Back to Kendo in 2014

Saturday 18 January 2014

On behalf of Waikato Dojo, I would like to welcome you back from Xmas and New Year holidays!

Here are some general guidelines and plans from me for our members:

For Kyu-grade members, executing strikes with ki-ken-tai-itchi is the main focus at this stage. Perform the kihon-datotsu (basic strikes) correctly. We will have a lot of training on kiai-seme-Men, Kote-Men, and kiri-kaeshi. It is important to focus on your own techniques rather than whether you can hit on your opponents.

Be patient on this stage and there is no need to rush to move on to next stage. This stage is to build your foundation and you will find the long term benefit yourself!

Another important issues for kyu-grade members is about purchasing your own Kendo-gu (the kendo-armour, or Bogu). Once you decide you want to pick up Kendo, you are encouraged to prepare your own Kendo-gu. Renting bogu from club is just temporary or when you are not sure whether you want to pick up Kendo.

For Sho-Dan and Ni-Dan members, you basically know what you need to do in terms of the physical techniques. It is important that you can start to take up the learning responsibility and motivate yourself to perform kihon-datotsu in a higher level such as more fluently or faster. Try to find out your own strength and weakness through the hard training. Some suggestions are renzoku-waza (continuing 2 or 3 strikes techniques) and try to develop your ability of making judgements.

For San-Dan and above members, seme is the central theme of your keiko (training) now. Study seme as well as learn more waza (techniques) through daily your keiko. Having reflection is also crucial at this level.

In addition, as you are now at senior levels in our dojo, taking some responsibilities of helping instruction and encouraging and supporting beginners is a part of the journey. Remember that teaching and leaning are synonyms! Take and give!

Finally, wish all of us have a wonderful year both in Kendo and life!

See you in the dojo!

Sam

Comments

Mazza said…

See you on Saturday!!! Look forward to class!!!

12:07 am

How do you practice seme?

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 whole other d

Happy Rabbit Year 2023

We wish everyone have a Happy Rabbit Year Saturday 21 January 2023 Keiko Reflection - Janet As lunar new year of the rabbit arrives so is our Dojo welcoming new beginners to get a taste of what kendo is like. While the beginners learned brand new ideas, the senpais were reminded of the basic purpose of Kendo, which is self discipline, development & improvement of our body, mind, & spirit. Constantly striving for a more perfect & beautiful cut rather than being just a form of self defence or stick fighting. Ashi-sabaki or footwork ( Kouda sensei demonstration ) is very important in Kendo particularly Suriashi or sliding steps as it not only look more graceful & elegant, but also would reduce noise when moving on wooden floors & reduce likely injury from stepping onto hidden weapons or obstacles on the floor in medieval Japan. We were also reminded of the basic sequence of engagement during a kendo duel: 1. Holding good Kamae (on guard position, Kouda sensei demonst

Having good Senpai is a wonderful thing in Kendo.

13/03/2016 Yesterday's training was really hard! I thought everyone there make effort to do kendo without sensei (going to Auckland for the Yamagami sensei's seminar ) . There were quite a few problems I met from the training, for example I was scared when Claire senpai and Kevin senpai was about to hit me, and let kensen move away from centre. It may take time for me to modify my psychology. And I should improve my posture in the following training. Thanks to Nicole senpai for telling me a lot about how to maintain boku. I felt her passion in Kendo is exactly the same when we were training together and chatting after class.

Waikato Kendo Club

Search This Blog