PDA

View Full Version : Austin Kenjutsu



DrakeWurrum
21st March 2006, 22:10
I'm going to UT Austin right now, originally from San Antonio, and I'm wondering if there is a place I could learn kenjutsu at within walking distance? Though I might be willing to ride the bus, I'd prefer not to. I used to have a bike, but Austin is not a good place to leave a bike with only one lock, I have learned to my disgrace. And, no, I do not have a car, though I hope to.

I'm especially interested in learning a two sword style, but I'm not going to be overly picky. I did find the San Antonio school of Kenjutsu, where they teach Min Ryu Shinto Ryu (and I am trying to figure out just how the ryu meaning dragon is pronounced differently from the ryu meaning school, as I have sadly watched Rurouni Kenshin enough to think they sound they same), but it seems like I'm only in San Antonio during school breaks. Once I get my own apartment here in Austin, I'll mostly be in Austin.

-Alex M. Marsh

Chuck.Gordon
22nd March 2006, 12:07
I think there's a Yagyu Ryu group in Austin these days, and there is also a group of unaffiliated forlks who get together to do fukuroshinai fencing, but neither, I suspect are close enought to UT to walk.

Check with the aikido club there to see who's in town these days. They'll likely know if there are any active sword schools around.

Also, if you do a search of the 'Min Ryu' folks here on e-Budo, you can learn a bit more about them. Look here:

http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29551&highlight=Min+Ryu+Shinto

Good luck! I'll be in Austin myself in June, likely the first week or so.

Charles Mahan
22nd March 2006, 19:48
Can't help you with Austin. They Yagyu school that Chuck mentioned is the only one I know of. In San Antonio, there is a Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu dojo. Check out http://www.rivercityiaido.com Maybe not that helpful, but it's all I got.

Alex Dale
22nd March 2006, 21:29
By limiting yourself to what you can walk to... well, you're bound to be disappointed.


There is a group of us that practices mainline (Owari) Yagyu Shinkage-ryu hyoho.


If you're interested, PM me.


Regards,

DrakeWurrum
23rd March 2006, 08:36
Also, if you do a search of the 'Min Ryu' folks here on e-Budo, you can learn a bit more about them. Look here:
http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29551&highlight=Min+Ryu+Shinto
I actually found out about them through that link, and these forums at the same time, thanks to a Google search.


By limiting yourself to what you can walk to... well, you're bound to be disappointed.
That's pretty much what I was expecting, really. I'm not really in too much of a rush to get started, as I am rather worried about the grades in my UT classes right now. I'll probably be able to really get into a kenjutsu either over the summer or next semester, when I've got my own apartment.

Chris Brown
23rd March 2006, 12:42
PM sent regarding some of your inquiries. Hope it helps.

Brian Owens
24th March 2006, 07:02
...and I am trying to figure out just how the ryu meaning dragon is pronounced differently from the ryu meaning school, as I have sadly watched Rurouni Kenshin enough to think they sound they same...
Maybe they do.

As with most languages (and more so than some), Japanese has many homophones; words that are pronounced the same, but have different meanings. Sometimes even context isn't enough to indicate which word is meant, and only seeing the kanji will tell you.


Regarding Austin, if nothing's in walking distance maybe you could arrange to car-pool with someone. Or, break down and ride the bus. Or get another bike.

If you really want to train, and particularly train at a legitimate dojo, then going a bit out of your way is to be expected.

Good luck.

DrakeWurrum
24th March 2006, 09:02
Thank you much for your responses and the info. It is much appreciated.
I'd love to get involved with a ryu right away, but I need to get other matters in line first. Like making sure I don't fail my courses this semester. I also need to see about getting a job soon, and setting up an apartment for next semester...maybe an internship over the summer, etc.

I was attending the aikido classes here on the UT campus last semester, but it didn't really appeal much to me. They don't focus much on the weapon combat, and the style itself doesn't appeal to me. I do admire the subtlety of the style, though. It continues to surprise me in how well it works. I suppose a side-effect of taking those classes, though, was a greater respect for the jo, as I did get a little basic instruction in that. After all, in the modern day, I could walk around with a jo with the appearance of using a walking stick. I still find myself attracted to kenjutsu, however.
Like I've said, I definitely plan to get into a kenjutsu next semester. I should have my life in it's proper order then.

Oh, and to Alex Dale, just to let you know, I did not send a PM regarding Yagyu Shinkage-ryu hyoho because I managed to Google it up. In the process, I believe I found the thread in which someone suggested it to you, so that was helpful as well. I managed to find the site of the aikido dojo that holds the classes as a result. Gotta love Google.

Again, thank you much for the help. Maybe I shall eventually meet some of you.

pgsmith
25th March 2006, 16:22
Alex,
One last thing. Get rid of the soft-porn cartoon in your signature. If you manage to get e-budo locked out on my workplace internet filter, I'll come and find you! Save it for the anime forums.

Robert Corella
18th April 2006, 00:32
Hello,
We have just started a new iaido dojo in Austin. Its small but it has already started to grow. You may want to look at our main website: www.kenshindojo.net .

We just returned from Himeji, Japan where we trained at the head quarters of Araki Ryu. If you have any questions please email me. My address is on the site.

Robert Corella
Phoenix, Arizona

Let me know if you want to see photos of us training in Japan.

Charles Mahan
18th April 2006, 04:07
Is this the Araki Ryu branch that is part of the ZNIR in Japan or one of the other branches?

nicojo
18th April 2006, 04:32
It's the same Charles, Araki Mujinsai ryu iaido.

Brian Owens
18th April 2006, 04:48
Is this the Araki Ryu branch that is part of the ZNIR in Japan...
Looks like the same branch.

Here's the hombu's site: http://www1.winknet.ne.jp/~meirin/English/eindex.html, which lists Corella Sensei in their USA Dojo section.

[Edit] Nicojo beat me to it.

Robert Corella
18th April 2006, 18:33
Mr. Mahan,

Yes, Our main dojo in Himeji, Japan is a member of the ZNIR. When you look at the Himeji website, click on "topics" and you will see us training last week in Japan. As you knkow, Araki Mujinsai Mataemon was our founder. Four of his students then made their own schools. We study under one of these four students. You can see our geneaology on the website. I hope you have a chance to see our Phoenix site: www.kenshindojo.net . There you can see my profile and that of Toyoda soke. I will be glad to answer any question you might have.

Thank you,
Robert Corella

Charles Mahan
18th April 2006, 18:41
Wow. There are 3 other dojos in Texas with ties to the ZNIR. All MJER, in Denton, Houston and San Antonio. I did checkout the website, but didn't see any references to the ZNIR so I wasn't sure. I seemed to remember that there was a ZNIR related dojo in Arizona. Do you practice the ZNIR Toho kata?

Robert Corella
18th April 2006, 21:24
Hi,
There are several Shinkendo dojo here in Arizona. But I do not think they are members of the ZNIR. As for kata, we only practice Araki ryu kata and kenbu (sword dance).

Bob Corella

Charles Mahan
18th April 2006, 22:03
No, I don't think there are any Shinkendo dojos in the ZNIR.

Ok. Thanks for the information. Please pass on my well wishes to whoever is leading the Austin dojo as well as an invitation to drop into the dojo if he/she is ever up here in Denton.

brandt14
4th June 2006, 22:19
Where are the good kenjutsu schools in Southern Austin.....? I am looking for a place to train.

By the Way there is a sword seminar going on at Angelsword on June 17 in Driftwood Tx. I'm going.

Charles Mahan
5th June 2006, 04:53
I don't think it's as easy as looking for dojos in "southern Austin". This thread pretty much lists all of your options in Austin. I'd suggest reading up on the oppurtunities already posted and figure out which one is the most appealing. Better yet go watch a class with each group.

Chuck.Gordon
10th June 2006, 15:36
BTW, Em and I are in Austin thru the 13th. I know it's short notice, but we've been hectic ...

Anybody wanna meet up?

Chuck.Gordon
13th October 2007, 17:42
Heya all,

Looks like Emily and I will be returning to Austin for good int he Springtime (March-May-ish).

She's got a great job opportunity and I'm eyeballing early retirement/seperation from the gubbamint gig.

We'll be looking to set up a small dojo somewhere near home (likely the Westlake/Travis Heights/Bee Cave area), and being the budo sluts we are, will visit and play with anyone who'll put up with us.

See y'all in the Spring!

cg

devourment77
22nd October 2007, 22:24
I am moving to Austin at the end of May 08. I plan on starting a satellite school under Walt Bushey Sensei (http://www.katsujin.org/) who is the head of the Texas Komei Jyuku under Sekiguchi Komei Sensei.

My job is relocating and we will be some where in south to south/west Austin. I will post more when I learn more. You can see some of the waza/henka we will be doing here: http://www.youtube.com/user/sekibushi (Bushey Sensei's youtube account).

We will also be training in Ryouen Ryu Naginatajutsu.

Robert Corella
29th November 2007, 18:31
Just to let everyone know, we have an Araki Ryu Dojo in Austin. You can see our main page at kenshindojo.net. In Texas, we also have a dojo in El Paso.
Thanks,
Bob Corella
Phoenix

devourment77
14th August 2008, 14:46
Hopefully I am not resurrecting too old of a thread...

I made the move to Austin in May and had a baby in the same week (crazy busy). I recently got the time to work out all the logistics of running a dojo and secured a location for MJER Iaijutsu and Ryouen Ryu Naginatajutsu.

We will be meeting at the Austin Sports Center (North Austin / Cedar Park location) starting in September. Training will be every Thursday from 7pm-8pm (more classes will be added eventually). You can PM me or visit http://austin.komeijyuku.com/ (single page site, my main site will be up hopefully this weekend) to contact me for more information.

Aozora
14th August 2008, 16:44
In regards to the OP, there's also and excellent kendo club there at UT that's very active with a large student population. Their beginner class had 70(!) students the time I went, although they were by and large without bogu. Both sensei there were very nice and accomodating to a visiting kenshi, and I beleive you can even take kendo for college credit. Classes were held in the UT stadium on campus.

I realize it's not koryu, but you'd be surprised how much you can learn that relates back to koryu training.

http://www.austinkendo.org/

Eric Pearson
14th August 2008, 18:32
There is a Koryu Iai group that meets in south Austin - off of Ben White. They make themselves a little hard to find...but with enough internet searches, and if it is your destiny - you will find them!