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

A Neat Way to Teach and Learn Suri-Ashi – For Beginners and Kids

This article is intended as an aid for those either teaching or learning suri-ashi at the dojo where I practice at and elsewhere.

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

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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

Plyometrics for Speed and Strength Development in Kendo

The producer of Bokushingu’s Kendo TV kindly introduced me to plyometrics several years ago.  I had wanted to increase the speed and strength in my footwork and koshi

Resources for Beginners

I compiled a list of videos and written resources below for the beginners at the dojo where I practice and for all those new to kendo.  They cover a wide range of topics:

Healing Kendo (癒しの剣道) by Nakamura Sensei – Overview

This is a translation of an enlightening article by Nakamura Sensei, 7th Dan – on seme and many of its related components.  This includes the mechanics of the kamae, setup,