General Chat & Info Board

stormytinker16 said:Please help me!!!
So, I want to start training kickboxing—just some recreational hitting to blow off steam and get rid of all this negative energy. I actually found a kickboxing class at the LA Fitness over in downtown, but when I finally bit the bullet and called them, they told me the classes are totally full. Does anyone know where else I can go to train?

Hey, a buddy of mine runs Muay Thai sessions over at LA Fitness, and you can definitely just hit the pads recreationally there.

Jerry Thompson6 said:I need an aikido hakama. And I don't want to order it online; I’d rather just walk into a shop, pay, and take it home. Is there any other store besides Kwon? What’s wrong with getting one at Kwon? (Ordering online would take two months to arrive... I've already been waiting three months for a shinai from eKend.)

What makes you think the quality isn't there? Where exactly would it wear out? From what I understand, you aren't using it for any specialized purpose (like using the lower part of a kimono for something specific, for instance).

So someone’s claiming this gear isn't high quality? Please. I’m literally just asking where I can pick up an aikido hakama. That’s all.
👍@crimsonbison10 Tell me, if I order through an online retailer, do they take wire transfers or credit cards? Is there going to be some headache at customs or something? I have no idea. If you're up for it, shoot me a DM and let me know how the process works. If you feel like it. Thanks.

What’s the point with Kwon...? I mean, you're only carrying him out of some sense of outdated "tradition," aren't you?

Honestly, I have no clue how or why anyone even decides who gets to wear it. If you ask me, I’d wear one just because it forces your posture to stay straight; it teaches you how to actually walk and carry yourself properly. (To be clear, I can't wear a Hakama during my Aikido sessions—I haven't earned the rank for that yet. I’d wear one for Kendo, but I’m currently buying an Aikido Hakama simply because I prefer the look. Kendo gear seems a bit odd with all those extra pleats... or maybe that's more of a Kyudo thing?) As for tradition? Everyone should be wearing it. It was their standard attire. There was this story where Saotome showed up to a training session with Ueshibi wearing nothing but a kimono top. Ueshibi basically tore into him, asking how he dared step onto the mat wearing nothing but his trousers. Everyone should have been wearing Hakama back then. But look at us today—now it's apparently a privilege reserved only for the masters. 🙂 😢

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.

Actually, the original purpose of hakama was leg protection. Later on, they became a way to identify samurai—since they were the only ones heading into battle on horseback, wearing hakama helped distinguish them from standard infantry if they ever lost their mounts. There’s also the detail that hakama feature seven pleats, which symbolize the seven virtues of a warrior (sources vary on the specific list, but it's usually things like justice, courage, and humility). There are three different types of hakama, though that isn't particularly relevant here.

There were actually three distinct types of hakama throughout history:

Riding hakama. These featured slits that made them function much more like trousers. Interestingly, this is what modern martial arts hakama are modeled after today.

Walking hakama. These were designed more like skirts.

Work hakama. These weren't just for samurai; regular folks used them for field work and manual labor. They looked similar to the riding version, but they didn't drag on the ground—they were cropped near the knee to stay out of the way.

Don't bother trying to memorize the specific Japanese names for each type. Just know they exist. 😁

Nice, thanks.

Here, take a look at this if you want to learn a bit about them.

http://www.bujindesign.com/faq-hakama.html

Also, what exactly is the deal with these pleats?

http://www.scnf.org/pleats.html

Hey. Where can I pick up some ear protection here in NYC? Can't deal with ordering stuff online right now... Thanks.

Jacob Anderson6 said:Hey there. Where can I pick up some ear protection in New York City? I can't really do online orders right now. Thanks.

Check System Import—over in Queens... though they might carry them at Pride-Everlast over on Maxim Street too.

Here’s a little reality check for you: SMART PEOPLE IN THE CITY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHICH STREET THEY LIVE ON. Today, I was looking for Kwon. I ask some guy which house is near where Jelasicka is... he just stares at me, completely lost. "No clue," he says. Or I ask a cop about Old Samoborska... and he tries to send me all the way out to the suburbs. Like, seriously? It's like he thinks I'm halfway to another county. Honestly. It's laughable.

Jerry Thompson said:Here’s a little nugget for you: the "sophisticated" folks living in the heart of the city don't even know which streets they call home. Today, I was looking for Kwon. I asked some guy which house was near where Jelasicka is... he just stares at me, totally bewildered. Like, zero clue. He tells me he doesn't know. Then I ask a cop about Old Samoborska... and the guy basically sends me out to the suburbs. Like, "Oh, that's way out in the outskirts, buddy." Honestly? It’s laughable.

It’s a good thing you weren't asking for Mexican Street or something similar. Who knows what kind of trouble those local idiots would have sent you into. 😬

Oh, please! That’s what I get for actually trying to give a straight answer to someone like velvetwolf17! Unbelievable.

Jerry Thompson said:Here’s a little nugget for you: SMART CITY RESIDENTS DON'T EVEN KNOW WHICH STREET THEY LIVE ON. Today I was hunting for Kwon. Asked some guy which block leads to where Jelasicka is... he just stares at me, totally lost. Claims he has no clue. Then I asked a cop about Old Samoborska... he basically told me to take a trip out to the suburbs. Like, seriously? Hilarious.

About ten years ago, a buddy and I had the same struggle finding Kwon... and when we asked around, nobody knew a thing either. Though, if I recall correctly 🙄—at least there was some cute girl working the counter back then, so maybe we weren't entirely unlucky ☕...

And there was another one who fit the bill... if you happen to have a thing for curvier women. 😂

Jerry Thompson said:Oh, give me a break! That’s what happens when you go asking a local for actual intel! ugh

Look, if we're talking about who's the most "outsider" in the city, he's definitely at the bottom of that list.

Jerry Thompson said:she was quite a match... if you happen to prefer girls with a bit more curves. 😂>

😲 No, quite the opposite 🤮 ☕

That’s precisely what I’m talking about, ruggedfalcon2