Wolfire Games Forums

Glabbit wrote:WOW NICE!
That's a VERY nice-looking one.
Tournament?
Did you say tournament?

Tell me everything.

What can I say? Locally hosted in the dojo I caretake. There was a $50 dollar cash prize, and -I think- 24 participants. I won all my matches up until the semi-final match when the old katana broke. It was something like... The match started, I blocked two hits -one high near my shoulder, and one low at my knee- and started what would have been a winning move (when I blocked the low hit, I flicked his katana away and started a thrust). However, my opponent -Richard Toke I believe- was able to bring his katana back in to parry my thrust and added a second hit to just my katana which then snapped about 10 inches up from the guard. That ended painfully as I received a jarring blow to my shoulder/neck area.

Not exactly proud of my performance in that tournament...

but it gave me an excuse to get a newer katana.

What kind of tournaments can you even use a metal sword in? Is it just target-cutting, or something where you try to hit another human? I don't know of any competitions of the latter kind that use metal swords. I know some people do it using bokken, and others using bars of metal that are weighted like a sword, but I don't think I've ever seen or heard of live swords being used in competitions. Sparring, yes, but people aren't as careful in competitions so they would be more risky.

EDIT: So it's against a human. Huh. Do you use the usual kendo armor, or something else? What kind of swordsmanship does the dojo teach?

Indeed! This sounds like fun. Tell us, Oh Lotus Wolf! >=D

Fun, sometimes...

Well, We do use a bit of armor, but it's usually whatever you come with. It's a bloodsport of sorts, though that's nothing to be proud of, nor is it safe. I've fought with little more than the T-shirt and pants I was wearing in those pictures. That's a rare occasion, I usually use some light armor and padding, but it still hurts to get hit, and I do get cut sometimes. Aside from that, if your opponent has no form of protection other than his sword, your sword is switched out for a blunted one. What little teaching the dojo does is more for people who have already learned one or more disciplines. It teaches the "art" of changing your technique between different weapons and into an unarmed style. Interesting stuff as long as you don't mind getting the shit kicked out of you now and then.

@Glabbit, you're starting to sound... Sarcastic I guess. XD

I am not sarcastic, I am enthusiastic! I had no idea people actually still did these kinds of things and it sounds like a great experience! xD

Ah, ok then, your last post sounded very energetic for what I've seen of you so I thought you might have been sarcastic.

Well, it's a great experience but it's not one I'd recommend to a lot of people. The danger in these duels is totally real, and it's not the safest hobby. I'll say that it's a great way to obtain a lifetime worth of scars in less than 5 years (although mine heal after 1 or 2 so...). It's a great way to stay in shape; the everyday practices are all the exercise one needs to stay fit.

Those who live by the sword, die by the sword. It's a saying I've heard plenty of times and fully understand. This still hasn't stopped me from yearning for sword combat.

You simply must tell me how you started with this... how'd you find it? =D

The only 'scars' I have that I could speak about is one on my eyebrow from a swing that hit my head when I was what...six or seven? And a truckload of scratches on my arms and legs and feet that I got from our lovely cat Kiara... Plus, these usually heal within months or even weeks, so I dunno if I even can call them scars.

Agh, If we had PM's I'd ask to send all information about this organisation stuffs so I might do a little research of my own...
I guess I'll ask you to simply post it here =D

I should have a big scar under my right eyebrow where I got a big plastic hook stuck when I was 3, (nearly got my eye that was lucky) but for some reason I don't, I've got a scar from an appendectomy, and I think that's about all.

Glabbit, read this post. The local master taught me for a while, then got me enrolled in fencing, then Bushido. I've never really had to do my own looking for these classes or tournaments, he's always been here telling me what I'll be doing. I'm very glad to have met him. I'd encourage you to find a master that will teach you informally at first, but that's not easy... The only classes I've found on my own were those Wudang classes. Ironically enough, that appeared in a link next to an email. XD "free one year Wudang class with any purchase over $10!"... That wasn't the best though, since I was in a class with over 30 people. I guess you really have to do your own looking to find something close enough to you. As weird as this sounds, you can actually take classes online. Yep, sounds stupid, but it's offered in places. Mostly to learn the basics and the ideals, but you can learn a lot from watching a class and being able to ask questions here and there.

Lotus Wolf wrote:Glabbit, read this post. The local master taught me for a while, then got me enrolled in fencing, then Bushido. I've never really had to do my own looking for these classes or tournaments, he's always been here telling me what I'll be doing. I'm very glad to have met him. I'd encourage you to find a master that will teach you informally at first, but that's not easy... The only classes I've found on my own were those Wudang classes. Ironically enough, that appeared in a link next to an email. XD "free one year Wudang class with any purchase over $10!"... That wasn't the best though, since I was in a class with over 30 people.

I hope you understand how lucky you are. The best most people can find is a class with over 30 people, or a class that can't keep people interested for even a year. I seem to be stuck with classes that go through three teachers in two years...

*jealous*

You lucky bastard, you. The only sharp weapon I can readily access at any time is my little friend, a CRKT folding knife. I have a decorative 40" wooden sword that could probably help in a real fight, but I don't think it would be extraordinarily durable.

Killed anyone yet?

Ragdollmaster wrote:Killed anyone yet?

Ha ha ha ha ha....eh-hem....hehums. ...

Er... I meant ENLIGHTENED. Yes, yes, have you enlightened anyone* yet, Lotus?

*to the ways of the death

Aye-Aye, Lotus... You lucky lucky man.
If I can't find a local master, then one day when I have a year off, I shall come visit you and shall train under your guidance till the point where we can train together... >:3
Maybe.

Man, Lotus, this improved your forum rep by 50%! It's off the chart!