Do traditional Japanese martial arts schools exist?

Question

I mean, not in the sense that they exist. There are probably a huge load of schools in Japan where you can take lessons of about any martial art. What i'm wondering if there are TRADITIONAL schools where you can go and study the arts in a traditional way...like really old school. To be honnest, I'd like to know if there still exists a school high up in the mountains where there's barely any electricity, no noise and where just learn some stuff. I might seem like the dumb canadian guy with a simple ignorant mind but I've never been to Japan (sadly) and I was wondering...and I guess watching the Last Samurai might have had an effect on this question.


Bottom line: is there a traditional school where i could learn (and maybe spend a lot of time) studying and learning under traditional conditions?

Answer 1

In a word-Yes. If its atmosphere you want you can find that. If you want to train full time you can do that. It really depends on what you want. There are dojo in rural areas and a lot of urban dojo hold retreats in the country where they do such things as meditation under waterfalls, kicking in the ocean, etc. The kendo hall next to the castle at Aizu-Wakatmatsu is very photogenic, if kendo is your thing. If you want to learn traditional koryu like kenjutsu etc., you can do that also.

The rural dojo might not be the place for long term full-time training though. If you wanted to go for a year or two and just train, the hombu dojo of your chosen style would be the place to go. But hombu dojo would most likely arrange seasonal retreats at one of their rural facilites.

Answer 2

I don't think there is one single person that knows all of the styles of martial arts. Karate did not begin in Japan. It is an Okinawan art. Jiu jitsu is Brazil. Jujitsu or jujutsu is Japanese. Rolling was murder on your shoulder blades because you were doing something incorrectly. Once you learn to do it correctly you can roll on a hard surface without any pain or injuries. No one knows what is right for you. That is a personal choice. It has nothing to do with your background, your size, or strength. You need to visit several schools. Take the trial classes if they offer it. Find the best instructor that you can afford. After visiting all of the schools you can make an educated decision on which place is best for you.

Answer 3

if and there is, I aint see none. At least in ultra modern cramped and crowded Tokyo. I searched high and low for a suitable dojo for my sons. In the Tokyo area where I live, I found many good modern karate and aikido dojos. I entered my son into a dojo that specializes in teaching children under 18 years old. I see one of the Shorin Kempo offices in my neighborhood.

Answer 4

precisely they are existing...not the whole of japan is modernized nowadays...