Martial Arts of Japan

[Martialartsnovice]

Yeah, I want to get more information on the different Martial Arts in Japan.
I know there is Kobudo, Idaito, kybudo, Bushido, Ninjistu, Judo, Aikkido, Ken Jutsu, Iai Jutsu, Kendo, and Tanto Jutsu. I want to know where I can learn htese fighting styles. I have also studied Karate, (Okinawan most likely). I am also seeking a swordsmith to forge a katana for me.

[DoctorP]

Try this forum

E-Budo (http://www.e-budo.com/)

it is a forum dedicated to the martial arts. http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contrib/edoom/samurai.gif

http://smilies.jeeptalk.org/contrib/edoom/one_samuria.gif

[okaeri_man]

I am also seeking a swordsmith to forge a katana for me.
anything else? no ninja stars?

[Martialartsnovice]

Thanks ror the response, I have tried E-Budo, but I cant join due to I have no referer the site. Also I can forge my own ninja stars, I also want to find someone that can teach me to craft a set of Kamas and a pair of Sai's. I know what they look like. Iwant to know also if it is possible to find a kurisagama. That would add to my collection that im trying to start. thanks again.

[Ewok85]

I wouldnt mix and match, jack of all trades, master of none...

The most common ones are Karate, Aikido, Kendo, Kyudo, Judo, Shorinji Kempo, Ninjutsu. Samurai arts dont specifically exist anymore, as the samurai themselves dont exist. I dare say that what they would have learn would have been a mix of Kendo, Kenjutsu and Judo.

Learning weapon arts isn't all that practical anyhow, it is illegal to own most of the weapons mentioned and the use of them in most cases is lethal, which isnt useful either. Take up something like Aikido, defence without pain or injury is a hell of alot more fun that defence followed up by a manslaughter or liabilty court case and a hell of a fine or jail sentence.

Ps, note my spelling ;)
E-budo is THE place for MA related q's. Just make the referer up, it doesnt matter.

[Exidez]

im doing Shorinji Kempo kempo
i find this most enjoyable... it is painful, but no injury! Well... there could be if you wanted to but why would you do that now?
learn the point of the body which hurt the most and use it to your advantage when defending yourself

[Ewok85]

A fellow kenshi!! :hihi:
Where abouts do you train?

I try not to talk up Shorinji too much, people get antsy. But it does have the fun advantage of taking advantage of natural weakness' in the human body in regard to nerves, pressure points and the seichusen (meridians and the sort). Short term pain with no long term side effects, simple effective selfdefence and alot of fun! :balloon:

[Fantt]

I wouldn't go to e-budo and ask about getting a katana forged for you or talking about forging throwing stars... you'll probably be laughed at.

Take up something like Aikido, defence without pain or injury is a hell of alot more fun that defence followed up by a manslaughter or liabilty court case and a hell of a fine or jail sentence.

Aikido certainly involves pain! :p Granted, the point of Aikido is to be able to defend yourself without causing serious injury to yourself or your opponent (to get to this point takes many, many years of practice). However, pain is a very useful tool to be used to discourage your attacker. Yesterday in Aikido we were doing Nikkyo wrist locks which, when done properly cause a good deal of pain and forces your opponent to the floor almost immediately. It's like magic, and it's a lot of fun. :D

As for injuries, while rare, they do happen. A SanDan (3rd degree black belt) in my class had someone thrown into her arm which bruised the crap out of it. Another of my sempai had one of his fingers broken, and I'm just now coming back to practice after 2.5 months because of a NASTY ankle sprain. But most of these injuries were caused by carelessness or newbieness and not by Aikido.

Aikido is awesome if you're a non-violent person and want to learn to defend yourself.

[Fantt]

Also, please note, in the poll Aikido shouldn't have that extra k.

[Mandylion]

Thanks ror the response, I have tried E-Budo, but I cant join due to I have no referer the site.

You don't need to have someone refer you to e-budo. That information is under the optional information part of the registration form. I didn't have a invitation to join when I signed up - try it again and see.

[cocolulu_gyaru]

isn't Karate chinese art more then a Japanese one.. ^^;;

[Fantt]

Karate is a Japanese word - it refers to a group of Japanese martial arts.

[cocolulu_gyaru]

I didn't know that
I would have to ask sensei about it
Thanks for telling me!

I was told there is a difference besides.. I only said that because it was one of the options to check.

Can you explain more?

[Fantt]

From this article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karate) on Wikipedia:

Karate or karate-do (空手道) is a budo art, a Japanese martial art introduced to the Japanese main islands from Okinawa in 1922. Karate emphasises striking techniques (i.e. punching and kicking) over grappling. Karate training can be divided into three major parts, kihon, kumite and kata. Kihon is the study of basic moves. Kumite (組手) means 'sparring' and develops from well defined forms to the free form named randori. Kata (型) means 'forms' and is a fight against imaginary enemies, expressed as a fixed sequence of moves.

[Martialartsnovice]

I didnt htink this thread was active yet, I didnt realize people were even responding to the poll, yet. thanks for the replies people.

[cocolulu_gyaru]

From this article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karate) on Wikipedia:

Karate or karate-do (空手道) is a budo art, a Japanese martial art introduced to the Japanese main islands from Okinawa in 1922. Karate emphasises striking techniques (i.e. punching and kicking) over grappling. Karate training can be divided into three major parts, kihon, kumite and kata. Kihon is the study of basic moves. Kumite (組手) means 'sparring' and develops from well defined forms to the free form named randori. Kata (型) means 'forms' and is a fight against imaginary enemies, expressed as a fixed sequence of moves.

Oh my god thanks! :bluush:

I was always taught it was different but things for the info!

But if it's a Japanese fighting form why don't they ever put that in the same dojo as the rest? Because every time I look for Kendo or Aikkido ( I am starting that now) they don't have anything else but Karate and kungfu :?

They always put them in different dojos around here.. for some reason.

:p

[Fantt]

Well, many people that take Aikido aren't interested in learning Karate. Also, most dojos only have one or two senseis who are usually focused on training in just one art. There is one dojo near here that teaches LOTS of stuff with many teachers teaching things, but at my Aikido dojo, we have one sensei who only teaches aikido.

Just because they're all Japanese doesn't mean that they need to be practiced together. You can spend your entire life learning Aikido and never truly master it. My sensei was telling us about an 80 year old 8th Dan blackbelt who came to teach one time. He was showing a technique and said, "I think I'm finally figuring this one out." He'd been doing aikido for at least 40 years.

[cocolulu_gyaru]

Well, many people that take Aikido aren't interested in learning Karate. Also, most dojos only have one or two senseis who are usually focused on training in just one art. There is one dojo near here that teaches LOTS of stuff with many teachers teaching things, but at my Aikido dojo, we have one sensei who only teaches aikido.

Just because they're all Japanese doesn't mean that they need to be practiced together. You can spend your entire life learning Aikido and never truly master it. My sensei was telling us about an 80 year old 8th Dan blackbelt who came to teach one time. He was showing a technique and said, "I think I'm finally figuring this one out." He'd been doing aikido for at least 40 years.

Yeah I wasn't trying to say just because it's japanese it should be in the same place. It would be more convient for me if it was, thats what I was trying to say o_o. The place I go to ' the Japanese canadian center' is about 3 hours away.. and most of the dojos that teach it are all 3 hours away, from what I have notice. :relief:

Thats why I was asking why.. and just wondering why don't they. There soo many dojo's around here and not ONE has it. 3hours on the bus 3 hours back 6 hours in all. :(

40 years @_@, thats a very long time! But when I see other people doing it, it's sooo amazing.. he must be amazing!!

how long have you been doing it?

[Fantt]

I've just been doing it since this summer. It's incredible fun. My wife is also learning, so we get to throw each other around a lot.

If you live in Toronto, I can almost guarantee there are plenty of other Aikido dojos around... Post on Aikiweb.com and ask about the dojos there.

[myjp]

20 years..when my may supervene once..cuz A hedge between keeps friendship green; and so on..
but many are doing several styles for long periods of time, yeah sometimes 40 years; so, in my KI-do my have implemented particular elements and basic ideas from different martial arts schools and experiences, and still keep doing so; so in result every success and efficiency of all techniques (or names) need just to be practiced&believed in, and again yes, sometimes for all your life. mainly just opt to do it, where and when, no odds&matters.
more important is to be fearless and ready in the right lifesituation(so any time and anywhere!) for proving yourself and what you have learned by yourself while being proved!
most will practice all their lifes, but when time has come..
expect the unexpected of all accepted and unaccepted!!

2Martialartsnovice : of course still active -and so on as long as breath continues.
Osssss

[kage]

I am also seeking a swordsmith to forge a katana for me.

You can now get a shinken forged in China by traditional methods for around ･40,000

[Martialartsnovice]

Kage: Is that in American or Chinese Currency

I have a friend who I can get them from, but thanks, though. I have found a Metal working course at the university near me. Oh well, thanks for the info

[Censport]

I once practiced Shinkendo, which is a form of traditional swordfighting. In Japan, it's headed by a gent named Obata, who is a 6-time national swordfighting champion.

It's quite a workout! I remember after a two-day clinic once, I could barely get in and out of my car for a week! My punishment for driving a sports car and not being a better swordsman, I guess.

[o0fish0o]

Oh this makes me miss my martial arts classes!! :( ... sorta.

I took karate for 8 years ... But I had to leave - the people just DROVE ME NUTS! It was like everyone thought they knew EVERYTHING there was about Japan. They were all like: well, on dragon ball z ... they do this...AHH they're just HUGE anime people. It was like: omg. seriously ... go away. lol I mean its FINE to like anime - but don't LIVE YOUR LIFE BY IT, please! It's not healthy if you think you are an anime character and that's why you are taking a martial art. You are not a cartoon - and chances are, you will be VERY hurt when you lose in a fight! (both physically and mentally!) Everyone in this class thought they were "experts on japan" just because they took a martial art (or watched anime lol). Needless to say, they didn't know the language ... or the culture. Just the martial art.

Now, my sensei is an amazing man. He is a National Treasure of Japan I believe. He's awesome - inducted into the black belt hall of fame numerous times ... but the PEOPLE in his dojo drove me nuts. I couldn't stand the pseudo-japanese, especially since I KNEW they were wrong. I wasn't a "know-it-all" .. I just kinda nodded my head and agreed with the people ... but in my mind I was like "you're wrong! and stupid!" lol

Anyone else have this problem in their martial arts classes?? the pseudo-japanese? think they know-it-all, but in reality know NOTHING?

I HATE that. And I'm usually such an ACCEPTING person! But when people started making up crap about Japan ... I couldn't take it. Not to MY Japan!! lol

anyway ... I also took Kendo - which is a LOT of fun. I never bought a katana - but I know how to use one. I have a shinai tho ^^; and I hate to say it - but it's really scary when you know people who have katana .. but they can't use it ...

.. maybe it's just me. but that kinda bugs me. it also bugs me when I see people who own *REAL* katana. well, by *REAL* i mean like ... the ancient "used-by-a-samurai" variety. lol It's a personal issue though - I think. I mean these swords were essentially the SOUL of the warrior ... and to see it displayed oddly in an american household kinda hits me wrong. I think they belong in museums ... or in Japanese households ... but that's just ME personally. I'd rather see it passed down generation by generation than seen in some collector's house ... who just likes "all things japanese" I've just always viewed the katakana as sacred ... possibly because of the way my japanese uncle instructed me .. but whatever. lol it's MY view on the matter - no one has to agree. :)

I participated in a few Judo seminars too. those are SCARY stuff! lol all the flips! ouch! they are a lot of fun, too. If you have a good partner. Otherwise you MIGHT get stuck with a show off that HURTS you. :(

yikes ...

so anyway - take my post with a grain of salt. I don't wish to offend any "katana owners" or "pseudo-japanese-karate-goers" ... lol I'm just posting my views on the matter.


OH WAIT! Another question -

anyone have a sensei who recieved TOO MUCH respect? ... I have something to say about that as well. lol if I get any "takers" on the matter.

[Martialartsnovice]

I had a sensei who most people had never heard of, his name was Patrick Rufus Sr. he trained his son Patrick Jr. after he retired undefeated from hte Karate and Kickboxing tournaments. He trained me most of the time with a small group of students ranging from 9th Degree black belt to yellow belt. I succeeded in achiving the orange belt mark. I moved to far away from the school to continue my training. Though I still remember teh training had there.

[layn]

*lol* :relief: I took Kendo and the funny things is some people in my dojo like Kendo mostly because they like Kenshin. But they stick with the martial arts till the end and won some international competition.

It doesn't matter what motivated you to any martial arts, the most important thing is you really enjoy them with all your heart. It's about your mentality.


Oh this makes me miss my martial arts classes!! :( ... sorta.

I took karate for 8 years ... But I had to leave - the people just DROVE ME NUTS! It was like everyone thought they knew EVERYTHING there was about Japan. They were all like: well, on dragon ball z ... they do this...AHH they're just HUGE anime people. It was like: omg. seriously ... go away. lol I mean its FINE to like anime - but don't LIVE YOUR LIFE BY IT, please! It's not healthy if you think you are an anime character and that's why you are taking a martial art. You are not a cartoon - and chances are, you will be VERY hurt when you lose in a fight! (both physically and mentally!) Everyone in this class thought they were "experts on japan" just because they took a martial art (or watched anime lol). Needless to say, they didn't know the language ... or the culture. Just the martial art.

[o0fish0o]

*lol* :relief: I took Kendo and the funny things is some people in my dojo like Kendo mostly because they like Kenshin. But they stick with the martial arts till the end and won some international competition.

It doesn't matter what motivated you to any martial arts, the most important thing is you really enjoy them with all your heart. It's about your mentality.

lol that's great tho! If anime motivated them - then good for them. If they stick with it, and love it, great.

I just couldn't stand it when I'd be teaching a kata group or technique group and hear "well, GOKU does it THIS way" or some anime character. It's like: he's a cartoon character, hun. this is *real* karate. lol

[cyber ape]

Is Bushido really a martial art now? Last I checked it was a code (The Way of the Warrior) that Samurais in feudal times dedicated their life to, not a fighting style.

Anyways, I do my own style, but I've heard it resembles Jit Kune Dou. Why do you want a somebody to smith you a weapon? Can't you just buy one from a trusted dealer's shop like regular people?

*Sorry I can't forge one for you; my furnace is'nt big enough*

[Ewok85]

I think you mean Jeet Kune Do.

Bushido isnt a martial art, its a code.
There are seven virtues associated with Bushido:
義 - Gi - Rectitude
勇 - Yu - Courage
仁 - Jin - Benevolence
礼 - Rei - Respect
誠 - Makoto - Honesty
名誉 - Meiyo - Honor
忠義 - Chugi - Loyalty

[Martialartsnovice]

Is Bushido really a martial art now? Last I checked it was a code (The Way of the Warrior) that Samurais in feudal times dedicated their life to, not a fighting style.

Anyways, I do my own style, but I've heard it resembles Jit Kune Dou. Why do you want a somebody to smith you a weapon? Can't you just buy one from a trusted dealer's shop like regular people?

*Sorry I can't forge one for you; my furnace is'nt big enough*

THe reason I want to find someone who can forge me one, is that Iwish t osee how they are forged. I have made some plans to attend a blacksmithing/metal processing course at the school near me. I wish to learn how to forge my own. Its just something that I want to learn. Im not slandering the pro sword dealers, its just something that I want to do.

[Ewok85]

Good luck forging your own, its not a simple process. Japanese swords are unique in that the metal is folded over and over again, if you really want to know how its done then you'd be best finding a video on the topic (there was a series on TV called 'Decisive Weapons' which had an episode all on this), there is very few places in Japan that do this still, let alone the world.