koryu in kyoto/nara

[Eric Ling]

Greetings all

I am planning to live and work in Japan for a couple of years and would be grateful for any info regarding koryu in Kyoto and Nara - which ryuha are based/taught in or near those cities and anyone's experience of training there would be most welcome.

Many thanks

Eric

[CKohalyk]

Eric,

There is Hozoin-ryu in Nara. I met the headmaster and some of the menkai from there, and there all nice guys. They practice on Saturdays at 10 in the morning. That's all I know.

In Shiga somewhere is Jikishinkage-ryu, but I don't remember where. If you go to Hozoin-ryu, there is a really small old guy whose name I can't remember. He is not only a menkai in Hozoin-ryu, but also in Jikishinkage-ryu. He used to train somewhere in Shiga I think, ask him.

But in Kyoto there are all kinds of things. Takenouchi-ryu
(Chofukan) is in Kitayama. They practice 3 times a week, but you can go up to the dojo anytime to work out. There are also a few gaijin there if your Japanese is not up to par. These guys are nice.

If you are looking for something a bit more modern, there is Daito-ryu at the Asahi Culture Centre on Kawaramachi every Saturday morning. The teacher there is great. There used to be a gaijin there, but I think he went back home.

I think there is some Shibukawa-ryu around, but I can't remember.

Muso Shinto-ryu is at the Budo Center on Marutamchi by Heian Jingu. Maybe go there to investigate.

That's all off the top o' me noggin'. I'll get back if I recall something else.


CK

[CKohalyk]

Whoooooooooooooooops!!!

I was walking down the street, and it hit me. NOT Jikishinkage-ryu...... JIGEN-RYU!!!

Sorry.

CK

[Eric Ling]

Thanks for your help CK. Do you live in Kyoto or Nara, or do you know them well? I'm hoping to get on the JET program next year, and am deciding where to apply for. What are your views on these cities, not just for training, but as places to live as well? What do you study?

Once again, thanks for replying.

Eric

[CKohalyk]

Eric,

Kyoto is great. It's my home away from home. I come from a small town in Canada so places like Tokyo and Osaka don't agree with me. Kyoto is 40 mins from Osaka on the Hankyu (the cheap one) so you can be in the middle of a huge city in no time. Kyoto is filled with temples, which seems more Japan-y than a lot of the other cities I've been to or lived in. Though some people get sick of a temple on EVERY street corner.

If you like the outdoors you can go to Takao, climb Atago-san, Kiyotaki, Ashuu, swimming in the Hozu, or even whip over to Yagyu no Sato (which is cool!!).

Lot of interesting bars in Kiyamachi.

I don't know, I just like it a lot.

Nara... to tell you the truth I have NEVER been there!! But I hear it's just like Kyoto.

BTW, good luck on the JET. I hope you get close to your city of choice.

To answer your final question, I do many different things, but now my passion is Kiraku-ryu.

Thanks,

Chad