Books to learn to practice sword, etc.

[ZenLateralus]

I have a sword that was given to me. I may even post a picture so people can comment on it 'cause I have no idea what it is worth or anything. My question was if people knew of any good books to teach oneself sword techniques. I'd also like ideas on good books to teach oneself kung fu and any other martial art (preferably one which does not require a partner). I know the sword can be practiced without an opponent and I'm sure kung fu could as well (and maybe some other arts) any suggestions for books to check out. I think I have a nunchuku lying around so if you know good books for that then...

 

[Lotussan]

Maybe check out amazon.com?
Because they even let you preview (look inside) the books briefly...
Just a thought, hope this helps...

 

[ZenLateralus]

I think I'll do that. thanks

 

[Aikilove]

First of all, and this may sound harsh, never practice with a sharp sword alone unless
A. You know what what you're doing, i.e. have been practice sword training, like iaido or kenjutsu under a licenced (or otherwise generally recognized) instructor for a substantial time. It is too dangerous!
B. You know the quality of the sword and how to handle every part of the sword. I.e. how to take a part and put it together again etc. Why? It's too dangerous!

There are way too many examples of people without a clue seriously injuring or killing themselves or others, just because the sword was in bad shape or, simply because they didn't know how to handle it.

If possible take the sword to a iaido school close to where you live, and ask the people there what they think of the sword. If you don't know how to find one, try to find an aikido school and ask if they know where one might find an iaido school.
Please, don't try to learn how to handle a sword through a book! At least not without supervision of a teacher.

/J

 

[ZenLateralus]

Oh, well I'm not sure that the sword is all that sharp. I can run my finger along the blade without getting a cut. I'd have to put pressure and speed to cut so maybe it isn't a sharp sword. Disappointing that there is no way to practice things like the sword or kung fu from books. I just don't have the time and money right now for a real school/dojo.

 

[yudansha]

Don't be upset ... but that sword cannot be of any great value.

The real art of sword making is the whole procedure of carving out its shape and a whole process in sharpening ... these are difficult techniques to master and only a few have such abilities to produce high quality swords.

Average swords are very sharp. Good quality ones are much sharper than a scalpel ... no pressure required to cut oneself.

I'm very against practicing with a sword without a teacher for guidance ... ESPECIALLY for a beginner.

 

[ZenLateralus]

I think this sword was purchased by a friend some years back who had next to no experience with swords to maybe learn I would guess. I believe he stole a sword from another friend and so my other friend decided to give me the sword that the first friend accidently left at his house. I was hoping that this was a decent sword but after looking at it and ones I'd seen in movies I was pretty sure that it is not sharp enough. Maybe it was at one point in time. I'd take the time to take some pictures of it to post if anyone will take time to look and comment (critique) upon it. I'm interested because I really don't have that much knowledge about swords other than what I see in a movie. If this sword was made nonsharp for practice purposes than maybe teaching oneself wouldn't be so bad?

 

[Amos Stevens]

To my understanding in an Dojo you wouldn't begin practicing with a dull or sharp Sword..but something of wood?

 

[Lotussan]

Ah, maybe you mean those sticks, are those called Bokken, or escrima?
Maybe they use a totally different item, dunno...
Anyway, the ones Steven used in Hard To Kill might be what they use...
That seems like it would be a safer, and better way to learn...

 

[Lotussan]

Zen, what if it had been sharp, yikes...
I hope you won't test the next one that way...
You never know, you could lose a finger!

 

[ZenLateralus]

I have seven others and two thumbs

 

[yudansha]

Pictures alone will not prove the value..films use knock-offs or replicas..not origin

Yes, bokken is a wooden sword ... NOT a stick ... it literally is a swork look-a-like that's made out of wood instead of steel for a blade. Beginners do start out with bokkens, but it really does not take long to proceed the practice with dull swords (made especially for such purpose) ... at first dan, legit schools allow the use of sharp swords to be practiced during class.

 

[ZenLateralus]

Well, I went to Borders Bookstore and couldn't find any book to teach myself any martial art. While I'm in college I just cannot find the time to go to a dojo at scheduled hours. Guess I'm doomed to never become a master at anything. Life just has to have its downsides I guess.

 

[Lotussan]

Try Ebay, Zen...Cheaper too, and I'm sure you can find something on there...

 

[ZenLateralus]

Maybe if I had some ideas of some good writers or books that have been released I'd know what to search for.

 

[Serena]

Well, I went to Borders Bookstore and couldn't find any book to teach myself any martial art. While I'm in college I just cannot find the time to go to a dojo at scheduled hours. Guess I'm doomed to never become a master at anything. Life just has to have its downsides I guess.

Maybe this will help a bit, ZenLateralus. Scroll down the entire page to read the different comments on the books, plus other books along the same lines. It's just to give you an idea of how many there are available. I admit, though, I know nothing of martial arts and don't know how helpful they might actually be.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/s...d-keywords=martial%20arts/104-0461993-7472767

Maybe this one might help with the sword you mentioned?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0873646290/104-0461993-7472767?v=glance

 

[ZenLateralus]

Thanks, I'll have to check them out.

 

[Aikilove]

A dull sword replica is dangerous to handle...
A sharp sword replica is very dangerous to handle...
A sharp sword (katana) is very very expensive and dangerous to handle...

Never touch any part of the blade with your finger, for two reasons:
1. The fat on your fingers will make the sword rust and leave marks unleas you clean it of according to propper methods.
2. If it would have been a real sword you would have cut yourself and the blood would have made the steel rust almost immidiately, unleas you clean it of properly.

Even a dull replica is very dangerous to handle because the blade might fall off in the midle of a swing, which I hope I don't need to explain why that would be fatally dangerous. Same goes for a sharp replica and even a real katana unleas you really know what you're doing. Accidents has happend many times, and will unfortunately happen as long as people try to learn this stuff from books, without teachers.

And btw ZenLateralus, trust me the knowledge you would attain from a book regarding handling a sword or any other physical disciplin, are next to nothing. You certainly wouldn't become a master.

Trust me, if you are serious about doing something like sword cutting, aikido or kung fu then there really aren't any alternative than to put time, money and effort into it, by going to a serious school or dojo where this is taught.

/J

 

[kickingbird]

good grief! just put the sword in a display case and leave it alone! unless you can find a qualified instructor you should not be playing zorro! Seriously, listen to what these people are telling you. Swords of any kind are very dangerous. Books are fun to read but you can not learn the "real stuff" from them. It is like learning about chi/ki - you can study it all you want, but when you are taught by someone who understands it, and then you will understand it from within your being. Get a display case! It'll look cool and your friends won't really know if you do or do not know how to use it.
BTW I studied fencing for quote some years and still have my equipment. The tip is left open since it is kept handy in case some poor bandit breaks in my abode ... bandit will "get the point" to stay out! just kidding ...