Nagayama Sensei - part two
Monday was the big session with Nagayama Sensei.
I am going to just try to note my recollections on what we did/learnt. If anyone has any other comments/input please let me know…
Footwork - again we started with footwork. This was mainly about keeping our front foot low during fumikomi. I need to develop a sliding motion, driven from the centre/hips rather than a foot lifting stamping step.
I found the exercise of sliding/stepping over an exercise mat very useful and I think I should be able to do some thing similar at home with a carpet mat.
An odd thing was the timing of lifting the shinai. Sensei had us doing this as we stepped forward. I think this was to get the timing happening at slow speed.
Kamae ( and sword position) - Sensei showed us how holding the shinai lower can help with giving you extra range and also allows you to control the centre.
Tenouchi- we did a far bit on grip and how the hands are used to do the small cuts.
I am going to think of the small cuts as ‘popping’ the kensen onto the target. It is not a downward cut but a forward pop and cut motion. Hard to explain in writing but obvious one you see it done properly.
You start by pushing the left hand down and out just a little (about a fist distance), then striking out with both hands. This causes the shinai to whip out and pop the tip down and then out from the target. Important here is to run through with the shinai held high and your left arm parallel to the floor.
Again Sensei talked about seme and controlling the opponents sword before you cut. I am going to use terms I am familiar with - so my apologies for not using the appropriate Japanese terms (if you can help that would grand).
OK -
The idea is that you work from opposition of your opponents blade.
Range (maai) is everything. Think about closing to were just the tips of the shinai (kansen) are touching so you can feel the intent on the blade (‘knocking on the door’). If your opponent is weak in this (not holding/controlling) centre then you start your strike. Stepping in you keep your sword in the centre and keep the end (kensen and monouchi) on your opponents blade. This will move the opponents sword out of centre allowing you to strike men. It is important to keep in contact with the blade. If they lift to strike your then your can ‘follow’ there blade up, striking as well - this should allow you to retain the centre deflecting their attack.
If they push back on your blade then you have the opening to strike kote.
Each of these also allow you to tsuki…
So - knock on the door - if they open it (do not control centre) come in staying on the blade with your tip. If they are weak, strike men. If they are strong, strike kote. Always stay in contact with your opponent’s blade when you are in this close.
It is also important to continue the attach though. Mainly this is how you establish the strike (ippon) but by moving though you take away your opponents opportunities to attack.
As always - many variations to this (cutting do etc) but this is the main idea.
A reminder to myself about distance - we tend to want to be too close. Try to stay out at toma or just to were the kensen are touching.
Training - I need to do at least ten minuets a day practice. I can probably do the footwork stuff at home with a mat and also practice the small cuts…
So - back to normal training tonight. It will be interesting to see how Nagayama Sensei’s visit will change what we do….
Finally a big thank you to Nagayama Sensei for all the time he spent with us and I hope the next time he is visiting we are playing kendo and not being chicken fighters…8-)
I am going to just try to note my recollections on what we did/learnt. If anyone has any other comments/input please let me know…
Footwork - again we started with footwork. This was mainly about keeping our front foot low during fumikomi. I need to develop a sliding motion, driven from the centre/hips rather than a foot lifting stamping step.
I found the exercise of sliding/stepping over an exercise mat very useful and I think I should be able to do some thing similar at home with a carpet mat.
An odd thing was the timing of lifting the shinai. Sensei had us doing this as we stepped forward. I think this was to get the timing happening at slow speed.
Kamae ( and sword position) - Sensei showed us how holding the shinai lower can help with giving you extra range and also allows you to control the centre.
Tenouchi- we did a far bit on grip and how the hands are used to do the small cuts.
I am going to think of the small cuts as ‘popping’ the kensen onto the target. It is not a downward cut but a forward pop and cut motion. Hard to explain in writing but obvious one you see it done properly.
You start by pushing the left hand down and out just a little (about a fist distance), then striking out with both hands. This causes the shinai to whip out and pop the tip down and then out from the target. Important here is to run through with the shinai held high and your left arm parallel to the floor.
Again Sensei talked about seme and controlling the opponents sword before you cut. I am going to use terms I am familiar with - so my apologies for not using the appropriate Japanese terms (if you can help that would grand).
OK -
The idea is that you work from opposition of your opponents blade.
Range (maai) is everything. Think about closing to were just the tips of the shinai (kansen) are touching so you can feel the intent on the blade (‘knocking on the door’). If your opponent is weak in this (not holding/controlling) centre then you start your strike. Stepping in you keep your sword in the centre and keep the end (kensen and monouchi) on your opponents blade. This will move the opponents sword out of centre allowing you to strike men. It is important to keep in contact with the blade. If they lift to strike your then your can ‘follow’ there blade up, striking as well - this should allow you to retain the centre deflecting their attack.
If they push back on your blade then you have the opening to strike kote.
Each of these also allow you to tsuki…
So - knock on the door - if they open it (do not control centre) come in staying on the blade with your tip. If they are weak, strike men. If they are strong, strike kote. Always stay in contact with your opponent’s blade when you are in this close.
It is also important to continue the attach though. Mainly this is how you establish the strike (ippon) but by moving though you take away your opponents opportunities to attack.
As always - many variations to this (cutting do etc) but this is the main idea.
A reminder to myself about distance - we tend to want to be too close. Try to stay out at toma or just to were the kensen are touching.
Training - I need to do at least ten minuets a day practice. I can probably do the footwork stuff at home with a mat and also practice the small cuts…
So - back to normal training tonight. It will be interesting to see how Nagayama Sensei’s visit will change what we do….
Finally a big thank you to Nagayama Sensei for all the time he spent with us and I hope the next time he is visiting we are playing kendo and not being chicken fighters…8-)