Japanese Martial Arts Questions. Need Answers.

[freelance_sak]

I was watching a demo a long long time ago at my brothers friends martial arts meet. I was at least 7 at the time and didn't really know what was going on, I saw two guys just going at it so i tohught it was pretty cool. Then these two guys come out and have these really nice katana's and do a little demonstration. I can't really remember what they did but i know it was nice and got me interested. Growing up though i trained with my brother in muay thai, but im not that great. I got kind of bored with it and decided to try a Japanese Sword Fighting martial art. Before I try it i decided i want to know some things first cause i dont want to go blindly into a martial art i dont know about. So im hoping some people can answer some of these questions.

1. How many different Sword Martial arts are there that are Japanese.

2. I heard about kendo and bushido and i did some looking at the library and saw that bushido is just a code of honor or something like that? I was wondering if kendo is the same

3. I have already purchased a wooden bokken for training at home. I was wondering how many differnt types of weapons there are in japan. I already know of the Katana, Wagadashi<sp>, Sai, and the Kama.

4. What if the weapon is to be dropped? Is there a martial art that they use for non weapon self defense?

5. If i have to purchase a real sword where could get one? What would i look for to tell of its quality?

Sorry for all those questions, but im interested and just want to know these things before i wander aimlessly into a martial art.

-freelance

[ddrive]

Kendo Lovers

I was watching a demo a long long time ago at my brothers friends martial arts meet. I was at least 7 at the time and didn't really know what was going on, I saw two guys just going at it so i tohught it was pretty cool. Then these two guys come out and have these really nice katana's and do a little demonstration. I can't really remember what they did but i know it was nice and got me interested. Growing up though i trained with my brother in muay thai, but im not that great. I got kind of bored with it and decided to try a Japanese Sword Fighting martial art. Before I try it i decided i want to know some things first cause i dont want to go blindly into a martial art i dont know about. So im hoping some people can answer some of these questions.

1. How many different Sword Martial arts are there that are Japanese.

2. I heard about kendo and bushido and i did some looking at the library and saw that bushido is just a code of honor or something like that? I was wondering if kendo is the same

3. I have already purchased a wooden bokken for training at home. I was wondering how many differnt types of weapons there are in japan. I already know of the Katana, Wagadashi<sp>, Sai, and the Kama.

4. What if the weapon is to be dropped? Is there a martial art that they use for non weapon self defense?

5. If i have to purchase a real sword where could get one? What would i look for to tell of its quality?

Sorry for all those questions, but im interested and just want to know these things before i wander aimlessly into a martial art.

-freelance

I studied kendo [japanese fencing or actual translation, way of the blade], and don't quote me on this, but the only other japanese art that also practices with the sword is iado. Kendo teaches the swords techniques, but bushido was the code of honor that you live by when practicing kendo. Even though I practiced with the bokken with forms, I used a shinnai [bambo sword], when sparring with other opponents[that's all you need in kendo]. You'll also need to purchase a bogu, chest plate, and uniform, if you decide to compete. For more info here's this link.

http://www.e-bogu.com/

and to my college club [under severe maintenance]

http://expert.cc.purdue.edu/~kendo

[HtTKar]

Here's a good place to start

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/martart.htm

The sword arts themselves are divided several ways. First is by type, ken or iai (sometimes called batto). Also at the same time they divide by origin, the three families of sword arts; Muso ("empty"), Kage ("shadow"), and Shinto ("new sword") styles. Some types mix these dependant on origin and application. Within each type are the three styles. All can be recognized by their employment of various charateristics.

There are two organizations within Japan that have tried to consolidate these sword arts. The Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (All Japan Kendo Federation) oversees certification requirements for kendo, kenjutsu and some iaido ryu. The Zen Nihon Iaido Renmei (All Japan Iaido Federation) is a much younger organization and oversees certification of some kenjutsu and many iaido ryu. However, the more traditional of the ryu have not joined either of the two organizing bodies and have remained independent and free of oversight.

It should be finally noted that many martial systems included sword arts as a part of their curriculum. In other cases, predomanently sword martial systems have included other types of weapons. And finally there are still other systems which teach only sword arts. The most traditional ryu would teach the sword as their primary weapon, and perhaps some other arts (weapons or empty hand). Only in modern budo or bujutsu have the empty hand arts become primary with the sword playing a supporting role.

"TRADITIONAL" Japanese weapons

http://victorian.fortunecity.com/duchamp/410/weapons.html

There are tons more than that. Everything can be used as a weapon, so the answer is basically infinite.


All martial arts train for the day they are without a weapon. Some to the point to where they train without weapons at all. Karate = Empty hand. Karate is the art of fighting without weapons. Any empty handed art could be translated as Karate. But I think what you're asking is whether sword arts train empty handed techniques...Yes.


Some really nice swords can be found on Ebay. Other than that, they are like any other bladed weapon. It's hard for me to describe what a nice sword looks like, or what a nice knife looks like for that matter. Check the grade of steel, the methods used to produce the item, and the manufacturers history of producing quality materials.