It’s been too long since I updated this ^^ Then again, I’d half expected this to happen anyway =P It’s not like there are many who actually bother to read my little rants and thoughts of MY kendo anyway (Hahaha!). Either way, I am going to put up a short one on the latest training session that I’ve attended just a few days ago. Just for the sake of my previous hard work (all the previous typing X_x can’t just let it go to waste).
Traffic was bad that day, and I mean, REALLY REALLY bad as compared to the normal days. It started from PJ Hilton and all the way to Midvalley. My guess was that is was due to the Ramadan month where everyone is let off earlier from work. ^^ By the time I got to the dojo, it was ten minutes or so before 7pm >.< and that new cotton hakama and gi that I’ve got from Kendoshop wasn’t that easy to put on really ^^|| Had to tie the hakama at the right height, otherwise, I’d be tripping all over X_x and THAT won’t be fun. The last thing that I would want to happen is to “fall in style”. Lol. I am still recovering from a bruised pride after that previous fall during the junior bogu session not too long ago. *sighs* Ehem… anyway… I may be kind enough to tell that story another day =P For now, back to business. Not many seniors around that day. Just five of them and then there was Chris-sensei as well. The rest were just us and a few new 7kyus.
Class was led by Mr Lim that day so things were a little different as he placed a lot of emphasis on the basics of basics! It’s a good thing really but I couldn’t help but feel disappointed with myself throughout the entire thing… Why? It was like being constantly slapped with the fact that I was lacking in my reach… T.T I can BARELY reach my aite’s men even from Issoku itto no maai. Yes, even now… and I am already stretching to the max already >.< It sucks really… and at every miserable attempt to stretch further, my posture gets all screwed up and there you go, nothing gets solved. I couldn’t reach and my kendo just got a lot uglier, hahaha ^^||. It’s probably all about the mind, maybe I have a weak left leg or that’s just how it is for me… though, I would prefer the first two. Perhaps there’s still a remote chance that I will be able to clamber over this fence.
My mind was preoccupied with this throughout 80% of keiko and I was already so demoralised by the time we reached “Doh uchi” practice. As expected, I was delivering half-assed doh cuts… lousy footwork, crappy kiai… everything flew out the window. Gah T__T In short, it wasn’t my day. Jigeiko came later but it was different from what usually happens on Wednesdays. We get random aite(s) every round. Five rounds to be exact, each lasting for 30 seconds or was it 1 minute? I don’t quite remember. I deserved to be hit in the head and rundown by my opponents really… I wasn’t putting much of a fight. I was lacking the fighting spirit… So, yeah… Not that great actually. Before class started, I already had a reserved kakarigeiko session with Chris and I was actually looking forward to it. Sadly enough, there wasn’t enough time. Oh well… =.=
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Thursday, 18th February 2010.
Before I take you lot for a tour through my thoughts, I would very much like to say this. “HAPPY RAWR YEAR” to all of you ^__^ May your opponents quiver further under your ‘seme’! Hahaha, that was random. Yes, Chinese New Year is the time where we all feast upon good food and grow fat while telling ourselves “Once in a year! It’s okay!”. Yeaaaaa~ see la…. Eat eat eat eat… >.< Now I feel like a deflated tyre during training…
It has been almost 2 weeks since the last time I trained. The week before CNY, my dad actually told me. “You are not going Kendo this week.” T.T Wuuu~ It became unbearable after a while knowing that my peers were training while I was at home, rolling pineapple tarts. Then, it was the ‘balik kampung’ days. I went back to Penang and then Taiping, spending two days each over there, returning only on Wednesday evening. Needless to say, I missed Wednesday training as well. My shinai actually felt heavier when I picked it up to do some suburis that night (haha).
Perhaps I should thank Jessica for dragging me out of my house the next day. (Thank youuu~ XP). Otherwise, I wouldn’t have a reason to go for Kendo as I rely on daddy dearest to take me there despite the fact that I have been pestering him to ‘LET-ME-DRIVE-THERE-MYSELF’ =.= Yeap. What did I tell him? Simple “Pa, my friend asked me to go for karaoke. After that they are dragging me to Kendo.” LOL Karaoke is definitely a good thing before keiko (XD) as my kiai was a lot louder after that.
Anyway, Thursday classes are specially catered for non-bogu students so, we (the ones in armour) didn’t have to put on our men and kote. It’s a blessing really. Lol. Everything looks great without having something in front of your face and best of all, we feel a lot lighter. It was fun for us when it all became some sort of a game to us. Haha.
Warm Up.
The last Thursday session that I attended had a different style of warming up. The old ‘run and suriashi until you feel like you legs are going to fall off’ was replaced with the one we usually do on Wednesdays, which, I shall name it as ‘stand in a ring and follow the leader’. Heehee, forgive me for the lack of originality. Let’s see… we did jogesuburi, men suburi and hayasuburi (40 times as compared to the usual 50 that we usually do on Weds.)
Seiretsu.
It’s quite confusing at times being a bogu student in the non bogu session, truthfully speaking (XD). Sometimes the sensei wants us to be at the first line, sometimes he kicks us waaaay back into the last line. So… we became a herd of sheep for about 5 seconds. Haha. “Shomen ni rei!” That means no “Onegaishimasu” or “Arigato gozaimashita”, guys =P.
Back to Basics!
Partnering time! Pick a person of equal height! Nelson! Lol. He was my partner that day. I think his basics are better than mine, haha. Ashisabaki! Mae, ushiro, migi and hidari. That reminds me of my non-bogu days. We did quite a lot of suburis that day. Possibly more than 300 hayasuburis in total. Out of all the drills in the basic class, the one that I dislike most will be the “slide and hit men (3 step men)”. I find it a little… boring ^^|| Though of course, if the sensei wants me to do a hundred of those, I’d gladly do so. Then it was more hayasuburis. If only everyone could see their faces when Aimi demonstrated hayasuburi. Lol. Her speed is double of what we usually do.
• Ashisabaki – Left foot straight, right heel off the ground. Weight distribution of 50:50. Shinai NEVER moves.
• Suburi – Use less right hand strength. Keep shinai in the centre plane. No pausing before bringing the shinai down. TENOUCHI!
• Hayasuburi – Feet must move and not stay in one spot.
Fun stuff!
This is the part that I’ve alwaaaaays looked forward to in every basic session that I have attended. Uchikomi practice. Although they are similar to what we usually do in bogu practice, the atmosphere is not as intense. Well, at least to us in the ‘bogu group’ =P Yes, Chua-sensei split the class into 3 groups (Bogu, Adults, and the kids). The drills that we did? Men, Kote, Doh (my favourite! ^.^), Men Men, and Kote Men (which then evolved to small kote men on our side after a while). Everything was received with the shinai, except for the doh.
So what was the fun thing here? Lol. Our little inside joke about Jessica’s kiai (XD) that sounded very much like ‘Soup’. Then we all went through the various brands that we could use as kiai. That would’ve been hilarious if we actually did… Imagine yourself going… “Caaaaaaaaaaaampbells!” or “Heeeeeeeeinz!!” That’s where it all started. All the laughing, giggling, snickering while everyone else were trying hard on their side. I did overhear something earlier in the changing room although I am not sure who mentioned it. He said that it is difficult for a bogu student to go back to basics and honestly, I think it is true. ^^ Some things actually feel odd when we go through it during practice. There were a lot of other funny things that we all did. Hahaha. All are unintentional, of course. Especially when we called wrong targets.
• Kote – Stretch out arms and use tenouchi.
• Doh – The moment the cut is executed, the shinai has to ‘stick’ to the doh as tenouchi is applied. This creates the nice popping sound and also gives the feel that the cut is strong.
Ending.
Extra 50 hayasuburi!! At this rate, I think all the beginners can beat me in doing hayasuburi LOL. There is no way that I’d be losing to them!!! From now on, 200 hayasuburis a day for me! Last but not least, thank you sensei for now throwing your shinai at us for fooling around that day. Heehee~.
It has been almost 2 weeks since the last time I trained. The week before CNY, my dad actually told me. “You are not going Kendo this week.” T.T Wuuu~ It became unbearable after a while knowing that my peers were training while I was at home, rolling pineapple tarts. Then, it was the ‘balik kampung’ days. I went back to Penang and then Taiping, spending two days each over there, returning only on Wednesday evening. Needless to say, I missed Wednesday training as well. My shinai actually felt heavier when I picked it up to do some suburis that night (haha).
Perhaps I should thank Jessica for dragging me out of my house the next day. (Thank youuu~ XP). Otherwise, I wouldn’t have a reason to go for Kendo as I rely on daddy dearest to take me there despite the fact that I have been pestering him to ‘LET-ME-DRIVE-THERE-MYSELF’ =.= Yeap. What did I tell him? Simple “Pa, my friend asked me to go for karaoke. After that they are dragging me to Kendo.” LOL Karaoke is definitely a good thing before keiko (XD) as my kiai was a lot louder after that.
Anyway, Thursday classes are specially catered for non-bogu students so, we (the ones in armour) didn’t have to put on our men and kote. It’s a blessing really. Lol. Everything looks great without having something in front of your face and best of all, we feel a lot lighter. It was fun for us when it all became some sort of a game to us. Haha.
Warm Up.
The last Thursday session that I attended had a different style of warming up. The old ‘run and suriashi until you feel like you legs are going to fall off’ was replaced with the one we usually do on Wednesdays, which, I shall name it as ‘stand in a ring and follow the leader’. Heehee, forgive me for the lack of originality. Let’s see… we did jogesuburi, men suburi and hayasuburi (40 times as compared to the usual 50 that we usually do on Weds.)
Seiretsu.
It’s quite confusing at times being a bogu student in the non bogu session, truthfully speaking (XD). Sometimes the sensei wants us to be at the first line, sometimes he kicks us waaaay back into the last line. So… we became a herd of sheep for about 5 seconds. Haha. “Shomen ni rei!” That means no “Onegaishimasu” or “Arigato gozaimashita”, guys =P.
Back to Basics!
Partnering time! Pick a person of equal height! Nelson! Lol. He was my partner that day. I think his basics are better than mine, haha. Ashisabaki! Mae, ushiro, migi and hidari. That reminds me of my non-bogu days. We did quite a lot of suburis that day. Possibly more than 300 hayasuburis in total. Out of all the drills in the basic class, the one that I dislike most will be the “slide and hit men (3 step men)”. I find it a little… boring ^^|| Though of course, if the sensei wants me to do a hundred of those, I’d gladly do so. Then it was more hayasuburis. If only everyone could see their faces when Aimi demonstrated hayasuburi. Lol. Her speed is double of what we usually do.
• Ashisabaki – Left foot straight, right heel off the ground. Weight distribution of 50:50. Shinai NEVER moves.
• Suburi – Use less right hand strength. Keep shinai in the centre plane. No pausing before bringing the shinai down. TENOUCHI!
• Hayasuburi – Feet must move and not stay in one spot.
Fun stuff!
This is the part that I’ve alwaaaaays looked forward to in every basic session that I have attended. Uchikomi practice. Although they are similar to what we usually do in bogu practice, the atmosphere is not as intense. Well, at least to us in the ‘bogu group’ =P Yes, Chua-sensei split the class into 3 groups (Bogu, Adults, and the kids). The drills that we did? Men, Kote, Doh (my favourite! ^.^), Men Men, and Kote Men (which then evolved to small kote men on our side after a while). Everything was received with the shinai, except for the doh.
So what was the fun thing here? Lol. Our little inside joke about Jessica’s kiai (XD) that sounded very much like ‘Soup’. Then we all went through the various brands that we could use as kiai. That would’ve been hilarious if we actually did… Imagine yourself going… “Caaaaaaaaaaaampbells!” or “Heeeeeeeeinz!!” That’s where it all started. All the laughing, giggling, snickering while everyone else were trying hard on their side. I did overhear something earlier in the changing room although I am not sure who mentioned it. He said that it is difficult for a bogu student to go back to basics and honestly, I think it is true. ^^ Some things actually feel odd when we go through it during practice. There were a lot of other funny things that we all did. Hahaha. All are unintentional, of course. Especially when we called wrong targets.
• Kote – Stretch out arms and use tenouchi.
• Doh – The moment the cut is executed, the shinai has to ‘stick’ to the doh as tenouchi is applied. This creates the nice popping sound and also gives the feel that the cut is strong.
Ending.
Extra 50 hayasuburi!! At this rate, I think all the beginners can beat me in doing hayasuburi LOL. There is no way that I’d be losing to them!!! From now on, 200 hayasuburis a day for me! Last but not least, thank you sensei for now throwing your shinai at us for fooling around that day. Heehee~.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Wednesday, 3rd February 2010.
It’s been a long time since I last updated my little Kendo diary and I admit that I half-expected this to happen when I reopened this (^^||). I am just plain lazy when it comes to committing to a blog. Then again, I have my excuses. I was quite busy with my attachment with Pantai Hospital for the past two months. Then again, I have no intention of sharing my experience there as an intern here. ^.^ This is, after all, my Kendo haven.
Grading has come and gone and frankly speaking, I didn’t quite expect myself to be able to skip a rank this time since my performance during the last grading was rather disappointing (haha). Yes, I can somewhat tell. My partner during Kihon and Tachiai was a young boy of 8 and I was pretty worried about my entire grading after that. We don’t practice with kids very often during our regular trainings and when you do, everything changes. The distance, the target, and all that… I vaguely remembered someone telling me that I was doing Doh Kirikaeshi during my grading while others were doing the regular Men Kirikaeshi (LOL!) and that gave me a good laugh. Kote Men was a bit tricky, in my opinion, since I have yet to master the adjustment of my maai… So, yeah… all my men hits were off target. Zanshin, zanshin, zanshin! I’ve been told many times now that my zanshin is baaaaaaaaad. Hahaha. I need to raise my shinai over my head when I turn. Right now, I am just lazily sweeping it back to my kamae position from the side ^^||.
Tachiai was the part that I was worried sick about >.< Especially with what happened at the previous grading which I thought was rather pathetic… My two opponents… one was the 8 year old boy (Shiobara) and Alvin from Penang who only gave me more pressure after how Mimi described the match during Kakuya which was held at Penang the year before. I tried to be more aggressive this time… against both of them. Despite how much I told myself not to use small cuts during grading…. I ended up doing so automatically to compensate for my lack of speed (sigh…). Did a lot of men cuts when I was up against Shiobara but almost completely abandoning it when I fought with Alvin. He’s tall and I could barely reach his men buton to make a valid hit. So, I went for kote for most of the time… until the very last moment where I whipped out a Kaeshi Doh out of nowhere without even knowing T__T. That was just plain suicide… Somehow, I managed to do quite well and made a leap from 6th kyu to 4th kyu (^__^). Later that day, we all went out for dinner with out Ipoh and Penang friends ^.^ A wonderful day even though I was already dead tired after the post-grading training.
That was all about my grading in a nutshell… now on with my training on Wednesday!
Federal Highway is a real pain in the arse and with CNY just around the corner… it’s like an additional splinter poking around in my nerves. It was all jammed up and with the new diversion that brings me to Brickfields… it didn’t really help a bit. I missed kata entirely~ *despair*. I am still unsure of nanahonme and haven’t gotten much of a chance to get the timing down yet. Haih~ It was funny how Chris poked his head into the changing room and then saying “Much better.” Haha. I bet he was counting the number of heads present for training that time. Warm up was alright since we did about 90 hayasuburis. Chris should’ve joined in and we would have a nice hundred (Lol). For the past few trainings, I’ve been having some trouble tying my tenugui… nyeh… they either come undone, or just refuse to stay put at all… Frustration… However, once it’s in place, everything’s good. ^.^
Managed to get some things pointed out that day… and also additional points that I should keep in mind.
Kirikaeshi = Left hand should at least clear the eyes during the lift before hitting. Most were merely swinging blindly in front of their eyes (no pun intended). To be done only in two breaths…
Shomen uchi = Once again, left hand has to clear the eyes during the lift. Maai (Issoku Itto no Maai, and nothing more). Left foot must not overlap the right during the initial step to move into issoku itto no maai. Tenouchi.
Seme, Men (Small) = From Toma, an initial step is taken to move into issoku itto no maai. Seme (pressure) is applied by using shinai to glide along the motodachi’s shinai (in a straight line). Caution must be taken as to not to push the motodachi’s shinai to the side in order to create an opening during this practice. There should be a very slight pause during the initial step taken to move into issoku itto no maai before going in for men. It is important to ensure that the monouchi of the shinai is used to cut the men and nothing more than that.
Seme, Kote Men (Small) = Similarly to Seme, Men (Small). Care should be taken as not to take too large a step into issoku itto no maai. Controlling of fumikomi is essential in order to maintain a correct distance for both kote and men cut.
Oji Waza practice = Tried two wazas, Kote nuki Men and Men Kaeshi Doh.
Might have missed out something but I seriously can’t remember. Jigeiko was up next and since I have made up my mind to do more kakarigeiko to allow myself to get used to openings. Kakarigeiko! And who’d be so kind to be my motodachi? Why, Chris himself, of course! Haha! Well, actually I went up to him and asked him for it. =P I don’t quite remember how many I did… 5… maybe 6… He even gave me a little taste of the sets they did for WKC training. Lots to work on really…
- Turning using the right foot as the pivot and hit upon completing the turn (was trying hard to do this all the time).
- Don’t worry about maai as the motodachi will come up to you.
- TRY to do it in one breath per set, which, I keep on forgetting to do.
- All hits should be SHARP.
At the end of the final kakarigeiko, Chris ended it with a set of kirikaeshi and an extra men cut since I missed the final shomen uchi. ^^||. That took up around…. 10 to 15 minutes or so, if I remembered correctly. After that, I was just fighting hard at the corner not to turn green and puke…. =.= Yes, I wasn’t expecting that part.
Grading has come and gone and frankly speaking, I didn’t quite expect myself to be able to skip a rank this time since my performance during the last grading was rather disappointing (haha). Yes, I can somewhat tell. My partner during Kihon and Tachiai was a young boy of 8 and I was pretty worried about my entire grading after that. We don’t practice with kids very often during our regular trainings and when you do, everything changes. The distance, the target, and all that… I vaguely remembered someone telling me that I was doing Doh Kirikaeshi during my grading while others were doing the regular Men Kirikaeshi (LOL!) and that gave me a good laugh. Kote Men was a bit tricky, in my opinion, since I have yet to master the adjustment of my maai… So, yeah… all my men hits were off target. Zanshin, zanshin, zanshin! I’ve been told many times now that my zanshin is baaaaaaaaad. Hahaha. I need to raise my shinai over my head when I turn. Right now, I am just lazily sweeping it back to my kamae position from the side ^^||.
Tachiai was the part that I was worried sick about >.< Especially with what happened at the previous grading which I thought was rather pathetic… My two opponents… one was the 8 year old boy (Shiobara) and Alvin from Penang who only gave me more pressure after how Mimi described the match during Kakuya which was held at Penang the year before. I tried to be more aggressive this time… against both of them. Despite how much I told myself not to use small cuts during grading…. I ended up doing so automatically to compensate for my lack of speed (sigh…). Did a lot of men cuts when I was up against Shiobara but almost completely abandoning it when I fought with Alvin. He’s tall and I could barely reach his men buton to make a valid hit. So, I went for kote for most of the time… until the very last moment where I whipped out a Kaeshi Doh out of nowhere without even knowing T__T. That was just plain suicide… Somehow, I managed to do quite well and made a leap from 6th kyu to 4th kyu (^__^). Later that day, we all went out for dinner with out Ipoh and Penang friends ^.^ A wonderful day even though I was already dead tired after the post-grading training.
That was all about my grading in a nutshell… now on with my training on Wednesday!
Federal Highway is a real pain in the arse and with CNY just around the corner… it’s like an additional splinter poking around in my nerves. It was all jammed up and with the new diversion that brings me to Brickfields… it didn’t really help a bit. I missed kata entirely~ *despair*. I am still unsure of nanahonme and haven’t gotten much of a chance to get the timing down yet. Haih~ It was funny how Chris poked his head into the changing room and then saying “Much better.” Haha. I bet he was counting the number of heads present for training that time. Warm up was alright since we did about 90 hayasuburis. Chris should’ve joined in and we would have a nice hundred (Lol). For the past few trainings, I’ve been having some trouble tying my tenugui… nyeh… they either come undone, or just refuse to stay put at all… Frustration… However, once it’s in place, everything’s good. ^.^
Managed to get some things pointed out that day… and also additional points that I should keep in mind.
Kirikaeshi = Left hand should at least clear the eyes during the lift before hitting. Most were merely swinging blindly in front of their eyes (no pun intended). To be done only in two breaths…
Shomen uchi = Once again, left hand has to clear the eyes during the lift. Maai (Issoku Itto no Maai, and nothing more). Left foot must not overlap the right during the initial step to move into issoku itto no maai. Tenouchi.
Seme, Men (Small) = From Toma, an initial step is taken to move into issoku itto no maai. Seme (pressure) is applied by using shinai to glide along the motodachi’s shinai (in a straight line). Caution must be taken as to not to push the motodachi’s shinai to the side in order to create an opening during this practice. There should be a very slight pause during the initial step taken to move into issoku itto no maai before going in for men. It is important to ensure that the monouchi of the shinai is used to cut the men and nothing more than that.
Seme, Kote Men (Small) = Similarly to Seme, Men (Small). Care should be taken as not to take too large a step into issoku itto no maai. Controlling of fumikomi is essential in order to maintain a correct distance for both kote and men cut.
Oji Waza practice = Tried two wazas, Kote nuki Men and Men Kaeshi Doh.
Might have missed out something but I seriously can’t remember. Jigeiko was up next and since I have made up my mind to do more kakarigeiko to allow myself to get used to openings. Kakarigeiko! And who’d be so kind to be my motodachi? Why, Chris himself, of course! Haha! Well, actually I went up to him and asked him for it. =P I don’t quite remember how many I did… 5… maybe 6… He even gave me a little taste of the sets they did for WKC training. Lots to work on really…
- Turning using the right foot as the pivot and hit upon completing the turn (was trying hard to do this all the time).
- Don’t worry about maai as the motodachi will come up to you.
- TRY to do it in one breath per set, which, I keep on forgetting to do.
- All hits should be SHARP.
At the end of the final kakarigeiko, Chris ended it with a set of kirikaeshi and an extra men cut since I missed the final shomen uchi. ^^||. That took up around…. 10 to 15 minutes or so, if I remembered correctly. After that, I was just fighting hard at the corner not to turn green and puke…. =.= Yes, I wasn’t expecting that part.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Saturday, 28th November 2009.
What can I say besides “I think I died two and a half times today evening but it was all goooood” =P Due to the recent changes to MKA’s training schedule, I managed to convince my parents to allow me to stay up until the end of the senior’s session and since I get there early enough, I get to have a little taste of the nonbogu session at 4pm before I get all suited up. Ahh~ ^__^ Just my luck, eh? But hey, if the senseis and the others seniors tell me that more basic practice is good for my “oh-so-screwed-up” Kendo, I’d gladly plunge my head into it even though it meant more sore muscles, new blisters and most importantly, MORE brutally truthful criticism. They all come in a nice package wrapped in coloured paper with a pretty little ribbon on the top (Haha!).
I almost forgot how it felt like after the warming up during the basic’s session since I’ve been missing those due to Federal’s infamous traffic jams… But not today! I was early this time *evil laugh* and off I went suriashi-ing around the dojo floor along with the rest ^.^ The constant pin-pricking feeling at the bottom of the arch of my left foot after that was absolutely annoying and no matter how much I stretch it before keiko, it’s still like that. Hmm… Like I was telling Nelson over MSN, it seemed as if I hit a nice jackpot that evening (LOL) and the prize being blisters, bruised heel, and a split skin on the ball of my right foot. Hahaha~! But anyhow, the following are the advices I got (and also some things that noticed in my own Kendo) during the whole of today’s keiko.
Basics (Non-bogu) Session.
• The execution of a big men cut has to be done by swinging the shinai in a full semi-circle.
• Shinai must be kept centred during the upswing motion.
• Tenouchi – Force from the right hand is only applied at the very last minute with a slight inward twist by both hands.
• The angle of the shinai (during men cut) should be increased by further raising the left hand – increases the distance between motodachi and reach.
• Zanshin.
Junior Bogu Session.
• Kirikaeshi – footwork during attacking. Blocking while receiving.
• 7 points before executing a cut (Which I cannot seem to remember them all >.< I am always missing a few)
• Sashi men (small men) – Kasahara-san told me that for future uses (perhaps, in the far future), I shouldn’t take one step in first and then start raising my shinai. Instead, I should do it all in one step ^^ Just for the heck of it, I tried it on the next round. Wooo~ VERY far future (haha).
• Doh uchi – Must go in straight and not diagonally.
• Aiuchi men – MUST HIT! Don’t just go through…
• Uchikomigeiko – Distance is important.
Kata Session.
• Similarly to the last entry.
• All hits MUST reach the target otherwise it will end up being a “Stick dance” as how Toyoda-sensei would put it ^__^
• The ‘break’ off from the opponent – Bokuto has to be ‘opened’ more towards the right. “Like flipping a page.” (Quote: Christopher Wong) =P
• Must maintain the 9 step distance from the opponent. Using ‘landmarks’ may help.
Senior Bogu Session (Jigeiko).
With Chris.
• Every cut that was made has to hit the opponent regardless of whether or not if the opponent hits me first.
• No hesitation.
• Distance – too near.
• More wrist work required for small cuts – not strong enough.
• Kiai must be stronger.
With Vincent.
• Distance again (Too near) – especially for hiki men.
• Reaction to openings! – I successfully got one off him!
It felt as if I was getting one step closer to overcoming my ‘freezing’ problem ^^|| Then again, I only managed to react to one in a rather decent speed I suppose. My training today officially ended with Chris and Vincent both teasing me till no end for being a “deer in headlights”. I didn’t know if I should be laughing or be worried but I guess doing both won’t kill me just yet ^^
I almost forgot how it felt like after the warming up during the basic’s session since I’ve been missing those due to Federal’s infamous traffic jams… But not today! I was early this time *evil laugh* and off I went suriashi-ing around the dojo floor along with the rest ^.^ The constant pin-pricking feeling at the bottom of the arch of my left foot after that was absolutely annoying and no matter how much I stretch it before keiko, it’s still like that. Hmm… Like I was telling Nelson over MSN, it seemed as if I hit a nice jackpot that evening (LOL) and the prize being blisters, bruised heel, and a split skin on the ball of my right foot. Hahaha~! But anyhow, the following are the advices I got (and also some things that noticed in my own Kendo) during the whole of today’s keiko.
Basics (Non-bogu) Session.
• The execution of a big men cut has to be done by swinging the shinai in a full semi-circle.
• Shinai must be kept centred during the upswing motion.
• Tenouchi – Force from the right hand is only applied at the very last minute with a slight inward twist by both hands.
• The angle of the shinai (during men cut) should be increased by further raising the left hand – increases the distance between motodachi and reach.
• Zanshin.
Junior Bogu Session.
• Kirikaeshi – footwork during attacking. Blocking while receiving.
• 7 points before executing a cut (Which I cannot seem to remember them all >.< I am always missing a few)
• Sashi men (small men) – Kasahara-san told me that for future uses (perhaps, in the far future), I shouldn’t take one step in first and then start raising my shinai. Instead, I should do it all in one step ^^ Just for the heck of it, I tried it on the next round. Wooo~ VERY far future (haha).
• Doh uchi – Must go in straight and not diagonally.
• Aiuchi men – MUST HIT! Don’t just go through…
• Uchikomigeiko – Distance is important.
Kata Session.
• Similarly to the last entry.
• All hits MUST reach the target otherwise it will end up being a “Stick dance” as how Toyoda-sensei would put it ^__^
• The ‘break’ off from the opponent – Bokuto has to be ‘opened’ more towards the right. “Like flipping a page.” (Quote: Christopher Wong) =P
• Must maintain the 9 step distance from the opponent. Using ‘landmarks’ may help.
Senior Bogu Session (Jigeiko).
With Chris.
• Every cut that was made has to hit the opponent regardless of whether or not if the opponent hits me first.
• No hesitation.
• Distance – too near.
• More wrist work required for small cuts – not strong enough.
• Kiai must be stronger.
With Vincent.
• Distance again (Too near) – especially for hiki men.
• Reaction to openings! – I successfully got one off him!
It felt as if I was getting one step closer to overcoming my ‘freezing’ problem ^^|| Then again, I only managed to react to one in a rather decent speed I suppose. My training today officially ended with Chris and Vincent both teasing me till no end for being a “deer in headlights”. I didn’t know if I should be laughing or be worried but I guess doing both won’t kill me just yet ^^
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, 25th November 2009.
Keiko today was enjoyable and at the same time, allowed myself the opportunity to improve on my Kendo (or at least, I tried ^^’). Attendance was low and it was most likely due to the ‘after work’ crawl all over KL. I, myself, had to leave home at 5.00pm just to escape the worst of it. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have made it in time for training at 7.00pm. Then again, it was closing in to the end of the year… perhaps the rest of the members were busy with their work? I wouldn’t know really as I’ve yet to step into the ‘earn your own living’ world =P.
For some reason, I liked being one of the earliest to arrive at the dojo. Mainly it was because I get to mingle around with the other early birds and get to know them better. Secondly, being early means I get to open the mirrors, haha. Usually, someone would beat me to it =P Thirdly, I get to be the first to fill in the attendance book. Yes, it’s very odd of me, I know (lol).
Today’s session began with kata, one of my favourite parts of Kendo. It was rather awkward with only four of us (two pairs) with Mr Yap leading the practice and Chua-sensei observing us from the side. I must say that I felt rather pressured with him watching us practice… ^^’ Even so, I did manage to go through the whole thing without too ‘much’ of trouble (aside from the momentary distraction which ended up with me forgetting to kiai and went into a wrong kamae… which I later gave myself a mental smack for it). Anyway, I decided to at least write down the important points which have been pointed out by the previous senseis during the previous sessions and of course, from today’s as well. I hope I got the facts down correctly, though…
• Ipponme.
- Generally was okay.
Uchidachi: The cut must be done whole-heartedly and must be able to reach the target.
Shidachi: Ensure that the kensen does not dip towards the back. Instead, the avoiding should be done as if having the kensen pushing upwards towards the ceiling while stepping backwards.
• Nihonme.
- Maai.
Uchidachi: The position of the kensen after the cut has to be slightly below the wrist level of the shidachi.
Shidachi: Kensen must be kept, at most, parallel to the floor. Ideally, 45 degrees from the horizontal plane parallel to the floor. The cut must reach its target.
• Sanbonme.
- Timing, maai, pressuring the opponent and knowing the target.
Both sides: When both sides meet at the centre, there must be contact between the two kensens. As both sides raise their kensens upwards, it must be done with the attempt to control the centre line and applying pressure to the opponent.
Uchidachi: Target will be the right side (or the centre?) of the shidachi’s chest. Thrusting is done with a twisting motion to the left with the image of the kensen going in between the ribs.
Shidachi: Blocking the initial thrust by the uchidachi is done by stepping backwards, pulling the bokuto back towards self while maintaining the centreline and at the same time pushing uchidachi’s kensen down. First counter is done by thrusting forward using the whole body while the second only involves movement of the lower body. The target is… (I forgot >.< Was it the chest? Or the throat?). The ‘chase’ after the counter attack must be done at a much faster speed than the retreating uchidachi with the kensen pointing between the eyes of the uchidachi.
• Yonhonme.
- Kamae, maai and target.
Both sides: As the new rule states that the uchidachi is no longer allowed to adjust the maai, the first three steps taken are important. The kamae taken by both sides must be natural. The simultaneous ‘men’ cut by both sides must not stop way before the height of the opponent’s ‘men’.
Uchidachi: From chudan no kamae, the thrust is done towards the right side of the shidachi’s chest. The kensen should dip downwards slightly (at most, at a level parallel to the floor) after the shidachi has avoided the attack.
Shidachi: The avoiding should be done in one motion and not broken down into several steps. The bokuto must be brought over the head during the strike and not over the shoulders.
• Gohonme.
- Target and timing.
Uchidachi: The cut must be done whole-heartedly and the kensen must be brought to the shidachi’s knee level after the attack has been deflected.
Shidachi: When uchidachi takes ‘hidari jodan’, the shidachi’s kensen must be pointing at the left wrist of the uchidachi. The deflection of the attack must be done before the uchidachi’s kensen reaches the shidachi’s ‘men’.
Warming up was great, to be honest. Aside from the usual jogeburi and men suburi, we also did a total of 110 hayasuburi which I think was just right to get those muscles working well because I didn’t feel like dying after the first 15 minutes of keiko. Then again, it is just my own perception. For all I know, I wasn’t working hard enough. Haha!
Got a few pointers from Chris on kirikaeshi. Apparently I have been doing them using mainly my right arm (which I haven’t noticed until yesterday). Now that explains why I can’t seem to keep my left hand at my centre (>.<). From now onwards… left hand strength, right hand for control! I didn’t get any comments for my men cuts but that doesn’t mean that they are correct. Chua-sensei did mention about the footwork during the men cut, though. Having the left foot completely going past the right foot after the first step-in is a big no-no. I do have a tendency of ‘cheating’ by having my left foot overlapping the right one… that I know… and have been pointed out to me by the senseis. I tried to correct it a number of times which usually end up with me having a bruised heel again. Either that, or I couldn’t reach the motodachi’s men at all. What do I doooo?
We did something a little different after that. Hitting men with ‘seme’. The concept was… rather difficult to understand. As of now, it looked like just stepping in a deeper and then striking the motodachi… and because I was so bloody concerned about being impaled by the motodachi’s shinai… I started doing things that I shouldn’t be doing at my level. Got reprimanded ^^’ and not going to do it anymore (at least, trying not to). For now, it will be going straight, straight, straight in and then ‘MEN’!
My greatest flaw (or so I think…) in my kendo is that, I actually freeze to my spot when the motodachi offers me an opening… >.< It’s either “I see it!” but I don’t know what to do, by the time I figured out what to do, it’s too late… or… “Is that an opening? I don’t know… is it? Although it doesn’t look like it…” and then, BAM! I died. (haha ^^’). Slow reaction, thinking too much and hesitation? I am dying to do something about it but I don’t know where to start…
Fancy for some good news? ^.^ We have a new addition to the dojo and he is from Edinburgh, Scotland. A warm welcome to Hugh Irvine! I didn’t manage to talk to him but I did get to jigeiko with him for a bit. I appreciate the opportunity despite the display of my poor Kendo >.<
For some reason, I liked being one of the earliest to arrive at the dojo. Mainly it was because I get to mingle around with the other early birds and get to know them better. Secondly, being early means I get to open the mirrors, haha. Usually, someone would beat me to it =P Thirdly, I get to be the first to fill in the attendance book. Yes, it’s very odd of me, I know (lol).
Today’s session began with kata, one of my favourite parts of Kendo. It was rather awkward with only four of us (two pairs) with Mr Yap leading the practice and Chua-sensei observing us from the side. I must say that I felt rather pressured with him watching us practice… ^^’ Even so, I did manage to go through the whole thing without too ‘much’ of trouble (aside from the momentary distraction which ended up with me forgetting to kiai and went into a wrong kamae… which I later gave myself a mental smack for it). Anyway, I decided to at least write down the important points which have been pointed out by the previous senseis during the previous sessions and of course, from today’s as well. I hope I got the facts down correctly, though…
• Ipponme.
- Generally was okay.
Uchidachi: The cut must be done whole-heartedly and must be able to reach the target.
Shidachi: Ensure that the kensen does not dip towards the back. Instead, the avoiding should be done as if having the kensen pushing upwards towards the ceiling while stepping backwards.
• Nihonme.
- Maai.
Uchidachi: The position of the kensen after the cut has to be slightly below the wrist level of the shidachi.
Shidachi: Kensen must be kept, at most, parallel to the floor. Ideally, 45 degrees from the horizontal plane parallel to the floor. The cut must reach its target.
• Sanbonme.
- Timing, maai, pressuring the opponent and knowing the target.
Both sides: When both sides meet at the centre, there must be contact between the two kensens. As both sides raise their kensens upwards, it must be done with the attempt to control the centre line and applying pressure to the opponent.
Uchidachi: Target will be the right side (or the centre?) of the shidachi’s chest. Thrusting is done with a twisting motion to the left with the image of the kensen going in between the ribs.
Shidachi: Blocking the initial thrust by the uchidachi is done by stepping backwards, pulling the bokuto back towards self while maintaining the centreline and at the same time pushing uchidachi’s kensen down. First counter is done by thrusting forward using the whole body while the second only involves movement of the lower body. The target is… (I forgot >.< Was it the chest? Or the throat?). The ‘chase’ after the counter attack must be done at a much faster speed than the retreating uchidachi with the kensen pointing between the eyes of the uchidachi.
• Yonhonme.
- Kamae, maai and target.
Both sides: As the new rule states that the uchidachi is no longer allowed to adjust the maai, the first three steps taken are important. The kamae taken by both sides must be natural. The simultaneous ‘men’ cut by both sides must not stop way before the height of the opponent’s ‘men’.
Uchidachi: From chudan no kamae, the thrust is done towards the right side of the shidachi’s chest. The kensen should dip downwards slightly (at most, at a level parallel to the floor) after the shidachi has avoided the attack.
Shidachi: The avoiding should be done in one motion and not broken down into several steps. The bokuto must be brought over the head during the strike and not over the shoulders.
• Gohonme.
- Target and timing.
Uchidachi: The cut must be done whole-heartedly and the kensen must be brought to the shidachi’s knee level after the attack has been deflected.
Shidachi: When uchidachi takes ‘hidari jodan’, the shidachi’s kensen must be pointing at the left wrist of the uchidachi. The deflection of the attack must be done before the uchidachi’s kensen reaches the shidachi’s ‘men’.
Warming up was great, to be honest. Aside from the usual jogeburi and men suburi, we also did a total of 110 hayasuburi which I think was just right to get those muscles working well because I didn’t feel like dying after the first 15 minutes of keiko. Then again, it is just my own perception. For all I know, I wasn’t working hard enough. Haha!
Got a few pointers from Chris on kirikaeshi. Apparently I have been doing them using mainly my right arm (which I haven’t noticed until yesterday). Now that explains why I can’t seem to keep my left hand at my centre (>.<). From now onwards… left hand strength, right hand for control! I didn’t get any comments for my men cuts but that doesn’t mean that they are correct. Chua-sensei did mention about the footwork during the men cut, though. Having the left foot completely going past the right foot after the first step-in is a big no-no. I do have a tendency of ‘cheating’ by having my left foot overlapping the right one… that I know… and have been pointed out to me by the senseis. I tried to correct it a number of times which usually end up with me having a bruised heel again. Either that, or I couldn’t reach the motodachi’s men at all. What do I doooo?
We did something a little different after that. Hitting men with ‘seme’. The concept was… rather difficult to understand. As of now, it looked like just stepping in a deeper and then striking the motodachi… and because I was so bloody concerned about being impaled by the motodachi’s shinai… I started doing things that I shouldn’t be doing at my level. Got reprimanded ^^’ and not going to do it anymore (at least, trying not to). For now, it will be going straight, straight, straight in and then ‘MEN’!
My greatest flaw (or so I think…) in my kendo is that, I actually freeze to my spot when the motodachi offers me an opening… >.< It’s either “I see it!” but I don’t know what to do, by the time I figured out what to do, it’s too late… or… “Is that an opening? I don’t know… is it? Although it doesn’t look like it…” and then, BAM! I died. (haha ^^’). Slow reaction, thinking too much and hesitation? I am dying to do something about it but I don’t know where to start…
Fancy for some good news? ^.^ We have a new addition to the dojo and he is from Edinburgh, Scotland. A warm welcome to Hugh Irvine! I didn’t manage to talk to him but I did get to jigeiko with him for a bit. I appreciate the opportunity despite the display of my poor Kendo >.<
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