Another Ouch

Tsuba smashed on the knuckle.... ouch

Return to Basics

I paid a visit to Wakaba this week and managed some time in motodatchigeiko with Katsuya sensei and Manny.

Both pulled me up on similar basic points regarding distance and relaxation.

Katsuya sensei:

• Concentrate on the opponent all the time, even when passing.
• Relax shoulders and arms. Katsuya then told me to cut shomen from to-ma and demonstrated that a relaxed posture can help with distance.
• Move left hip first when attacking. This help reduce telegraphing and leading with upper body.
• Katsuya said all this will take time to learn so I have to be prepared to lose. By learning to attack from distance will allow me to see and react to an opponent's intention, but this requires practice.

Manny:

• Learn to provoke opponent, make them fear you.
• If people moving in on me first, then I'm not taking the initiative.
• I've started to to flick with right hand.
• I tend to retreat a lot during jigeiko. I explained that I'm trying to make distance for longer attacks, Manny suggested that I simply cut from a stationary position (rather than push forward). Simply raise my arms and cut down using required footwork means I should reach ok.

The following practice at my club I was given some a few pointers by Young:

• I need to increase my aggression and always be ready to attack.
• Don't take my kensen too far off centre.
• Explode forward instantaneously, don't learn forward first (I have real trouble doing this).

I'm experiencing some real difficulty with my basic cutting. I think too much focus oji waza has taken my eye off the ball.

Video on Seme & Centre

Happy New Year to all!

Wow, another year gone... they seem to pass so quickly now.

No kendo since December due to loads of uni assignment deadlines :( Therefore, i've posted an interesting youtube clip which Katsuya Sensei of Wakaba dojo sent us on an email a few days ago.

The link if of a kids seminar in Tokyo, he also included a short description on what is being taught. It's times like this I wish I could speak some of the lingo!

Hokkaido Kendo Seminar 2010

Katsuya Sensei's notes:

"This is Kendo Kid's seminar by Tokyo police, Nishikawa (3 time champ), Uchimura (twice champ, wearing Men) and Asano (Tokyo police chief instructor).

Unfortunately there are no subtitles. Basically they explain 'Seme' and 'centre'.

Nishikawa (first teacher) explains that the tall guy always wins if the attack happens at the same time. But if one of them starts from far distance and steps in first, they will win in most cases.

Asano (second sensei) explains 'centre', how important it is and how it works. Basically, he is suggesting use minimum shift on a Shinai for Kote and own body position for Do."