I would like to ask a question. I'm interested in learning kendo. And I'm very open about all these organizations.
But is it possible that if I learn KIF kendo and then learn kendo from another federation will it be possible to see similar strikes and to make it easier to learn? (For instance the difference with WRF an ITF (taekwondo federations) in WRF the concentrate more on kicks and less on arm techniques. And in ITF they concentrate on arm techniques and share the same kicking styles, and their "katas" are different. So is not the same in the world of kendo?)
And if I learn kendo, would it be wise to learn another sword related martial art? Like practicing kumdo or Haedong kumdo or iaido?
Thanks In advance
Kendo-Guide.Com: Thank you for your questions. I only know some organizations that are different from International Kendo Federation (FIK), so my answers will be limited.
These people who do not belong to FIK have their own philosophy. So the way they do kendo is different from FIK. Some groups do more aggressive stuff such as grabbing and foot sweeping.
I belong to FIK but I use foot sweep and pin my students down. Those are not allowed to do in matches and I do not do these in shiai, only in training. Some people do some people don’t. But basically, I do not do such things because those are training methods not “techniques” in kendo anymore.
If you do kendo through FIK, you can see a lot. But if you belong to other groups, I think you limit yourself.
You should learn Iaido along with kendo because that gives you a sense of katana more.
Hope this helps.
Jan 18, 2014 Rating
Here again by: Alfred
Hi again ...
Thanks for the answers..... But some of your answers made me want to ask more questions.......
Well when you mentioned that there is wrestling in some sparring .... How often does it occur????? And in which level do they teach you some wrestling movements????? In kendo do they have multiple people spars ???( one against two)
From the other question about the federations ..... Could you name one small federation that is not affiliated with KIF??? And if I learn the style from fik .... Can I apply it to use it in one of the small organizations????
Last question: I've read some posts in where in KIF you are not allowed to spar with two shinais (a long one and a short one) but in videos I've seen it happen..... So what is the deal???
Thanks
Take care
Kendo-Guide.Com: About wrestling. It does not occur often. As a matter of fact, not many do it anymore. So do not think you can learn it.
About multiple people sparring. There is a training method like that. But usually we do not have official multiple “sparring”.
Not affiliated organizations. In Japan, there is an association called Nihon Kendo Kyokai. I am sure there are a lot of organizations that teach kendo without being affiliated to International Kendo Federation.
You can fight with two swords with KIF.
Hope this helps.
Dec 10, 2013 Rating
Federation by: Alfred
I would like to thank you in advanced for the answer to my questions...
1) How many Kendo federations are there in total? And what are some of the differences in the major ones?
2) I know that in kendo you are supposed to learn a lesson about life once you get to a certain level, right? Does kendo have a specific goal that all kendokas have to try to achieve to?
3) And my other question is that would a sensei be reliable if he or she is just second or third Dan?
4) Can you use something you learned something from outside kendo to improve your mentality in a spar? Would that be a contradiction in what kendo is supposed to teach us?
5) How are kendo kumites like?
Thank for your time s sorry for all the questions!
Answer: Thank you for your questions.
1) How many Kendo federations are there in total? And what are some of the differences in the major ones?
One mother organization: International Kendo Federation (FIK)
And there are country level affiliates to FIK. And of course, there are federations, associations and some sorts of organizations under the main federation of each affiliated country.
There are some small organizations that are not affiliated to FIK but I do not know how many of them out there.
2) I know that in kendo you are supposed to learn a lesson about life once you get to a certain level, right? Does kendo have a specific goal that all kendokas have to try to achieve to?
4) Can you use something you learned something from outside kendo to improve your mentality in a spar? Would that be a contradiction in what kendo is supposed to teach us?
If you learn yoga and use the breathing method in kendo, that is fine. After all, kendo is martial arts and martial arts can go all the way back. It shares a lot of similarities with other martial arts.
I suggest you should not use any sword techniques from other martial arts when you do not know what you are doing in kendo.
5) How are kendo kumites like?
I think you mean sparring. Not sure what you want to know about sparring in kendo. We have 4 targets to strike and we try to strike those. And it can be really hard with more physical contacts such as wrestling. However, it is very rare.
Hope this helps.
Dec 09, 2013 Rating
Shinai bends by: John
Certainly men strikes are 'hits' or 'cuts' but the shinai bends considerably upon impact thereby reducing the impact by a considerable degree. In addition men pads will for sure help. If you see slow motion strikes or stop photos you can see the shinai bend significantly. This is very different than a solid wood object, like for instance a bokken.
Kendo-Guide.Com: Thanks for your post! Yes, that’s true!
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