Help with Sword Art schools in Chicago area...

**SeekerofSciences** · 06-25-2012, 16:35

Hey all.

This is my first post. I have already learned so much from just perusing the forums. With that said, I'm sure someone here can help me find a school.

I would like to study a Japanese sword art. Preferably Iaido and/or Kenjutso. I have found two schools and sent emails checking to see what they were like.

Chicago Kendo dojo (this one seems very aggressive, with a wide-array of teachers, but also more competition based, and although I don't mind that would prefer a traditional based training - as that is the core of what I am looking for).

the second, and one that I am leaning more towards:

Mugai Ryu Iai Hyodo Chicago school... (taught by Ken Pitchford)

If anyone here has any experience dealing with either school or suggestions to a school that you think I should check out, PLEASE let me know. I am an ultra-novice, perhaps even in the negatives of knowing about Iaido but when I venture on doing something I take it very seriously and so I want to make the right decision.

Even if you think a different martial art may appeal to my liking, please suggest!

(I already called a Silat Gayong school here in Chicago only to find that they had closed down)

Thanks!

**CEB** · 06-25-2012, 18:01

The Kendo Dojo at the Buddhist Temple is good. It is a serious Kendo dojo.

Choyokan dojo is good. Especially if you are close to Des Plaines, UIC or Arlington Heights area. All the Kendo dojo in Chicago used to have a tight relationships and got along very well. I haven't done Kendo or MJER or SMR is years. .... many years. I'm assuming all the old relationships are still good.

I know nothing about Mugai Ryu it may be very good.

Personally I'm partial to Kendo as being a good place to start and to become familiar with the sword community.

I studied Koryu but it was through Kendo I was able to make my Koryu connections and learn who was for real and who was suspect. It used to be hard to find a legitimate teacher. Maybe it is easy now with this internet stuff.

If practice Kendo don't expect to get into Bogu (Armor) for sometime. The art will test your patience and you will spend a good chunk of time learning basics before you ever put on armor .... then when you get into armor it will all go to pot again ...LOL!

PS you can learn Seitei Iai in Kendo. My first Iai teacher was my Kendo teacher who taught Seitei.

**SeekerofSciences** · 06-26-2012, 11:24

Thanks!

I received an email back from one of the schools, I think I'll need to check out some of the practices before I finally decide. It seems like getting grounded in either art would pave the way for the other in the future...

thanks for all ur help!

**Kennesten** · 06-28-2012, 02:22

There is at least one Shinkendo dojo in the Chicago area. I'll PM you with the information because of URL limitations in posting.

Good luck!

**Michael J. Bray** · 06-28-2012, 17:31

Zied San, Kuroda Tetuzan Sensei has a satellite dojo in the Chicago area. The style is Shinbukan. If you are not familiar with Kuroda Sensei, go on youtube and search out some of his video clips. Google him and you will find a link to his style. I have not yet had the honor of meeting and training with him, but my own Sensei and Some Sempi train with him in San Diego and also in Japan. If it is the Japanese sword you widh to learn, it dooesn't get any more real than Shinbukan. Were I in the Chicago area, this is where I would want to land to train.