I managed to take out the lightbulb in my best friends room with a re-enactment
sword once. We were all barefoot, in the dark, with broken glass all around and
on the bed. Twas a bit of an eek momet but luckily we managed to edge to the
door and get some light. Its lucky I didnt get electrocuted.
You dont need a sword to have fun sword fighting though. Me and my housemate
once bought wooden spatulas and fought with those all down a main road in
Bristol on the way home. My god did we get some funny looks that day
Perhaps my favourite tale of swordfighting comes from a mate from LRP. He had a
three handed sword (a sword so big that it needs an extended counterbalance on
the hilt, looking like a third hand hold). This thing was so big we nicknamed
it "the pole arm". Anyway, this friend was broken into while he was
in the house, waking him up. He grabbed the sword and put on his long black
cloak with the hood up, and then slowly went downstairs chanting in Latin.
Apparently, the look on the burglars face was priceless, a definite
"change of underwear" moment. I bet he never burgled again
Quote by lkchildYou dont need a sword to
have fun sword fighting though. Me and my housemate once bought wooden spatulas
and fought with those all down a main road in Bristol on the way home. My god
did we get some funny looks that day
Lol wooden spatulas? Nice! The closest I've ever come to that was a couple of
meter sticks that my friend and I used to swipe from teachers and spar with
during breaks. It made them nervous as all hell when they realized we actually
knew how to fence.
As for damage inflicted on inanimate objects, I've managed to keep that to a
minimum. Now, damage to sparring partners is a slighlty different story...
Wha-? Spatula...? ........ What the hell? lol
Well well, it seems alot of people are destroying furniture and lights and such.
Maybe this is a sign to spar outside... Heh heh, oh well... LOL
I do swordsmanship as well. I use a katana regualry in kata and stuff, and spar
with a bokken or shinai often to keep in shape. It's a legacy in my family so
I've done it since I was 8.
Awesome, JianRyuki, wish I had been so fortunate! Sure, I have always swung
swords around, as long as I can remember, but didn't get serious untill I was
16. Been doin' it for about 5 years, now, but still, I never had any formal
teachings. I just stick to the history books. The closest thing to training I
have had would have to be from the folk at the SCA, because they deal with as
close to real melee combat as you can legally get now adays. Learned to
"Throw a rap" and to properly use a shield, from them, as well as some
greatsword and polearm mineuvers. Also just dealing with heavy hitting foes in
great numbers can temper your resolve in a bout. Seeing a 200 lbs armored
gorilla charging after you with a stick and a shield the size of a wall, can
really get your neck hairs raised. " Oh, my, you look energetic, Mr.
Gorilla, don't you!" Still, its fun, when you can get a shot off, and that
200 lbs gorilla drops like a sack of shite. Great sportsmen, those folk, never
met one yet that didn't prove his honor.
Quote by RoninDudeThe closest thing to
training I have had would have to be from the folk at the SCA, because they deal
with as close to real melee combat as you can legally get now adays. Learned to
"Throw a rap" and to properly use a shield, from them, as well as some
greatsword and polearm mineuvers. Also just dealing with heavy hitting foes in
great numbers can temper your resolve in a bout. Seeing a 200 lbs armored
gorilla charging after you with a stick and a shield the size of a wall, can
really get your neck hairs raised. " Oh, my, you look energetic, Mr.
Gorilla, don't you!" Still, its fun, when you can get a shot off, and that
200 lbs gorilla drops like a sack of shite. Great sportsmen, those folk, never
met one yet that didn't prove his honor.
Pardon my ignorance, but what's the SCA? That's awesome that you got to try
melee combat (even if it was a downscaled version of the real deal, for obvious
legal reasons). Very, very kool, I'd love to try it one day, or at least watch
ppl who know what they're actually doing- which ever happens first.
Man all you guys use japanese weapons,... Come on where are all the kung fu
practitioners!?
I have a little experince with a Chinese Jin and Broadsword. And Ive swung a
guando around a few times.
But RoninDude, i just gotta say that the fact the you MADE your samurai costume
is freakin the coolest thing ever, I mean wow! Like im thinking about making a
samurai costume out of duct tape for halloween next year - but man it would be
so kick ass to have a real one like yours.
again man, props to you for making that thing (so awesome)
To, Sicaria: Well the SCA is an organization that started in the US, and is now
spread through out the world, in some places, that deals in the accurate
recreation of ancient midieval history. I am not familiar with any part of it
other than thier fighter's group. though, I do know that they deal in ALL things
midieval, from artisans to breweries, clothing making, dances, cooking,
archery, etc... As far as the fighting goes, there is fencing, combat archery,
and heavy combat. there may be more, depending were you,re at. I am familiar
with the heavy combat, though I am not a member, because I move too much.
Fallowing family around the country... Ergh....
Anyways, the heavy combat is as fallows:
There is a minimum armor requirement, since the combat is full force and
bone breaking at times, so to prevent such injuries, you must wair at least a
gorget (Neck guard), kidney protection(like a weight belt), a steel helm (with
many requirements), elbow and knee armor (not just pads), hand and wrist
protection (like a guantlet), and a cup (for the groin, he he). Women must wair
chest protection, as well, and every fighter must be 18 or older.
If you have all of this, then, you are still in a heap of trouble,because these
folk are in it for the realism, and your gonna get some bumps. One member once
told me that the idea for hitting was, " If this stick of rattan was a real
sword, I've got to hit you hard enough so that it would cleave your helm or
armor." If you don't do this, no one's gonna except your blow, and your
gonna hafta' hit em' harder! Though that group was known for it's heavy
fighters...
Of course, most of them have a good idea of how different types of armor deal
with blows, and they wont deal excessive force, which is kindly, though I
wouldn't expect it. Just come prepaired, and ready to learn. They really are a
kind bunch, and are eager to meet new fighters. On your first day, someone will
go some slow rounds with you, make sure you can deal with it in a very light
form. Those of you who are use to backyard fighting will no doubt be used to
this fluid but light-contact way of fighting, assuming you don't kill you
sparring partners durring a match...
After a month or so, after you have got to know the group, you can ask to join
up and get your fighter's card, and just go to the next event and complete the
fighter's test. If you hve anymore detailed questions, just look up the site
http://www.sca.org/
Oh, and if we were using real weapons, and not rattan sticks, it would be the
real deal. That's how simmilar it is. Just go to the sight, figure out when
practice is, and go, see for yourself. That's assuming that they are in your
area, I didn't look to see were you were from, Sicaria...
To pano4th: Thanks for the compliments, man, I'll post a link to my brother's
site that has a full picture of me in my suit, when I get the site adress from
him. I kinda forgot to bookmark it...Argh! Or, you can go to my user page here
in Minitokyo, an see part of it in my photo on the left side of the screen. I
love making armor, almost more than drawing! Thanks again!
My user page, for advertisement puposes : http://ronindude.minitokyo.net/
I studied traditional Japanese martial arts and weaponry for a few years
shito-ryu and kenshin-ryu kai I learned how to use a bo, sais, tonfa a little
shinai training but id like to start up again when I get time to.
Awesome, sais and tonfa? Bo sounds cool too, I would like to try those out as
well... I guess that applies to all ancient weapons, for me!
Yeah, collect em' all
I have a boken and a few swords for display. I'd love to learn kendo or
anything, but I really don't have the time or money. I should at least use the
boken to toughen up my arms though Got any
tips on everyday exercising with one?
I did Kendo for a few years when I was in University and I'll get back to Kendo
sometime this year. I still practice on & off on a weekly basis right now
though.
I'm not an expert with anything really, but i own and have taken basic training
with:
bo, sais, nunchakas, chinese broadword, shinai, assassin's fan, tonfas, chinese
spear (you know, the one with the red tassles ^_^)
of course, my two favorites are the Horsecutter (pudao) and the qwando
(bisento). If anyone is curious to know what a qwando looks like, check out the
last mecha scan on my website. My qwando pierced, ie the back of the blade has
a bunch of rings in it. Looks awesome, but not exactly stealth =\ shigata ga
nai, ne?
Song blade, I before I say anything, I will re-iterate that I am not a trainer,
nor have I ever had any formal training. With that said, I will say that I have
always studied from history books to try and find the truest way of
swordsmanship, none of this whirly twirly hollywood crap you'd see on tv. Real
swordsmanship, as I have come to understand, is much like a boxing match in it's
appearance, the only real beauty found is in it's brutality. The object is to
take this sharp metal impliment of death and destroy your enemy's body with it.
If you wish to learn about the forms and techniques, I would direct you to the
book, "Go Rin No Sho" or in english, "The book of five
rings", by Myomoto Musashi. It's were I started, and it's the best way to
begin, in my view on the matter.
Past that, just get the feel for the wieght of the bokken (or sword) by swinging
the thing around. You may feel silly, at first, but if you train diligently, and
study, you will get the hang of it.
If you are interested in sparring, but not in injuries, you can start out using
some "Boffers", with a buddy. A "Boffer" is a PVC plastic
pipe with padding wrapped around it. They can be pretty elaborate, as I have
seen, taking on the apearance a sword (a big foofy sword!). Still, I only used
them for about 3 months, then I switched indefinately to wooden weapons. I just
find that the "clack" of wood on wood is more satisfying than the
"boing" of padded boffers.
These padded swords wont afford you much reality in learning swordsmanship, but
what they can do is teach you to deal with fast paced action that's right in you
face. Not a good idea to start wackin' eachother with wood, right off the bat,
because someone's gonna get seriously hurt. When you get familiar with the
action, and become more controled in you actions, you can make the transition to
wood alot safer.
Of course, you could always get a shinai (bamboo practice sword), and though
expensive, it is safer than wood, and rigid enough to deal realistically. the
only problem I have with the shinai is that it is too light. You don't get the
real speed of battle.
Of course, as you can see, I take a rather spiritual aproatch at swordsmanship,
and I make no claim of being a master. I am always looking for new sparring
partners, as often as I can, because this broadens my skill. I am also, always
willing to learn new things, myself, and very much interested in anything anyone
with skill has to say on the matter! This is my passion.
Still, with all this said, you may wish to only do it as a form of exercise,
which to that I say: "Great, more power to ya'!" It's a lot of fun,
and preforming Kata can be great for clearing your mind, I know that when I am
doing them, and I finish, I feel extremely whole and together. Very Zen.
Here is a pic of me in the suit of samurai armor that I made. It is battle
worthy, as that is what I made it for.
If your interested, my brother made a site that shows some of our fighting while
we were in Wisconsin.
Just go in and explore. In the "Meet the cast" section, I'm Ray. I'm
not sure if he's got any pics of me fighting in my Japanese armor, yet.My
brother is a rather jovial fellow, enjoys europian styles.
Here's the link: http://www.geocities.com/brandoncornwell/
Well If you like the site, post in his guest book, it'd make him happy.
PS: I just checked, there aren't any pics of me fighting in my Japanese armor,
or many others of me either... I guess he didn't wanna show me woopin' him, he
he
Still, check it out, eh?
nice suit! you say you made it yourself? even better! perhaps you might
consider putting together some design plans for your suit. that would make a
lot of people happy, i imagine ^_^
If you want a guide, Here: http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/katchu/
This is a great site for finding out how to make and understand japanese armor.
It is an online guide. Of course, when I made my armor, I didn't have internet,
and I lived in a grainery in wisconsin. I referanced my armor from the movie,
" The last samurai". Remember Tom Cruise's red armor, that he wore in
the last battle? well, I saw the movie, and decided that I had to have that
armor, so I endevored to make it. I just watched the movie, freezed the frames
with close ups of the armor, and made extensive notes and plans. I even counted
the laces and rows, to make sure everything was exact.
I then researched a very large book I have, that is called, "A glossery of
the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms and Armor" By George Cameron
Stone. This book is a massive encyclopedia of all weapons ever used up to the
2nd world war. Of course, some places are more fleshed out than others, and it
seems that the author had a large interest in japanese weapon and armor craft.
This was a great help.
The materials I used for it are black plastic berrels, nylon cord (white), steel
pop rivits, and sheet steel, for the buckles and decorative marks, here and
there.
What's that? Plastic, you say? Well, did you know, that ABS plastic and laquered
leather look identical? And the plastic is very tuff, and much more shock
absorbant than leather, or even steel. If we were using real swords, then I'd be
in trouble, but since we just use sticks, it is optimum.
I spent alot of time rounding off the edges, and smoothing out the cuts,
drilling holes and rounding them out as well. I even fashioned my own buckles,
out of steel.The most time consuming part was all the lacing! Hours and hours of
lacing... The only thing that I'd like to do with it now is rim the edges in
steel, though I don't know how to do this, yet.
I am so proud of it, that I have built a stand and set it up in my room, next to
my bed. Heh, some people think it's creapy, but it's my second skin, so it don't
bother me! Besides, it fits with all the weapons I have covering the walls!
I managed to take out the lightbulb in my best friends room with a re-enactment sword once. We were all barefoot, in the dark, with broken glass all around and on the bed. Twas a bit of an eek momet but luckily we managed to edge to the door and get some light. Its lucky I didnt get electrocuted.
You dont need a sword to have fun sword fighting though. Me and my housemate once bought wooden spatulas and fought with those all down a main road in Bristol on the way home. My god did we get some funny looks that day
Perhaps my favourite tale of swordfighting comes from a mate from LRP. He had a three handed sword (a sword so big that it needs an extended counterbalance on the hilt, looking like a third hand hold). This thing was so big we nicknamed it "the pole arm". Anyway, this friend was broken into while he was in the house, waking him up. He grabbed the sword and put on his long black cloak with the hood up, and then slowly went downstairs chanting in Latin. Apparently, the look on the burglars face was priceless, a definite "change of underwear" moment. I bet he never burgled again
Lol wooden spatulas? Nice! The closest I've ever come to that was a couple of meter sticks that my friend and I used to swipe from teachers and spar with during breaks. It made them nervous as all hell when they realized we actually knew how to fence.
As for damage inflicted on inanimate objects, I've managed to keep that to a minimum. Now, damage to sparring partners is a slighlty different story...
Wha-? Spatula...? ........ What the hell? lol
Well well, it seems alot of people are destroying furniture and lights and such. Maybe this is a sign to spar outside... Heh heh, oh well... LOL
I do swordsmanship as well. I use a katana regualry in kata and stuff, and spar with a bokken or shinai often to keep in shape. It's a legacy in my family so I've done it since I was 8.
Awesome, JianRyuki, wish I had been so fortunate! Sure, I have always swung swords around, as long as I can remember, but didn't get serious untill I was 16. Been doin' it for about 5 years, now, but still, I never had any formal teachings. I just stick to the history books. The closest thing to training I have had would have to be from the folk at the SCA, because they deal with as close to real melee combat as you can legally get now adays. Learned to "Throw a rap" and to properly use a shield, from them, as well as some greatsword and polearm mineuvers. Also just dealing with heavy hitting foes in great numbers can temper your resolve in a bout. Seeing a 200 lbs armored gorilla charging after you with a stick and a shield the size of a wall, can really get your neck hairs raised. " Oh, my, you look energetic, Mr. Gorilla, don't you!" Still, its fun, when you can get a shot off, and that 200 lbs gorilla drops like a sack of shite. Great sportsmen, those folk, never met one yet that didn't prove his honor.
Pardon my ignorance, but what's the SCA? That's awesome that you got to try melee combat (even if it was a downscaled version of the real deal, for obvious legal reasons). Very, very kool, I'd love to try it one day, or at least watch ppl who know what they're actually doing- which ever happens first.
Man all you guys use japanese weapons,... Come on where are all the kung fu practitioners!?
I have a little experince with a Chinese Jin and Broadsword. And Ive swung a guando around a few times.
But RoninDude, i just gotta say that the fact the you MADE your samurai costume is freakin the coolest thing ever, I mean wow! Like im thinking about making a samurai costume out of duct tape for halloween next year - but man it would be so kick ass to have a real one like yours.
again man, props to you for making that thing (so awesome)
To, Sicaria: Well the SCA is an organization that started in the US, and is now spread through out the world, in some places, that deals in the accurate recreation of ancient midieval history. I am not familiar with any part of it other than thier fighter's group. though, I do know that they deal in ALL things midieval, from artisans to breweries, clothing making, dances, cooking, archery, etc... As far as the fighting goes, there is fencing, combat archery, and heavy combat. there may be more, depending were you,re at. I am familiar with the heavy combat, though I am not a member, because I move too much. Fallowing family around the country... Ergh....
Anyways, the heavy combat is as fallows:
There is a minimum armor requirement, since the combat is full force and bone breaking at times, so to prevent such injuries, you must wair at least a gorget (Neck guard), kidney protection(like a weight belt), a steel helm (with many requirements), elbow and knee armor (not just pads), hand and wrist protection (like a guantlet), and a cup (for the groin, he he). Women must wair chest protection, as well, and every fighter must be 18 or older.
If you have all of this, then, you are still in a heap of trouble,because these folk are in it for the realism, and your gonna get some bumps. One member once told me that the idea for hitting was, " If this stick of rattan was a real sword, I've got to hit you hard enough so that it would cleave your helm or armor." If you don't do this, no one's gonna except your blow, and your gonna hafta' hit em' harder! Though that group was known for it's heavy fighters...
Of course, most of them have a good idea of how different types of armor deal with blows, and they wont deal excessive force, which is kindly, though I wouldn't expect it. Just come prepaired, and ready to learn. They really are a kind bunch, and are eager to meet new fighters. On your first day, someone will go some slow rounds with you, make sure you can deal with it in a very light form. Those of you who are use to backyard fighting will no doubt be used to this fluid but light-contact way of fighting, assuming you don't kill you sparring partners durring a match...
After a month or so, after you have got to know the group, you can ask to join up and get your fighter's card, and just go to the next event and complete the fighter's test. If you hve anymore detailed questions, just look up the site http://www.sca.org/
Oh, and if we were using real weapons, and not rattan sticks, it would be the real deal. That's how simmilar it is. Just go to the sight, figure out when practice is, and go, see for yourself. That's assuming that they are in your area, I didn't look to see were you were from, Sicaria...
To pano4th: Thanks for the compliments, man, I'll post a link to my brother's site that has a full picture of me in my suit, when I get the site adress from him. I kinda forgot to bookmark it...Argh! Or, you can go to my user page here in Minitokyo, an see part of it in my photo on the left side of the screen. I love making armor, almost more than drawing! Thanks again!
: http://ronindude.minitokyo.net/
My user page, for advertisement puposes
I studied traditional Japanese martial arts and weaponry for a few years shito-ryu and kenshin-ryu kai I learned how to use a bo, sais, tonfa a little shinai training but id like to start up again when I get time to.
Awesome, sais and tonfa? Bo sounds cool too, I would like to try those out as well... I guess that applies to all ancient weapons, for me!
Yeah, collect em' all
I have a boken and a few swords for display. I'd love to learn kendo or anything, but I really don't have the time or money. I should at least use the boken to toughen up my arms though
Got any
tips on everyday exercising with one?
I did Kendo for a few years when I was in University and I'll get back to Kendo sometime this year. I still practice on & off on a weekly basis right now though.
I'm not an expert with anything really, but i own and have taken basic training with:
bo, sais, nunchakas, chinese broadword, shinai, assassin's fan, tonfas, chinese spear (you know, the one with the red tassles ^_^)
of course, my two favorites are the Horsecutter (pudao) and the qwando (bisento). If anyone is curious to know what a qwando looks like, check out the last mecha scan on my website. My qwando pierced, ie the back of the blade has a bunch of rings in it. Looks awesome, but not exactly stealth =\ shigata ga nai, ne?
Song blade, I before I say anything, I will re-iterate that I am not a trainer, nor have I ever had any formal training. With that said, I will say that I have always studied from history books to try and find the truest way of swordsmanship, none of this whirly twirly hollywood crap you'd see on tv. Real swordsmanship, as I have come to understand, is much like a boxing match in it's appearance, the only real beauty found is in it's brutality. The object is to take this sharp metal impliment of death and destroy your enemy's body with it.
If you wish to learn about the forms and techniques, I would direct you to the book, "Go Rin No Sho" or in english, "The book of five rings", by Myomoto Musashi. It's were I started, and it's the best way to begin, in my view on the matter.
Past that, just get the feel for the wieght of the bokken (or sword) by swinging the thing around. You may feel silly, at first, but if you train diligently, and study, you will get the hang of it.
If you are interested in sparring, but not in injuries, you can start out using some "Boffers", with a buddy. A "Boffer" is a PVC plastic pipe with padding wrapped around it. They can be pretty elaborate, as I have seen, taking on the apearance a sword (a big foofy sword!). Still, I only used them for about 3 months, then I switched indefinately to wooden weapons. I just find that the "clack" of wood on wood is more satisfying than the "boing" of padded boffers.
These padded swords wont afford you much reality in learning swordsmanship, but what they can do is teach you to deal with fast paced action that's right in you face. Not a good idea to start wackin' eachother with wood, right off the bat, because someone's gonna get seriously hurt. When you get familiar with the action, and become more controled in you actions, you can make the transition to wood alot safer.
Of course, you could always get a shinai (bamboo practice sword), and though expensive, it is safer than wood, and rigid enough to deal realistically. the only problem I have with the shinai is that it is too light. You don't get the real speed of battle.
Of course, as you can see, I take a rather spiritual aproatch at swordsmanship, and I make no claim of being a master. I am always looking for new sparring partners, as often as I can, because this broadens my skill. I am also, always willing to learn new things, myself, and very much interested in anything anyone with skill has to say on the matter! This is my passion.
Still, with all this said, you may wish to only do it as a form of exercise, which to that I say: "Great, more power to ya'!" It's a lot of fun, and preforming Kata can be great for clearing your mind, I know that when I am doing them, and I finish, I feel extremely whole and together. Very Zen.
Here is a pic of me in the suit of samurai armor that I made. It is battle worthy, as that is what I made it for.
If your interested, my brother made a site that shows some of our fighting while we were in Wisconsin.
Just go in and explore. In the "Meet the cast" section, I'm Ray. I'm not sure if he's got any pics of me fighting in my Japanese armor, yet.My brother is a rather jovial fellow, enjoys europian styles.
Here's the link: http://www.geocities.com/brandoncornwell/
Well If you like the site, post in his guest book, it'd make him happy.
PS: I just checked, there aren't any pics of me fighting in my Japanese armor, or many others of me either... I guess he didn't wanna show me woopin' him, he he
Still, check it out, eh?
nice suit! you say you made it yourself? even better! perhaps you might consider putting together some design plans for your suit. that would make a lot of people happy, i imagine ^_^
If you want a guide, Here: http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/katchu/
This is a great site for finding out how to make and understand japanese armor. It is an online guide. Of course, when I made my armor, I didn't have internet, and I lived in a grainery in wisconsin. I referanced my armor from the movie, " The last samurai". Remember Tom Cruise's red armor, that he wore in the last battle? well, I saw the movie, and decided that I had to have that armor, so I endevored to make it. I just watched the movie, freezed the frames with close ups of the armor, and made extensive notes and plans. I even counted the laces and rows, to make sure everything was exact.
I then researched a very large book I have, that is called, "A glossery of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms and Armor" By George Cameron Stone. This book is a massive encyclopedia of all weapons ever used up to the 2nd world war. Of course, some places are more fleshed out than others, and it seems that the author had a large interest in japanese weapon and armor craft. This was a great help.
The materials I used for it are black plastic berrels, nylon cord (white), steel pop rivits, and sheet steel, for the buckles and decorative marks, here and there.
What's that? Plastic, you say? Well, did you know, that ABS plastic and laquered leather look identical? And the plastic is very tuff, and much more shock absorbant than leather, or even steel. If we were using real swords, then I'd be in trouble, but since we just use sticks, it is optimum.
I spent alot of time rounding off the edges, and smoothing out the cuts, drilling holes and rounding them out as well. I even fashioned my own buckles, out of steel.The most time consuming part was all the lacing! Hours and hours of lacing... The only thing that I'd like to do with it now is rim the edges in steel, though I don't know how to do this, yet.
I am so proud of it, that I have built a stand and set it up in my room, next to my bed. Heh, some people think it's creapy, but it's my second skin, so it don't bother me! Besides, it fits with all the weapons I have covering the walls!