Different perspectives of kendo, a look back at the October seminar of 2014
Once again honoring the inhabitants of Bryanston, Johannesburg, with our presence and kiai, the SA dojo’s were once again well represented. We welcomed back kendoka visiting from Mozambique as well as a beginner from Polokwane. Participants were split into three training groups – the Dan group, the Kyu group in bogu and the beginners group. Here are a few experiences….
…through the eyes (and feet) of a Dan grade Mushin kendoka
I have always been curious about the Dan grade training group. Previously sneaking peaks of the visiting sensei’s, I was in awe of their crisp, fast but subtle movements. I got to experience this training group for the first time and it was incredible! I am sure our Mushin filmmaker, Gerhard, caught most on camera (smile).
Expecting thousands of suburi and hardcore training, it ended up being much more. A little nervous due to the fact that I had my 2nd Dan grading, scheduled for the Sunday afternoon. On the first day, Tanemichi Chiba sensei (8th Dan kyoshi), Tokuaki Irii sensei (8th Dan kyoshi), Teruaki Ishimaru sensei (7th Dan kyoshi) and Buster Sefor sensei (focused on the basic movements, working up a sweat with correct and crisp repetitions. From our basic men cut during suburi training, to the same men cut nihon kata, each movement was broken down to the smallest element, explained, demonstrated and repeated. The following gi-keiko against the sensei’s at the end of day one are just spectacular! Through application of earlier training and the intensity of the kiai, one learns so much from these gi-keiko. It might be short and intense encounters, but it is as exhilarating as an hour long session, pushing yourself beyond your limit, not giving up until the battle is done.
An exhausting two day experience but two days rich with lessons in kendo. I realized once again that in kendo, one cannot improve unless you constantly apply yourself, focussing on the finer basics and pushing …..forward and harder.
To conclude though, I pushed through the tenseness…conquered my nerves…and passed my 2nd Dan grading! (smile)
Anesu (2nd Dan)
…..through the eyes (and feet) of a Kyu grade Mushin kendoka (in bogu)
Back to the basics – undeniably important! Under the guidance of Gerry Tscherter sensei (7th Dan
renshi) from Switzerland and Ray Fleming sensei (5th Dan) from South Africa, we revisited basic cuts and nihon kata. A fundamental detail pointed out to me by Tscherter sensei, which made a great impression, was the slight turning in and forward of my left hip while in chudan no kamae stance – not only did it make sense and feel right, it makes a world of difference on your posture and subsequent forward motion. In the end, the basics paid off, as I could feel the hand muscles between my thumb and index finger getting stronger – I was doing something right (smile). Felt good to push myself to be more zippy, quicker with my fumikomi and closer to more ideal ki-ken-tai-ichi! Repetition was the word at the end of the day and what a reward, to see the satisfying grins on our sensei’s faces with our improvement!
Grading was 100% successful…and a fellow Mushin kendoka “sadly” left our group as he Happily passed his 1st Dan grading!
Mientjie (2nd Kyu)
…..through the eyes (and feet) of a beginner Mushin kendoka
Eager beginners packed the hall! Training was led by Uwe Kumpf sensei (7th Dan renshi) from Germany and Tony Hughes sensei (6th Dan) from South Africa. On day one discipline and proper etiquette was quickly instilled in the wayward beginners, 'rewarded' with a few more try's until it was acceptable by Kumpf sensei’s standards! Focus throughout the day was on self-awareness when practising basic techniques – being able to measure one’s style and mistakes, is an important foundation for improvement.
We were soon introduced to technical precision with a touch of endurance, a few hundred Men-Suburi sure to do the trick! Another highlight – nihon kata training. Our mentoring sensei’s displayed this art of understanding your opponent's movement and subtle cues with great precision and technique. Before long the end of the seminar, and grading, was drawing closer. Exciting and slightly intimidating, the displaying of months of hard work in front of a judging panel. Thanks to patient guidance, the Mushin beginners achieved a 100% pass rate! A great experience and showing of International Kendo standards - I am grateful and cannot wait for 2015’s Summer Seminar!
Johan (6th Kyu)
A weekend one never forgets and a building brick towards further improvement at the next Summer Seminar! However, challenging to put into words – one simply have to experience it first hand (and feet)!
