Kendo Questions

[spooky]

Please say you are going to Japan to train at a good school and not the Bujinkan Larp-bu.

Sorry dude its the Bujinkan.

[Yamaarashi]

Thanks alot for the help guys, especially Dave. I'm definately going to give it a shot, will let you all know how it goes.

[Rock Ape]

You're welcome mate, hope you take to it.

--Dave

[Letum]

Aha just the thread I was looking for.

Does anybody have any good 'tube links regarding footwork in Kendo/Kenjutsu? Preferably from front and side and maybe a good explaination? I'm curious.

[Rock Ape]

Ashi sabaki in kendo is similar but quite different to that of kenjutsu plus, the footwork within koryu kenjutsu will vary from school to school whereas within kendo it is formalised to migi hanmi tsugiashi unless you are a nito player then i'm sure there is a change in rules however, not being a nito schooled kendoka I'm unsure of the differences.

Heel of the left foot is always slightly raised, the feet run paralell to each other and the distance between the feet is aprox the length of one's own foot. When in close contact with your opponent you always maintain migi hanmi and your left foot never passes the right in any step you take. Ayumiashi (essentially normal walking) is (can be) used to and from issoku iito no ma-ai, and too and from the sonkyo position.

When attempting a strike, the right foot should be in contact with the ground, beginners will practice their kihon renshu with tsugiashi only however more experienced will use fumikomiashi as part of their ki-ken-tai-ichi.

The footwork of the kendo-no-kata is very formal and too detailed to describe here.

--Dave

[Rock Ape]

Ok, the first clip is obviously a demonstration however it is a good example of jikeiko - the practice of kendo kihon renshu with a senior student or teacher, where he presents opportunity for his student to observe, recognise and exploit openings and weaknesses, there is also kirikeashi which is an essential kendo kihon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-myBW-ubCiU

The second clip is about Hakudo Nakayama Sensei and his koryu kenjutsu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLCAeFOpHUY

--Dave

[Letum]

I found this, incidentally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWzdIpayeFk

[Rock Ape]

Yup.. produced by the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmai themselves, a very good source of information.