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, if only i didn't have a day job!), 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 .. big three-oh next year.

pearsquasher

As I've just started my own Bujinkan dojo in the Liberites - if its accessable to you then you're very welcome to come down for a look-see and chat. See the link in my signature below.

To answer your question about sword and when you'd start training with it - because the clubs brand new - at my club we'll be introducing the sword in the Summer. There's no real time limit to do sword in most Bujinkan clubs that are established (www.bujinkan.ie) - all class members generally study all aspects of the arts at the same time - just at their own level... including weapons.

If my club doesn't suit then PM me and I can recomend teachers who might suit.

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.

deevey

Cheers for the replies ... where does one find this Tony Carrick ? (or should I just head to Lucan and ask around :P)

Cheers Ali for the info, Excatly its that kind of simple info most sites seem to be lacking in.

For handyness sake It would probably be the Butler Dojo though seeing as I'm based in Clondalkin so only a 15 min walk from my house .. 6pm would probably be a wee bit early for me, as I only finish work at 5.30 earliest

pearsquasher

I highly recomend the Butler Dojo as the teachers there do go regularily to Japan as students and I've trained there myself for a number of years in the past. An exellent dojo - contact them, arrange to see a class, ask about sword training - in person is best - and good luck.

ryoishin

sent you a pm

deevey

Wow I'm quite impressed with Shinto Ryu (which I had never even heard of before).

Quickly changing stances away from Gumdo.