Kendo Lessons

Kendo Basics Series: Okuri Ashi Practice with Shinai

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Shiho-ashi-sabaki with ShinaiThis kendo instructional video introduces a way to practice okuri-ashi called shiho-ashi-sabaki with the shinai.

Shiho-ashi-sabaki is a combination of 4 okuri ashi to 4 different directions, front, back, right and left.

Once this is done with the shinai, you have to distribute your attention to the footwork and shinai so trust me it gets harder.

The points you have to pay attention to:

  • Keep the kensaki still while moving
  • Relax your upper body
  • Keep the balance: especially upper body.
  • Maintain the good stance (many change the width between their feet)
  • Do it slowly until you get the hang of it.

The footwork is more important than learning how to cut in kendo.

Footwork: Okuri Ashi Practice with Shinai

 

Kendo Basics Series: Tsugi Ashi

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Tsugi AshiThis kendo instructional video introduces footwork called tsugi-ashi.

You might learn this at an early stage of your kendo session but remember that is for your knowledge. You do not need this footwork for a long time. Why?

Tsugi-ashi is useful when there is a bit of a distance between you and your opponent.

The points you have to pay attention to:

  • Know that this is an advance technique. You don’t need this for a long time.
  • Learn okuri-ashi thoroughly first
  • Move your left foot so your opponent won’t notice it
  • The left foot does not pass the right foot
  • Do not use this when you are close to your oppoennt

The footwork is more important than learning how to cut in kendo.

Advanced Footwork: Tsugi Ashi

 

Kendo Basics Series: Hiraki Ashi

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Kendo footowrk: Hiraki AshiThis kendo instructional video introduces footwork called hiraki-ashi.

This footwork is also advanced like tsugi-ashi but this is good footwork to learn coordination.

The points you have to pay attention to:

  • Do not cross your legs after each movement
  • Always come back to the beautiful stance
  • Do not drag your feet
  • Do not go up and down while moving
  • Pay extra attention to footwork and coordination.

The footwork is more important than learning how to cut in kendo.

Footwork: Hiraki Ashi

 

Kendo Basics Series: Introduction to Tandoku Dosa (Solo Training)

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Tandoku Dosa (Solo Training) Introduction This kendo video tells you why those dantoku dosa (solo training movements) are important.

Tandoku means single or solo.

Dosa means movements.

So tandoku dosa means movements that are done by a single person. We have a training method called Sotai Dosa, which means a pair work.

Basically all the movements showed by this far are the solo movements but from this time actual “cutting motion” is involved.

So watch this very short video and understand why it is important to go over tandoku dosa.

 

Kendo Basics III: Tandoku Dosa Intro

 

Kendo Basics Series: Joge Buri

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Tandoku Dosa Joge-buriThis kendo instructional video introduces joge-buri. Joge buri is one of the basics that beginners must know.

Jo means up and ge means down. Buri is swing so it is “up and down swinging movement“.

 

Some points you must pay attention:

  • Do not think that you are swinging your sword
  • Think that move your hands straight up and straight down
  • Do not pull your sword up with the right hand
  • Lift your sword up with the left hand
  • Your left hand should be above your head
  • Do not let the tip of the sword or kensaki down when it is above your head

 

Tandoku Dosa: Joge Buri

Zeshin Kotai Joge Buri