So far I would like to visit two dojos in San Diego, San Diego Budokai and the Dojo of the Four Winds. I enjoy sport but do not perceive myself being satisfied with the current incarnation of sport kendo. A more subtle point is that I am also very interested in the actual sparring as a sense of competition.

The aspects of the combat I wish to study are: the foot and body movements, the very immediate fatality of a mistake, and usage of the katana. I realize, of course, that these clips are a bit overdramatized, and I only present them as examples of the style of combat I am interested in. I only mirror these clips so as to make them easy to find, not to violate copyright. The clips can be retrieved here and here. I have mirrored, on my webserver, two short clips that I found at, a French website promoting this film. To try and explain what I am looking for, and this may be ridiculous, but I am looking for a dojo which would maximize the kinds of experiences found by the participants in the mock battles as shown in the movie Taboo (Gohatto).

I could very much be mistaken in what is taught in iaido, of course. I believe that I am therefore most interested in finding a school which teaches kenjutsu as opposed to iaido. To state the seemingly obvious, I would like to know much more about the actual details that a person engaged in battle with such a legendary weapon as the katana needs to keep in mind so as to best ensure success. I have been attempting to isolate the particular aspect of Japanese sword arts which I find most interesting and I would have to say that my fascination is most piqued by the actual combat. I expect to be moving to San Diego around July of 2003.

None are interested in having me teach a class or seminar either.I am currently a graduate student who will be culminating my studies (if all goes well) within the next school year. I thought about trying to get a small kendo & seitei-gata iaido group going in my area but there doesn't seem to be any interest and what the 2 of the 3 local karate dojos teach as iai sword forms I have no interest in. As well as a Taijutsu group in Roanoke that is inactive as the head instructor is on deployment. Just found out there is a group in Abingdon that is connected to Dana Abbott sensei and his organization but again can't make it to a class for a visit. Right now I am training with Roanoke Kendo Club and doing some Seitei-gata after class just to maintain the basics. In Charlottesville there is Myo Sim Kendo/Iaido and a Jedi school, might visit the Myo Sim group if I have next time I am there. I know Crozet Yoseikan does MJER but again can't make it there when they have class. I use to train with Kelley sensei at Elkton Ki Aikido in San Shin Kai MSR but don't have the time anymore to make the drive.

San diego iaido