Kendo Update
Again it has been some time since I have written an update on my kendo activities.
I probably have now settled into the routine of being a kendoka. I am managing one to two training sessions a week. I expect that this will drop to one once the shop opens in a month or so (poo).
My progress is steady and I am gradually getting the hang of the basic waza (techniques). Each week I try to work on one basic thing. This week it is about me trying to ‘cast’ the tip of the shinai. I have a tendency to ‘drive’ the sword forward in my cuts. I can improve the speed if I think more about moving the tip to hit the target.
Last weeks training we work extensively on various do-uchi-waza (hitting the body).
Towards the end it was difficult to keep the cutting sequences in my head in addition there was the constant weight shifts required, I really had to concentrate to get though it all.
I am not sure if I have mentioned this but I final got around to ordering a new bogu (kendo armour). This is part of my financial silliness, as I probably spent far more than I needed to, but I am getting some very nice gear and it will look good. Nothing too flash, just understated armour goodness. I have also discovered that I can order custom shinai with coloured tsuru (string holding it together) and binding on the tsuka-gawa(hand grip), so I can get something that matches the colours of my bogu…..
OK - so this is all appealing way too much to my consumerist tendencies.
I probably have now settled into the routine of being a kendoka. I am managing one to two training sessions a week. I expect that this will drop to one once the shop opens in a month or so (poo).
My progress is steady and I am gradually getting the hang of the basic waza (techniques). Each week I try to work on one basic thing. This week it is about me trying to ‘cast’ the tip of the shinai. I have a tendency to ‘drive’ the sword forward in my cuts. I can improve the speed if I think more about moving the tip to hit the target.
Last weeks training we work extensively on various do-uchi-waza (hitting the body).
Towards the end it was difficult to keep the cutting sequences in my head in addition there was the constant weight shifts required, I really had to concentrate to get though it all.
I am not sure if I have mentioned this but I final got around to ordering a new bogu (kendo armour). This is part of my financial silliness, as I probably spent far more than I needed to, but I am getting some very nice gear and it will look good. Nothing too flash, just understated armour goodness. I have also discovered that I can order custom shinai with coloured tsuru (string holding it together) and binding on the tsuka-gawa(hand grip), so I can get something that matches the colours of my bogu…..
OK - so this is all appealing way too much to my consumerist tendencies.