Here is a small collection of resources on striking gyaku-dou (also referred to as hidari dou) for students at the dojo, where I practice at and to all who are interested in learning how to do gyaku-dou. It is a useful technique against those who tend to raise the shinai to protect their men, kote and/or right dou. Further, it is humbling when I am at the receiving end of a gyaku-dou.
The collection includes Instructional Videos, Videos of gyaku-dou in shiai and Articles – in English and Japanese. This will likely grow as I discover more.
May your gyaku-dou be effective and feared! 🙂
Instructional Videos
In English
- Gyaku Dou, Feb. 26, 2019 (1:10 mins).
- Though the instructor, Takase Sensei teaches the technique in Japanese, a translator translates his words to English.
- Andy Fisher, “Kendo Waza Study – Gyaku Do (Hidari Do)”, The Kendo Show, Jan. 25, 2021, (8:03 mins, starting at the 3:05 min mark).
- Alex Bennett, “Shiai Basics: Gyaku-do – Kendo World,” Kendo-World, Nov. 7, 2020, (3:12 mins, starting at the 0:24 sec mark).
In Japanese
- “Kendo Practice Class – Instructions for Gyaku-dou”, Ushijima Tatsunori Senshu, Osaka Prefectural Police Kendo Tokuren (Special Unit) Special Feature, Let’s Kendo Undercover Interview
- A fun instructional video on men-nuki gyaku-dou
Videos of Gyaku-Dou during Shiai
- Compilations of gyaku-dou‘s
- [Ippon Collection – The Best Gyaku-dou] Great Kenshi, Incredible Ippon (0:37 mins)
- [Ippon Collection – The Best Gyaku-dou] Incredible Ippon (IV) – (1:15 mins)
- Beautiful!! Gyaku-Dou 【Ippon Omnibus】No Kendo, No Life (3:37 mins)
- Men-nuki gyaku-dou – Individual Clips
- 17WKC Jonathan Bertout’s Gyaku Do (逆胴), Sept 21, 2018 (0:32 mins)
- This is from the Team Match between France and S. Korea during the World Kendo Championships held in Incheon, S. Korea in 2018.
- 第４８回全日本東西対抗剣道大会 The 48th All Japan Tozai-Taiko Kendo Championship, Dec.30, 2018 (1:37 mins, at the 1:16 min mark) Koyama sensei vs. Ishida sensei
- From the article Hiro Imafuji, “About Gyaku Do”, kendo-guide.com also listed below.
- 17WKC Jonathan Bertout’s Gyaku Do (逆胴), Sept 21, 2018 (0:32 mins)
Articles
In English
- Andy Fisher, “[BLOG POST] – The Finer Points of Gyaku-Do (with VIDEOS!)” – KendoStar International
- Geoff Salmon, “Why referees don’t like hiki dou,” kendoinfo.net, Aug. 11, 2011.
- Hiro Imafuji, “About Gyaku Do”, kendo-guide.com.
In Japanese
- The Secret and How-to to Striking Gyaku-dou | Practice Menu to Improve in Kendo | kendo-practice.net
- 逆胴の打ち方とコツ | 剣道が上達する練習メニュー | 剣道が上達する練習メニュー (kendo-practice.net), Sept 1, 2015.
- When it’s not going well, it’s good to change the practice menu by taking the technique of striking the left and right side of the men when performing kiri-kaeshi and applying it to practicing the left and right dou strikes.
- うまくいかない時は、切り返しの時相手の左右面を打つ要領で、左右の胴を打つ練習を練習メニューに加えるととても良いでしょう
KendoNotes 