Shiai practice

The last hour of training was capped off with a mock up shiai. Everyone was paired according to their ranks, those new to shiai started first. Learnt all the basic drills regarding the shiai in terms of structure, rules and appropriate conduct.

My first match was against Tony, from the get go I realised he was in a defensive mode through out the match. So I took the chance of doing a feint men cut and hitting do and it turned out to be successful. Ryu was my next opponent and ended up winning that match with a harai men. At the end of the day, training was great I only lost one match to a nice debana kote. So overall, pretty happy with training yesterday.

Feedback from Vui
Cons

• taiatare is not the only option
• issokuitto-no-maai, desired distance is important
  
• seme - must work on more seme!
• minimise debanna kote: try not to raise the shinai to high
  

Pros

• speed, quickness to execute wazas
• good use of eyes - finding opportunities
• good posture
  

Feedback from sensei ...

Yano sensei: jigeiko feedback

1. Predictable striking behaviour

• harai-waza: excessive force and repetition of hit and go
• kiai: before every attack there was a loud kiai

2. Kensen

• large movements - increased attacking opportunities

Harai-waza

Yesterday, training was abit different. Warmups were much the same, however we introduced do-kirikaeshi as used by the Nittaidai group and harai-waza. Just like the normal kirikaeshi but instead hitting do, starting with the left side first 8 times. I noticed my foot cordination is coming along well as a result of this kirikaeshi.

Harai-waza
"Any several techniques for deflecting an opponents shinai and attacking in one motion" - Japanese-English Kendo Dictionary

Peter-sensei split the class into group of 3's and 4's to concentrate on harai-waza. We pracitced the following below;

• harai-men
• harai-kote
• harai-do
• harai-tsuki

My experience with harai-waza is that it must be performed quickly with good te-no-uchi. It must not be too obvious to your opponent so quick and a decisive attack is key, unless you will be a victim of debana-waza. This lesson was learnt through jigeiko with higher seniors. Sometimes I also noticed their chudan-no-kamae is quite strong and center is firm or either they intentionally have their kamae to their right to create seme for a quick debana-waza.

My observation for a good harai-waza;

• footwork: single motion - one step (important)
  
• quick movement
• good posture
• strike right after shinai is off center
• less obvious - drawing a J instead of a half circle with the shinai! (up/down action)
  

Updates: Jan / Feb

• Introduced to full bogu
• Graded 6kyu (Feb 11th, 2006)

Yes, I finally have a grade! Grading was at Kenshinkan Dojo, I was pretty nervous at first although alot of my seniors telling me not to worry. However exams are exams, no matter how easy they are.. I guess I'm always going to be abit nervous. There were at least 30-40 students grading on the day. I'm happy that I got my grade, but I can't feel abit disappointed because I felt personally I could of done better. I was just too nervous. So for next grading, I will have to be more confident!

2006 Resolution - Kendo

Well 2006 is here, so here are my kendo goals;

• injury free
• compete in the most tournaments as possible
• try to make top10 in a tournament
  
• maintain fitness level
• faster foot work and cuts
  
• 5kyu grade - possible 4kyu
• 110% effort at training

Above are just some things I will try to achieve this year. Probably forgetting something else on the list, but there are enough things there to aim for. Just to be injury free would be the most important factor to me. I love going to training 3 times a week and I hope to maintain it.

Back to basics...

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of Peter taking over the class from Claire. A member of the Kenshikan dojo who is currently teaching kendo over in Hobart, Tas. I don't actually know his rank but I believe he is higher than 4th Dan. Training was abit different, for the first hour of training was focused on basic footwork.. alot of okuri-ashi, etc.

At the start of the week we were introduced bogu.. just the Do and Tare for now. Personally, it doesn't feel any difference besides the obvious weight gain. Adjusting to seiza and bowing at first was kind of painful but probably contributed to poor sizing. Can't wait to go in full armour (kote and men), but in the mean time.. need to go back to basics. Here are the little things I will need to fix.

• Turning correctly - face opponent - really need to pay attention!
  
• Smaller steps
  

Pain is rewarding ..

Training finished abit early today but overall it was a great session. It's still intense, hard but thats how I like it and don't expect anything different in the future. Hands are abit sore, two blisters on each hand and a left ankle thats hurting abit.. apart from that every else seems to be in working order.

Training started off with a quick warm up, kirikaeshi, kihon cuts and a jigeiko session. Today I had the pleasure of doing jigeiko with three seniors that I highly respected, we practiced kirikaeshi and uchikomigeiko. I can't explain how great it is to train with high rank seniors... it's like your skill and spirit has been raised to a new level.

Tried to focus on two main issues I had last practice. I think I just tend to relax abit during cuts and end up showing poor zanshin. I'm pretty happy with my performance today, the comments made from seniors stating I showed very good form certainly made me happy. I do feel my kendo is improving alot, my footwork is much better and so are my men and do cuts. I guess practice pays off.

Before training was over, senesi told us that we'll be in bogu next week. Can't wait!

Things I need to focus on for next training;

• Turning correctly after cuts to face opponents
• Kote cuts: try not to raise shinai after hit