Posts by crimsonbison10

Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery. And...
May a thousand mosquitoes swarm the groin of the guy who screwed you over,
and may his arms be just a little too short to reach the itch...

It isn't mine, but hopefully, it gives you a little laugh. 😬

E-kendo operates via money transfers. As for credit cards—unfortunately, they don't officially accept them, though you could always try to talk them into it if you're feeling persuasive. Two things to keep in mind: you can either place an order for yourself with just a few items in the package, or go for a larger club order. The price difference really boils down to whether the order is being placed by an individual or a business entity. I’ll shoot you the specifics in a private message.
Gerald Smith76: Hakama aren't just traditional attire for show; their "construction" actually serves a functional purpose. Beyond helping correct your posture through that little structure on the back (the koshita) and the specific way the front knot sits, they were originally meant to "hide" the legs. It makes it much harder to read an opponent's intentions regarding their next move. One of its historical roles was similar to those chaps worn by cowboys out on the Wild West.😬there are a few other nuances, but it ultimately comes down to a mix of tradition and very practical reasoning.

Jerry Thompson said:Hmm... someone... (whoever that 😉 was) told us things haven't even gotten moving yet. 🙂 If it actually arrived... then great. 😍

Honestly, I have no clue what those Agatsuovac guys have been up to with the shipping lately. 😬 It’s like trying to track a ghost through a fog bank—you think you see movement, then nothing. Just total chaos.

Jerry Thompson said:I need an aikido hakama. And honestly, I don't want to deal with ordering online—I’d rather just walk into a shop, pay cash, and carry it out. Is there any other shop besides Kwon? What’s the issue with Kwon? (Ordering online takes forever; it'll take two months to arrive... I'm still waiting on a shinai from Amazon after three whole months.)

Don't speak as if you know the whole story. Personally, my shipments have arrived within seven days, sometimes even faster. Sure, the shipping costs were higher. I've written quite a bit about this before, so maybe dig through the archives or check the threads regarding gear purchases (especially online orders).

It’s not that Kwon is chronically terrible; it's more that for the amount of money you're handing them, you could actually snag much higher quality gear elsewhere.
By the way, your gear arrived, so if luck is on your side, expect it next week😁.

wanderingridge said:Blasphemy!!!!!!!!!!! 😳

😬

Epiphany😁

Jerry Thompson said:I’m wondering how much the cheapest hakamas at Kwon cost. Also, what’s the price for a Kendo Gi, and do they carry that really wide belt (OBI)? Like, super wide. Thanks.

We’ve actually touched on Kwon before. Honestly? When it comes to gear for Kendo or Iaido, I’d suggest steering clear for the most part. The prices are sky-high, and even at their best, the quality is just... mediocre. As for the belt, you’re probably looking for a kaku obi—that extra wide one used in Iaido.

For Kendo and Iaido, I’ve had great experiences with a few specific shops:
www.budo-aoi.com
www.tozando.com
www.bogubag.com
www.e-kendo.com
www.e-bogu.com
Just some options for you. If you end up picking somewhere else, you likely won't be making a huge mistake.

ruggedfalcon2 said:for some 🤣

🙏 👍
to some people, it's just an unsolved mystery😲

Dennis Lopez46 said:Aikido clubs 'Izvor', 'Musubi', or "Awase"

Maybe it’s the wrong way to frame it by asking which one is better, but does anyone have some firsthand intel?

As far as I'm concerned, the only question that actually matters here is which one is closer to my house.

Mark Harris6 said:Is there going to be a memorial this year? Does anyone know where or when..?

If you’re talking about the one held at the YMCA, I think it should be June 3rd, if my memory serves me right. Not 100% confirmed, though.

electricorca11 said:These are trophy-grade pieces—gold-plated handles paired with knives and metal rods housed in custom sheaths. We're talking high-end Damascus steel here. The blade itself features that unmistakable wavy pattern from the folding process, which isn't just for show; it’s what gives them those specific functional properties.
I’ve put a lot of years into training with these, and frankly, I’m only looking for collectors who are prepared to drop upwards of $1,300 on these gems. They aren't just tools; they're museum-quality display pieces.

Any chance you could upload some photos?

Lisa Torres2 said:But I'm also a collector; I have over 20 different blades, so I’d really love to pick up a katana too—something high quality, obviously, which is why I mentioned it.

I think this is where things start to branch out. As a collector, you might be looking to acquire an antique blade, and those prices can easily start at $500 and climb from there. It’s pretty straightforward: the older and better preserved the piece is, the higher the price tag. And don't even get me started on the maker's signature. If you're looking at modern pieces—think Shinken or Shinsakuto—you can find some solid, forged options starting north of a thousand bucks. Of course, there's a massive spectrum of swords out there with much lower prices and varying levels of quality. You can even stumble upon a decent "Made in China" sword, though you really need a trained eye to tell the difference between a cheap imitation and an authentic Japanese blade. Times have changed drastically 😬. However, for your specific collection—and assuming this is just going to hang on a wall or sit on a display stand—a *mogito*, or a blunt practice sword, might actually suffice. The main difference lies in the blade itself, which is basically made from a Zinc-Aluminum alloy. Since it's blunt, I wouldn't recommend trying to sharpen it or use it for cutting; the metal just won't handle it. You can find faithful replicas of old, sometimes legendary swords this way, but even the most basic model is perfectly acceptable for display. Expect prices to run anywhere from $200-$250 upwards, not counting shipping, handling, or customs fees.

Lisa Torres2 said:... a katana at the end of the day)

By the way, if you’re just training with a kendo stick, you’re never actually going to use a katana. I say this just so you don't waste your mental energy worrying about when you might finally close out your financial planning for one. It's true—occasionally during an embu demonstration, you'll see masters wielding sabers, but we're talking about specifically constructed blunt blades that aren't exactly high-end pieces either. Which brings me back to my point: you won't be using it. Now, if a person decides to take up iaido, they might pick up a practice sword—an iaito—but that's a completely different conversation altogether...

Lisa Torres2 said:...where could I pick up some Kendo gear (a bokken, shinai, maybe a katana eventually)? Since I’m stuck having to buy from abroad, can anyone drop some links for ordering that actually ship to the States? I haven't found any local options yet...

There’s a massive variety out there—everything from shops strictly dedicated to Kendo and Iaido to those with a much broader inventory. You really shouldn't cut corners when it comes to the quality of your gear, either. What I can suggest are a few dealers we've had solid experiences with in the past, though you should double-check their shipping policies for the US. They generally should be fine...😕
www.e-kendo.com
www.e-bogu.com
www.sehyun-kumdo.com
www.budo-aoi.com
www.bogubag.com
www.e-mudo.com
...just a starting point for you.

Generally speaking, nobody would advise you to start your journey by just staring at a book or watching a video, but given your specific situation, I assume you don't have many practical alternatives right now. At least, not currently. One thing I've come across that I can highly recommend is a publication from the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF). It’s essentially a manual paired with a recording that lays out the fundamentals of the skill quite clearly. Most clubs or national associations have likely touched upon this at some point, but you could try digging through www.kendo.or.jp to see if you can order it directly. My only hesitation is whether an English translation exists. 😬 But honestly, don't sweat it too much; they tend to be pretty explicit visually, so the language barrier shouldn't be a major hurdle.
Good luck.

Lisa Torres2 said:I’m based out of Ottawa—well, looking at this from an American perspective, let's just say I'm stuck in a city where the martial arts scene feels a bit lopsided. I've been itching to get into some serious swordsmanship training, but I can't find a single decent Kendo club anywhere in the vicinity. It's frustrating, honestly. Like trying to find a decent steakhouse in a town that only serves salad. The only thing available around here is Aikido. So now I’m sitting here wondering: how much actual sword work goes into Aikido? Do they actually use those bamboo swords—what are they called, *bokken* or *shinai*?—or is it mostly just wrist locks and circular movements? I'm really looking for that blade work, you know? Not just redirection and flowing through space. Does anyone know if an Aikido practitioner gets any real time with a wooden or bamboo sword? 😉When you're looking into using ITD... or just trying to figure out what the most efficient route would be—honestly, I was just wondering if anyone actually knows if there’s a decent Kendo club located in Ottawa.
Thanks in advance.

Hey there. Just checking in.

As far as I can tell—and I’ve looked pretty hard from my neck of the woods all the way across the States—there isn't a single dedicated Kendo club to be found. Not one. Officially? Nothing exists. Now, you see people using a *bokken* within Aikido circles, but let’s be clear: there is a massive, fundamental difference between those two disciplines. They aren't even playing the same game. Given the situation you're facing, I’m worried that your only real move is to reach out directly to clubs or federations in places like Mexico or maybe Canada, just to find someone actually practicing the art properly. I only suggest this because you’ll probably start out by grinding through some books or watching old instructional tapes—maybe even dabbling in a related martial art—but if you’re serious about Kendo, the step I mentioned is going to become inevitable sooner or later. You might as well get a head start on it now.😬.

Jamie Fowler2 said:Elijah... wait, is he that guy who used to train in Aikido?

Yeah, back in the day.😬

I really appreciate everyone taking a moment to weigh in on my situation. But honestly, that’s exactly the crux of it—even after several trips to my primary care doctor with more or less the same symptoms, including these headaches, he hasn't seen anything significant enough to justify a referral. It feels like a broken record. I dealt with something remarkably similar back in my college days when I had a cyst growing on my tracheal cartilage—about 1.5cm, so you could actually feel it, quite palpable—and it wasn't until my fourth visit that I finally got a referral to a specialist. And to make matters worse, it was a locum doctor covering for someone on maternity leave who finally took me seriously. Up until then, the "medical advice" I received was basically: don't drink anything cold, stay away from carbonated drinks, and take two rounds of antibiotics... Of course, different doctors, but the pattern is identical. It's not that I'm some kind of hypochondriac, but when there's an issue lingering like this, I'd just prefer to have some clarity on what's actually going on.
I also agree that paying out-of-pocket for private testing isn't necessarily the absolute best way to go, which is why I started this thread in the first place. If anyone has any firsthand or secondhand intel regarding a specific clinic or facility, I would be incredibly grateful.
Best to all.

shadowfalcon33 said:I’m not really sure what you mean by cervical vertebrae and a Doppler ultrasound. I don't know if those are even necessary, especially considering your age.

Look, the whole reason we're talking about these scans is because these headaches have become frequent and frankly, excruciating. It’s like a hammer hitting my skull. Of course, if they find something else during the process—a third thing entirely—then we deal with that. One of the main things I'm worried about is reduced blood flow, which is why I was specifically aiming for a Doppler.

Susan Martin24 said:.. - the total cost for all that might land somewhere around $667.

That’s really all I was looking to clear up. Thanks.

Now, if anyone out there actually has some firsthand experience or real intel regarding any of those mass outpatient clinics, I’d be incredibly grateful for the heads-up.

Given the sheer lack of "insight" I’ve encountered from my primary care doctors lately, I’m seriously considering just bypassing the system and handling everything through private clinics. I'm looking at getting a full blood panel, a urinalysis, some imaging on my cervical spine—including a Doppler scan of the vessels—and honestly, as time slips by, I feel like I should probably just book a comprehensive checkup with an internist too.
Can anyone point me toward a reliable outpatient clinic? And more importantly, what kind of damage am I looking at financially here? What's the ballpark for all this?
thanks

Cross Armlock said:The guy is a total badass, I wasn't being insulting.
What, do I need to clarify that I’m only on my fifth day of Kendo and sixth of Iaido just so you don't take it the wrong way?👍

I know exactly what "badass" means. But since you brought him up right after talking about those McDojos, it didn't exactly scream "compliment" to me.