Hello everyone.
I am living and working in Japan (*Tokyo, Itabashi-ku to be precise), where I've been for the last five years. I speak Japanese pretty fluently, and am building a family here now.
As for martial arts experience, I've mostly done Chinese and Filipino Martial arts, with Wing Chun being my primary art for more than a decade (since I began Martial Arts). As for Japanese Arts, I have only limited experience with Aikido (less than two years when I was still in the U.S.) I've also done Historical European Martial Arts -- namely German Longsword and Sword and Buckler (I.33)
I'm drawn to Shinto Muso Ryu because I am very impressed with the system. It strikes me as very well thought out, and possessing attributes and insights that I would like to develop, and it seems like an art that I could commit to practicing for a very long time.
I am not that knowledgeable of Koryu arts in specific, but I am generally aware of the commitment involved, and the somewhat closed nature of them. I would suppose this varies somewhat by art, however. In any case, I thought it prudent to ask: How should someone with my experience go about pursuing instruction in Shinto Muso Ryu? Should I start out first with Joudou? If so, when and how might I proceed from there?
Are there any other considerations that I am overlooking?
I am living and working in Japan (*Tokyo, Itabashi-ku to be precise), where I've been for the last five years. I speak Japanese pretty fluently, and am building a family here now.
As for martial arts experience, I've mostly done Chinese and Filipino Martial arts, with Wing Chun being my primary art for more than a decade (since I began Martial Arts). As for Japanese Arts, I have only limited experience with Aikido (less than two years when I was still in the U.S.) I've also done Historical European Martial Arts -- namely German Longsword and Sword and Buckler (I.33)
I'm drawn to Shinto Muso Ryu because I am very impressed with the system. It strikes me as very well thought out, and possessing attributes and insights that I would like to develop, and it seems like an art that I could commit to practicing for a very long time.
I am not that knowledgeable of Koryu arts in specific, but I am generally aware of the commitment involved, and the somewhat closed nature of them. I would suppose this varies somewhat by art, however. In any case, I thought it prudent to ask: How should someone with my experience go about pursuing instruction in Shinto Muso Ryu? Should I start out first with Joudou? If so, when and how might I proceed from there?
Are there any other considerations that I am overlooking?