight on Budo for Shinkendo on E-Budo, which seemed to answer some people's questions.

I hope that helps.

Best wishes,
Nicholas Lauridsen

i don't practice it yet, but i was just wandering ecause it would seem closer to original kenjutsu than kendo. just trying to get a general opinion.

To those who responded to my post, thanks for clarifying that. I was under the impression that the dojos were a bit "shady". From what Paul said, I guess I had gotten the wrong impression. Actually sounds kindof interesting. Not for me though!

Hello!

Yes, Shinkendo is legit, and I do approve since the teachers are quite legit! http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/smile.gif hehehe... http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif Thanks Paul-san! (Since I haven't been able reply until today.) (Even with trained people using live blades it still makes me nervous, but at least they know what they are doing.)

Kaoru