Relaxing the Right Arm – Benefits, Tips and Gunslingers

This article is on an issue that I pay close attention to for myself (as described later) and for others at the dojo where I practice at:  a “tight” right arm.  I see it often among the

Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-Waza Keiko-Ho (木刀による剣道基本技稽古法) – Tips to Help Memorize Their Order and Resources

I wrote this article as an aid for me to learn the “Practice Methods of Basic Kendo Techniques with a bokuto (wooden sword)” developed by the All Japan Kendo Federation

Kirikaeshi and “Large, Strong, Fast, Light (大強速軽)” – from a Seminar by Kamei Sensei

Here’s a brief summary of pointers from a portion of a Southern Californian Kendo Federation (SCKF) seminar given by Kamei Toru (Hanshi 8 dan) back in 2012 at Torrance, California in this 12:16 min video [Kamei Kiri-Kaeshi].  It is on the topic of kiri-kaeshi (切り返し)

Hikitsuke (the Quick Follow-up of the Rear Foot) in Fumikomi – Some Pointers and Videos

This article highlights some pointers and videos on a fundamental component of fumikomi known as hikitsuke (引付) – courtesy of a number of sensei’s.   An experimental

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

The Chassé for Strengthening the Hikitsuke – A Tribute to John Yamamoto Sensei

This article has a twofold purpose.  It describes a ballet technique, known as the chassé, which can serve as an exercise to strengthen one’s hikitsuke (the fast follow-up of the

Relative Grip Strengths – Between the Hands and Digits (Overview)

Drawing and edamame dumbbells by Ophie and Tomoe, Jan 2020.

A lecture video by Takumi Chikamoto (Kyoshi 7th dan) [Chikamoto Lecture], forwarded to me by a sensei, prompted this article.  I found the video very informative and helpful

Relative Grip Strength – Why Emphasize the Left Hand? (Part 1)

A common pitfall in kendo is the under-use of the left hand and over-use of the right hand [KendoInfo LeftHand] [KendoInfo RightHand].    You may have heard many sensei‘s

Relative Grip Strengths – in Brief (Part 2)

This is a brief summary of teachings and recommendations on the relative grip strengths for the hands and digits.