I was not disappointed in the physicality, enthusiasm, or handling of the shinais it was more because of a sense of the art that I am looking to study. Bodiford's response with respect to discounting sport kendo, I must say that I was somewhat disappointed with the demonstrations of kendo that I have been exposed to. Perhaps I really am more interested in kendo than I at first thought.Īs to W. I will attempt to contact the dojo when I feel it will not be a waste of their time. It seems like an obvious first step, but I feel a bit intimidated asking for information about alternate sites when I am earlier in training than a complete beginner. I am wondering if it would be worthwhile to visit some of the local dojos practicing Shinkendo. I am looking, in particular, for dojos which provide sparring (at some point in the learning process) as a major aspect of the training. I would very much appreciate information about either of these dojos as they relate to kenjutsu and any other information that might help me in my search for such a teacher/environment. So far I would like to visit two dojos in San Diego, San Diego Budokai and the Dojo of the Four Winds. I enjoy sport but do not perceive myself being satisfied with the current incarnation of sport kendo. A more subtle point is that I am also very interested in the actual sparring as a sense of competition. The aspects of the combat I wish to study are: the foot and body movements, the very immediate fatality of a mistake, and usage of the katana. I realize, of course, that these clips are a bit overdramatized, and I only present them as examples of the style of combat I am interested in. I only mirror these clips so as to make them easy to find, not to violate copyright. The clips can be retrieved here and here. I have mirrored, on my webserver, two short clips that I found at, a French website promoting this film.

To try and explain what I am looking for, and this may be ridiculous, but I am looking for a dojo which would maximize the kinds of experiences found by the participants in the mock battles as shown in the movie Taboo (Gohatto). I could very much be mistaken in what is taught in iaido, of course. I believe that I am therefore most interested in finding a school which teaches kenjutsu as opposed to iaido. To state the seemingly obvious, I would like to know much more about the actual details that a person engaged in battle with such a legendary weapon as the katana needs to keep in mind so as to best ensure success.

I have been attempting to isolate the particular aspect of Japanese sword arts which I find most interesting and I would have to say that my fascination is most piqued by the actual combat.

I expect to be moving to San Diego around July of 2003. I am currently a graduate student who will be culminating my studies (if all goes well) within the next school year.

San diego iaido