In this post I will talk about the kendo practice at one of Japan's top Kendo schools. Nippon Sports Science University,
稽古＠日体大剣道部
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| Nippon Sports Science University. |
I have been lucky enough to receive permission to practice regularly at one of Japan's elite kendo institutions. Through my Sempai and his Sensei I will now be able to boost my preparation for the World Kendo Championship 2015 in Japan by joining the pratice at Nippon Sports Science University,
Nittaidai in Japanese.
After the break I will introduce the regular practice program and hopefully the following will give you an insight into how kendo is practiced at elite kendo schools, and what it is that sets it apart from other dojo in Japan and elsewhere.
Hiki-waza, attacking your opponent from tsubazeriai and immediately propelling your self backwards away from your opponent.
In this post I'll talk about some ways to create the opening for hiki-waza.
This type of waza can be tricky to execute, starting from tsubazeriai (swords crossed at close distance) you have to make the opening, strike, and withdraw quickly while moving backwards at pace and more often than not being chased by your opponent.
I talked in another post about watching your opponent for the moment he breaks his concentration or stops his attack after making
tsubazeriai
While studying today I came across a paragraph in my kendo book detailing how to create openings for hiki-waza. It talks about reading your opponents kamae during tsubazeriai, is it strong and centred or is it flexible. Depending on the type of kamae we vary the way we make openings.
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| How to strike Hiki-kote. From 強くなる剣道入れ入門 (Kendo Manual) |
Continue reading after the break!
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"Zen"
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In this review I will be taking a look at Zen, a light and snappy Jissen-gata shinai from Sankei.
For kendo players looking for a well balanced, light feeling shinai for practice or tournament use, I recommend checking out
Zen, a jissen-gata style shinai.
Handmade from the best keichiku bamboo, Sankei say this is one of their most popular shinai.
It has been a slow start to 2014 for me! I attended only my third practice of the year last night!
I'm carrying a bit of a foot injury and quite a belly after the holidays, but I will be back up and running soon enough!
I'm currently reviewing a shinai for a friend at Zen-Sankei International. (The same chap responsible for all those police shiai videos!)
I'll post up the review after a few practices with it. In the mean time why don't you check out
their home page .
Sankei are a popular equipment supplier in Japan. A lot of kendo stores carry their shinai. And I have used more than a few of them since I started practicing.
You can check out their impressively full range of shinai in both mens and ladies sizes simply by clicking
this link.
That's all for now, I'll be taking a trip to a new dojo on Saturday and will write my first keiko report of the new year then.
Thank you for your support!
