Hello. Is anyone awareof any places to learn a traditional Japanese sword art in the proximity of Havertown (Pennsylvania, USA ... about 45 minutes from Philadelphia), zip code 19083?

I am aware of one school close buy. But it is a Tang Soo Do school and they refer to the class as "samurai sword class." So I am hesitant. They also only offer 1 class a week in it yet charge a full fee.

There is a kendo place about 45 minute drive, but I am more interested in a traditional style such as Tennen Rishin Ryu to a sport style such as kendo. Thank you for any help.

http://mountainteachings.com/

This site is more geared to seminars, but they might be able to direct you to a school with classes in the area.

Hi Steven,
For Tennen Rishin Ryu, you'll have to move to Japan. I'm pretty sure that art is still alive there. For any other Japanese sword arts, you will probably have to settle for what, if anything, is in your area. The following are all of the sword arts schools that I know of in Pennsylvania. You may be able to research and find ones that I've missed, but then again you may not.

In Pennsylvania, Jikishin Kai MJER iaijutsu has three affiliated dojo ... http://www.jikishin-kai.com/pennsylvania.htm

The San Shin Kai organization headed by Roger Wehrhahn, referred to in the previous post, has two dojo in Pennsylvania ... http://www.sanshinkai.org/pages1/dojo.html

The Itten dojo is near Enola, but I don't remember what sort of sword they teach. They are affiliated with Ellis Amdur who has a menkyo in Araki ryu, so they may be taching that art. ... http://www.ittendojo.org/

I beleive that the Itten dojo also has a Hakuho Ryu group that practices there. If so, they would also have Ono Ha Itto Ryu Sogaku-Den Kenjutsu practice.

Chris

Check out Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho in Fort Washington, PA.

http://www.yrjj.net/Namiryuinfo.html

I wish you the best of luck on your search for enlightenment.