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The Katana, or Samurai sword, traditionally holds great fascination for those who study the Japanese Budo arts, but practice of the sword 'ways' is fragmented. Kendo being a competitive combat sport using bamboo 'swords' (shinai), Iaido concentrating on drawing the sword, Battojutsu promoting tameshigiri (cutting), and so on. Shinkendo can be considered a unique, comprehensive re-unification of practical techniques, methods and principles once used by the samurai *
On the third Saturday of each month, the Honbu traditional Judo session is replaced by a session in the Japanese Swordsmanship art of Shinkendo. We are honoured to host these monthly sessions as a valuable adjunct to the other arts taught at the Honbu, particularly as the strategic elements of Shinkendo complement and mirror those of our 'core' arts. These 2 hour sessions will be conducted by the Shinkendo UK Shibucho, Byron Shepherd, who is a direct student of Kaiso Obata and is the highest ranked instructor in England. |
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Although Shinkendo is a modern art, it does not use the kyu/dan grade system prevalent in modern non-koryu systems, and Shinkendo certification is based upon older ranking descriptions.
Additionally, individual ranking progress does not automatically equate to teaching qualifications, which are examined separately. |
In addition to the monthly sessions taught by Sensei Shepherd, short Shinkendo practice sessions under the Kenshindoryu Chief Instructor, Jim Dart now take place on Friday evenings from 7pm and Saturdays from 12 noon, between the Jujitsu and Judo lessons.
You can get much more information on the twin arts of Shinkendo and Toyama Ryu, as well as other places you can train in Shinkendo on their website at www.shinkendo.org.uk and, in the U.S. at www.shinkendo.com
* See also 'Shinkendo - Japanese Swordsmanship' by Toshishiro Obata ISBN 0-9668677-0-X |