Lesson: Seme te Men

I. Problem: One-Step Attacks

Until now, I didn't really try to use Seme b/c I never could really understand the concept. Plus, one-step attacks from close distance (*Chikai-ma-ai) were much easier and tempting (especially when I really wanted to win), so I didn't really bother to learn the concept of Seme. I just kept practiced being fast in one-step attacks from the closest distance.

(*Chikai-ma-ai (close distance): Also called Chika-ma. A smaller distance than **Issoku-itto-no-ma-ai. At this distance, one's strike can easily reach the opponent, but the same holds for the opponent's strike.)

(**Issoku-itto-no-ma-ai: The distance which enables a player to strike the opponent by taking one step forward and to evade the opponent's strike by taking one step backward. The fundamental spatial distance in kendo.)

But, after I got my 3 dan, I began to realize that most Sensei and advanced kenshi can block my one-step attacks. Also, because I ONLY could attack from one-step distance, I had to wait until the opponent comes close enough for me to attack. But, usually, the opponent (usually being Sensei or advanced kenshi) already comes in w/ Seme then translates right into the decisive attack even before I had my chance of attack. I began to see the need of attack where I'm in charge of the attack and I control the opponent (not the other way).

II. The Need for Proper Distance

Long time ago, Spencer Sensei told me that once the opponent comes into your territory (probably start passing the Issoku-itto-no-ma-ai) then start pressing in, I shouldn't just stand there. Once the opponent crosses Chika-ma, it's already too close. Recently, Jae Choi Sensei told me that I just stand there when the opponent keep pressing in until the distance is too close. He said when the opponent is too close, pull back, regain my proper distance and start again.

So, from that Issoku-itto-no-ma-ai (the distance which I'm not so used to in attacking), how am I suppose to attack effectively while having the opponent under my control?

III. Clearing Opponent's Defense

Recently, Jae Choi Sensei began teaching me that I should clear my way (clearing the opponent's defense) so that I can attack. He said I can either 1) knock out the opponent's shinai thus physically moving the opponent's defense out of the way, OR 2) I can use Seme to create openings. Then, he taught me the first option of knocking the opponent's shinai out. (He taught me this long time ago too, but I never realized the significance of it until now)

From this Monday's conversation w/ Spencer Sensei and Yuji Sensei's teachings from earlier, the second option of using Seme also began to make sense to me. (Please refer to "Lesson: Seme w/ Purpose" from my previous blog) After all, in order for me to effectively attack, I should remove the opponent's defense and create opening either by my own physical force or by having the opponent do it voluntarily.

IV. Seme

A. Spencer Sensei

Every time I practice w/ Spencer Sensei, when he strikes my Men, I have this vivid image of him attacking me. It's so consistent each time that I have this mental picture of him -- that split second moment image of him attacking me. I tried to draw it as best as I could, but please excuse my bad drawing... :)

Now I think about it, his Men attacks were not one-step attack but Seme te Men attack (usually Seme to my Tsuki). The most recent image of this attack I have is his attack from the Yamaguchi Cup.

So, this is the idea (picture).

B. Jae Choi Sensei

Since I was a beginner, and many times before, and recently also, Jae Choi Sensei made me to do the following drill: 1) take first step and strike Tsuki; then 2) strike Men.

I never understood why, but now I can understand that that drill was the most basic steps of learning the effective Seme te Men.

At the time, I couldn't understand the purpose b/c in real keiko, when I stepped in w/ Tsuki, all my opponents blocked me. So, I could not link the first step of the drill to the next step (Men strike). But, now I can see that Jae Sensei was teaching me that "Seme w/ Purpose of Striking Tsuki." If I can smoothly connect both motions into one, then I should have the same motion as when Spencer Sensei attacks me.

C. Takahashi Sensei and Richard Ra

So, yesterday, I practiced Seme te Men w/ Richard. When I asked Richard if he could feel my Seme (the pressure), he said no b/c my Seme is not centered. He said that when I press in, my shinai should be centered or else, it will not break the opponent's defense. He said, "there's only one center for either one of us' shinai."

Then, I remembered Takahashi Sensei's teaching from Monday (and several times before) that "whoever has the center wins." He always stressed to me that I must have the center in order to have successful attack.

V. Conclusion

When I tried to practice it yesterday at the Yakusoku Keiko w/ Richard, it was so awkward b/c, from the further distance than what I'm used to, I had to step in w/ Seme THEN attack. It already lowered my confidence level b/c the distance is further and there's more step involved. But, for me to create the opening by pressuring the opponent (either having him raise or tilt his shinai or just make him stand there), this is imperative. I should work on this.

Lesson: Seme w/ Purpose

After the first practice, I asked Spencer Sensei about how I can do Seme effectively. I said that when I try to do Seme, it's ineffective so people don't move.

He said that I shouldn't just step in trying to do Seme, but I should "Seme w/ purpose."

I should Seme in w/ intent to execute an attack, then when the opening is created, I should attack accordingly. It would be very short moment (split seconds), but that's why I need to practice.

I said that, all this time, I've been trying to attack from one-step distance, as fast as I can.

He said that such attack will soon be ineffective b/c there's always gonna be someone faster than me (especially as I get older). Thus, I should practice using Seme to create the opening. And, in doing so, I should Seme in w/ purpose of real attack.

(Oh, he also said that I go to the side after the attack. I should go straight in toward the opponent.)

Lesson: Suri-ashi

During our Suri-ashi practice today, Spencer Sensei said that I should bring my left foot right away b/c my left foot is too slow (lagging). He said that it should be like a snap.

For some reason, although I've heard that so many times before, it became very clear to me today. (I think the reason is b/c I saw one of the visiting Sensei on Monday -- I forgot her name -- who had really good Suri-ashi, so I was relating to that)

I tried the way Spencer Sensei told me while picturing the Suri-ashi of the Sensei I saw on Monday. My left leg felt really tired soon, and Spencer Sensei said that it's b/c I'm not used to it.

I'm glad that Suri-ashi actually makes sense to me now. I need to get used to this by practicing more.

Thought: Center of Weight

Many times, different Sensei told me that I lift up my leg when I attack. Olson Sensei mentioned it recently again, and on Monday practice, Yuji Sensei said that I don't carry my attack w/ my leg thus my upper body goes first and I end up lifting my leg up.

While thinking about how I can correct this problem, a comparison w/ boxing occurred to me.

(Actually, a few practices ago, Jae Choi Sensei gave me an illustration w/ boxing, and ever since, I related kendo w/ boxing. I used to take boxing during my absence from kendo, so I could easily relate to that illustration)

(Diagram: Boxing 1) In boxing, from the basic stance, when you try to throw right punch to a distant target in the shortest time possible, most beginners (or non-boxers) throw their right punch trying to reach out the target while not using their body or footwork. The results are: 1) although you may reach to target w/ your hand, the impact of the punch is very weak (thus ineffective); 2) the center of weight is off balanced and unstable, thus, again, your punch does not carry any power that is transferred from your center of weight (body) and from your foot; and 3) since you are off balanced, you cannot continue the attack if the first punch was not successful, thus creating opening for the opponent to counterattack.

(Diagram: Boxing 2) However, when you "step in" with your whole body (meaning you carry your whole body w/ your foot thus the center of weight is stable): 1) the impact of the punch is solid from the power generated by your body and your foot -- also from the turning motion of your body; 2) the center of weight is stable; and 3) since you have stable balance, you can continue w/ secondary or tertiary attacks if the initial punch was unsuccessful.

(Diagram: Kendo 1 and 2) Same principle applies to kendo except that you're trying to strike w/ shinai instead of punch.

I have realized that, when facing the opponent, my natural desire and tendency is to try to reach to the target as fast as I can. That tendency and desire makes me to lean forward in order to reach the target w/ my shinai and my left leg being lifted up. (As if, in football, a running back leans forward to cross that line for the touchdown -- they usually dive into the end zone when chased, which is the most extreme case of leaning forward)

The difference is that in football, the objective IS to "reach" to the target (the end zone) while in kendo (or in boxing), the objective is to deliver an effective strike (or punch) to the target. The difference is substance. In kendo (and boxing), you must actually deliver the substance w/ your motion. That means, you have to give up reaching faster in exchange of delivering solid (substantive) and valid strike.

I think that the key in delivering such solid (substantive) strike comes from the body and the foot (as in boxing). That also means, I must work on 2 things: 1) changing my mental picture to carry the whole body w/ me (instead of striving to reaching to the target); and 2) my footwork, especially my left foot as the generator of the power.

Now, the mental picture is drawn, I should put this to the practice so that my body gets used to it -- which will take long time...

Epilogue: The 1st Yamaguchi Cup

The 1st Yamaguchi Cup at our dojo (Costa Mesa Kendo Dojo) last week was successful. I saw some great kendo and felt privileged to have competed against Spencer Hosokawa Sensei. Congratulations to Desmond Nakamoto Senpai for the 1st place. This tournament was especially significant to me for the following reasons:

First of all, this tournament was named after Takeshi Yamaguchi Sensei who is one of the most respected Sensei I have ever known. In addition to his own influence to my life and my kendo, many Sensei who learned from him also influenced me greatly.

Secondly, I saw all the kenshi doing their best to win while striving to maintain proper kendo. Since it was ippon shobu (1 point match) w/out any rank division, any kenshi had a chance to win, so each kenshi tried their best. Certainly, I was one of them when I faced Spencer Sensei. I knew his kendo was great and I would have very little, if not at all, chance to win. So, I gave everything I had in playing against him. However, since our dojo (under Yamaguchi Sensei's teaching) stresses proper kendo, I tried to maintain the proper kendo even under the pressure to win. I saw this occurring in other kenshi as well, thus resulting in some great kendo matches and performances.

Finally and personally, this tournament was the only tournament I could attend throughout the year. Since I goto church on Sundays, I could not attend kendo tournaments on Sundays. (I've tried a few times in the past, but I never felt comfortable attending kendo tournament over church) I take it as God's gift to me? :)

I'm thankful for the Yamaguchi Cup, and I should try my best to win next year.

Lesson: No Mind

I received the following comment from Olson Sensei for one of my blog posts. I thought it was worth sharing b/c it's a great lesson. (Thank you Olson Sensei for the permission)

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Remember the concept of "mushin" or no mind.

Musashi referred to it in the Five Rings many times.

You practice the same thing over and over, so your automatic reactions take over.

Kendo becomes like a reflex, bypassing the nerve pathways to the brain and back.

Too much time, too much opportunity for error, too much time for your opponent to strike.

Practice with no mind, no thinking just action and reaction.

B.Olson

Lesson: Amazing Timing

Yamaguchi Sensei once said that it's not about how fast you are, but it's about how good timing you have.

Today, during the 1st Yamaguchi Cup, I was observing Shoraku Sensei and Shiono Sensei's match.

Despite Shiono Sensei's great techniques and speed (and also being much younger), Shoraku Sensei won the match with Do strike. I got to witness what it's like to have amazing timing.

(I also remembered observing Shoraku Sensei's timing during his keiko w/ Desmond Senpai who has lighting speed)

After the practice, I asked Shoraku Sensei how I can practice that timing. He said that I should "see the opponent w/ my body -- not w/ my eyes or my head." He said that he sees the opponent as a "whole" instead of focusing on certain areas of attack. He said that if I see the opponent like that, then I can see the whole movement of the opponent. He illustrated it as looking at the whole mountain afar instead of focusing a small part of that mountain.

I should work on this.

Lesson: Solid Strike

Today was the 1st Yamaguchi Cup, and my first match was with Spencer Sensei (which I lost, but I felt really good about that match).

After the practice, I asked Spencer Sensei for comments, and he said that overall, it was good but my strike was not solid enough. Richard Ra also said that during my Yakusoku-geiko w/ him today.

I should practice to have more solid strike.

Lesson: Forward feeling after strike

Different sensei commented before that I raise my shinai high up after striking Men thus making the feeling to go up instead of going forward.

Takahashi Sensei said it, Spencer Sensei said it, and Jae Choi Sensei said it.

Today, Jae Choi Sensei worked w/ me in making my shinai (feeling) go forward instead of high up. He said to extend my right arm straight forward keeping it about my shoulder height (little below but never higher than shoulder). He also mentioned that I should have my left arm straight, feeling like I'm punching the opponent's Do (in the middle).

It was difficult to get used to b/c: 1) I tend to raise my shinai up after striking Men; or 2) if I run into the opponent, then I tend to pull both my arms.

Jae Sensei said that by extending both arms, I can: 1) go straight through the opponent; or 2) if the opponent blocks me, I can do Tai-atari Men right away.

Afterward, I did Yakusoku-geiko w/ Richard Ra, practicing what I learned. Yuji Sensei watched my practice and commented that I try to extend both arms and just trying to reach the opponent while my foot work does not follow at all. He said that my footwork should carry the strike, not just my arms.

It was extremely difficult to correct something that I have gotten so used to -- years of keep doing bad habit. I should work hard to fix this.

Lesson: Straight Men

A few practices earlier, during my keiko w/ Takahashi Sensei, he made me to practice Ai-Men (both side striking Men simultaneously). He kept on striking my Men but I could not strike his Men. After the keiko, he said, "whoever hits the straight Men, he wins."