tsuki, the holy grail.
well... somehow.
Don´t we all dream of mastering the art of tsuki?
I do.
Tsuki is the niche technique in kendo. Rarely seen. Almost never seen in a satisfying manner.
Somehow, tsuki gained popularity again lately.
Maybe it´s due to the latest tsuki ippons, that have been successfully landed in major taikai or it could be a result that comes due to the rise of jodan and nito players. Who knows....
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Nito Shinai
Shinai for nito ryu.
Nito ryu requires 2 swords as we all know (Ni = 2 ; to = sword/katana)
I will briefly set an overview here regarding the distinctive shinai used in nito.
According to the regulations for shiai, those shinai must obtain the following measurements
Daito
max. 114 cm
min. 440 gr.(M) / 400 gr.(W)
Shoto
max. 62 cm
280-300 gr.(M) / 250-280 gr.(W)
This of course are the regulations for official shiai!
Lets have a look how they compare to a regular shinai:
Nito ryu requires 2 swords as we all know (Ni = 2 ; to = sword/katana)
I will briefly set an overview here regarding the distinctive shinai used in nito.
According to the regulations for shiai, those shinai must obtain the following measurements
Daito
max. 114 cm
min. 440 gr.(M) / 400 gr.(W)
Shoto
max. 62 cm
280-300 gr.(M) / 250-280 gr.(W)
This of course are the regulations for official shiai!
Lets have a look how they compare to a regular shinai:
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Kirikaeshi and archery
More then often said, Kirikaeshi is the fundamental exercise in Kendo.
If done correctly, there are numerous benefits one can obtain from properly executing Kirikaeshi.
Being exhausting and challenging at the same time, Kirikaeshi will stack the amount of stamina we have and improve the whole body coordination massively.
Now here is the deal, it has to be done "correctly".
Doing it correctly contains numerous points to consider.
After having a nice conversation with my sempai, there is one particular thing I want to share.
If done correctly, there are numerous benefits one can obtain from properly executing Kirikaeshi.
Being exhausting and challenging at the same time, Kirikaeshi will stack the amount of stamina we have and improve the whole body coordination massively.
Now here is the deal, it has to be done "correctly".
Doing it correctly contains numerous points to consider.
After having a nice conversation with my sempai, there is one particular thing I want to share.
Monday, April 13, 2015
carbon shinai
Hasegawa carbon shinai....
Well, carbon shinai have always been polarizing.
90% of the people either like it or hate it.
There aren´t that many people who are "meh" about it, or say there is no big difference compared to bamboo shinai.
My point of view?
Is it better then bamboo? -No.-
Is it a horrible thing nobody needs? -No.-
Do I need on? -Uhhhm, maybe?-
Should I buy one? -At least one, yes (a used one is absolutely OK!)-
Lets start at the very beginning.
Well, carbon shinai have always been polarizing.
90% of the people either like it or hate it.
There aren´t that many people who are "meh" about it, or say there is no big difference compared to bamboo shinai.
My point of view?
Is it better then bamboo? -No.-
Is it a horrible thing nobody needs? -No.-
Do I need on? -Uhhhm, maybe?-
Should I buy one? -At least one, yes (a used one is absolutely OK!)-
Lets start at the very beginning.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Kihon Kata
...to use the full name, which nobody from the outside of japan can ever remember of:
"Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho"
Duh, as everyone does, we´ll stay with the term Kihon Kata.
Ok,
the German Kendo federation decided to have the Kihon Kata added to the kyu-exam content (in Germany you have to run through all 6 kyu grades) from 2016 on.
As the Kihon Kata is relatively new here in Germany, we had an seminar this weekend for all current kyu examiners and those who want to become one.
As most of us are doing Nihon Kendo Kata on a regular basis, the handling of the bokuto was no problem.
Also the single techniques are basically all "well" known.
What we had to learn were "merely" the sequences by itself.
To be Honest, the hardest part for me is to remember the order of the katas by itself, luckily each kata will be announced prior to performing it, hooray!
The concept behind these katas is, to teach various techniques to the beginners by the sword (bokuto).
Many people think it´s rather arguable to expect the beginners, who barely can handle the shinai, to additionally get used to handle the bokuto in a proper way.
One the one side, yes, it can be a bit too much for some people.
But on the other side, it is absolutely important to teach that kendo is based on actual swords fighting and the shinai is just an replacement for save training.
Otherwise it would obviously be called "shinaido" or "shinaijutsu".
Another important point for the beginners is, that due to the lesser complexity of the Kihon Kata compared to the Nihon Kendo Kata, the handling of the bokuto will be easier to learn and be something they are used to when learning the Nihon Kendo Kata.
In conclusion, Kihon Kata is actually really helpful (for the beginners) for getting used to the bokuto/katana, the waza in kendo and proper maai.
Unfortunately, I don´t see any Interest among our advanced kenshi and Dan holders on practicing the Kihon Kata.
Which is really a pity.
I mean, at least the proper execution of the kaeshi and nuki Katas can be a real benefit for the shinai kendo. I rarely see people doing those waza in a proper manner during ji-geiko...
So,
please minna-san,
don´t skip the Kihon Kata!!
"Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho"
Duh, as everyone does, we´ll stay with the term Kihon Kata.
Ok,
the German Kendo federation decided to have the Kihon Kata added to the kyu-exam content (in Germany you have to run through all 6 kyu grades) from 2016 on.
As the Kihon Kata is relatively new here in Germany, we had an seminar this weekend for all current kyu examiners and those who want to become one.
As most of us are doing Nihon Kendo Kata on a regular basis, the handling of the bokuto was no problem.
Also the single techniques are basically all "well" known.
What we had to learn were "merely" the sequences by itself.
To be Honest, the hardest part for me is to remember the order of the katas by itself, luckily each kata will be announced prior to performing it, hooray!
The concept behind these katas is, to teach various techniques to the beginners by the sword (bokuto).
Many people think it´s rather arguable to expect the beginners, who barely can handle the shinai, to additionally get used to handle the bokuto in a proper way.
One the one side, yes, it can be a bit too much for some people.
But on the other side, it is absolutely important to teach that kendo is based on actual swords fighting and the shinai is just an replacement for save training.
Otherwise it would obviously be called "shinaido" or "shinaijutsu".
Another important point for the beginners is, that due to the lesser complexity of the Kihon Kata compared to the Nihon Kendo Kata, the handling of the bokuto will be easier to learn and be something they are used to when learning the Nihon Kendo Kata.
In conclusion, Kihon Kata is actually really helpful (for the beginners) for getting used to the bokuto/katana, the waza in kendo and proper maai.
Unfortunately, I don´t see any Interest among our advanced kenshi and Dan holders on practicing the Kihon Kata.
Which is really a pity.
I mean, at least the proper execution of the kaeshi and nuki Katas can be a real benefit for the shinai kendo. I rarely see people doing those waza in a proper manner during ji-geiko...
So,
please minna-san,
don´t skip the Kihon Kata!!
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