And before you start to argue with me, allow me to post another quote from you, six months ago (I hadn't bothered to venture beyond the first page of the other thread.):
"As to what the Japanese probably did hundreds of years ago--yes, I am convinced that free-sparring was a part of their training, despite the popular beliefs of today which are regarded by many as fact. "
So, it becomes clear that you have made your mind up, and aren't interested in hearing " the popular beliefs of today which are regarded by many as fact. "
The fact is, ALL current kenjutsu schools, which have documents passed down to the current generations from centuries ago, teach via kata. The scrolls discuss kata. It ALL revolves around kata. Not just kenjutsu, but everything that has been passed down through the generations, chado, for instance. The densho don't say: "This is the entire curriculum of our school - a kata, b kata, c kata, and so on, and then at the end say 'oh yeah, and once you've done that go do a whole heap of free-sparring, cos free-sparring's vital'."
Go to Japan and tell someone like Otake sensei that you think that 'back in the day', his ancestors trained significantly in free-sparring type practise and see what he thinks. Perhaps you could ask him about the results of the 'bout' he had with the kendoka back when TSKSR was being considered as an 'intangible cultural asset' by the government. Being an expert in free-sparring against 'live, resisting opponents', the kendoka would have it made, right???
When the entire world disagrees with you, why ask the question if you don't want to consider "the popular beliefs of today"??
I hope this doesn't sound like a personal attack. I actually find the subject at hand fascinating and would welcome further discussion from our resident historical gurus (Dr.'s Friday and Bodiford, for instance) on the extent of sparring type training among medieval Japanese.
I just think perhaps you could be a bit more accepting of what is a commonly accepted (not just by amateurs, but by japanese historians who have spent their lives researching 'Ye Olde Japan'.) version of history. Especially when you're then one asking for people's opinions.
David: "The fighting record of Japanese swordsmen argues that they probably had some kind of free-sparring in their curriculum." "The crux of my argument is that free-sparring is essential to developing functional combative skills, regardless of what one's system is. It does not matter that I am not an exponent of JSA; there are universal principles that apply to all arts."
Why didn't you qualify your first post by saying this is your stance, and you'd argue with anyone who provided an alternative opinion? Seems like the perfect kindling for a good "Free-Sparring vs. Kata" type fire, if ever I saw it.
Regards,
Brendan