Shinkendo nearby

[gr455h0pp3r]

There's a ShinKendo dojo near my town, im going to check it out.
Whats the difference between Shinkendo and Kendo? and is Shinkendo legit ?

[gakusei]

Not and expert but from my knowledge Shinkendo uses iato. Yes it is legit. Obata sensei is very good. You might also recognize him from lots of movies.

[Mark Barlow]

I don't practice kendo or shinkendo regularly so take anything I say with a grain of salt but.....

Kendo is primarily a martial sport. Kendoka wear body armor and spar using shinai, split bamboo practice swords. Targets must be called and are limited to men, kote, tare and do, or head, hands, hips and torso.

Shinkendo is primarily focused on drawing and cutting with a live blade. While there are 2 man forms and much of the training is done with a bokken, the ultimate goal is to be able to effectively practice tameshigiri.

I've had the good fortune to train with Obata Sensei a few times and he is an incredible swordsman.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Shinkendo is a modern invention of Toshishiro Obata, well known martial artist (and movie stuntman). Obata has training in classical aikijujutsu and also I believe Toyama-ryu which is WW-II vintage swordsmanship taught to military officers. He has synthesized this and other experience into shinkendo. They practice kata, cutting and also sparring with bogu as I understand it. It's quite different from kendo and Obata is often disparaging of modern kendo.

[Kaoru]

Hi!

Yes, Shinkendo is legit. It is a form of Kenjutsu. It is quite different than Kendo which isn't a sport. A sport is like Soccer and whatnot. Kendo is an art, even though we have competitions. Not everyone competes.

If you are meaning this dojo, it is quite legit:

Shinkendo Australia Shinkendo & Jujutsu
Shinkendo & Jujutsu

http://www.users.bigpond.com/hquick/

Altona West Primary School
110 Alma Avenue
Laverton 3028
Victoria, Australia
Howard Quick Sensei
e-mail: shinkendoaustralia@bigpond.com
011-61-3-9369-2741 ph
0419-476-421 cel

Here is the International Shinkendo Federation's website so you can read more about what Shinkendo is:

http://www.shinkendo.com/main.html

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For Kendo
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Here is information on Kendo in Australia. This is the Victorian Kendo Renmei which is the regional Kendo federation in your state:

http://www.kendovictoria.asn.au/clubs.html

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Here is the Australian Kendo Renmei, which is your country's national Kendo federation:

http://www.kendoaustralia.asn.au/

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Here is a link to all the regional Kendo federations in Australia:

http://home.vicnet.net.au/%7Ekendo/

On this page, if you scroll down, there are many good links to view on Kendo.

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If you go here, here are many clips to see what Kendo is, and to see the Kendo kata, which is the kata we do that is derived from kenjutsu. It is different than the shinai Kendo we do, and we don't wear bogu(armour) when doing kata and have contact. In shinai Kendo, we do eventually spar when one is allowed to wear bogu 4-6 months later.

Here:

http://www.wfkendo.com/

This is the Emerald Coast Kendo Club's website in the US, but they literally have loads of stuff to look at on what Kendo is, the history, kata, the uniform and bogu, and many videos. Just start clicking on links.

NOTE: I have to say this, for future people that find this: The videos are NOT meant for self teaching!

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Anyway, I hope this helps you make an informed decision.

Please do visit both the Kendo and the Shinkendo dojos to see which one suits you best.

And, please do call and ask if you may watch a practice befopre going to each dojo. This is proper and polite etiquette. Especially for the Shinkendo dojo. I have heard they can be pretty strict.

You won't need to buy anything just yet, and the best thing to do, is ask the sensei what to bring and wear. They will help you know what to do. Just be polite and courteous, and have fun visting the dojos. :)

Well, I hope this was of help!

Kaoru

[Knicky]

I think you must be on every sword forum Karou...Sadly I read them too, I just dont ever post.

[Kennesten]

Hi, Mr. Barlow, I just wanted to clarify/expand a bit on what you mentioned above:


Shinkendo is primarily focused on drawing and cutting with a live blade. While there are 2 man forms and much of the training is done with a bokken, the ultimate goal is to be able to effectively practice tameshigiri.

Tameshigiri tends to be the most conspicuous part of Shinkendo, but it constitutes only one-fifth of the curriculum. But I think you were implying that everything is done with a real cutting feeling (?), which certainly is a goal of the pedagogical structure.

The most interesting part to me is the tachiuchi (paired kata).

gr455h0pp3r, Howard Quick-sensei is actually visiting the honbu at the moment, and won't be back in Australia for another week -- it may be best to call or e-mail then.

Best of luck,
Nicholas Lauridsen

[Mark Barlow]

Mr. Lauridsen,

Thank you for the correction. As I mentioned earlier, I'm not an expert in either shinkendo or kendo and it's always good to hear from someone more experienced.

I feel fortunate for having been able to spend a short time with Obata Sensei and have a great deal of respect for him and his organization.

Mark Barlow

[Walter Y.F. Wong]

I think you must be on every sword forum Karou...
Kaoru is pretty much our internet sword angel that comes and protects/prevents newbies from taking wallhangers and hurting themselves from immitating the latest martial arts film they saw. ;)