r/kendo • u/EconomyClimate3559 • 16d ago
Can you learn Haga-ha Kendo in Germany/ Munich?
I'm really interested in starting Kendo and came across the pre war Kendo style haga-ha. As far as I understand it, they fight more realistic because they combine sword fighting with hand to hand combat.
Do you guys know if you cas still learn this style? I live in Munich, Germany.
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u/Patstones 3 dan 16d ago
There is only really one style of kendo. What you're looking for just doesn't exist I'm afraid.
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u/gozersaurus 16d ago
This is what you want to do? You'd be better off getting some buddies, going outside in some hockey/moto cross gear and hitting each other with sticks. If thats what you're aiming at try HEMA, LARPing, etc.
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u/Patstones 3 dan 16d ago
Just to reiterate what I wrote: definitely not welcome in a kendo dojo with these techniques. But then, whatever rocks your boat, just check your insurance 🫣
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u/investlike_a_warrior 15d ago
I believe I read online that only police or Japanese military are allowed to do this style of kendo mixed with throws and grapples. Like a way to honor Japan’s last real life warrior class members.
6
u/Zaisengoro 15d ago
Well yes and no. Yes police Kendo is different. But it also looks quite different from the video.
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u/rambalam2024 16d ago
Unfortunately not a chance in most places.. in fact having done a fair bit of travelling, have never heard of it being taught.. tho what happens after elbow Waza time ..
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u/PinAriel 5 dan 15d ago
It seems to be that modern equipment (and health insurance) may not be ideal for that kind of practice.
Why not try regular Kendo or HEMA/Buhurst?
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u/noraetic 16d ago
I did Kendo for several years in Austria. I recently started doing armored combat/buhurt and it's a lot of fun, its basically MMA in medieval armor but especially longsword feels sometimes similar to Kendo. There's also HEMA as someone else suggested but there the focus is more on recreating historical techniques.
It depends on what you really want to do. Best thing would probably be to find a club for each of the sports and have some test trainings (Kendo, HEMA and Buhurt are all available in Munich). See what/which people vibe best with you.
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u/oswaldcopperpot 16d ago
You could try this instead.
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u/Patstones 3 dan 16d ago
Just a heads up to remind that, while I see nothing wrong with practicing whatever budo/sport you fancy, this is not kendo. It's not part of the ZNKR, FIK or any continental federation. More importantly, you will not be welcome in kendo dojo, so thread with care.
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u/oswaldcopperpot 16d ago
They specifically were asking about fighting.. so it's closer to their original ask than kendo by quite a bit.
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u/Patstones 3 dan 16d ago
Not denying it, and not criticizing it. It's just a public service announcement for people who don't know that it's not kendo. Because we are a kendo sub. That's all.
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u/Kuruma-baka 2 dan 16d ago
Why not try regular kendo and see if it’s even something you might like before going into a super rare and unusual variant?