Bokken in Japan

[Soulend]

I'm sorry if this has already been discussed - I did a search but didn't come up with anything.

I am leaving for Japan in a few days and was wondering if it will be a problem carrying it on the street to and from training (in a case of course), or must it be left at a dojo or registered in some way?

I apologize if this is a stupid question.

[Daniel san]

Do a search. Mr. Lindsey posted something a while ago about them being used as walking sticks. Good luck.

edited: One day I will remember how to spell John's name the first time around. E not A

[Soulend]

That was in a rural area though, in the mountains. I am taking about transporting one in an urban environment (on trains, bicycles, etc.).

[Sillal]

We carried full training bags the whole time we were in Japan with boken, bo and everything in between.

[Soulend]

Cool, thanks Mr. Boggs.

[allan]

Mr Craik,

While in the Tokyo region I carried a bokken and iaito with me frequently -in a bag- and never had any problems. Other members of my dojo did as well.

Good Luck.

Regards,

[Soulend]

Thank you. I had figured as much, but had to make sure.

[Chidokan]

only thing you get is the occasional funny look, along the lines of "my god, he's foreign and has kendo/iaido stuff! What is the world coming to!":D

[Soulend]

Hehe... Oh well, I probably won't be taking the thing after all anyway. Been trying to find an iaido/kenjutsu dojo near Iwakuni or Hiroshima, but it would seem that if you don't speak Japanese you are pretty much screwed.

[ulvulv]

Originally posted by Soulend
Hehe... Oh well, I probably won't be taking the thing after all anyway. Been trying to find an iaido/kenjutsu dojo near Iwakuni or Hiroshima, but it would seem that if you don't speak Japanese you are pretty much screwed.

Doesnt Ide Katsuhiko sensei teach iai and jo in Hiroshima? Are there any russians or canadian who is reading this that can verify this? my memory can be failing, it does it all the time, but I seem to recall that someone told me this on an international iai-seminar some years ago. I dont know if he accept foreigners in his private dojo, but being an internationally recognized and popular teacher, it could be quite possible. ?

[ulvulv]

I was wrong. Some digging on the net told me he is in Osaka.

[Soulend]

Rennis Buchner told me he corresponded with some member of e-budo that had been a part of an MSR group in Iwakuni...however, this was about two years ago.

I have been in contact with Nakamura Tetsu of the Hoki Ryu, and have contact information for a Katsutada Kuwahara, who is the instructor for Hoki Ryu in Iwakuni, however, this is where my poor Japanese becomes a problem - Nakamura-sensei is not sure of his English, and I don't want to call the gentleman and babble gibberish at him.

[Brian Owens]

Here's a thought. If you're going to be in one area for a while (I don't know why you're going to Japan) you could find a dojo near where you are staying, and stop in for a look. There's bound to be someone there who speaks English that would come see what you were all about. After a few pleasantries, and you explaining that you're a visiting kendoka, I'm sure you would be envited to return to practice.
(I wouldn't bring bogu on the first visit. That might be seen as too presumptuous.)

[Soulend]

Thanks Brian, I plan on doing just that..it's just finding a dojo in the first place. I will be doing a number of things with the Japanese-American Friendship Society...so with any luck and a lot of asking around...


(I wouldn't bring bogu on the first visit. That might be seen as too presumptuous.)
Me neither, as I've never done any kendo. :D

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Soulend
Me neither, as I've never done any kendo. :D
But I would have sworn that in several of your 1129 posts you said...

Oh, never mind. It's just my oldtimers syndrome acting up. I get confused.

Have a nice trip whatever it is you do. ;)

[Chidokan]

I once had a godan kendo visitor in Leeds UK from Hiroshima, Kidani sensei, who taught at the university there, specialised in transport. Long time ago, but he spoke very good english. If you meet him at the Uni dojo tell him hello from me!