Clemson University Sport Kenjitsu Spring 2008

[slavicwarrior]

great video wish this stuff was near where i live

[tomurso]

To find a school nearest you, please...

1. Go to samuraisports com

2. Go to "Programs"

3. Go to "Directory"

If you find one, I would recommend visiting the class & asking the instructor many questions before enrolling.

Good luck

[crazycolerogers]

i agree with the other people. in my kung fu class we only use wood. foam swords cannot replicate the real feeling of a sword nearly as well as wood can

[tomurso]

One major benefit of padded weapons is to simulate the "cutting through" motion that can not be replicated with wood nor regular shinai. Prior to the use of padded weaponry, hatsuwari (bamboo sword in leather sleeve) were used in exactly the same way. Padded weapons are the same tool only made of modern materials.

Even a wood sword has its cons, weight & balance are different from a real sword. Also, one can not perform full force sparring without serious injury.

[tomurso]

Regardless of what type of practice weapon is used, it will not simulate actual combat. Both the physical & psychological dynamics are vastly different. Since no tool is perfect, simply choose the one that you prefer & train. Worrying about which one is more superior only takes time away from practice.

Good luck

[kbs1138]

sloppy. no control. no technical discipline. just wild swinging. I am talking about the teacher here (or is there no teacher here?). This is a joke. To not be a joke, beginners would need to be working on the foundations of technique and control. This fad of using soft weaponry only has validity for medium to advanced students as a supplementary training method, NOT as the core of the training. Then really advanced is to move to something like what the dog brothers do. just playtime.

[tomurso]

This is just a 3 month course offered to university students as a fun activity. Since they are all novices, their skill level is in accord. The object of the course was not traditional bujutsu, they are university students, not budo-in.

Advanced keiko with bogu & hatsuwari, battodo & tameshigiri is also offered but that is for the traditional students. Thank you for your input but I will continue to follow the curriculum established by my kaicho.

[TheMick2007]

Seriously, this is whats wrong with padded training devices. If its foam. Why would you care if you get hit.

[tomurso]

In order to develop superior fighting strategy, it makes sense that you would need to spar frequently. The padded weaponry allows one to practice the many exchanges needed for development without the the down time due to injury.

There are many approaches to combative training, this is just one of them. I teach combative concepts with wood, bamboo, metal & Action Flex. However, not being able to train because your hatsuwari gave you a concussion does no one any good, especially for beginners.

[TheMick2007]

I trained and we used Bokken's (spelling?) and the contact on those weren't to bad. I guess not everyone can take a hit.

[tomurso]

If you were hit with a wooden sword & weren't injured, then you were not fighting a full speed. The concept of soft weaponry is to fight at full speed & full power but not get injured so you can continue training.

Taking a hit concerning swordsmanship is an incorrect concept. There is no "knock out", if you are cut in a vital area, you are no more. Maiai (distancing) & zanshin (awareness) are heavily stressed in swordsmanship, not brute strength.

[TheMick2007]

First off I never said I never got injured, few dislocated fingers and major bruises and injures. And I never said go for a knock out. The padded weaponry, the guys just keep swinging until someone says stop. And again I never said brute strength. Your words not mine. Nothing about knocking out, or not getting injured. I'm not downing the people that are using the padded weaponry, all I'm saying is that using it doesn't prepare people properly for either wooden or soft steel contact.

[tomurso]

Everyone has their own ideas on what is the best way to train so please continue your training as you see fit. However, from a JSA perspective, one doesn't learn to prepare for contact; one learns to get in, cut & get out.

Since this clip is of a beginner's class, the skill level is obviously elementary so many of them are both getting cut in the exchanges. Although not perfect, everyone still had an enjoyable time & learned a little about combative strategy.

[tomurso]

I also train with wood (bokuto) & bamboo (shinai/hatsuwari). This type of sparring requires a great amount of knowledge & maturity so as prevent serious injury. The soft weaponry is used first so as to prepare the practitioner for the more advanced sparring.

Think of learning to juggle, do you start off 1st with chain saws or do you use bean bags?

[Roossingen]

seriously i want to do stuff like that and get good whit sword....(kinda 2 best of my friends...)my teqnicue/(cant spell it..)using fear as the mind killer...

[tomurso]

I highly encourage you then to find a quality school & begin your training. Self training will only lead to bad habits & possible injury. Please visit samuraisports com for more info such as a school directory.

I wish you well in your search.

[TheMick2007]

It looks like your just swinging for the fences, where's the style and technique?

[tomurso]

These students have only had about 2.5 months training. In traditional kendo, one doesn't spar for about a year. For being novices, I feel that they did quite well.

Thank you

[Roossingen]

seriously i want to do stuff like this ,get good whit sword and stuff like that...as far as i see they are having a good time..i think i gotta grow a bit older and get some cash first doh...in the meanwhile i am gonna go crazy at my neighboor whit my special made wood swords :D

[jackchn]

Who is the guy in the hakama?

[tomurso]

It's the instructor & that would be me.

Thank you

[jackchn]

That is a nice side-evasion at 0:14!

[tomurso]

Great job to everyone who participated!