Episode 168: Reasons Behind Etiquette

In this episode, I would like to share my thoughts on the reasons behind kendo etiquette. It is easy to say we don’t do certain things because they are rude in Japanese culture. Yeah. That is correct. But we should think about what we do at the dojo because where kendo comes from…


Episode 167: Analysing The Definition of Yūkō Datotsu

In this episode, I would like to read and go over the definition of yūkō datotsu. We all talk about what ippon is but then have we talked about what yūkō datotsu is? I wanted to analyse what it is using the definition of yūkōd datotsu from the shiai regulations.

The definition I used here was from Kendo-World.Com. 

The Regulations of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan
The subsidiary Rules of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan
Revised September 2, 2017

Regulations:

Section 2: Yuko-datotsu (Yuko-datotsu)
Article 12: Yuko-datotsu is defined as an accurate strike or thrust made onto a datotsu-bui on the opponent’s kendo-gu with the shinai’s datotsu-bu in high spirits and with correct posture, being followed by zanshin. 

(Datotsu-bu of Shinai)
Article 13: Datotsu-bu of shinai shall be jin-bu of monouchi and its neighbouring part. 

(Datotsu-bui)
Article 14: The datosu-bui are as follows:
1. Men-bu (shomen and sayu-men)
2. Kote-bu (migi-kote and hidari-kote
3. Do-bu (migi-do and hidari-do)
4. Tsuki-bu (tsuki-dare)

The Subsidiary Rules

Article 10: The “accurate” strike prescribed in Article 12 of the “Regulations” mean a strike made in the same direction as the jin-bu of the shinai.

Article 13: The datosu-bui prescribed in Article 14 of the “Regulations” are shown in Figure 3. The target areas of men and kote are as follows:
1. Right and left men shall be above the temples.
2. The target area for kote shall be the right forearm in the case of chudan-no-kamae (the left forearm if the opponent holds his or her shinai with the left hand forward), or the left hand right forearms in the case of other kamae. 


Episode 166: Don’t Try

In this episode, I am sharing my thoughts on the meaning of “I’m trying”. We are all learning. So trying is not the good word for us to use 🙂


Episode 165: The 12th Nito Seminar

In this episode, I would like to share my experience at the 12th Nito Seminar in Idaho! It was a great experience as usual but one regret was that I didn’t take photos with patrons I saw at the event! I should develop a habit of taking photos!!


Episode 164: Kōdansha and Katana

In this episode, I am sharing my thoughts on kōdansha learning iaido. The concept of kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana (sword). 

I am sure this idea have been talked about. And the late Yoshihiko Inoue sensei was having his students do iaido when they became certain level. I think that is what I read somewhere a long time ago.

What do you think about the idea?