Master or no?

**Andrewninja** · 03-29-2012, 02:30

Me and a buddy of mine are trying to get into the sword arts. We don't really have the money or means to find a master in either martial arts or sword arts. We are reading TONS of books on the practice of both. Is self taught arts wrong or bad? I understand having a master would be greatly beneficial over all but until we can get one is this ok? Or are we totally messing up our intended paths by learning by ourselves? Please help!!

**Webmaster** · 03-29-2012, 07:53

Andrew,

Most here will highly discourage that you attempt to learn any martial arts, one with or without a sword, from a book. You are dealing with a weapon, so you have the safety issues to consider, but just important is learning properly and not developing bad habits. Many of the techniques in the martial arts, particularly with the sword, are quite subtle and not easily transmitted through a book. Little things like how your foot is positioned, shifting of weight, etc are not things you will pickup from a book. In the process of learning in a book, you will definitely develop bad habits, and someday if you ever do find yourself an instructor ("master" is not a title used in the Japanese arts), he/she will be spending a great deal of time unlearning your previously developed bad habits, and that will greatly slow your progress.

**TonyU** · 03-29-2012, 09:51

Originally Posted by Webmaster

Andrew,

Most here will highly discourage that you attempt to learn any martial arts, one with or without a sword, from a book. You are dealing with a weapon, so you have the safety issues to consider, but just important is learning properly and not developing bad habits. Many of the techniques in the martial arts, particularly with the sword, are quite subtle and not easily transmitted through a book. Little things like how your foot is positioned, shifting of weight, etc are not things you will pickup from a book. In the process of learning in a book, you will definitely develop bad habits, and someday if you ever do find yourself an instructor ("master" is not a title used in the Japanese arts), he/she will be spending a great deal of time unlearning your previously developed bad habits, and that will greatly slow your progress.

What he said. If you do a search here that question comes up every so often and the answer is always the same. Not advisable for the reasons the Webmaster stated.

**Abbax8** · 03-29-2012, 11:33

Ditto !

Dennis

**Abbax8** · 03-29-2012, 11:35

Check local colleges for Kendo or Fencing clubs/classes. Check if they're are any Reenactor groups near you, the guys who dress in costume and reenact battles. Some of the Renaissance groups actually teach real technique.

Dennis

**Tripitaka of AA** · 03-29-2012, 11:49

All those answers above have been quite restrained. The gut reaction from all who have trod the path before, will be "Please, NO!", but they also know how difficult it might be to hear that, so they are trying to give you careful well-reasoned guidance. The first post, from Robert the Webmaster, has given clear reasons and is appealing to your intelligence. Determination and being resourceful are fine qualities, but this is not the time or place for those, it is time to find an instructor - to save yourself a whole load of problems in the future.

**Andrewninja** · 04-02-2012, 12:47

Thanks everyone for your input! So should we just stick to conditioning and basic core training (cardio, muscle building, endurance, stretching, and basics) as to be in shape for when we do find an instructor?

Also the books we have been reading also stresses the importance of the tiny things that actually matter, and we read diligently and copy to a T as to not have to unlearn. But I now see an instructor is a mandatory to actually learn a desired art form so I shall stick to just the theoretical side of the different styles until proper instruction.

**Andrewninja** · 04-02-2012, 12:52

Originally Posted by Webmaster

Andrew,

"...if you ever do find yourself an instructor ("master" is not a title used in the Japanese arts)

Pardon my ignorance for proper terminology.

**Webmaster** · 04-02-2012, 13:16

Originally Posted by Andrewninja

Pardon my ignorance for proper terminology.

No problem. Just here to educate.

**Andrewninja** · 04-02-2012, 13:19

And I am here to learn, thank you

**Michael J. Bray** · 04-02-2012, 18:02

Andrew San, as a practitioner of the Japanese sword, I can tell you with all certainty that you could never learn these arts from a book. I councur with the advice of others here. If you cannot locate or afford a teacher in your area, consider some travel to seminars. There also may be a kendo or fencing club you can locate that may be less expensive.