Skip to main content

Ji-ri-ichi - practice & theory combined into one 事理一致

Image
By

Wednesday 19th April 2023 Keiko Reflection by Janet

Tonight’s Keiko is a timely reminder of the importance of training in Ji-ri-ichi (事理一致, practice & theory combined into one).

While we are constantly receiving knowledge & theory passively from Senseis, one must also be actively applying the theories learnt into action to make it their own through repeated practice. 

We must also be proactive in our own learning by actively seeking more knowledge such as observing other kendokas keiko (mitori-geiko), reading books, asking questions when in doubt, & constantly reflect & ask ourselves why do we do this? what are we doing wrongly or correctly?

This way we can better understand our bodies, the mechanics of each movements & the purpose behind each individual action, therefore maximise our learning outcome by improving productivity & quality of our practice or Keiko. 

Remember Kendo is a martial art that descended from Japanese swordsmanship or Kenjutsu, so it’s not just any random stick or sword fighting without a purpose. 

Kendokas are constantly seeking to train & synchronise their body, mind & sword for the purpose of self-improvement in order to one day achieve the most beautiful & perfect strike or Ippon that they can be proud of. Therefore, in order to achieve that goal one must put in effort & time to practice effectively.

Todays Keiko menu consisted of:

1. Kihon-geiko focusing on engaging our core & Tenouchi for Suburi, & more weight distribution on our left foot in order to perform more effective Okuri-ashi & Fumikomi-ashi by quickly follow up with left foot to be in proper Kamae at all times for rensoku or repeated strikes as well as able to push off & propel forwards adequately to generate proper momentum & power for each strike.

2. Big Men

3. Small Men with normal timing, striking when in Issoku-Ittou-no-Maai in one action without delay

4. Small Men with delayed timing, begin the striking motion when in Issoku-Ittou-no-Maai by moving forwards (right foot can either hover in the air or land on the ground depending on your timing & whichever way felt more natural) while raising the kensen as if going for the men but with a slight pause or delay to observe the opponents reaction, if they’re not blocking or are slower than you then you can continue to finish off the Small-men strike. 

However, if the opponent anticipated & reacted to the Men strike first, they may try to block with their Shinai by raising their kensen over head & exposing their Kote, therefore this delayed timing may be useful for us to change the course of our strike to aim for the Kote instead. 

This can sometimes be useful to disrupt the timing of opponent, make our strike timing less predictable, or even as a good strategy to feint & draw out opponents reaction as we desire.

5. Men-Hiki-men

6. Men-Hiki-men-Kote-men

7. Kakari-geiko

Thank you to both Sam & Marleen sensei for leading the Keiko tonight.

Thank you to all the Senpais, Kyu grades & beginners who made tonight’s Keiko very productive🙏🙏🙏



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

2026 Beginners Information

By
You are warmly invited to join us and begin your New Year’s journey as a Modern Samurai. Beginners Class (age 14 and above): 1.30 - 2.30pm, Saturdays Little Samurai Class (age under 14): 2.30 - 3.30pm, Saturdays Intermediate and Advanced Class: 3.30 - 6.00pm, Saturdays Starting Dates Term 1: Saturday 17 and 31 January ( no training on 24 January ) Term 2: Saturday 7 and 14 March Term 3: Saturday 25 July and 1 August  Term 4: Saturday 31 October and 7 November Course Information No previous experience required. Open to all genders, ages 6 to 60 . Your first lesson is free (trial lesson). Day 1 Kendo Beginners – FAQ Little Samurai Kendo – Parents’ Information Monthly Membership Fees Primary school students: $50.00 Intermediate & high school students: $60.00 Tertiary students: $80.00 Adults: $100.00 Family Discounts Second family member: 50% off Third family member and beyond: free Learning Objectives By the end of the course,  you will be ready to put on Bogu (armour)...
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 Dōjo basic etiquette & commands for beginner & kyu grades

By
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...
Post a Comment
Read more