Koken Chiai (交剣知愛 in Kanji) is one of Kendo’s beloved phrases. It is commonly understood to mean bonding with others through the special connection of Kendo, where Kenshi have fun practicing together. However, Koken Chiai carries a much deeper meaning than that.
Yokoyama Norio
Born in 1940 in Aki City, Kochi Prefecture. He graduated from Aki High School and Waseda University. Kendo Kyoshi 5-Dan. Has been teaching youth Kendo for over 50 years at Kazenoan Dojo. Managing a trading company by day, Yokoyama has also spent many years instructing Kendo abroad in Germany and Italy among others. Mentored by Hanshi 9-Dan Tamari Yoshiaki, a senior from his alma mater. Yokoyama is part of the last generation to have directly observed Keiko and Shiai of 10-dan Kendo master Mochida Moriji, who was celebrated as the “Sword Saint of the Showa Era.”
Koken Chiai (交剣知愛 in Kanji)
Koken Chiai is a phrase that Tamari Yoshiaki-sensei (Hanshi 9-Dan) often used. Tamari-sensei, who graduated from my alma mater, Waseda University, was the head coach during my time there. Tamari-sensei once shared his thoughts on Koken Chiai:
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