Skip to main content

My Kendo Journey - Aiden


2017 Beginners - Aidan M. 
Intermediate School Student


Reflection about what I have learned from the Beginner Class:

All through my learning in kendo I have been learning new movement, new theory, new etiquette.

At the start we learnt footwork and etiquette.

(We learnt these every-day but we were introduced to them then).

In the first lesson (the trial). We learnt basic forward, backward, left and right movement. This was interesting, not what I expected in fact I thought there would be nothing if not very little, practical however I learnt heaps. Surprisingly (to you) this discombobulated me I was expecting a explanation of kendo and an explanation of what we were to do in the upcoming 15 weeks. This did happen, but it wasn't the whole 90 minutes. It was about 20 minutes, the other 70 minutes was practical. This is the lesson I learnt the most in. That is a surprise to me for I thought that I would learn the most in the second. They also showed me how bad my posture is.

Then we moved on to diagonal footwork - This proved to be rather difficult, at first it I found the movement rather weird, but slowly I started finding it easier.

When we moved on to using bokuto (wooden sword) thing’s got very interesting. The first thing we learnt with the boku was what you do with it during the opening and closing ceremonies. You gently put it down making sure that the sharp side is pointing toward you. We learnt that you are not to walk over the boku. And that you should not let the end of the blade fall on the ground. We also discovered why it is bad to kick the sword when they are on the ground, something I failed at once or twice.


The basic defensive posture of kendo fascinated me. The point of it is that it makes it difficult for your opponent to strike.

Learning MEN-strike was a big change, however it was one I enjoyed. I learnt so much in men (head) there is just so much theory behind striking and men in particular. Such as you should keep your hand straight up, swing and then halfway through the swing flick your wrist. (That was properly the worst description of that in kendo history). 

Kote, however not to different to men, was the strike I struggled with the most. What I found so difficult is when I learnt it I had only just learnt how to swing and stop at head height then suddenly they wanted me to perform it at wrist height. Do is the strike we most recently learnt in kendo I found it the most interesting because that men and kote were rather similar, however do was different. In do you bring your boku back as if you were going to do men or kote then you put your blade to the right, move your foot on a 45 degree angle and strike so that your blade hit’s your opponent's waist.


Another thing we learnt is kendo vocabulary and phrases all though this is perhaps the part I am worst at.

Actually I think the part I am worst at is that I don't remember to put my hands in the right place (by my side).



Aidan JM

THANK YOU

Comments

Popular Posts

Kendo Journey: A "Travel Guide" from Shodan to Godan-and-a-Half

Waikato Kendo Association Grading (2009)   Kendo Journey: A Travel Guide from Shodan to Godan-and-a-Half ( 中文 ) by Sam Tsai December 27, 2017 Those that know me should know that back in 1998, Marleen and I moved to Hamilton, New Zealand and ended up being the only two people that practiced kendo within the 100 kilometers radius. In the following year, the stars were aligned as we formed the Waikato Kendo Association and I found myself shouldering the responsibility of being a kendo instructor. Practicing kendo myself and teaching others how to do kendo are totally different things! About half a year after we established the dojo, Hsu Heng-Hsiung sensei , coach of Team Taiwan, led a delegation of more than 20 kenshi to come visit us in New Zealand. About a year after their visit, I was in Taiwan visiting sensei. The first thing he said to me was, “Tell me, what are you having trouble teaching?” I could not help myself but laugh out loud as I replied, “Coach you are ...

Eiga and Morioka Sensei Kendo Seminar

We are honored to announce that Eiga Hideyuki Sensei (Hanshi 8th Dan) and Morioka Hiromitsu Sensei (Kyoshi 7th Dan) will be visiting New Zealand this August to lead a Kendo seminar. Everyone is warmly invited to join the event—or follow along for updates, photos, and highlight videos. We look forward to sharing this special occasion with the wider Kendo community! Introducing Eiga and Morioka Sensei Eiga Hideyuki Sensei - Hanshi 8 Dan (栄花英幸 - 範士八段) Renowned worldwide for his exceptional skill and deep understanding of Kendo. Eiga Sensei’s notable achievements include placing 3rd at the 21st All Japan Invitational 8th Dan Tournament in 2023, first at the 19th All Japan Invitational 8th Dan Tournament in 2021, and placing 2nd and two 3rd positions at the All Japan Kendo Championships. He graduated from Tokai University and currently serves as a teacher at Hokkaido Eniwa-Minami High School. Morioka Hiromitsu Sensei - Kyoshi 7 Dan (森岡宏光 - 教士七段)  A respected teacher with vast experience...

Kendo Dōjo basic etiquette & commands for beginner & kyu grades

Kendo Dōjo basic etiquette & commands for beginner & kyu grades Thanks to Janet for organising this article. When entering & leaving the Dōjo (道場, training hall), we need to bow respectfully from the waist, first towards the direction of Joseki (上席), in our case this is the Waikato Kendo Club WKC banner.  (But in Japanese dōjo there is often a Kamiza (上座) with a small Shinto shrine or altar displayed with religious significance). And then bow towards Sensei & Senpai on your way in before neatly organising your belongings on the side & getting ready quietly. At beginning of each Keiko( 稽古), Sensei(先生)or Senpai(先輩) will say: Line up -  Seiretsu (整列) :  We will need to quickly find our position along a horizontal line facing Sensei (in the middle) in order of our experience/ rank with Senpai (Seniors) on the right and Kōhai (Juniors, 後輩 ) & Shoshinsha (Beginners,  初心者 ) on the left. Standing straight facing the front, holding Shinai firmly...