This is a thread to engage in a dialogue with Nathan Scott and any other shinkendo practitioners about the art. Thanks, Nathan!
http://www.shinkendo.com/
Here's a question:
I understand the art is the creation of Toshishiro Obata and that it is comprised of five primary areas (according to the above website, Suburi (sword swinging drills), Tanrengata (solo forms), Battoho (combative drawing methods), Tachiuchi (pre-arranged sparring) and Tameshigiri/Shizan (cutting)). Can you tell us what arts influenced the founder? What arts have been synergized by him to create shinkendo? And does it have a philosophy?
EDIT: After I asked my question, I found this link which pretty much explains it (I hadn't visited the site in a while).
http://www.shinkendo.com/origins.html
Sorry! Still, if there's anything you would add or emphasize...