2024.11 KENDOJIDAI
Photography: Nishiguchi Kunihiko
Composition: Tsuchiya Tomosuke
Translation: Pepijn Boomgaard
Teacher and student seeking for the essence of Kendo together. We spoke to Takeuchi Sensei, an excellent youth Kendo instructor and accomplished Kendoka with numerous achievements in 8th Dan tournaments, about what he keeps in mind during his training.
Takeuchi Tsukasa (Kyoshi 8th Dan)
The essence of life-long Kendo
I mainly teach youth Kendo, which I have been doing since 1993 at my home Dojo, Yotokukan Dojo in Katsuo, Okayama Prefecture. At our Dojo, we traditionally place great importance on the basics, and rather than teaching with just words, I try to show the students and then have them listen. What is important to me, as an instructor and as a Kendo practitioner, is to pursue the essence of the art.
Although we seek victory in competition, we focus on fostering Kendo that will last a lifetime without losing the essence, whether in elementary, junior high, high school, university, or in the workforce. Therefore, I try to teach children while making sure they understand the essence of Kendo.
You cannot teach in this way unless you yourself are seeking and studying this essence. I received my 8th Dan in 2012, and since then I have continued to study and practice while thinking. I have been reflecting on the words of the teachers who have guided me throughout my Kendo career, and I have realized many things that I can utilize in my own training and teaching.
We want the children we teach to win matches and make good memories. However, I believe that by only looking at competitive achievements, we might lose sight of the essence. I feel that pursuing the essence of Kendo and then getting results will lead to real confidence, and even if the results are not immediate, they can continue this Kendo in high school and university. I feel that there are many instructors in our Yotokukan Dojo and that many of our alumni continue to practice Kendo because of this tradition, and I am grateful for this.
Striking Men in accordance with the basics is important
In elementary school, I was taught the basics by Uetsuki Masayuki Sensei (the current director) after starting Kendo at Yotokukan Dojo. When I entered Katsumada High School, Takiyama Isamu Sensei told me, “Only strike Men. If you can strike Men, you will inevitably be able to hit Kote and Do.”
The Men is the furthest off all the target areas. Furthermore, the raised Shinai passes right in front of the opponent’s eyes. It is a technique that is physically caught by the opponent’s eyes. Therefore, you cannot hit a Men Ippon unless you stop or move the opponent’s mind. I feel like Takiyama Sensei taught us that we must make or Seme effective and break down the opponent.
After entering Nippon Sport Science University, my instructor, Kurasawa Teruhiko Sensei (Hanshi 9th Dan), told me the same thing, just strike Men. At the time, I was young and energetic, but that was not enough. I was taught many things, and I believe that has created the core of my current Kendo.
Create challenges in training
I find my own challenges within the little training time I have and organize the things I lack or need to learn.
For example, I try adjusting the position of the center of gravity of my Kamae or find out whether my Seme is monotonous through trial and error. My intention is to then teach the things I have learned to the children and refine it further.
This spring, I was runner up in the All Japan 8th Dan Tournament. There are many experts, but no matter who my opponent is, I try to think about how I can give my best to my opponent and create a good flow in the match. In a match, you can only use the thing you have been working on. I felt this in my last match, and I think that giving it my all has led me to these results. I practice the same things that I always teach my students.
Things to keep in mind during Suburi
Starting with Ashi-sabaki, while moving your right foot forward as Seme-ashi, swing the Shinai and then instantly pull in the left foot. It is important to perform this series of movements in a single beat, and swing while maintaining your center of gravity and without moving your gaze up or down. If the right foot moves forward first and the left foot follows later, it will become a two-beat action. It is said that in Kendo we strike with the feet. The only way to get children used to this is by repeatedly teaching them to prepare the right foot and strike with the left foot, moving in a single beat.
It is also essential that the Shinai is swing currently in the center line, with a soft grip, only squeezing at the moment of impact. In order to make the children aware of the Hasuji, we often have them do Suburi with a Bokuto. It is important to swing so that the Kensen moves quickly.
As Ashi-sabaki improves, the arms will naturally relax, the Shinai will move fast, and strikes can be made with Sae. This is when the sword and body are in harmony, and by putting Ki into it, Ki Ken Tai Icchi can be achieved. If you do proper Suburi on a regular basis, you will be able to strike without losing your posture. This is the starting point, and even if our Kendo falls apart for a moment, we can correct our course and go back to this base.
Pull in the left foot to strike straight
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