Inspired by TMNT?
 

Has anyone here taken up the martial arts because they were inspired by the Ninja Turtles? If you did, what kind, and did you stick with it?

I've been thinking of taking up Iaido. Don't really know why, but in the back of my mind, maybe it's the swords, and the long-shot hope of learning two-sword style? ;)

hmm, is that the style that Leonardo practices? What are the styles that the other turtles practice with there unique weapons called?

Wow, I have no idea what the styles the other Turtles practice are called. I'm only guessing Leo's style could be ni-ten-ichi-ryu (or ni-to-ryu), two sword style, created by Miyamoto Musashi. It would be really neat to find out though!

Iaido hurts, believe me. It hurts a lot. I've been practising for about 7 months now and there have been times where I couldn't use an arm, because it hurt so much. That was for your information. Other than that, it's a great sport, but it hasn't really got to do a lot with Leo's style which I dubbed the showoff-style. Half his movements are useless and would prove fatal if used in battle. Sure it looks cool and stuff, but by the time Leo would have his swords out, any good Iaidoka would have finished him off already.

And you use only one sword in Iaido. First, you use a Bokken (traditional wooden training sword) and then, ages later, you are (if you're good enough) allowed to use the Iaito, the traditional sword of an Iaidoka.

I would really like to know what the style of marticial arts is called that involves the sias ( Raphael's weapon) and also the nunchukes ( Michaelangelo's wepon)

Also are the wepons the turtles use the only weapons they know how to use or do they know how to use all the weapons that the turtles are shown using. Like for Instance Raphael uses sias but does he also know how to use katana's or a bo staff as well? Dis Splinter decide what weapons they would use or did they choose. And why did Splinter only train one turtlese to use one weapon?

it's ninjitsu.
basically, ninjas pick up everything at hand that can give them an advantage,
and usually packs a large pocket of surprises, not to mention weapons.
virtually any weapon capable of being wielded, people training ninjitsu either use, or train to counter.
so garbage cans, pipes.. whatever. a ninja takes what is at hand, and goes with it.

Well, Ninjitsu started with Ronin samurai (ones that lost their honor due to disgrace or the death of their master/noble). The Ronin were theives and hired assasins, using the Katana and Wakizashi (sp?) as well as the Tanto.
I believe from memory it was the Tanto's use was extremely disgraceful, because is was reserved for seppuku (I really think I spelled that wrong, sorry) or ritualistic suicide to regain honor lost in life. So after losing their honor, instead of regaining it, they used the short-bladed sword to further disgrace themselves. Throwing Knives, and eventually stars were used to kill body guards, allowing quick access to their target. Sais were adapted in order to render the bodyguards' swords useless as well. Bows and arrows (the propper name escapes me) were used for a distance assault. I really can't remember the name, someone help me out, but the sithe with a chain attached was used in order to wound a target while the bodyguards were disposed of, making sure they couldn't get away.
It is really interesting how they made/changed weapons and developed techniques to suit their trade.

However, that is only the historical side of Ninjitsu, I really do not know too much about how it evolved after the time of the Samurai, or how it is practiced today.

(I did a 45 page minor-thesis on how Bushido (Warrior/Honor code) influenced modern Japan, so I know a little bit about the evolution of weapons, but not to much about styles after the Samurai faded. Plus, it was over 4 years ago and I'm not claiming that I am an expert by any means, so please feel free to fill me in and let me know if I messed something up.

My friend takes Iaido too, and I remember him being really sore some days. I think I conveniently forgot about that. ^^;; I'd better prepare myself. Thanks for the heads up!

Wow, that's really interesting...I'd never heard any of that before. Thanks for all the info.

Each Turtle is able to use the weapons wielded by their brothers. But, they are experts with their own weapon, that's why they stick to that.

Damn, why didn't you tell me four weeks ago. I just messed up a paper on the exact same subject. It was for a subject that doesn't count for finals or anything, so it's nothing big. But still... :D

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I used to take karate years ago, when I was still in elementary school and hadn't yet formed my nonviolent beliefs. I think I was partially influenced by the Turtles... at least I was when we got to use weapons. I wound up taking a few extra classes to work with the sai, the weapon of my fave turtle. I never really learned a whole lot about it, being so young, but to this day, I can still take out my ol' practice sais and flip 'em around on my thumbs pretty well (Perhaps even better than before, since I no longer drop them on my feet).

Does anybody happen to know what style the Naginata is?

hmm, I like the way you explained that Thankyou very much> I actually took Karate as well a few years ago. I was in it for about two or three years. I would love to go again but my scheduale is just to hectic for me right now with college and work :(

Hey, you know what? I was just watching The Real World part I the other day, and noticed that Splinter says the following while Leo is training:

"The way of harmonzing one's self in action; this is the spirit of Iaido."

So I guess you could say that's definitely part of his style. It was neat to hear it mentioned! ^__^

the only fighting style for me is when i play ps2, or fight with my self to get up in the morning to get to work.
or when my brother gets on my nerves.
or when theres only one tmnt comic in the book store and hundreds of geeks who run toward it, then i need to use som muscles.

The naginata was one of my choices in Kobudo.....Fun weapon to use. I like it alot.

I always wanted to do material arts, especially with swords, but this has nothing to do with the turtles. I am very interested in it because of such japanese movies like "Shogun" (I love japanese movies and this stuff), but I have heard that it is very expensive :ohwell:
I am goning to inform myself soon about this.

When I was little I took Karate because of the TMNT. Other than that, no.

the weapon u were talkin about with the chain thats called a sickle I think.

Kohaku from Inuyasha has that kind of sicle on a chain type of weapon. I hear it is one of the most difficult types of weapons to handle.

If you where to rate the unique weapons that the turtles have, by difficulty of use and how hard it was to master them how would you rate them.

Any ninjitsu weapon experts on here that could shed some light on this.
Out of the four weapons:

Double Katana

bo Staff

Sias

Nunchucks

which is most difficult to learn how to use, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each weapon?

I know that the nunchucks are forbidden in Germany because they shall be very dangerous.
In most ninja schools the ninja-to is used. The sword with the straight blade, because it's a brilliant weapon for exercises although in real battle they are hardly used.
Then I know the Jo, Hanbo, Bo and Tanto are used for self-defence.

This is I know about the schools here in Germany but i don't know if this is interesting for you, or if schools in other countrys are handling this, too and in addition I am not sure if I am right. :| ,sorry.

when i was 8 years old after seeing the turtles on the morning show, i tried to repeat the same ninja punches and kicks from the show, it did not became sucsess ended with broken arm and after that the only "turtle" fighting for me is on snes or ps2.

I have taken a form of kobudo for many years now. In the school I was taught in, beginners learn the bo forms, then graduate to a single Nunchaku, then either sai or tonfa forms. (there are no swords in my school.)

I thought the bo was rediculously easy. I picked the form up in a day and still use it when i go to tournament because it looks very impressive for a 5'2" 120 girl to weild a 6' roku staff. It is very versatile as a weapon. The step up from that I guess was my naginata training, which is a very traditional weapon for females to be taught. I use that alot too.

The Nunchaku, to me was a little challenging. I have to wear a helmet when I use it because I have a tendancy to clip my head when I pass them from hand to hand. I cannot imagine trying to weild two at the same time. That would take some major tallent and concentration.

The Sai are really fun weapons too. I picked them up very quickly. It takes alot of hand eye coordination to flip them, but it makes for impressive sparring if you have a sword person who is equally proficient to play with. I love my sai and also use them alot in tournaments and demos.

Swords. I have read the book of the five rings by sword master Musashi and have categorically decided that I do not have the patience to learn two handed sword technique. Swords are for serious contenders only and I am happy enough with my Bo and Sais....and naginata and Kamas.

So If i'm hearing you right...Leonardo weilding double katanas seems to be a good fit. A serious weapon, that takes serious dedication for Splinter's most serious student. Donnie using a bo seems fitting, an easy, yet versital weapon allowing for his mind to be exersised during a battle as well as his body, in other words, Improvise...Mikey using dual chucks may be about trying to get him to focus, because as you said, one can be a challenge, but a 2 pair...yozza......and who knows why Raphie uses sais, probably because they fit his close hand to hand fighting style.
Note: I have no experence in martial arts, i'm just taking whjat i've heard from all u're experence and combining it with my knowlede of the TMNT...:P

Lets see....

Leo, yes, swords are a great fit. you've gotta be serious and diligent in training with them or you will end up hurt.

Don, Bo is great for him for just what you said.

Mike. He has got to be smarter than he lets on to manage both of those Nunchaku like he does. Guess all those video games do do something for him....

Raph. Sais are awesome for him because if you fight with them you have to do so very aggressively. I demo with a guy who uses one katana and I have to get in close and keep after him if I want to win.

:)

Yea me....I know my boys well....and that's why I will die alone...:P

:( You won't die alone, Jester. Some day someome special will come along and they will be so impressed with your Jesterness that they will not be able to resist you TMNT and all.

How do I know? I was able to sway the most serious Chemical engineer into turtle fandom simply by being myself and not trying to hide the real me. :)

Touche, Ninja Gal...touche...:P (Thanks)

A lot of games my sisters and I used to play as children involved us pretending to fight each other with plastic swords. Then in 3rd grade my folks signed me up for karate and after about six months I realized I was in a lousy class and didn't feel much like practicing. Once I got into high school though I started the martial arts track that was available in gym class and dipped into the arts of judo, ju jitsu, kickboxing, tae kwon do, boxing, and hapkido. Now that I'm in college I've been getting more into aikido. I'm unsure what I'll try next...

Who inspired it all? The Ninja Turtles, of course. :) Thanks fellas!

long before i watched TMNT i took Isshinryu Karate, but now i have stopped cause my parents schedule is full :(. but i still remember lots of it. Isshinryu Karate to me is one of the best martial arts their is. why? because you have to actualy work for your belt, it takes years of trainning to get a black belt (unless you work very hard). i still have my suit :) and will hopefully go back later in my live.

I got into martial arts with a friend a few years ago. Trained in Budo Ninpo Taijutsu for a few years, then got out of it not too long ago due to my hectic life.

I practice it still on my own and with a few people every once in a while, but I'm really looking forward to going back to the dojo to train regularly again.
My Sensei misses me very much. *soft smile*



Here's my uniform.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...n4ever/Gi1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...n4ever/Gi2.jpg

cool....I've never really had much want to to study the martial arts...Not entierly sure why....

Years ago I trained karate, too but because of the people there I stopped it.
On monday I will go to a ninjutsu training. I am very anxious how it will be.

This is where I will probably be heading. Although I am training on one huge sword (I am about 1.83m tall and my sword is about 1.60m). I do like that very much, I really get the hang of it. I guess, I am slowly going towards "Sword= part of the body". I suck at certain attacks though, but I rock at others.

Probably the most dangerous and powerful (in terms of force inflicted on the enemy) weapon there is. I had a sword (luckily not my own) in a sparring fight against my sensei and he used a bo. Well, to cut a long story short: He hit, I wanted to block, he broke the freaking wooden sword neither of us could break no matter how hard we tried. He just borke it and then the bo hit my shoulder, and it hurt a lot. They seem to be rather useless in a close range battle though, but I bet that you can get over that with a good defense and experience.
It is supposedly easy to use, but I want to be somewhat proficient at swords before I switch to something else.

I can't say much for Sais, since all I did was carrying one for my Sensei, but the nunchucks are really hardcore too. Quite small, yet very effective. Banned in Switzerland too, because one could easily inflict mortal damage to another human being, and we don't want that, right?