My new workout... yikes!

[eire1274]

Those of you who know me know that prior to my heart issues and stroke, I was into Japanese kenjutsu, or sword fencing. Well, I'm back into it! On a bad level!

I've been entertaining the thought of purchasing a nihonto (that's a sword made in Japan) but prices just make this impossible... the cheapest that I can do there is over $5000. I did manage to get a few hundred, though, after taxes, and...

This is one of the Paul Chen katana made in his Hanwei, China factory, showing the longer blade and grip that used to be reserved for the blades they make for Bugei Trading Co., but this is made in a little more modern method, knocking the price down. The entire piece is made to match the Japanese norm to a tee, and it meets the form of originals I've seen exactly.

But one problem: the blade is thicker in diameter, and longer, than normal sword-like-objects and iaito generally made available in the US. It is a beast, made to handle target cutting like a champ. I'm back up to 250lbs, and with muscle this time (!), but this sword is like swinging an anvil!!!

It's going to be a month or two before I consider trying anything beyond kata!

Added: First, sorry, my digital camera seems to show the dirt even on my freshly vacuumed carpet. Yes, my carpet is green, please don't laugh. Finally, Glenn will probably end up taking a picture of me in hakama some time when I'm not looking... until then, this is all the pics your getting... ;)

In the sheath:

[eire1274]

And the bare blade... that is almost 30 inches (75 cm):

[eire1274]

And the reflection on the blade... you're looking out my front door, here. One does not expect this nice of a surface on a "cheap" hand-polished blade:

[blpeterson]

And the bare blade... that is almost 30 inches (75 cm):

That's not too bad a length. How tall are you Nick and what is the distance from your wrist to the floor?

I'm 5'-8" and I think my wrist to floor measurement is 35". My katana has a 725mm (28.5") blade and weighs 900 grams (almost 2 lbs.). A lot of the apparent weight could be the balance of the weapon. Is there anyone close that could check the balance for your particular style and method of using the weapon.

That does seem to be a good polish on the blade.

[Maro]

Is that a Samurai Nick?

I still have the old W&T - that's a beast at 1.52Kg. Mind you the mune is thicker than standard .31"

I'm looking at a custom Dynasty Forge - 31.5/11.75"

Glad to see you're back into it :Thumb

[eire1274]

That's not too bad a length. How tall are you Nick and what is the distance from your wrist to the floor?

I'm 5'-8" and I think my wrist to floor measurement is 35". My katana has a 725mm (28.5") blade and weighs 900 grams (almost 2 lbs.). A lot of the apparent weight could be the balance of the weapon. Is there anyone close that could check the balance for your particular style and method of using the weapon.

That does seem to be a good polish on the blade.
Blade length is slightly short for what I'm used to. Takase-sensei had me cutting with a 33 inch blade a decade ago, but the thickness at mune was around 4 to 6 mm, compared to this one at 7 to 9 mm. The issue here is just that this is a beefy blade... my shoulders are bokken-trained again, but not ready for this. I will be building up some muscle as I move into this, whether or not I want to!

Yes, again, impressive polish... it is machine assisted, but seriously involved some poor Chinese bloke and hours of work.

Added: Balance is not the issue... balance is proper here, actually moved back closer to the tsuba because of the longer nakago. The sword is easily held (by me, anyway), just a lot more perceived weight once into a cut. I weighed this blade on a postal scale at near 4 lbs, far heavier than the advertised 3 lbs on the Cas Iberia website.
Is that a Samurai Nick?

I still have the old W&T - that's a beast at 1.52Kg. Mind you the mune is thicker than standard .31"

I'm looking at a custom Dynasty Forge - 31.5/11.75"

Glad to see you're back into it :Thumb
Not the Samurai, actually. It is the new version of the "Practical Pro", formerly labeled as the "Fantasy". Given feedback from several people, and the fact that I nailed this for under $300 shipped (I'm still gasping about that... karma must be paying off!), it was worth the risk, and I am NOT disappointed.

I'm rather glad you posted, as I finally have something I can show off! I can't ever let it go, and starting to move into this blade is just proof that even medical disaster can't stop the human spirit if you push yourself!

[Drizzt]

That is a really nice blade at an extremely sweet price Nick! I have been looking at getting into one of the various Iaido Ryu (suggestions welcome!). For that I need to look into getting a good Iaito for a decent price & later getting a true blade for cutting. I already have a bokken for upper body strength training and the lower beginners' Kata. Spending $500 on an Iaito and $1000+ for a true blade is a little beyond my funding levels for the forseeable future. But $300 for a nicely balanced true blade is a steal!

Do you have a website for that vendor? I really would like to look over their wares :) Thanks!

[eire1274]

I have been looking at getting into one of the various Iaido Ryu (suggestions welcome!).
I would suggest info from Maro... he is more into iaido than I. I learned more on the "down and dirty" kenjutsu.
But $300 for a nicely balanced true blade is a steal!
Just remember that this katana is well over the "approved" norm for nihonto, and the weight is a very noticable difference even for a big guy like me. Other swords made by Paul Chen's Hanwei company are closer to the real deal... they might be somewhat more expensive, but suit yourself to what ever you need.
Do you have a website for that vendor? I really would like to look over their wares :) Thanks!
It's actually an eBay store, here (http://stores.ebay.com/Guerards). Look on the left column under "Paul Chen Hanwei Swords".

Good luck! Kampai!

[Drizzt]

Thanks for the info. Its appreciated :Thumb

[Maro]

Tell me which city you're in Drizzt, I have lots of info on Iaido and Battojutsu.

Myself, I practise Nakamura Ryu Battodo. There are 3 schools in the US plus several more Toyama Ryu which is the original style that Nakamura Ryu was created from.

Plenty of fun.

Nick, here is the thread with my babies in:

http://www.3dgameman.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39071&highlight=Iaito

One day, the shinken will be a matched pair of the Iaito. I plan on making a rubbing of the Iaito Blade and send it to the Manufacturer to copy.

[eire1274]

One day, the shinken will be a matched pair of the Iaito. I plan on making a rubbing of the Iaito Blade and send it to the Manufacturer to copy.
Risky business... length and width are easy to match, but the curvature is dramatically effected by the tempering and hardening processes. Granted, a master smith could probably control it to the point that you can't really tell the difference.

What's the matter, buddy? Not comfortable using a shinken for iaido? :lmao I kid, I kid...

[Maro]

Ah, but I don't practise Iaido! :lmao

Seriously though, Legally, the the liability situation in NSW means it's much to risky to use Shinken for kata - proximity etc.

Tameshigiri is a little different as it's mostly one person cutting at a time.

If the blade was better balanced I'd be using it - however my Iaito is a Dotanuki and is 1200g and 2.6 Shaku

[viperman5686]

So why do you train with swords, do you carry it around all day for defense, or do you just do it for fitness?

[eire1274]

Ah, but I don't practise Iaido! :lmao
Ah, but you do. Even I do. Just not well! And not under a ryuha.

I understand the legal requirement... It just makes me mad when you start needing more equipment because the government says you do.
So why do you train with swords, do you carry it around all day for defense, or do you just do it for fitness?
No, I don't carry my swords very often, unless I am going to a demo or visiting one of my old dojos. I do carry a 4 inch knife at all times, but have never used it as a weapon.

Training in kendo/shinkendo/kenjutsu/iaido is a very interesting life choice. The movement does increase muscular strength and heart health, it promotes good balance senses, but over it all it changes the way you think on a small level. Going out to perform kata (solo movements), to spar, or to cut targets, the rest of your thoughts vanish (or they are supposed to). Your mind focuses on one thing: ken shin ichi, sword and mind are one. You think about nothing else.

It is very relaxing.

[Maro]

Ah, but you do. Even I do. Just not well! And not under a ryuha.

I understand the legal requirement... It just makes me mad when you start needing more equipment because the government says you do.




Nope, Nakamura Sensei disliked Iaido - he thought it was too "Flowery". Batto is slightly different (I know you know!) . We have no waza from Seiza, it's all standing.

To be honest, I'd rather use my Iaito than my Shinken as it's made better. Because of the cost of Nihonto, it's prohibitive to own one here. The iaito is a deluxe model and is only 200g lighter than the Chen Blade. It's much better balanced as well.

Are you back in the dojo? I've cut back to once a week training as I am house-hunting. Then I'll have a garden and can practice daily!
:thumb

Viperman,

It's a mental discipline primarily. It is a good workout but it takes you to a good mental level. Very good after a stressful day of work.

[eire1274]

Nope, Nakamura Sensei disliked Iaido - he thought it was too "Flowery". Batto is slightly different (I know you know!) . We have no waza from Seiza, it's all standing.
Iaido is essentially nothing more than cutting from the draw. That's my point. Yes, iaido via the ryuha is flowery.
Are you back in the dojo? I've cut back to once a week training as I am house-hunting. Then I'll have a garden and can practice daily!
:thumb
Not really. The one person I trusted as an instructor (locally, anyway) has left this world, so I'm an unfortunate one-man-show right now.

The dojo I go to is Black Dragon School of Ninjutsu. I used to attend full-time there, but I'm I'm not friendly to the art anymore, thanks to coumadin... bruise city! But a few of the black-belts have asked me to stop by on occasion and show them some of the ins-and-outs of proper kenjutsu. They train in basic katana work (thankfully NO SHINOBITO allowed), but not on the level we know. I'm not so much an instructor as just senpai... not sure if I'm confident enough to get them into tameshigiri.

Omaha is kind of the dead world when it comes to kenjutsu of any sort, though there is a fellow teaching shinkendo out at a muai-thai shop here, now. Haven't made it out there to see if he knows Nathan Scott; supposedly he's pretty good.

[blpeterson]

So why do you train with swords, do you carry it around all day for defense, or do you just do it for fitness?

Viperman,

It's a mental discipline primarily. It is a good workout but it takes you to a good mental level. Very good after a stressful day of work.

Viperman,

As Mat said it is a great form of relaxation at the end of the day. If one is to be proficient at the art form one must focus all of their concentration into their movements and actions as is required in all forms of martial arts. To be good takes much practice to develop the needed strength and the coordination of the hands, body, eyes and mind.

It's much the same as a runner running long distances. The activity clears the mind and in my case, lets me focus on the important facets and happenings in my life. The major difference is in running the mind goes into autopilot mode and with martial arts the mind must be sharply focused. If one is using a real katana then you have a weapon in your hand that can inflict great bodily harm if one fails to concentrate. This is why a bokken (more exactly a Bokutō, which is "wooden sword" in Japanese) is used for practice until one is expert enough not to hurt themselves or others.

[Drizzt]

Who is Mat?

[Drizzt]

Tell me which city you're in Drizzt, I have lots of info on Iaido and Battojutsu.

Myself, I practise Nakamura Ryu Battodo. There are 3 schools in the US plus several more Toyama Ryu which is the original style that Nakamura Ryu was created from.

Plenty of fun.

Nick, here is the thread with my babies in:

http://www.3dgameman.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39071&highlight=Iaito

One day, the shinken will be a matched pair of the Iaito. I plan on making a rubbing of the Iaito Blade and send it to the Manufacturer to copy.

I am in Toronto Canada.

[bejohnson]

Who is Mat?

Mat is short for Mathew. That's Maro's first name. :Thumb Most of us old farts here know that.

[egarrard]

Mat is short for Mathew. That's Maro's first name. :Thumb Most of us old farts here know that.Yeah. There was a name-guessing thread (or something similar), once upon a time. He had us stumped for a long while.

[eire1274]

(more exactly a Bokutō, which is "wooden sword" in Japanese)
"Bokken" or "boken" is actually a little slang from old Japanese. The actual term is "bokuken", e.g. wooden blade ("ken" can be applied to swords and knives equally, where "to" designates a longer blade, like a katana). I guess the proper spelling in Romanji would be "bok'ken", but we're all to lazy to add the apostrophe.

Oh, and for those not in the know, "Romanji" refers to english-character writings of kanji words; kanji is the highest alphabet in Japanese.

[Drizzt]

Mat is short for Mathew. That's Maro's first name. :Thumb Most of us old farts here know that.

Ah, ok. Thanx for clearing that up :smokin

[Saturn2888]

Neat! A Japanese blade! Lol, no really though, this thing is really nice. My friend's got an unsharpened one, and it's no where near as shiny or of the calibur that this one is at. Nice find!