My son is very interested in martial arts and sword fighting?

I love how answers get all technical and philosophical. "How tall is your son? What is his blood type? You should try Jim Kot Ki style they only teach it on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro." Easy with the "ultimate style/I know exactly how you should pursue martial arts" answers people!

The short answer is that Karate (Japanese and American Styles) usually have weapons in the curriculum. Kung fu and Tang So Do also have weapons in their training. However the only way that you can guarantee that your son will find a school that teaches both weapon and empty hand techniques is to talk to the teacher. Even the school you choose teaches one or more of these styles, it does not mean that you will get what you want. So check first.

Wow, what a great father you are, I mean not many would be as accepting as you and certainly not as understanding and insightful. Personally, I think you've read the signs correctly, as those are kind of telltale charcteristics. If you are truly comfortable with him then sit him down ask him whether or not he is gay. If he says yes or seems unsure then tell him what you just told us and I'm sure he'll understand. For a son, telling the father is the paramount obstacle to overcome so I'd bear that in mind when asking him, as he may not feel ready (or comfortable) to tell you. Either way, letting him know how you feel is the imperative thing here, so good luck with talking to him. =) I hope this all helps =P

Look up Gum Do

also called Shim Gum Do

Tang Soo Do is a more hand versed TKD, Shim Gum Do is Samurai Sword Art

All are Korean and teach the Old Ways.

American fencing differs in that a foil has a point as the weapon, in Samurai Sword arts it is a very sharp edge that is the study as well as the hilt and all other options. Quick draw ( Iai do )skills take a sharp mind as does weilding a very sharp sword, So one needs to be spritual or good luck!

I have not seen many Kung Fu styles available that teach actual fighting with sharp swords. Gum Do is all about very sharp toys !

There is a martial art called Aikido, which is a martial art in which the practitioner redirects their opponent's attacks and movements in order to avoid and counter them, and once you have reached a certain level of ability, you are given the opportunity to learn sword techniques. The practicality of this martial art is debatable, but it is most definitely fun. You have recieved several answers about what is practical for self defense, but if you are looking for a martial art because your son is interested in it, then you don't need practical self-defense. I think he will benefit from any traditional martial art, due to the discipline, control, and meditative skills involved. It couldn't hurt to look up different martial arts schools in your area and see what they have available, and take him in to watch a few times. Just find out what he wants to do

It will depend on your location. We are in central Illinois, and offer TaeKwonDo, Koryo Gumdo (sword art), and Hapkido. Not all schools will offer weapons instruction, some do after certain levels. Look into the schools in your area yellow pages, place some phone calls, and you should be able to receive help.

I was in taekwondo for about five years and now am a black belt in it. Taekwnodo is a great way for them to learn self defence and to learn cool kicks and in some taekwnodo clubs they teach weapons. At the club i went to we used a boe staff. It is lie a long wooden stick and you leaern to attck and block with them. It's a lot of fun. Good Luck with finding something!

first off, how old is your son?

He should not be studying any type of sword style unless he is an adult.

If it is a real school and not a "sword dance" or "kata" school, he will be gettin hit with wood versions of the sword (while wearing padded gear of course) and needs to have a mild temprament so as not to hurt or be hurt by other students while training.

Someone mentioned Kendo, as a good substitute. It is not sword per se, but it is a sport version of traditional samurai swordsmanship much like, but more applicable to sword training than european sport fencing as it is 3 dimensional.

As far as the martial art goes, you shouldn't look for a specific style, but for a gym that actually teaches him to fight and use the moves under pressure, IE: there is an opponent trying to hit him and fully resist his techniques.

Sound scary that your son will be getting punched, kicked, grappled by an opponent in training?

Then you should think of another activity to enroll him in.

It is more dangerous for him to THINK he can defend himself when he really can't (because of unrealistic training, which doing "katas" is) than for him to not know how and then know that his best option is to run away.

EDIT: be very wary of unarmed teachers that teach weapons in thier "curriculum". They tend to do it only to placate the students who are not serious about devoting time to real weapons training, but want to "feel" like they are. Usually this ivolves katas and forms, neither of which teach you about real swordsmanship or weapons, or fighting at all.

I'm not sure how to spell it, but my boys were involved in one that is pronounced as spelled (tongue sue dough). They really loved it and learned a lot of self defense. When you get to a certain level, you choose between four different weapons to study (the sword being one of them).

There are several different type, most styles teach hands first, then weapons. The Philippino style are the ones that teach weapons from the start. I think that they are Kali, and Escrima ( could have spelled them wrong)

I'm taking kendo , the art of sword fencing from Japan . Go to your dojo or look online where you can find a school .