2024.11 KENDOJIDAI
Photography: Sasai Takamasa
Translation: Pepijn Boomgaard
There are no shortcuts in Kendo. But following the correct path with an honest heart leads to progress. Osawa Sensei explained this method to us.
Osawa Norio (Hanshi 8th Dan)
Study with an honest heart
There are no shortcuts in Kendo
When Morishima Tateo Sensei, honorary teacher of the Metropolitan Police Department, was still alive, he taught me that “Kendo is a repetition of simple things, but it is through this repetition that truth is born, and experts and masters are born.” Kendo consists of things such as Suburi, Kirikaeshi, Uchikomi, Kakari-geiko, and Shido-geiko (training with seniors), and whether you are a beginner or an expert, these elements don’t change much. However, as you progress through the stages from beginner to expert, the requirements within the same training naturally changes. I feel that it takes a long period of training before you can strike the heart of the opponent. I believe that it is necessary to learn slowly and carefully over a long time, and that is why I am working on my Kendo with the understanding that there are no shortcuts to improvement.
Also, you cannot improve in Kendo by yourself. It is very important to have an attitude of learning with an honest heart. Especially as we get older, we have fewer opportunities to be taught, and as we progress in rank, we may not be aware of the habits that we have acquired through the years.
Shimada Toranosuke, a swordsman from the end of the Edo period, famously said, “The sword is the mind, and if the mind is not correct, the sword will also not be correct. If you want to study the sword, first study the mind.” There is a saying that goes, “The sword is the person, the sword is the mind.” The sword is driven by the human mind, and the sword and the mind are considered to be one and the same.
Kendo required the mindset of Meikyo Shisui (as a polished mirror and still water), which means to let go of all distractions and accept everything as it comes. In Kendo, we often think we can do something even though we can’t. Even a single Suburi swing might not be as you imagine it to be. The first step is to accept advice with an open mind, think about it, and try to improve. This will lead to growth.
One of my favorite sayings is Mui Shizen (doing nothing and taking things as they come, Lao Tzu’s aim of living life without action, following the path of nothing). It is very difficult to abandon all action and live without distractions, but it is precisely because it is difficult that it is worth pursuing
Are you in Aiki?
Be pleased to be struck in practice
I will discuss specific points to keep in mind during practice later, but one of the most important things is how to train with high ranking Sensei. In Kendo, we “ask for Keiko.” Even if you are able to strike a high-ranked Sensei, this should not be used as an indicator of your progress. Don’t be pleased to strike, be pleased to be struck. High-ranked Sensei know the opportunity and Maai to strike, as well as other aspects of Riai (the logic of Kendo).
When I was a Kendo Tokuren member, I learned that when I felt I could hit Men, my Sensei would use Debana-kote, Debana-men, or Kaeshi-do. This is Kentai Icchi, unity of attack and defense.
There were also times when those same strikes were answered with a Kensen to the throat. I began to think about where the difference lay, and felt that the cause might be whether there was Riai or not. The reason I was struck with Debana or Kaeshi was because I was in Aiki with my Sensei. I came to understand that when I felt there was an opportunity and attacked, and the Sensei used Oji-waza in response, I had used an attack that was in accordance with Riai.
About 30 years ago, when I was aiming for 8th Dan, an instructor at an 8th Dan preparation session told me about my habits that it would take at least 6 months to improve, restore, and master them.
In Kendo, individual habits are not easy to correct. If you do try to correct them, you will not be able to do your own Kendo, and you will often get hit. This was the case for me too. However, if because you don’t want to get hit you revert back to your old habits, you will not improve.
As you set your goals higher, it becomes more difficult to make improvements. It is important to be prepared to work hard and to keep going until you see the clear sky through the clouds. This is the real thrill of Kendo training, and that is what I am trying to achieve.
Connecting Rei to the first strike
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