Striking with the Legs and Near-Instant Hikitsuke (引き付け) for Sharp Strikes – Yamauchi Sensei

This article expands on an earlier article “Synchronizing the Strike with the hikitsuke (引き付け) [KendoNotes_SynchHikitsuke].  It is based on the teachings of Yamauchi Masayuki (Kyoshi 8 Dan) 山内

The Kensaki as a Floating Log (浮木)

This article is on how to manage the the shinai tip (kensaki 剣先) when in chuudan kamae against another in chuudan kamae.  It relates to how to “win” the center with the kensaki given that the kensaki of

Kyo (虚) and Jitsu (実) in Seme – Quotes and Resources

From time to time, I come across kendo articles on seme in Japanese which discuss the concepts of kyo (虚) and jitsu (実) as in [Hakudoh_KyoJitsu] [Seiyukan_seme] [Chuudoku Feint].  These terms, which

Really Seeing the Opponent and the Opportunities to Strike – Part 3: In Slow Motion

In “Part 2: Reflections,” I described the recollection of perceiving a strike come towards me as if in slow motion during keiko in at least one rare instance.  This reminded me of

Really Seeing the Opponent and the Opportunities to Strike – Part 2: Reflections

Along a road in St. Remy de Provence

This is a follow-up of “Part 1: ‘O’ Sensei“.  Since writing that article, I have experimented with some of the tips spelled out in it and pen some reflections of the experience below.

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Healing Kendo (癒しの剣道) by Nakamura Sensei – The Original Text in Japanese

This is the original text in Japanese for a seven-part English translation of an article by

Really Seeing the Opponent and Opportunities to Strike – Part 1: “O” Sensei

A young Kyoshi 7 dan  from Japan visited the dojo that I practice at this week.  I’ll refer to him as “O” sensei as he preferred not having his name mentioned.  He had once placed

Quotes on Seme (攻め)

Walking as if Kissing the Earth – for a Shinkansen-like Fumikomi and Seme

From a distance I thought this was a twig.  What a camouflage!  Aug 2020.

A member of the dojo where I practice at asked me to teach her a particular form of fumikomi and seme that I sometimes use.  Where my right foot and body slides forward