Bujinkan, Haidong Gumdo and "Others"

deevey

Hi all,

I'm looking at starting something (no not that kinda "starting" hehe!)

I trained in Kenpo for a good few years when i was younger up to purple and dropped off, took it up again briefly for a while a year or two back but the class timetable didn't fit my work schedule, and i was doing alright too ...

Also I have am quite in love with... (don't flame me already o.k.) Swords and Sword related arts and would like to take up something with this at least included.

Having watched just about every vid on youtube, and doing quite a bit of research on sword arts and martial arts that include the sword, I have narrowed it down to either Bujinkan or Gumdo that I feel I'd like to study.

Of course there is pro's and cons of each

Gumdo: Its primarily purely a sword art - great, but would also like some "empty hand" training without having to double up on training .. so guess i'd have to do something else in conjunction.

Bujinkan: I like the style, it looks very similar to kenpo in alot of respects - dirty (how many groin shots can a man take!) and very, how can I put this... ummm Up-to-date .. then there's the weapons of course :P

Of course I don't expect to walk into a dojo and be allowed near a live (or even metal) blade for a long time, its something i'd like to work towards in the future.

I'd love to hear boardsies opinons on each of the arts mentioned anyone who teaches them practices them, and the "normal" curriculum they might follow.. there seems to be plenty of videos but no real "this is what you start with and after 3 years ......." type blurb.

And also any others MA's I may have missed in my travels if there is any that might be of interest. Kendo, Aikido and Iaido from what I have seen don't light my fire so to speak (well actually i'd love to do them all... but time being the enemy), But I'd love to hear about anything you think might be of assistance.

BTW I'm no kiddie who thinks I'm a ninja turtle .. hitting the big three - oh next year

ryoishin

www.genbukan.org
www.bujinkan.ie

also tony carrick in lucan teaches japanese weapons with alot of sword work along with jujutsu.

Either way check out www.e-budo.com for discussions on fedual era weapons with links to different sites that will show you clips and stuff.