Martial Arts In Japan

[Vegetasama]

What would be the best martial art to study in Japan? I am currently studying Karate but do not want to limit myself. Any suggestions?

[Fantt]

It all depends on what you're looking to do. Check out Aikido (http://www.aikidofaq.com/) sometime. I know there's dojos for it all over the country. It's what I do and it's a lot of fun and totally different from Karate. There's also Judo, sumo, and tons more.

[Ewok85]

I do Shorinji Kempo. With over 3000 clubs in Japan alone and more all over the world its a good one to get into. Has the advantage of not being like other martial arts in that if you do Shorinji Kempo in England its the same as in France, or Sweden, or Australia, or Indonesia, or Japan... etc.

Heres some interesting URL's
WSKO site: http://wsko.econ-net.or.jp/
Swedish federation site: http://www.shorinji-kempo.org/
BSKF site: http://www.bskf.org/
E-budo forum: http://www.e-budo.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=24

[Braindead]

[QUOTE=Ewok85]I do Shorinji Kempo. With over 3000 clubs in Japan alone and more all over the world its a good one to get into. Has the advantage of not being like other martial arts in that if you do Shorinji Kempo in England its the same as in France, or Sweden, or Australia, or Indonesia, or Japan... etc.
QUOTE]

So....does that mean that it Is the same all over the world or that it isnt? :?
Do you know if there are dojo's that teach other kempo styles?

[mad pierrot]

why do martial arts hurt so much? (http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10794&highlight=karate)

martial arts? (http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10204&highlight=karate)

origin of Japanese martial arts (http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8767&highlight=karate)

martial arts in japan (http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6141&highlight=karate)

martial arts (http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5500&highlight=karate)

[Timsan]

Do Kendo, looks so fking fun and has an age old tradition in Japan. Well all of the martial arts do but its pretty distict to ever aspect of Japanese culture, more so then the others imo.

[Gord]

the thing I wondered about taking a martial art in japan is, do they instruct in japanese? how will you know what to do?

[DoctorP]

I study kendo, and it is loads of fun...not to mention that it is a good workout. No matter how good you think that you are, someone will come around and humble you! :relief:

As for how do they teach? Yes it is in Japanese. But also by demonstration. You learn what phrase goes with each movement...not all that hard!

[Ewok85]

Ditto about kendo, and the instruction. It soon sticks that this word means this movement. Its not that hard (until you have to remember over 100 different techniques and their names as well as be able to discuss the philosopies in japanese :S)

[jieshi]

im going to kendo or karate when i get to Japan next year for my afterschool club. Do you think you would get good if your doing it everyday for 1 year?

[Fantt]

Depends on what you mean by "good." If you mean better than when you started, yes. My guess is that in most martial arts, 1 year of every day practice would probably turn you into an advanced beginner or a beginning intermediate student. It takes a LONG time to master any form of martial arts.

[DoctorP]

im going to kendo or karate when i get to Japan next year for my afterschool club. Do you think you would get good if your doing it everyday for 1 year?

Well, first of all, I haven't seen anyone that does Kendo everyday. It is usually between 2-4 times/week. But, it all depends on the individual and how much extra time you put into it. If you have natural ability, you could advance quickly. My Sensei says that I handle the shinai quite well, but I have other areas that need work. Both of my boys have advanced quite quickly however.

[Ewok85]

Well, first of all, I haven't seen anyone that does Kendo everyday. It is usually between 2-4 times/week. But, it all depends on the individual and how much extra time you put into it. If you have natural ability, you could advance quickly. My Sensei says that I handle the shinai quite well, but I have other areas that need work. Both of my boys have advanced quite quickly however.

I tried 6 days a week but that only lasted about a month before i fell over in a exhausted heap. Kendo isn't the kind of thing you can really do everyday, maybe mix it up with 4 days kendo, 2 days iaido you would be ok. Doing everyday will ofcourse make you progress faster, but only if your putting inthe extra effort, not just doing the extra time ;)

[Vegetasama]

Kendo sounds like it could be awesome. Hopefully I can find someone who teaches in the prefecture I will (I hope) be living. I've also thought about Kyudo. Hm...decisions decisions.... :okashii:

[Ewok85]

Kyudo would be hard to continue, and it would take a long long time before they'd let you at it.

Kendo is good fun IF you have patience. First month will be you, in t-shirt and shorts with a shinai going "swing, step, swing, step, swing, step". At times it feels like your not progressing at all, but you will appreciate it when you finally face off against someone after litrallys weeks of just swinging. (then feel very humbled because this other guy hit you about 6 times before you could flinch)

Still give Shorinji Kempo and Aikido a look. You might have a club nearby and be able to continue afterwards. Plus you get some useful knowledge and techniques from these two compared to kyudo or kendo ;)

[DoctorP]

I have actually been pretty lucky then...my Sensei has advanced me quickly. I started about 2 months ago and never did such basic drills. (although I already knew the ashi-sabaki) I haven't started sparring yet, but it is just around the corner! :-)

[Ewok85]

Depends where you do it, I've worked mainly in school clubs. Same thing in 3 different schools, but by the third time of having to do that after I had reached a fairly intermediate level previously was just too much, quit kendo and took up kempo. Same amount of fun, more variety.

All depends on the person.

[DoctorP]

Well I already know that I got lucky. My Sensei is the teacher for many of the policemen here on Okinawa. He used to instruct in Tokyo and then decided to move back home. Recently (a year and a half ago) he built a dojo onto his home and he teaches a group of about 8 kids and this summer he began teaching myself and two other men. He still instructs at several of the police stations also. He is hoping that I will continue to improve so that by next year I can assist in training the kids!

[Vegetasama]

Hm...So kendo it is!! now i just have to wait until i actually get to Japan (assuming I can get in)... :::sigh::: :(

[Eternal Wind]

Hm...I've been eager to learn Judo,Akido and Kendo.

But so far I've learn Taekwando only...

[jread]

I've been in martial arts awhile and am currently in kickboxing. I will tell you that there is no better way to learn standup fighting and get in great shape at the same time! I'm hoping to fight in some tournaments in the near future.

K-1 is the largest kickboxing promotion in the world and is very big in its home country of Japan. You should check out their website: http://www.so-net.ne.jp/feg/k-1gp/

Also, there are some EXCELLENT kickboxing/muay thai schools in Japan. One I know off the top of my head is: http://chakuriki.jp/