I never was that good with Boken. Kendo was never a strong suit, I was always more about the Western Swordplay since I'm strong but not as dextrous. It would not surprise me terribly if I wound up losing this duel of sorts <.<

As it is though, thanks for the neat surprise :3 Feel free to use me for drawings any time you like, I'm a complex enough figure that I make for good exotic anatomy practice x3

I have no set discipline. I was all over the place when I did combat club. My favorite was Florentine, dual wielding. I'm like Luffy if you've ever seen one piece. Relentless and seemingly uncesing with energy til the fight is over. Good defense is a great offense kinda guy.

Well,its why I did that reference book. I just gotta put who is who and more details on each page. I'll maybe ink it, or keep it sketch. Unsure. :/

Either way, keep up the good work! :D

Will try.

<is quite good with a bokken; has two of them; one thinner for speed and one thicker for strength training>

^^

Awesome pic, right here ^^

I'm assuming those are the swords used in Kendo?

The only ones I recall are Nodachi, Katana, and Wakazashi. (sp?) Mainly the No-Dachi (I think there is a hyphen in it) for I'm one to wield a large blade. Reckless and Relentless is my style. Usually it works, til I get up against extremely disciplined fighters.

My favorite was Combat Club (Belegarth) where I could either dual wield weapons (Florentine as they said) or wield crazy combos. A Spear and double sword with 2 cleavers tied to my waist was my best event. Downed 6 folks until an asshole with a flail got me from behind, wrapping the ball around my neck and smacking me square in the face.


I thank you. ^_^ I seriously listened to that song on repeat for 3 hours working on this. Kept going over little details. I need to remember to say "fuck it" more often to get the images done.

They can be; though the 'classic' Kendo sword is the Shinai; made of bamboo bundled lengthwise. Bokuto (aka Bokken or Bo-ken [lit. 'Wood Sword']) are primarily used for practicing katas, or forms. Been practicing with a Bokuto and Katana for...let's see now... (thinks)... about ten years off and on...

As for styles; I'm usually known to favor a flowing style; unpredictable and with quick transitions. Though, I also team that with an intense focus, and a near-instant 'iai-strike' to draw...scared the baJeesus out of a few opponents with that ^^. Rather than the classic (though epicly badass) Iaido-style attack of a lightning-fast draw; strike; flick, and sheathe; I use the first two; then, weapon drawn; shift over to my style. I favor a single sword; but openly switch between one- and two-handed; forward and reverse forms.

Used to fight a friend of mine who'd wield the broadsword (I had at the time), with me using my Bokuto... didn't want to cut the guy, after all. Sadly; that particular bokuto broke in a heated sparring match with his brother... (It just effing EXPLODED... got a bit carried away there I s'pose ^^; )

I'm not sure why; but I also have an odd knack of quickly understanding how a weapon is used, just by picking it up; without training...

Aye, that is the type I've seen. My buddy has a bokuto and I've got a wooden scimitar.

I haven't done it enough or am disciplined to have a set style. I am just relentless and reckless. Great defense and quick strikes could defeat me, so long as they can deflect my flurry of strikes for wielding 2 weapons.

How do you explode a wooden sword?

As far as weight and length or even knowing how to swing and strike in comboniation?

"Relentless and Reckless" sounds a lot like a friend of mine; who also prefers two weapons. My moment of proof to him was standing stock-still; eyes closed; holding the bokuto upside-down by balancing the guard on my open hands; the blade dangling down through them. He came rushing towards me down off of a hill for added momentum. Still without looking; I tensed; waited until the moment felt right; then dropped the bokuto; catching it by the handle; and swinging upward. I heard him stop short; opening my eyes; he was directly in front of me; the bokuto resting lightly on his cheek. His eyes were wide in shock, as I grinned and said "No." XD I had swung to strike; but stopped the instant I would have hit him; all on reflex and instinct.

Exploding a wooden sword takes a bit of skill; a precise amount of force against a single block; and a whole lot of chance ^^ Apparently; the Bokuto had taken a lot of abuse in it's time of vigorous and extended use; long enough to start building a stress fracture deep inside. One full-power swing being stopped at just the right angle on that fracture and BOOM! Splintery, 'splodey goodness.

A little of all; it's like I naturally get a bit of the basics of a weapon 'sprinkled' on me or something when I pick it up. My body studies how the weapon feels; and makes adjustments on the fly. It's something I've never really even thought about; it just kinda happens... Like I simply 'feel' my way about the weapon... Could be a logical understanding of the fundamentals of martial weapons; possibly something to do with a past life; dunno <shrugs>.

That is his fault for being that reckless. My recklessness comes from not watching for my blindspot. When I go on the attack, I stay on the attack. I'm even an employer of terrain, kicks, and thrown projectiles. Almost like Sherlock Holmes' "When you've exhausted all possibilities, try the unexpected" the reason I keep a weapon or two tied to my belt. Be it I am disarmed or throw the weapon to distract for a swing. Not a dirty fighter (kick in the balls, sand in eyes) but more like Texas Hold'em. I got all my weapons on display. It is your own naive fault if you think the throwing axe on my hip won't be hrown, just cause I've got 2 weapons in my hands.

Had I seen you being closed eyes, I would like to think I would expect you to sense my proximity. So, either pull a throwing weapon while charging, or slide at the end with upward attacks before rolling and doubling my efforts. Though, that isn't much of the warriors way.

So, like a baseball bat.

Sounds right. If you've becomed hat discipined with a weapon, you should be decent with any other. May not be able to pull off 'all' the tricks, but you wouldn't wield it backwards or be dumbfounded. :P

Well; with you; I wouldn't know what to expect; so I wouldn't be fool enough to let that much of my guard down XD I'd gotten to know him pretty well before we sparred; so I could tell he was an honorable fighter; (well, mostly XD) From what I've heard so far, you're the kind of fighter that uses everything around you; and also a very mobile; nimble, dodgy-type fighter; the kind I'd have to have my wits about me against. You'd also be a very good sparring partner; as you'd force me to adapt, almost constantly ^^. (So many are showy, clumsy, and laughable in a duel; so few see the field in a tactical way.) I'd have to get back on training before I could face you fully, though; being a Dad has forced me to slow down; and my studies have distracted me for a good while. I know I still have it in me; I just have to focus on it once more.

And yeah; pretty much XD (about teh sploding).

Come to think of it; perhaps I should get back into some simple forms and focus meditations... Sure couldn't hurt; considering all the stuff I've gotta do every day...

Oh? Not a proud/cocky fighter with confidence in his skill? ;P

Nah, I'm lenty rusty. I'd have to do some traning and get in the game. It mostly comes from thinking out scenarios. Like one of the reasons I wear loafers. Both so I can take my shoes off with ease, and to be kicked/thrown at an enemy as a distraction to close distance.

Idle hands spend time at the genitals. >;P

A 'cocky' fighter is usually full of bluster; the kind of fighter that falters hard against an apt opponent; with you, I'd say you could back up your boasts; and thus, I wouldn't underestimate you.

Ah; so we'd be two 'old warriors' fighting to regain the skill and speed of our youth? XD

Pfft; not here. Started some meditation; and basked in the full Moonlight. Quite rejuvenating, that.

I only get boasting when I know I'll lose. Sometimes it can break the concentration of a lesser willed warrior. Then I gain a chance to win by their anger and lack of focus.

The worst wold to fight me and I can't help but smile like a cackling fiend. That means I'm really getting into it and become even more relenless in my offense, even taking lesser blows to land solid strikes. No qualms with losing a finger to save the hand.

The out of practice, out of shape is my worry. Though a few friends are interested in getting back into the game.

We all 'meditate' in our own way. >;P