A Story on Releasing Tension from the Shoulder to Produce Crisp Strikes

I saw first hand this week the potency of releasing the tension in the shoulders for striking.

A Story on the Transformational Power of Kirikaeshi (切り返し)

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to attend the early morning practices at the Tokyo Police keishicho (警視庁) tokuren (特練) dojo at Shinkiba (新木場) as a visitor.*  I remember the day that I first saw a new

The Paradox of Efforting and Non-Efforting

Here’s some stories related to the paradox of efforting (trying) and non-efforting (the absence of trying) in kendo and life.  On how efforting can sometimes lead to so called failure and how non-efforting, to unintended success.  It is also

Progressive Relaxation: “Mother Knows Best”

This is a short story serving as an introduction to Progressive Relaxation (also referred to as Progressive Muscle Relaxation) and a reminder of the adage:  “Mother knows best.” 

Han Seok-Bong (韓石峯) – Tenacity, Practice and a Tiger Mom

My father loves telling stories from folklore and real life. One is about a famous Korean calligrapher named Han Seok-Bong (한석봉 韓石峯 1543~1605).

Mushotoku (無所得), “The Cat’s Martial Arts Assembly” and Path to 10th Dan ;-)

During a discussion on meditation today, a person mentioned the term  “Mushotoku” (無所得) which I had never heard of before.  It refers to a state of “not seeking anything”

Beginning Nito-ryu Kendo – An Experience Report

This is a guest article by Patrick Schultheis with the San Diego Kendo Bu and UCSD Iaido Club.

Yamaoka Tesshu – the Swordsman, Calligrapher and Zen Teacher

Thanks to a fellow kendo dojo member, I recently started reading the life story of Yamaoka Tesshu (山岡 鉄舟, 1836-1888), a master swordsman, calligrapher and Zen

A Furry Three-Legged Trooper Named Duke and Heijoushin (平常心)

The cool “Duke”.

I met and walked a three-legged dog named Duke with a friend a few evenings ago.  He is a cool “dude.”  He had lost