Monday Week 1 (12th October 2009) Summary

Here is the first of what will hopefully be weekly summaries of the beginner’s class. The main aim of these is to review and elaborate a little on the main points covered and raised in the week’s class, giving something to think about and work on before the next session. Hopefully these will help to improve the understanding and quality of kendo.

1. Stretching
Like all strenuous exercise, stretching should be done at the beginning of each practice, in order to prevent injuries. Warming up of the Achilles tendon is particularly important, as a large strain is placed on it when pushing forward with the rear leg.

2. Okuri-ashi (kendo sliding footwork)
Okuri-ashi is used when moving around so that one is always ready to push off and make a cut. For chudan-no-kamae, the stance used on Monday, the right foot will always remain forwards, the left behind. Push forwards, sliding right foot along the ground. Bring up the left foot quickly once the body has been moved forward to maintain readiness to move again. Always keep the rear heel off the ground to prevent injury to the Achilles tendon. Keep body upright and avoid hunching/leaning over

3. Making a cut
When making a cut, keep the arms, shoulders and wrists relaxed and unlocked. Doing so will increase the accuracy and speed. Trying to force the swing faster with tense arms has the opposite effect and expends more energy. At the end of the cut, use te-no-uchi, the twisting of the wrists inwards towards each other, to stop the sword at the target point. The target height is head level for men (top of the head) cuts and slightly higher than your own hands for kote (wrist). Imagine an opponent the same size as you when making the swing.

4. Kiai
Kiai (shout) is used to express your intention to fight and impose yourself on your opponent. Kiai before moving in to your cutting distance, shout the name of the target you are cutting at the time of impact to show that the cut is on the target intended, and continue to kiai until the cut is completed and you are ready for the next cut.

Please consider these points; they will be built upon and are part of the fundamental principles. Look forward to the next session!