[MR] Shinai combat in this kingdom

[rujoking99 at mac.com]

Having read the responses to my e-mail, I realized that I forgot to send 
a few sentences in my original e-mail.  I can't blame this on my mail 
program, or on my ISP, or anyone else but my own silly mouse-happy 
clicking.  :-)

Now these sentences (saved, oddly enough, in my Drafts folder) have been 
transmuted into responses to specific posts.

First, regarding kendo and its place in the SCA:  Kendo was invented in 
the early part of the 20th century, and as such is completely and 
totally out of period.  However, kenjutsu was developed much earlier, 
based on techniques as old as the samurai's sword.  I have heard of 
SCAdian heavy fighters using modified kenjutsu techniques against 
European fighters quite successfully.  I was merely wondering if it 
would be possible to modify the same techniques for use against 
light-armoured fighters, so that us Japanese personae could avoid the 
cost in money and physical bashing of heavy combat.  (My titanium hip 
can't take much, though it's still under warranty. ^^)

Second, regarding shinai and its use in SCA combat:  The shinai was 
invented for use in kendo.  However, I know of several people who have 
used shinai as stand-ins for broadswords or other slashing weapons 
otherwise forbidden in light combat.  It would be nice to see these 
sorts of uses for shinai permitted in the SCA even if kenjutsu 
techniques are not allowed.

I've already heard back from three people interested in getting together 
for a shinai shindig, so if anyone else in Virginia or Maryland is 
interested, contact me about something at the start of the summer.

PS: Does anyone know of good teachers of bu-jutsu in Virginia?  All we 
have in Blacksburg is stuff like "Big Chuck's House O' Buttkicking."

Kinoshita Yoshimori