Is Self-training Katana Bad? #Shorts

I’m very thankful to know that many people are wanting to start training Iaido because they’ve watched my videos. But I also receive a lot of questions asking me, “I don’t have a dojo nearby, so can I self-teach myself?” I’m happy that you’re interested so I’m not 100% against it, but there are two things that I’m concerned about.

First, is your safety. It’ll be almost 7 years since I started training in Iaido, but I still sometimes get injuries. Just by watching videos or other educational content, it’ll especially be difficult for you to understand how to stay safe.

Second, is about the relationship between the instructor and student. In this modern world where we never carry katana around and fight with anyone, there is no practical meaning for you to be able to handle a katana. But I believe that the community that you create/join through your training will forever be a treasure of your life.

So as a conclusion, if there aren’t any dojo near you, I would recommend taking online lessons.

If you’d like to learn more about Japanese traditional culture, Kyoto, and social problems in Japan, please check out my channel & subscribe!

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

▼Please support me through Ko-fi (a donation platform like Patreon)▼

▼Let's ask Shogo Merchandise Shop▼
Where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers, etc. of cute Ukiyoe animal characters and logos of Let’s ask Shogo:

▼The BEST online katana shop for martial arts (Iaido, Kendo, etc.): Tozando▼
Everything I use for my katana training is bought at this shop! I still use the first training katana I bought in 2016, and it is still in good shape!

▼The recommended online katana shop for decorations and cosplay: Mini Katana▼
*Get 15% OFF off all their products by purchasing through my affiliate link

▼Where you can meet me in Kyoto, Japan | Yushinkan Samurai Experience with Modern-day Musashi▼
A 90 minute experience in Japan where beginners can learn how to wield, draw, sheath, and swing the katana from the modern-day Musashi! I, Shogo, will be your interperter to lead you into the wonderful world of samurai martial arts!

▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼

▼Related videos in this channel▼
-5 MORE Real Katana Recommended by Kyoto's Best Sword Shop | Which One Did I Buy?
-3 Basic Katana Trainings that Beginners Can Do at Home | Taught by a Japanese Iaido Trainee
-A Day in the Training of Katana Trainees Preparing for a Mat Cutting Competition

▼MY DREAM▼

“To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in”

I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more.

▼Join our Membership▼
The ticket to the front row seats to Shogo's rapid adventure to make his dream come true! Through the videos, lives, and zoom chats your ideas and opinions will be adopted for Shogo to make the right decisions for his challenges!

●Membership benefits
-Limited behind-the-scene videos
-Weekly Zoom call or live stream
-Priority reply to comments

▼Sub-channel: “Shogo’s Podcast”▼

▼Instagram▼
*Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠️I do not use e-mail）

♪Music♪
おとわび
トーマス大森音楽工房
ぽるぽるMusic
しゃろう Sharou
MOMIZism MUSiC

♪Sound effects♪
効果音ラボ

♪Pictures♪
かわいいフリー素材屋 いらすとや

#iaido #katana #katanatraining #katanaskills

[LetsaskShogo]

▼Please support me through Ko-fi (a donation platform like Patreon)▼

▼Let's ask Shogo Merchandise Shop▼
Where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers, etc. of cute Ukiyoe animal characters and logos of Let’s ask Shogo:

▼The BEST online katana shop for martial arts (Iaido, Kendo, etc.): Tozando▼
Everything I use for my katana training is bought at this shop! I still use the first training katana I bought in 2016, and it is still in good shape!

▼The recommended online katana shop for decorations and cosplay: Mini Katana▼
*Get 15% OFF off all their products by purchasing through my affiliate link

▼Where you can meet me in Kyoto, Japan | Yushinkan Samurai Experience with Modern-day Musashi▼
A 90 minute experience in Japan where beginners can learn how to wield, draw, sheath, and swing the katana from the modern-day Musashi! I, Shogo, will be your interperter to lead you into the wonderful world of samurai martial arts!

▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼

▼Related videos in this channel▼
-5 MORE Real Katana Recommended by Kyoto's Best Sword Shop | Which One Did I Buy?
-3 Basic Katana Trainings that Beginners Can Do at Home | Taught by a Japanese Iaido Trainee
-A Day in the Training of Katana Trainees Preparing for a Mat Cutting Competition

▼MY DREAM▼

“To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in”

I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more.

▼Join our Membership▼
The ticket to the front row seats to Shogo's rapid adventure to make his dream come true! Through the videos, lives, and zoom chats your ideas and opinions will be adopted for Shogo to make the right decisions for his challenges!

●Membership benefits
-Limited behind-the-scene videos
-Weekly Zoom call or live stream
-Priority reply to comments

▼Sub-channel: “Shogo’s Podcast”▼

▼Instagram▼
*Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠️I do not use e-mail）

[sarabadrums]

Shogo : talks about being safe
Video in the background: *man confusingly stabbing himself*

[lethaldarkness]

I am going to start carrying a sword around with me.
My state doesn't restrict it.

[LetsaskShogo]

I’m very thankful to know that many people are wanting to start training Iaido because they’ve watched my videos. But I also receive a lot of questions asking me, “I don’t have a dojo nearby, so can I self-teach myself?” I’m happy that you’re interested so I’m not 100% against it, but there are two things that I’m concerned about.

First, is your safety. It’ll be almost 7 years since I started training in Iaido, but I still sometimes get injuries. Just by watching videos or other educational content, it’ll especially be difficult for you to understand how to stay safe.

Second, is about the relationship between the instructor and student. In this modern world where we never carry katana around and fight with anyone, there is no practical meaning for you to be able to handle a katana. But I believe that the community that you create/join through your training will forever be a treasure of your life.

So as a conclusion, if there aren’t any dojo near you, I would recommend taking online lessons.

If you’d like to learn more about Japanese traditional culture, Kyoto, and social problems in Japan, please check out my channel & subscribe!

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

[SageArdor]

I always appreciate your nuanced responses to enthusiastic viewers' questions. You never talk down to or berate people for their lack of understanding, but you still give a firm, truthful response rooted in personal experience.

[SuperWeeb]

I fell in love with iaido the first time I went to Japan, and continued practicing what I learned after I came home. I sometimes worry that some of my form may be off. and I do miss my sensei helping me improve both my body and my mind during training. I can't wait to go back in March and learn more.

[vidhidalmia]

I love your videos man, they offer such actual and realistic insight into japan and it culture which is honestly pretty hard to find
Really appreciate your work and please continue making quality content

[feral_shade]

Generally speaking, I'm not a fan of self-training in any context. We absolutely need positive/negative feedback to ensure our techniques are properly understood.

If you walk for 1, 000 km, yes, you can take pride in the distance... but you also want to be happy with your destination, not lost/stranded in the middle of nowhere. ;)

[aegiskcc]

I practised karate for years and the social aspect is definitely a big thing

[AnmalPmp]

I have been doing Iaido for almost 4 months and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I love the katana and the code and history that comes along side it.

[bobtehdinosaur]

Safety is overrated

* Gets paper cut *

I NEED HEALING!!!!*

[benjaminwoodman]

It’s not entirely outdated for practical use: Never know when you’ll be in a tough spot and all you have is something laying around near you that resembles the size and weight of a sword.

[ryuukakhadijah]

Yep, that's what I'm worried about too 😅 It's dangerous to learn this kind of art without a teacher. We're not Hashibira Inosuke...😅

[McLKeith]

I self train in Zen, even though almost everything I read tells me having a Roshi is necessary.

But it is hard to hurt oneself in Zazen.

[ztsottles]

The dojo nearby me is very disrespectful to the culture and students. This is why I am self taught. It was also better in learning discipline. But I'll check out online classes too, hopefully I can find an English speaking sensei from Japan

[ghstsamurai-]

i use to do in person training at a dojo not too far from my house, and for quite a while. like 6 years. for the last maybe year, i've been teaching myself and have done kendo training with a close friend who also trains in the way of the blade. i'd say after you learn basics and have the knowledge, discipline, and respect for your blade, it should be alright to train by yourself. just always push yourself to learn new things and improve yourself!

[tomsar]

I hope to integrate the way of the samurai and principle of the sword into my lifestyle and work out my Imperfections.

[OzusoSounds]

Thanks shogo! I've recently started self-teaching myself swordsmanship through the use of videos and books such as "the book of five rings." I think that if you're training with a katana substitute safety isn't an issue. However I worry my form will be poor and won't improve because I have no one to critique it from an outsider perspective. Just my thoughts!

[Theoneloneshadow]

You’re absolutely right about the relationship between the teacher and student along with the cherishing of the people in the dojo. I’ll never forget the people i’ve met upon my martial arts career

[darrianweathington]

Self trained with my air katana since samurai jack.