Feed Back: (Lesson from "How to Attack")

I applied the lesson learned from the "Thought: How to Attack" post.

On Wed. practice, I reminded myself that I will not focus on my hands or arms at all but only focus on my feet and my legs.  Every time I attack, I focused on my right leg and stuck out my right leg forward first as fast and as far as I could.

After the practice, Takahashi Sensei told me, "you're Men attack is very good now.  You don't lean forward anymore but you have a straight back."

I was so happy.  I should focus on my foot work from now on.

Lesson: Proper Kamae and Sae

I asked Yamaguchi Sensei what is the proper hand position in Kamae, and the following is what he said:

1.  In holding shinai in Kamae, the first joint bone of each thumb (that connects the thumb and the palm) must line up and make a straight line.  If this is done, the tip of the shinai would slightly point to the right.

2.  When you strike, the deep part between the thumb and the index finger of each hand must line up and make straight line.

3.  When striking, you're suppose to squeeze the last 3 fingers of each hand and not the whole hand.  Some people say that you must squeeze as if you're squeezing a wet towel, but this is a misconception (and not true).  Just squeeze the last 3 fingers of each hand.

Yamaguchi Sensei said that the squeezing itself is an art called "Sae" and told me to look it up.

So, I looked up the term in the Kendo dictionary:

"Sae (n.)

The skillfulness of a waza, or the sharpness of its function or feeling.  When striking, one moves the right and left hands cooperatively, and tightens the te-no-uchi (way of gripping the shinai) instantaneously.  This gives the striking sharpness known as sae in kendo."

I said that I never knew all these, and I've been practicing it all wrong for the past 15 years or so.  He said many people don't do it right.  I said I'll practice and ask further questions.

Thought: How to Attack

Generally, beginners or even the intermediate people tend to think that kendo involves mostly arms because we use shinai.  However, I've recently discovered that kendo is more of foot and leg work than the arm work.  (Yuji Sensei once told me "kendo is about 60% foot work and 40% arm work.")

When attacking, we usually focus on hitting that spot (Men, Kote, Do, Tsuki) w/ our shinai using our "hands and arms."  So, when I want to attack, I would start by extending both my arms as far as I could to "reach" that target as fast as I could (before the opponent blocks it).  This brought me 2 grave consequences:

1.  My body leans forward.

Because of my tendency to reach far, my upper body naturally went forward first and the lower body followed, thus making my body to "lean forward" (about 45 degree angle) every time I attack.  

2.  The opponent can block most of my attacks.

Although my desire is to reach in as fast as I could, the opponent can still see it and block it.  Because, the kendo distance is about 2 shinais long (the distance between my shinai and the opponent's shinai).  No matter how fast I reach, the opponent has enough time to block it.

So, the correct way is to go in with your leg first.  (Of course, this does not mean just reaching your foot out.  You must have that proper fumikomi)  Many beginners and intermediates tend to fall short of extending their legs far enough.  I find the "Fumikomi No Suburi" extremely helpful in fixing this.

So, during Keiko, when you have created that opening, imagine that you're bringing your right leg far far into the opponent's body.  Then, your body will follow and your arms w/ shinai will follow.

Then, your opponent will see you as you are coming in w/ your full force.

Lesson: Keep That Center

On Monday practice, Desmond Senpai taught me very valuable lesson.

In Kamae, you have to keep that center.  As soon as you lose that center, the opponent can rush in and will attack you (mostly Men).  In Kamae position, you must have your shinai straight to your opponent's throat and must not let the opponent move it aside or knock it out.  Because, the moment you lose that strong centered-Kamae, you're wide open and the opponent will rush into you (and you won't have any thing to stop that opponent).

(Below, I've added the lessons I learned from the past)

If you have a strong centered-Kamae, 2 things are advantageous:

1.  When you go for your attack, mostly Men, your attack will not be hindered by the opponent and you can go straight in.  In case where both you and the opponent hit Men at the same time, your attack will be valid b/c you attacked from the center and went straight in.

2.  When the opponent attacks you, if you have a strong centered-Kamae, your tip of the shinai will be stuck at the opponent's throat (Tsuki), so the opponent's attack will not be validated.  One thing to caution is that, if you become complacent and just keep that center (pointing to the opponent's throat) and just wait for his attack, the opponent will break your center or find your opening.

Constantly adjust your Kamae to maintain that centered-Kamae.  If the distance became too close for the attack, do not just step back little by little.  Step back and reset your Kamae.  Then, start your strong centered-Kamae again and look for (or create) the openings.

Also, do not be too stiff in trying to keep that center.  The opponent will tap your shinai and will feel how stiff your Kamae is.  If too stiff, he will start using it against you by pushing your shinai to one side and, when you react to it by pushing back against him, he will attack your other side.  (Hard to explain in words...)

Today (Wed.), during the practice, I applied this during my Keiko w/ Hosokawa Sr. Sensei.  During Kamae, I maintained my strong centered-Kamae.  And, when he tried to parry his Kamae and tried to take that center, I tapped his shinai to the side.  His number of attacks became noticeably decreased (usually, he'd attack me whenever he pleased...;p).  Also, when he tried to gain control of that center, I went around his shinai and attacked at other openings.

Many times in the past, many Senseis (including Yamaguchi Sensei, Hosokawa Sensei, Takahashi Sensei, etc.) have taught me this, but it didn't come to me back then.  (I guess it was not my timing yet)

But, on Monday, when Desmond Senpai told me that, it totally clicked to me.  Kendo is not easy to learn.

Post: I'm Back!

Ah...it's so good to be back.

But, I have to start my kendo from zero again.

Well, the lesson learned is,

"Do not stop in the middle

because you'll have to start all over again."

Post: Will Be Back After July!

I visited my blog for the first time in a long time.

I won't be able to post any blog until the end of July.

I'll be back when I resume my Kendo practices starting August.

Thanks!

(Sorry, Charlie, I'll see you at the dojo in August and will start posting blogs again.

But, thanks for the feedback!)

Lesson: Go Through

I've been getting this feedback a lot lately.

"Don't go to the side or don't try to attack from the side, but try to go 'through' the opponent."

(I tried to draw what I imagined in my mind.  Hope this helps.)

Lesson: Nothing Fancy But Just The Basics

On Wed., Jae Choi Sensei came to our practice.  He stops by once in awhile (like once a year), so I was very glad to see him.  Too bad that I was not in shape... (I missed practice for a few weeks, yet J. Choi Sensei, who practices like once a year, still kicked my butt...so unfair...)

Anyways...

After the first practice, I went to Yamaguchi Sensei and asked if I could improve anything.  He said, "Watch Jae.  His Kendo is very good.  He has very good timing.  The way he received Kiri-kaeshi was perfect, just the way I explained to you guys in the past.  He kept that.  He does nothing fancy but only the basics, yet his Kendo is very good."

When he explained this to me, Yamaguichi Sensei's usual soft expression and smile was gone but his eyes were unusually serious.  (I've seen this kind of intensity and seriousness from Yamaguchi Sensei only a few times in the past)

What Yamaguchi Sensei said kept coming back to my mind.  "Nothing fancy but just the basics."

Thought: Keiko

"keiko (n.)

Originally to study (kei) ancient times (ko), this term is used for the practice of bugei (martial arts) and geino (arts).  This word doesn't mean simply the repeating of practice; its meaning includes the importance of one's attitude toward the art being practiced.  The process of training is connected to one's way of life and to the creation of a new self, with the unification of the art and one's way of life being an important element."

-Japanese-English Dictionary of Kendo by AJKF

Do you Keiko?

Lesson: Go "Through" The Opponent

On Wed., I did Keiko with Spencer Sensei.
He stopped me in the middle of the Keiko and said that I'm going 'around' him after striking the Men.

After the practice, I went up to him for a feedback. He said that I should imagine that I'm gonna go "through" the opponent. I know that my tendency is to go to the side after the strike. However, I should imagine to go "through" the opponent.

Lesson: Bring Your Foot Right Up

On Wed., after observing my Keiko w/ Spencer Sensei,
Yuji Sensei told me that I could've had some valid Men points but I dragged my left leg behind
thus leaning my body forward and didn't reach far enough to hit the valid Men.

He then told me to bring the left leg right up after striking.

Good to be back!

today was my second practice in 1 month and half.  it's good to be back!!

Lesson: Teaching by Example

At this past Monday's practice, I've learned a valuable lesson from Kendo:  teach others by being an example.

1.  Lesson from Jerry B. and Yamaguchi Sensei

I did Keiko w/ Jerry B., and I played horribly (my Kendo was bad, I couldn't even hit a solid strike, and I tried Gyaku-Do and missed it and hit his arm really hard).  

But, after the Keiko, I met w/ Jerry and began telling him what I thought he should improve and would help his Kendo.

I came home and thought about it, and I felt really bad b/c:

1) I don't even practice Kendo actively (due to studying), AND

2) I didn't even perform a proper or good Kendo, BUT

3) I was telling him what I thought he should do.

I remembered my conversation w/ Yamaguchi Sensei after one tournament.  He told me that being a Shimpan is very important b/c they themselves have to constantly practice Kendo and know how to perform the proper Kendo so that they can validly and properly judge other people's Kendo.  A Shimpan has to know it for himself before judging others.

I thought about how I observe other Senseis' Kendo or learn from the Senseis who know their Kendo so well.  I was learning from their examples.  I should be like that to other lower ranks.

2.  Lesson from At-chan and Sergio

I was trying to teach At-chan how to tie Men, but Yuji Sensei pointed out that I was doing it wrong.  I also was trying to teach Sergio how to do a proper Son-kyo but Yuji Sensei corrected my Son-kyo and taught us how to do it properly.

Lesson learned:  (SEE ABOVE)

*To see the general guideline on proper Kendo, please check our dojo's blog.  I put a link to the YouTube video by All Japan Kendo Federation's instructional video (basics, intermediate, advanced).

Lesson: Seme with Heart

Whenever I step forward to have Seme against Spencer Sensei, he always seems to know whether I'm really going for his Men or just faking it (and going for something else).  Whenever I'm really going for his Men, he blocks it.  Whenever I'm faking it and going for something else (like his Do or Kote, he just keeps his Kamae straight thus making my attack meaningless).

I asked Yuji Sensei if that was because Spencer Sensei just has very good eyes to catch what I'm doing.

Yuji Sensei said that it's because I don't put my heart into my Seme.

He didn't say any further.

I should work on this.

Misc: Go! Costa Mesa!

This weekend is Kubota Memorial Tournament.

Almost all of the members of our dojo will be participating (except me).

Go! Costa Mesa Kendo Dojo!!!

Lesson: Suri-ashi and Zanshin

Yuji Sensei observed my Keiko w/ Kinno Sensei, and pointed out that I have no Suri-ashi and Zanshin.

In Kamae, while I'm seeking the chance to attack and observing the opponent, I hopped like a boxer instead of moving back and forth by Suri-ashi.  

Also, after striking the opponent, I hopped like a horse instead of gliding through the floor w/ Zanshin.

As for me, it takes a lot of foot and leg work to do that smooth Suri-ashi, so I tend to get lazy and just hop.  I should work on my footwork and perform that Suri-ashi well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4jPajrDs7g&feature=related

(I'm posting Eiga Sensei's Suri-ashi that I observed from YouTube)

Lesson: Relax

On WED practice, after the Keiko w/ Hosokawa Senior Sensei, I asked him if I should fix any problem.  He said, "Relax...don't be too tight."

I also remembered Richard R. told me few practices ago, "When I'm relaxed, I do so much better.  When I'm too tight, I can't move as freely as I wanted to."

So, I applied that to my Keiko w/ Shoraku Sensei.  I relaxed.

First, I completely relaxed both my shoulders in my Kamae, and I applied strength only at the instant moment when I was striking.  

Secondly, I tried to imagine that I did not have my Bogu on (thus freeing myself from the restrictions of the Bogu).  I could feel that I started to see wider vision (not only focused on my opponent but more area around him).  I remembered Spencer Sensei once told me of this --- "at first, you'll only see your opponent, but as you practice more and get more comfortable, you'll start to see more and wider."

I felt much better.

Lesson: Practice More

Today, Yuji Sensei observed my Keiko and said, "you need to practice more."

Just like any other things in life: practice, practice, practice.

2008: New Year

I should organize this blog better.
Happy New Year!

Lessons

1.  Spencer Sensei:  Tsuki

There are 2 ways to hit Tsuki.

One is to go directly forward from Kamae.  Here, if you miss it, the shinai will get stuck on the opponent's neck or something.

Second is to go forward but raise your shinai a little, then come down.

The second method helps because when you miss that Tsuki, you can still hit the top of the opponent's Do (the front part) and then still attack.

2.  Yuji Sensei:  Going forward

After hitting Men, charge forward as if you're gonna kill the opponent.

(In other words, don't be timid)

3.  Yamaguchi Sensei:  Do not take your eyes off the opponent

After hitting Men, don't just keep going forward.  Once the opponent disappears from your hindsight, you came too far.  Don't take your eyes off the opponent.

4.  Yamaguchi Sensei:  Kakari-Geiko

Good Motodachis don't just open up the openings.  They pressure the Kenshi with Seme, so that the Kenshi reacts to it or they react to the Kenshi's Seme, so the Kenshi can find the openings and hit it.  Don't just open up obviously.

5.  Kinno Sensei:  Always attack

When facing the opponent and you see the opponent coming in, don't just stick out your shinai trying to block the opponent.  It is not a wrong method, but rather, try to find the openings and attack.  There's always openings.

6.  Spencer Sensei:  Step combinations

I said that many beginners and intermediates (like myself) try to attack from the one-step distance.  But, he said it's predictable and easy to block.  Try to use little steps to create Seme and then attack.  You can adjust the speed and tempo of your steps to change the timings (so to become unpredictable).  Thus, you gotta work on your Suri-ashi.