Chris Parker
Grandmaster
Yeah, I think the first one is the on I'd prefer most. I kinda figured Yakumaru Jigen Ryu was a very lethal art which is why I didn't judge them by what could be considered a silly drill by people who don't know the art. I'd be thrilled to be able to train with them as well. I'm a pretty good wood worker, I think I'm going to make a boken.![]()
Hmm. I know we said we were encouraging you, but so you know, making a bokken isn't as easy as just carving wood. It needs to be balanced properly, the wood is typically aged so to remove moisture, meaning they won't splinter so easily, instead they "crush" on contact, the woods are specifically chosen for grain, consistency, and more. It takes quite a while to be able to make one. I'd more recommend buying one. If you want, you can then use that as a template for any you try to make (which should give you a more consistent result).
So you know, a wide variety of Ryu have very specific bokken that they use, and you won't find them using the same as other schools... again, a school is the first step. And, really, although Katori Shinto Ryu is often a first choice, finding it isn't easy. Care to move to Japan?