Sword-fighting as an Art

Ristaron · #1 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 01:25 PM

Watching stage combat in movies really ruins sport-sword fights for me. The fighters are too rigid (especially in Kendo), and it isn't impressive.

Then things like this come along:

I am SO taking classes with these guys!

(Yes, I realize that it's all staged, but it's staged WELL! This is no crappy-ass plastic-sword bullshit.)

**HeartAttack** · 07-20-2008, 01:43 PM

That looks like fun!

I've had staged fights involving sword-like fights and also physical fighting without the use of weapons. It's fun!

Ristaron · 07-20-2008, 02:25 PM

I do judo, which is unrehearsed physical fighting. But in judo combos are easier to come up with because there are already certain throws. With sword fighting you have techniques, but good free-style fights are hard to find because most people who do them aren't even familiar with the basics.
And I can't stand Kendo because it's too rigid. People don't fight like ginger-bread men. Then again, Kendo is a sport, not a fighting style, so my anger is misplaced.

I remember I used to be fairly good at fencing. One time a friend of mine and I randomly picked up meter-sticks and started fencing in the middle of one of our shops classes in grade 7 (it was the stage production one, actually... though it mainly dealt with how to operate a camera rather than how to act). My teacher came back and found us fencing and decided that it was awesome, so he had the class film us doing it.

Well, technically it wasn't really fencing, because we didn't adhere to the actual rules of foil-fencing, it was more free-style with fencing tones where it didn't matter who hit and if they had the touche or not.

But, yeah... I'd like to do some of this stage-fighting stuff... it's awesome.

--------------- Added 20 Jul 2008 at 05:54 pm ---------------

Oh, dude! Sidenote: This is fucking AWESOME!

Chase_the_Bass · 07-21-2008, 12:26 AM

You could wield your Cane of Unending Might.

**Opunaya** · 07-21-2008, 04:30 AM

I've always hated those "wooden" movements too during those sport matches. I'll have to check out that video later.

Personally, two fighting styles I could watch all day long are Capoeira and Drunken Boxing...or Wushu...whatever.

Also, Rist, when you get a chance, pick up a movie called "Redbelt".

Ristaron · 07-21-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opunaya

I've always hated those "wooden" movements too during those sport matches. I'll have to check out that video later.

Personally, two fighting styles I could watch all day long are Capoeira and Drunken Boxing...or Wushu...whatever.

Also, Rist, when you get a chance, pick up a movie called "Redbelt".

Red belt as in associated with nidan?

**Opunaya** · 07-21-2008, 01:37 PM

No, this: Redbelt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Honestly, it doesn't really apply hre, but the fights in it--while staged, of course--look really real.

Animal-Mother · 07-24-2008, 07:17 PM

Kendo is practiced as a sport now but thats not its original intent.Kendo was originaly one of the many practices of military families as early as the 11th and 12 century's and was under strong influence of zen buddhism.It was a military art and way of being spiritual.

Ristaron · 07-24-2008, 09:56 PM

Very interesting. I hadn't known that. I can't imagine anybody actually fighting like that, however. It's just not feasible according to every fight I have seen and participated in.

**Ginevra** · 07-25-2008, 06:57 AM

*pause* Ahahahahaha! He went through the bars and knocked the guy down! *resumes watching*

Nifteh. I had more fun watching the staged physical combat myself, but it was all cool. Like that guy did the run up the wall and flip thing. Hehe.

It reminds me of when I went to this dinner/theater thing where they do a show in an indoor arena on horses. "Medieval Times" I think, it was the one in Dallas, Texas. They have battles and they guys have swords and they do swing them at each other, hard, you can hear it and see it when they make some sparks. The story is kinda weak, but it was still pretty cool.