After our usual holiday/winter pause, I'm happy to inform you all that our Iaido class is starting again on Saturday 3rd of February 2018 at 11.30 AM in Tanglin CC, 245 Whitley Road, 297829, Level 2.
It is the best opportunity to take your first trial lesson if you didn't already, or to sign up as a permanent member if you did at the end of 2017. The trial lesson is complimentary, while the class has a monthly cost of SGD 65 (for non-Passion Card members) or SGD 55 (for PAssion Card holders), with some further situational discounts - all the payment and membership aspects are handled directly by the People Association staff at the Admin Office of Tanglin CC. It is also possible for beginners to start anytime, also after Saturday 3/2/2018, we do not have a specific date or period reserved only for beginners. If you want to attend, please write us an email or Whatsapp me (Jack) at +6582398189. Don't hesitate to ask me any questions: I'll clear any doubt you might have.
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First of all, happy new year! In this first article of 2018, I'd like to talk about "Kembu" or "Sword Dancing" as opposed to martial arts like "Kendo", "Iaido" and their old-school counterparts (koryu). In Japan there is a small but long-lived tradition of "Sword Dancing", in which actors (originally in the theater, and nowadays in Samurai movies and tv serials) dance or make mock fights with very light and blunt aluminum katana sword props. It is quite popular and nowadays offered as a show or even taught on Airbnb and other experience/touristic booking events. A lot of people, especially but not only girls, love to dress up in flashy samurai costumes with bright colors and accessories, and make dynamic and aesthetic movements with the famed "Samurai Sword". Many of the movements appear true and realistic to many people watching them that have never trained in a martial art: and it is logical, as this type of "prop fighting" is what you are bombarded with in Hollywood and local productions! However all of the above has absolutely ZERO martial art content or usefulness, either spiritual or physical - it is a make-believe, a coreography designed to be entertaining and nothing else! Sadly, there are many so-called "martial arts" that prey on this, taking advantage of what people expect sword fighting to be: the result is wasted time and wasted money, all fueling the ego of the so-called "headmaster" of this or that flashy style! To avoid being scammed, please always consider these guidelines: 1) Choose always schools and dojos affiliated with major associations with thousands of members or more. The Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (All Japan Kendo Federation) is, for example, the most serious controlling body for the Japanese Sword Arts of Kendo and Iaido, with millions of members and a standardized system of exams. When choosing a koryu (old school) exclusively, verify at least that it is a member of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai; 2) Always remember that martial arts are meant to be effective and direct, not beautiful or aesthetically pleasing, unless as a pure side effect of the primary objective, which is to win in the most efficient way possible. The average person, put in front of a Iaido or even a Kendo demo without any knowledge or explanation, will likely find it boring or difficult to understand - while Sword Dancing is always immediately pleasing and clear to get! 3) On the other hand the point 2) above is not an excuse to practice in an uncoordinated and unprecise way: martial arts in general, and sword arts in particular are about body control first and foremost. Always mistrust and double check when "teachers" are very approximated, uncoordinated or out of balance, especially when they use this as a justification for their unique "old country style" of Budo. 4) Do your homework! Check online, on forums, or in the library or bookstore for background on the art you are being taught or you want to join. Now, some examples... this is "Sword Dancing" a performing entertainment art which has totally nothing to do with "martial arts": Nice, uh? But remember, this above is Zumba, Salsa, Merengue with a very light super fake sword! As a comparison, check the video below, the last National Iaido Championship 7th dan final, the highest level of competitive Iaido in Japan and, indeed, the world: Very different than "Sword Dancing"! And do remember the masters in this video are using real razor-sharp Shinken katana blades, each weighing over a kg! Body control, precision, attention to the enemy position and trajectory of the cuts are all performed to the extreme awareness, making each movement always functional to winning and giving no space to the opponent (or virtual opponent in Iaido) at all! Lastly... look at the guy below and ask yourself, what is this? Is it a deadly Martial Art or Sword Dancing...? The "difficult" answer I leave to you, but not before reminding once again of the many dangers of finding an unqualified teacher... or a fake art! |
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