Dear Sensei Obata:
Please accept my apology for intruding on your conversation. I hope my questions are consistent with the other inquiries on this string. I need to advise you in advance that I practice a Korean MA (Hapkido) and may not have the familiarity with Japanese terminology. My questions concern the nature of your sword art as compared to the manner of Korean sword art.
1.) Would you be willing to comment overall as to the relative similarities and differences you have experienced between the manner in which the sword is used in the Japanese arts as compared to Korean or Chinese arts.
2.) Given the recent rebirth in Korean sword arts (i.e. Hai Dong Guemdo) and the growth of interest in Korean sword art (ie. World Kumdo Assn.) do you see opportunities for cultural exchange between Kum Sool (sword technique art) and kenjitsu after the fashion of Hapkido and Aiki-jujitsu?
3.) As Shinkendo is a rebirth or re-organization of traditional art would you be willing to address the difficulties you have experienced in developing an updated sword art which is still focused on ancient traditions but without a clear lineage to a specific ryu-ha?
4.) In light of your up-coming seminars scheduled for September in Iowa, would you be willing to share some of your personal guidelines for imparting martial information to individuals with whom you do not have a traditional teacher/student relationship?
5.) As an individual who has trained in a variety of martial arts have you identified any special philosophy for organizing such a wide range of material into a single corpus?
6.) What responsibilities have you identified for MA teachers in the moral or ethical development of their students?
7.) Accepting that traditional MA has a special responsibility to the past, what directions do you see your art (s) taking into the future?
Thank you in advance for your time and attention to these questions. I look forward to meeting you in September, and thank you for the opportunity to present these inquiries.
Best Wishes,
Bruce W Sims
http://www.midwesthapkido.com
Bruce W Sims
www.midwesthapkido.com