Skip to main content

Developing good, smooth, swift Suri-ashi (sliding footwork)

Wednesday 22nd June 2022 Keiko Reflection - Janet

Kendo does not discriminate. It doesn’t matter who we are, once we put on bōgu facing our opponents our intentions are all the same, do our best to deliver our best Ippon or Yūkō-datotsu (valid strike). In order to achieve that goal, kendokas constantly return to train Kihon basics to refine & perfect their kendo.

We need to work on developing good, smooth, swift Suri-ashi (sliding footwork) while maintaining good straight upper body posture with same height & a stable centre of gravity to keep balanced.

Okuri-ashi, is a type of sliding footwork where you push off with your left foot & advance with the right then quickly follow up with the left foot again but the left toe is always in line with the heel of the right foot. It is crucial for the left foot not to pass more than half of the length of the right foot in order to be in a position to quickly get back into good kamae to be ready to defend or attack. 

Having good, stable & fast Okuri-ashi will help us to maintain good Zanshin by keeping the forward momentum going following each strike to quickly move out of the range for possible counterattacks from the opponent as well as allowing us to smoothly turn around & stop in a safe distance to get into good Kamae again before next strike.

To perform Okuri-ashi in all directions with good stability & speed is crucial to maintain good distance while fighting for centre when going against an opponent.

Fumikomi-ashi (stamping footwork) is usually used for attacks. It is important for us to keep in mind & find our best striking distance for each target areas from Issoku Ittou no Maai, as our stamping distance needs to be adjusted accordingly. 



To strike Men, our stamping distance from Issoku Ittou no Maai needs to be at least 0.8-0.9 of one Shinai length in order to reach the Men with the Datotsu-bu of the Shinai while maintaining good straight upper body posture (Kendo math!!!).

Whereas to strike Kote, or rensoku Kote-Men strikes, the stamping distance is much reduced.

We need to quickly follow up with our left foot following the right foot stamping so that the centre of gravity can be shifted mostly to the left to be able to push off from the left again to execute rensoku or repeated strikes.

We also need to work on Dō strikes. Ensure we focus our power on the left arm & not sticking out our elbows while keeping the left arm in the centre during downward shoulder rotation for the strike. Ensure our left hand is lowered to the level of the belly button before extending our forearm to perform Tenouchi on the Dō. When the movements are done correctly, we should be able to hit the Dō even without looking.

* * *

Tonight’s Mitori-geiko on the Senpais was very helpful. They demonstrated the importance of Ai-Seme. Starting with strong Kiai to build up & strengthen their own Ki to fight for dominance even prior to making a move, while trying to kill their opponents Ki before striking with intent. This is something Kyu grades need to start working on to help achieving the best Ippon.

Thank you to Sam sensei & Marleen sensei for leading the Keiko tonight. It was good to be reminded that basics form the basis of everything in kendo🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

Thanks to all the Senpais who came to keiko tonight, leading by example, showing us what good Ai-Seme is & being good Motodachi for us beginners to learn from🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

Comments

Popular Posts

2025 Beginners Information

You are warmly invited to join us and  start your New Year resolutions as a  Modern Samurai .  --- Information for Year 2025 Beginners --- Little Samurai Class (age under 14): 1.30 - 2.30pm, Saturdays  Beginners Class (age 14 and above): 2.30 - 3.30pm, Saturdays Intermediate and Advanced Class : 3.30 - 6.00pm, Saturdays Starting Dates: Term 1: Saturday 25 January Term 2: Saturday 10 May  We will be accepting new students all Saturdays of May, but the earlier you can start, the better. Term 3: Saturday 19 July   Term 4: Saturday 11 October Join our 2025 Beginners Facebook Group  now to get updates. Or, email us for more information.  Course Information: No previous experience required. Regardless of gender,  ages from 6 to 60  are all welcome. First lesson  is your Free trial. Membership Fees:  Kids and School students: 50.00 per month Tertiary students and adults: 80.00 per month Family discounts : the 2nd family member is 50...

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 whol...

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...