[loginereQQ]

As many of you know, I attend a kumdo dojang. I also have friends who practice kendo, and one of them actually is a sensei at a local kendo club. After talking with him about it, I finally went and practiced with his kendo club, and I enjoyed it very much (Neil & Ignatz ought to be happy!). This is a touchy subject in some circles, but it was great fun meeting and practicing with new people, and I plan to do this again soon, and hopefully on a regular basis. After class, I chatted with few of the students, and they were surprised that I practiced everyday – this club meets once a week.

Some personal observations to note. There really is no material difference between kumdo and kendo. There are stylistic differences and differing emphasis on different things, but no more or no less than what I’d find between different kumdo dojangs. After figuring out what the Japanese terms were, which I’m still struggling with (but everyone was very helpful), I thought I fit in rather nicely.

I think there should be more outreach and exchanges between kendo and kumdo communities, without getting all worked up about who invented what. I recommend “cross-training” to anyone who is fortunate enough to live in an area with both kumdo and kendo schools, and is sufficiently advanced to have the basics solidly down.

[Alina20100]

john, u do a lot better than me than when i go to hwarang, haha. i still can't count in korean. yea, i only see kendo and kumdo people practice together in college clubs... not really anywhere else. Some people even think me going to the kumdo dojang to practice is bad for me, but it's actually helping a lot.

[Siffidiolla]

Hi Sean,

I was told not to cross train until I have the basics down so I wouldn't be confused by minor variations and differences, and I would agree. Perhaps that's what people mean when they warn you about going to both kendo and kumdo schools. Of course, there are people on both sides who feel that it's heretical to cross train. Personally, I think training in both will help way, way more than it would hurt.

[ggdfgtdfffhfyj]

Interesting thread title! I don't see it as "cross-training" at all - just another place to learn Kendo. Well, actually I guess that would of course depend on the Sensei/Sabumnim at each place, but since I imagine the majority are "live and let live" types it shouldn't be a problem.

We currently have visitors from our neighbouring Kendo dojo train with us every week and we have a healthy respect for each other's Kendo/Kumdo. The major difference between our two clubs apart from the teachers' focus, is that we also learn Korean kata (Bon Gook Gum Bap). I get 2 for one (Japanese and Korean) - just lucky I guess! :-)

[encunnibriG]

Kenshin-kai has a nice mixture or Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Mutts and the odd barbarian or three.

[ViaxobbimeVar]

I personally would see it as no different than visiting another dojo, except the additional language difference. It is good for your kendo as long as:

1) You have a solid foundation so you won't embarass your home dojo.
2) You have a solid knowledge of what kind of kendo you should be doing, and can take advice from others while staying true to the kendo your sensei is teaching you.
3) There is no bad blood between the dojos and you have permission from both sides.