How to Pick Up a Shinai on the Floor

Today, I had chance to pick up a shinai on the floor.
(Twice today)

I just picked it up while standing.

HSKW sensei corrected me, and told me that:

Pick up the shinai with your one knee down.

Next Step 2

After the practice, I expressed my frustration to Spammy that I cannot be natural in keiko because I constantly think about what I should do or what I should not do.

He said that my mind can do only one thing at a time.
So, if I start thinking different things at the same time, my mind becomes unnatural and does not flow smoothly.
(He compared it to a rock swinging around that is attached to a string. If it is constantly swinging, it's smooth and natural and has no openings and can attack any time. But, if it stops --thus falls---here and there, it constantly opens and cannot effectively attack anytime)

I must be constantly smooth, constantly see the openings and constantly be able to attack. But, if my mind if occupied with this and that (many things and concerns), it stops me.
For me to be natural in my techniques (thus my whole body and mind be free and natural), I must practice those techniques so make it to become my second nature, thus I should not think about it but be natural.

Many practices of basics and Yakusoku keiko is the key (Spammy said).

Next Step

I did keiko with Spammy.

Spammy said that I should see the opening or make the opening and create the opportunity to attack.

Until now, my attacks have been very simple.
Just Men, Kote, or Do.

Now, when the opponent pushes my shinai away, I should use that force to bring that shinai to attack.

I should study all these Waza and how to use Seme and create openings or see the openings and attack.

This is same as what UG told me as well.

This is the next step and I've reached a plateau of my kendo training right now.

Spammy said that Yakusoku keiko (promise sparring?) is the only to improve my techniques.

Special Session by YMGCH sensei

Today, we had YMGCH Sensei's special session for the basics.
His lecture touched on all the basics from how to wear and fold kendo uniforms, wear bogu, etc.
Then, all the basics of kamae, etc. Afterwards, some basic techniques. Lessons I learned:

1. Kendo
He said that kendo builds character through the training of the swordsmanship.

2. Basics
He said that as the rank and techniques rise, our basics tends to stay because we work on our basics less. But, we must also constantly work on basics to bring it up as same as other techniques. Kendo is not about getting points, but it's about building character and doing it right.

3. Moving to the side
I step toward the opponent, then when he comes for Men, I step side (while moving forward) -- thus moving diagnostically. I felt this while doing keiko with YMGCH sensei before. I went for his Men, but he came towards me then right passed me. He said that I need to get that timing. If I move too early, then the opponent can still get my Men (KN did it today). So, I have to move forward and see it coming then pass the opponent to the side.
YMGCH sensei said I'm still too late (meaning that I move to the side too early so the opponent can hit my Men).

4. Making the openings
I asked YMGCH sensei that when I'm faced with opponent, I don't know how to attack.
He said that I should step forward and move the opponent's shinai to the side (which makes opening) then go for Men. He probably meant that I should make opening, constantly see his opening...

There were alot more that I wished I could engrave all of them in my heart.

No Point But with Soul

I watched a video clip about Japan's 8th Dan test.

This person named Ishida said something that impacted me.

"My friends told me that I attack with soul even though I do not score the point."

WED - Feedback

1. HSKW sensei - "your feet are still too wide apart."

2. SHRKU sensei - "keep your kendo."

3. TKHSH sensei - "you still drag your back foot a little bit."

Big Motion in Further Distance

I did keiko with Mr. Y and he seemed to prevail when we both go for Men at the same time.

I asked this to UG after the practice, and he said that Mr. Y pushes his arms forward, while my Men is too small.

He said that we are too close and Mr. Y pushes his arms forward while my Men is too small, so his power prevails my small Men.

In my mind, if it's too far, I felt like I couldn't reach him AND the opponent can see me coming already. But, I guess that's not the way it really is.

UG said that I must be further apart, and make bigger motion when going in.

If I want to use Seme as I go in, then I must be even further to take that extra step forward as I go in for Seme (then Men).

My Bigger Motioned Men will prevail the opponent's men.

I said I wanted to be fast, that's why my Men was smaller but faster in going in (thus probably lack of strength).

UG said,
"Remember, Speed and Strength will only get you to certain point. But, Basics and Good Foundation will surpass those and prevail in the long run."

Well said.

Kote

SHRKU sensei told me today that when I go for Kote, my whole body (he called it "waist") must come forward as well.

He said that my Kote does not carry the whole body.

So, when I go for Kote, my whole body (waist) must go forward.

Active Learner

Spammy mentioned in his email that we should be active in learning kendo.

We should not wait for sensei to come and teach us, but we should seek the sensei's teachings actively.

Today after the practice, I asked SHRKU sensei how as my kendo, and he gave me some comments. I also asked UG, and he gave me some comments. I also asked Rich and he gave me some comments. Now, it makes sense.

UG said that senseis cannot come each individual to tell us because that'll take up everyone's time during the practice. And, during the practice, that's when we practice our skills. Afterwards, we should go to the sensei and learn. He said that many people just come, go through the motions and never really learn why and how.

Fortunately, as for my beginner stages, Spammy was always there for me to answer questions and tell me lessons.

One at a time

Spammy wrote in his blog that we should practice certain techniques one at a time.

Good point.

For me:

1. (Keep the proper posture) - been working on it.
2. Keep the proper stance - must work on it.
3. (Be forward minded) - been working on it.
4. Work on Seme - must work on it.

Is this too much?

Toe Curling

Spammy showed me how the Toe-Curling works.

Basically, in Kamae, you curl your right foot toe. But, you follow up with your left foot immediately. That way, your whole body can move forward.

The purpose is to move your body forward to get yourself ready for attack,
and to break that moment when your body is froze and can't move.

Working on my stance

Today, I asked PR how he fixed his stance. He said that he practiced everyday at home. He said that he felt very uncomfortable in the beginning, but he fixed it after he practiced everyday at home doing suburi with proper stance.

When I observed his keiko with SPC, PR's feet were perfectly close together.

HSKW senior sensei also showed me the correct stance. When I told him that it's very uncomfortable, he said that I should practice and fix it.

I should do that.

Younger Senseis: KN from OCB and UG

I've already mentioned that the biggest influence in my kendo are:
YMGH sensei, SPC, and Spammy.

But these days, I learn a lot from 2 more people:

UG and KN from OCB.

UG's kendo is proper, straight, and strong. I can see that he also has very good timing.
(He also stresses a lot on timing)

KN from OCB has proper and clean technique. I try to observe his basic techniques during the basic practice sessions. His strikes are exact, too.

Playing Against High-Same-Low Rank

Today, UG told me that:

When I'm playing higher rank, I should learn from them.

When I'm playing same rank, that's when I play normally.

When I'm playing lower rank, that's when I work on my timing, techniques, observing habits, etc.
(Basically practicing my skills)

Spammy told me the same thing before.

Play your opponent

After today's practice, UG told me that I still need to practice what he said last week.
'Play your opponent'

It means:
1. Know what your opponent is good at and use that against him.
For example, if he's good at Men and keep coming with Men, then I should do the technique that would counter his Men for my advantage.
2. Think about what he would do if I do this. If I step forward with Seme, how he would react, and what I would do next. I said it requires too much thinking, then UG said I must practice until it becomes natural so that I don't have to think about it.

One interesting thing I learned from UG:
I must study the opponent so I know what he's good at, what he likes to use the most, etc. He said that it's like robbing a house. I must know when people leave home, when people come in, etc.

UG seems to stress timing. I've seen his kendo, and he's fast. I guess that's what happens when you're good at timing. (that's what he said)
I kinda felt that I had couple good timed attacks, but I feel like I haven't really grasp that yet.
Sometimes I can kinda sense what the opponent will come. But, sometimes not.
UG advised that I should go for what I think he might do, then eventually, I'll be able to sense his timing.

All too difficult to grasp for me. I must think about it more.
But, Ai-Kote-Men is a good example for timing.

Putting my feet closer

Last week, HSKW sensei mentioned that my feet are too wide apart in kamae.
(meaning, my Right foot is way too forward and my Left foot is way too backward)
Today, UG and NG also mentiond the same thing. UG said:

It should be shoulder width aprt,
Right foot step forward, Left toe starting at where the right foot ends.
(and back part of the Left foot slightly raised)

When I tried to correct it, it was so comfortable. I realized that I've been doing the wrong form all along and now when I try to correct it, the correct form feels so uncomfortable.

I told UG that this closer stance does not give me a stable stance. I felt like I could be run over by the opponent if he charges towards me. He suggested that just when I see him coming, I could either:
1. extend my Left foot backward to get that stable stance, OR
2. move to the side and do the Tayatari-Men backward.

He said, "use your head."

I should work on correcting this. UG suggested that I talk to PR about it cuz he fixed this kind of bad form.

I thought that it also might be the reason why I kept raising my back foot (Left foot) when I go for Men b/c my Left foot is already far back, so I could not reach forward enough.

Spammy, Spc, YMGH sensei - Part II

Ever since I was in high school, I've pictured these 3 people in certain images:

1. Spammy - when I thought about Spammy's kendo style, I imagined a powerful and massive rock slide from a rocky mountain.
(I guess his kendo style is powerful)

2. Spc - for Spc's kendo style, I imagined a brief wind that's passing through a quiet Japanese garden.
(I guess his kendo style is swift - or good timing)

3. YMGH sensei - for YMGH sensei's kendo style, I imagined a stone statue slowly but firmly approaching me. No matter what I do, I couldn't stop him. I have no choice but to attack him. And, once I pass him, he turns and comes to me again...hitting all my openings...constantly.
(I guess his kendo style is perfect - although no such thing as perfection exists in this world)

Spammy, Spc, YMGC sensei

I read Spammy's blog today, and it mentioned 2 people that I admire the most in kendo.
(Aside from Spammy)

I thought it would be worth copying and mentioning in my blog:

"But of all the Kendo I've experienced, there are two people whose Kendo I admire most of all: Gooch and Spanky.

I suppose it doesn't matter why I appreciate their Kendo as I do. It's all subjective, but I'll state my reasons anyway:

• Despite their differences in style, strength, and speed, they both strike with honesty, a quality that is hard for me to articulate, and more easily experienced.
• I like how they look as they are performing Kendo.
• Despite everyone having ego, I never feel it from them in an arrogant manner."

I want to know how I can be like them.

Additionally, I like Spammy's kendo because:
1. His kendo is proper yet strong and fast (I should say good timing).
2. His kendo is clean and no unnecessary movements.
3. He has understandable reasons (if not, good explanations) for every movement and technique, and he has made them to be his own. Further, he explains them to me in understandable manner.

I haven't had much experience with other senseis or kenshis, but I guess, knowing Spammy, it is safe to say that I admire Spammy, Spc, and YMGC sensei the most in kendo.

One at a time...

Spammy came to practice today. But, I didn't get to practice w/ him cuz Yj called me to do keiko w/ him and then we practiced waza together afterwards.

But I got to work on Tsuki (thrusting) and Ai-Kote-Men (hitting the kote at the same time as the opponent when he comes in kote, then go for men).

Things I learned today:

1. I did keiko w/ Yamaguchi sensei today, and like Spammy told me, he constantly knew my openings. And, he constantly pressured me to see his openings and go for him. He didn't let me just stand there, but constantly came in to me.
That's how my mind should be like. Constantly looking for openings and going for it.

2. Spammy said that I should work on kendo little by little in each practice. I shouldn't try to do too many things in each practice. So, today, my objective was same as last time except that I added 1 more thing:
1) Keep the good posture.
2) Always have that going forward mind.
3) Don't try to block the opponent's attack.
(I wanted to work on my leaving left foot dragging, but I didn't get to work on that)

3. After the practice, Yj told me that when he watched me practicing w/ other people, I was good. My forms are pretty clean (although still dirty - meaning still sloppy) and I do what I want to do.
But, when I do keiko w/ higher ranks like Yj, he said he could see me coming b/c my attacks are so simple and foreseeable. So, I should be able to play the opponent now. I should upgrade my attacks and control the opponent in the way I want him to react. He said that he thinks that I'm at that level now.
I believe this takes more than just simple single attack, but now higher wazas. But, I was so happy to hear a compliment from Yj.

Always Men

Spammy's blog mentioned Hirata sensei's teaching.

When in doubt, always go for men.

It's better to take the chance and make mistakes than losing the opportunity.

So I do I must.