I'm an expert on fencing, and I do want to learn this exotic Japanese arts of swordmanship.
What inspired me is the movie Kill Bill, watching how the Japanese really appreciate their swords ... Japanese swordmanship is very different form her western counterpart. There's something that I can't explain in words....
In short, where could I learn and master this Samurai swordmanship? Should I go to Japan directly here?
PS: I know about Kendo, another Japanese martial arts using bamboo as weapon. No, I mean a real Samurai sword here....
And BTW, is it legal to bring Samurai sword everywhere in Japan? Because from what I see in Kill Bill, it seems that the Japanese doesn't mind to take their sword with them in public places (airport, night club, etc....). Is it true then?
2007-09-25 03:14:44 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
Okay, so you are fencing expert. Good. Kendo is to Japanese swordsmanship as fencing is to a duel to the death: formalized, sportsmanlike rules to a sloppy, deadly art, in the effort to capitalize on the skill of the practitioner. That is why fencing scoring is so complex, no?
Sorry, but Kendo is the only extant 'system' of learning the Japanese sword art. Ken-do = sword way. Just like Ken-sai = sword saint. The modern connotation is sword-teacher.
And before you tell me that that isn't what you are talking about, remember that the majority of Miyamoto Musashi's life story (the most celebrated swordsman in Japanese history) is apocryphal, and he died as recently as 1645. I expect that Aikodo's creator, Ueshiba Morihei will probably get the same treatment, even though he died in the eighties, I think.
As for the legendary status of the katana and Japanese swordsmanship, well, the Kamakura is the Golden Age, using techniques traded from Chinese masters. All katana after this period are considered inferior.
Legendary romantic history is very popular in Asia. Remember, the Japanese are the people who can show you a document that 'proves' exactly how many generations removed their figurehead emperor is from Divinity. Don't get too caught up in the romance. In Japanese 'history' one of the founders sinks an invading Korean ship with a single arrow.
And yes, there is no such thing as a 'samurai sword,' and even the term katana is quite elastic. There are many many styles of Japanese swordsmanship and swords, and they all start with Kendo. Without a solid Kendo education, so-called 'master' teachers will probably not even talk to you.
And from what you see in Kill Bill, and old blind guy can stand on the blade without any effort on his part or the wielder of the sword.
2007-09-25 11:06:13 · answer #1 · answered by eine kleine nukedmusik 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Kendo, Ken =sword, do = way
Shin ken = Real sword
But I am not sure whether we should call it as Shin Kendo (real sword way).
Iaido or Battojutsu are famous name in Japan. However, these are not for fighting or game/match like fencing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iaijutsu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batt%C5%8Djutsu
I found following sites.
http://www.sanshinkai.org/index.html
http://www.ishiyamaryu.com/instructors.php
http://www.shinkendo.com/
There is the Swords and Firearms Control Law in Japan. You can NOT carry around Japanese sword in Japan.
BTW, forget about the name "Samurai sword". Samurai is a status or class in certain era. Japanese sword exists even today (people don't call them as Samurai).
2007-09-25 04:04:57 · answer #2 · answered by Joriental 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Kendo is the best way to learn. If you can't handle a shinnai or boken, then what are you going to do with the real thing? Iado is good too, but kendo is where you will learn the fundamentals. You have to be able to walk before you can run.
2007-09-25 03:34:36 · answer #3 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm thinking about kenjutsu & Aikido other than kendo.
kenjutsu info here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenjutsu
Aikido info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aikido
And here is a recent history and modern use.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana#Recent_history_and_modern_use
2007-09-25 05:45:10 · answer #4 · answered by ets2521 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You've been watching too many movies. They're nothing but a silly fantasy. Ok ? If you carry a sword in public in Japan, you get a free ride to jail.
2007-09-25 03:26:58 · answer #5 · answered by Vinegar Taster 7 · 4⤊ 4⤋
In relation to carrying around a sword:-
"Article 22 of Law to Control the Possession of Firearms and Swords
(Prohibition of carrying of a knife with a blade of six centimeters or more in length)
No person shall, except for the purpose of performing duties or other justifiable reasons, carry a knife that has a blade of six centimeters or more in length measured by the method as provided by Cabinet Office Ordinance. However, this shall not apply to a pair of scissors, clasp knife or other kind of knife that has a blade or blades of eight centimeters or less in length measured by the method as provided and is in a type or shape as provided by Cabinet Order."
"Article 32 of the Law to Control the Possession of Firearms and Swords
A person who falls under any of the following shall be sentenced to imprisonment with labor for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 300,000 yen.
(iv) A person who violates the provision of Article 22."
Source: http://www.courts.go.jp/english/judgments/text/2005.11.08-2003.-A-.No..163.html
In relation to possession of a sword:-
"Enforcement Regulations of the Firearms and Swords Control Law
...
Licenses for possession of swords are issued for individual swords for specific applications such as hunting, eradication of noxious birds and animals, slaughter of animals, fishing or construction, cases where possession is unavoidable due to Japanese customs and practice, cases where possession is unavoidable for plays or other artistic performances, and cases where such items are used for display in museums. The reasons for disqualification of ownership are substantially the same as that of firearms. No license is given for concealed swords."
Source: http://www5.cao.go.jp/otodb/english/houseido/hou/lh_05050.html
The maximum sentence of year might not seem like a big deal but Japan is not a place where you would want to get arrested. From a 2007 article in the Economist: "Japan's constitution also states that confessions obtained under compulsion, torture or threat, or after prolonged periods of detention, cannot be admitted as evidence. Yet threats and even torture are reckoned to be used widely in detention centres—especially as interrogators are not required to record their interviews."
Source: http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8680941
In not a Japanese qualified lawyer so this isn't legal advice; its just some information I found on the web.
2007-09-25 05:15:44 · answer #6 · answered by marmalade 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's very NOT lady rune !!!!
OMG, witch not supposed to have samurai ! It's so not natural, very muggle !
LOL, sorry, NO COMMENT about behaviour changing like yours.
2007-09-25 15:05:18 · answer #7 · answered by . 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Refer to my blog !
2007-09-25 13:40:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
And if you saw it in a movie, then you know it HAS to be true!!
2007-09-26 23:54:48 · answer #9 · answered by mAT2t 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋