Kendo Lessons

 This kendo lesson is to share how to sit, bow and stand up from seiza in kendo. This is a video clip from my instruction to a beginner the other day.

Since I am instructing a beginner, it is more detailed so I hope this can help you too.

The beginner is using a bokuto so there are some confusing parts but please read below for more detail.

Here are Some Points

• Since this beginner is using a bokuto (wooden sword), I am using my right hand to show what to do with his sword.
• When sitting down, make sure you lift your sword up to your hipbone so you can protect your sword hitting the floor.
• We usually line up so when sitting down and getting up, be careful with breaking the line.

Compare this with the video, “How to Sit in Kendo“.

Make sure to subscribe to Kendo Online Course for Beginners 

This instructional video introduces Kote oyobi Men that is another Ni Dan Waza.

As you have learned Niho Zenshin Niho Kotai Shomen Uchi, you should be able to do this quite easily. It is because you just have to strike kote instead of men at the first strike.

This should be easier than Niho Zenshin Niho Kotai Shomen Uchi, but since you feel it easier, it is also easier for you to make mistakes. That is why you have to pay extra attention to your own strikes.

Some points you must pay attention:

• For kote strike, take a smaller step forward.
• Take a big step forward onto the right foot when striking men.
• When striking kote, make sure that you are striking your opponent kote. People tend to strike a higher place than the actual kote height.

Now watch the video to learn it in detail!

Kendo Basics Series: Tandoku Dosa: Ni Dan Waza 2: Kote oyobi Men

This instructional video introduces Ni Dan Waza, Niho Zenshin Niho Kotai Shomen Uchi.

Ni Dan Waza means a technique with two continuous strikes. And Niho Zenshin Niho Kotai means two steps forward and two steps backward.

I quite like this before introducing my students kote and men strikes because big movements are good for us to check our movements and it is easier to spot if you do something wrong.

While you are learning all the basics of kendo, you must focus on coordinating the movements and this is another stage to integrate your movements.

Some points you must pay attention:

• All the movements must be big 
• The left foot should stay behind the right foot after the first men strike
• When you go backward, make sure that the toes are not going to come up.

Now watch the video to learn it in detail!

Kendo Basics Series: Tandoku Dosa: Niho Zenshin Niho Kotai Shomen Uchi

This kyodo uchi video introduces a method to practice coordination called kyodo uchi.

It is very important for you to coordinate your arms and footwork so you can make your movement smoother and powerful.

Kyodo means “movement” and there are 3 types of kyodo uchi.

• ikkyodo
• nikyodo
• sankyodo

Ikkyodo is one movement, nikyodo is two movements and sankyodo is three movements.

Some points you must pay attention:

• Pay attention to coordination 
• Do it slowly so you can check what you are actually doing
• Think about ki-ken-tai-icchi

Now watch the video to learn it in detail!

Kendo Basics Series: Tandoku Dosa: Kyodo Strikes

This kendo instructional video introduces zenshin kotai sayu-men and some important points. Zenshin means “going forward“. Kotai means “going backward“. Sayu means the right and left so sayu men means the right and left forehead.

You will learn the really important basics called Kirikaeshi later on and this sayu men is a very important part of it. So study this thoroughly.

Some points you must pay attention:

• The most important: Keep your left hand as center as possible. 
• When striking the right right men of your opponent (your left), pay special attention to the blade. Many does not have a good angle.
• Learn the making the right angles with your sword

Now watch the video to learn it in detail!

Kendo Basics Series: Tandoku Dosa: Zenshin Kotai Sayu Men