Skip to main content

Re: Humuity - WOody

By
Photo taken on 2008-11-20 WKC Beginners Grading


Date: Fri, Dec 19, 2008
RE: Humility

Yes indeed, Mark, my new friend. I too arrived home and opened what was for me one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received...My wife was so delighted to read the words that others had generously shared with and about me.

 I imagined the thrill that my team mates were experiencing as they too opened their precious packets of friendship.

 Thank you one and all in the Waikato Kendo club - best club in NZ without doubt! It is an honour to belong.

 It was also really cool to see all the young people put on their Hakama for the first time. Adam and I squirmed with frustration as we missed out on learning the new moves amongst our comrades.

 But we also enjoyed getting to know each other better and discussing the details of what we were seeing in the training. In kendo we learn from each other wit hour minds as well as our bodies in training. Sensei Marleen's wisdom was shared regarding the open and generous nature of our club. The young ones among us are lucky to have such great role models as Sam and Marleen, Robin and the other senior members, as well as intelligent and thoughtful newcomers like Mark. Thanks to Adam for sharing his knowledge of the kendo forums online also.

 Keep saving people - bogu may not be too far away for us if we train hard.
Lastly, I regretfully depart for Kawhia tomorrow morning so will miss out on the celebrations at training. Please have a sake for me!!!

 Arigato gozaimasu

David Udi WOody :-)
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Experiencing Jōdan-no-Kamae & Gyaku-Dō

By
Wednesday 31st May 2023 Keiko Reflection - Janet Tonight’s Keiko was planned by Marleen sensei & led by Senpais Leo & Joyce.  We had a rare opportunity to watch & learn some wazas/ techniques first hand from both senpais particularly on their specialties: Jōdan-no-Kamae & Gyaku-Dō. The upper-level posture or stance ( Jōdan-no-Kamae ) which Leo Senpai uses, is the Hidari (left) Jōdan , where the left foot is in front of the right foot, so essentially the foot positions are reversed from normal Chudan position.  Using the posterior right foot to push off when going forwards & the anterior left foot to push off when going backwards.  Otherwise all other elements of footwork remains the same, like heels off the ground using Suriashi sliding steps, maintain inner parallel & the distance between both feet, right foot not overtaking left foot, using the left foot for fumikomi & right foot quickly follow up after strike to run through with Zanshin…etc....
Post a Comment
Read more

How do you practice seme?

By
Kobayashi Hideo Sensei – How to Seme (w/English CC)  小林英雄 先生 - 攻め方 How do you practice S eme ?   Very early on, I have heard of the “Three Opportunities to Strike”: strike when your opponent’s technique is about to start, strike when your opponent’s technique ends, and when the opponent is mentally and physically depleted. Since then, this line of thinking has given me a direction in how to train. In 2017, Utsunomiya sensei, 7-dan kyoshi, came to visit us and taught me the concept of “okori”. That reminds me of the conversation that happened 8 years before that in 2009 with Morioka sensei, also 7-dan kyoshi, who asked me: “What is the timing or reason of your strike?” I think most people are familiar with the idea that you should “ seme then strike ”. However, when do you strike after seme has been a source of struggle for most kenyu. That’s why when I saw the video from Kobayashi Hanshi where you seme for the purposes of creating “okori” , I felt this added a whol...
Post a Comment
Read more

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

By
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 ...
Post a Comment
Read more