Err, I'll probably have trouble getting a Katana after April in the Uk (new import laws about it:mad: ) so it looks like I'll have to get one made...

Though I'll stick with a Bokken first I thinks.

I'll be having a look into it in any case, just so I can add one to my weapons collection (it would be item no.2 in my list, right after the Nunchaku set)/

I plan to study Kenpo and Escrima further, since I've been on those for about a school semester's length. I'd also like to study Juijitsu.

I would also like to do some kind of sword art, but I don't want to do Kendo. I've watched the tournie fights on youtube and was... unimpressed. The techniques they use are repetitive and ineffective. I know this is presumptuous, but I feel like I could use a sword better just from what I learned of Escrima than those guys that have studied Kendo for twenty years. The Bujinkan's kotouryuu might be a good one, but I know very little about it's purpose.

Last word for Tenchu:

I think I can safely say I understand your thinking. I still disagree, a bit, but I at least get it, I think.

Just a word about being adaptable. In this context, it helps to be somewhat "amorphous". I'm twisting the definition a little, but when you can change shape as needed yet be able to always return to your natural shape (your own convictions, your basic fighting stance), that, too, is powerful. It can be hard, though--sometimes you forget what you're supposed to think or do, and that's always the point where you get knocked down. I s'pose the advantage here goes to the immovable, eh? ;) .

*sigh* You might piss me off sometimes, but I gotta admit that I have a pretty good deal of respect for you, at this point. I look forward to our next argument ^_^ .

Meehh.... I dunno about Aikido. It's the spawn of a pacifist and has quite a lot of "wishful kata". That's why I'd rather take Jiujitsu. It's a no-nonsense art that uses the same basic concepts of aikido: joint locks, throws, and take downs.

Though I like the idea of wearing a hakama... :cool:

I do like the idea of competitive swordplay... But like I said, I was unimpressed with the kendoka that I watched. And I loathe the foil. Well, western swordplay holds very little interest for me, actually. I'd much rather learn about either the katana or the chinese watchamacallit--kinda looks like a rapier, used by Xianghua in the Soul Calibur games. Chinese broadsword is cool, too, but they're a bit much like foils in their construction, nowadays.

At this point, I still cling to the idea that best style for weapons is Escrima. Swords, sticks, knives--all works the same :P .

Ah!!! Don't LEAVE! C'mon, now. We may disagree philosophically, but tension dissipates with understanding. Plus, look at what we have in common that we could have friendly discussions on? Martial arts in general, Japanese culture and language, and all the other things that brought us both to this forum!

Mah... I suppose if you must, then I should thank you. You've kept me occupied while I was bored and sick and forced me to examine my own standpoint so that I could actually articulate it. You also gave me a good deal of insight into Bushido's philosophy and the mind of the warrior (by any definition).

Hate to see you leave T_T -- even with that chip of anti-americanism :rolleyes: ;) :ywave:

Well, just make sure you drop back in, eh?

Yes Aikido was done by a pacifist. But that doesn't make it any less effective than other forms of martial art. In fact I find it the opposite, but thats just m opinion on it.

And yes Hakama's rock:vsign: