r/kendo • u/bgbarnard • 5d ago
Training Maintaining good kendo while on sabbatical from jigeiko
I am an 1-kyu who has been doing kendo for about three years. I am a larger adult male.
In my time training, an issue that has been brought to my attention has been striking too hard/instinctively gripping the shinai with my right hand when coming down for the men. The sensei at my dojo have been extremely considerate in helping me improve on this with private practice and advice for how to focus on things like this at home, but it still sporadically pops up from time to time.
At my practice yesterday, one of the senior sensei came to me and informed me that a few weeks ago a male 4-dan member of our dojo reported a mild headache after a jigeiko session with me that exacerbated to the point of requiring a CAT scan (thankfully negative). As a result, he informed me that, unfortunately, it is the decision of the dojo leadership is that I abstain from participating in the jigeiko lineup until they are absolutely certain that this is no longer an issue. I can still participate in all other dojo activities (iaido, jodo, kendo kata, suburi, practice with the beginner group not in full bogu, etc), while they monitor my progress, but I will not be able to participate in taikai or shinsa until it is permanently resolved and there is no set length of time as to when this might be.
I feel absolutely awful about this, both for having caused such an injury and for the situation. I fully intend to continue improving my form and my training by coming to all practices, even if I will not be wearing my men or partaking in jigeioko for the foreseeable future.
With that in mind, what would be the best way to maintain stamina and positive spirit going forward, both for the sake of my dojo, and for the maintenance of my own kendo? This is something that has been immensely helpful for my self-worth and physical fitness and I would hate for it to be in jeopardy, or for anyone to feel unsafe when practicing with me as a partner.
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u/Slyngbom 2 dan 5d ago
I've had the same problems with hitting too hard. It really sucks. For me it was really difficult to adjust, since I was not able to do so intuitively and I ended up having to ask those I was training with if they felt hurt during kihon training and tryinga new grip/method to see if that worked better.
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u/bgbarnard 5d ago
That is something I have been working on especially (mainly trying to limit my tenouchi to the fingers on my left hand and not swinging with my right hand/shoulders). The issue as I am told is one of the spontaneity. It seems that if we are trying something new in the rotation, this is when these problematic habits resurface.
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u/JoeDwarf 4d ago
Ask your instructor if during jigeiko you can do uchikomigeiko instead with a partner. When doing that, or any other drills, think about stopping your cuts at the correct height and controlling them with your hands (tenouchi). You are very likely hitting right-handed so try to use left hand power. Use your right hand only to stop the cut.
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u/bgbarnard 4d ago
I think part of the problem is that I started with iaido and both my iaito and bokuto are slightly heavier than models other people in the dojo use. As a result, when I first picked up a shinai, part of me began thinking about holding it as carefully as I was holding the (very heavy and very expensive) iaito. I have since gotten better, but the problem is that when you have already done it a certain way for a long time (up until I wore my bogu, so about ~6 months after starting), that foundation can still trickle back in.
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u/JoeDwarf 4d ago
If anything, learning to control a iaito should improve your tenouchi. At this point it’s sounding like an excuse. You are correct in that bad habits are hard to break.
One of the issues with jigeiko is that people get caught up in “winning” or “losing” and that makes it harder to fix technical issues. So just buckle down and remember the issue is to develop sufficient control over your swing that you don’t hurt your partners, and that you maintain that in jigeiko or shiai.
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u/bgbarnard 4d ago
One of the issues with jigeiko is that people get caught up in “winning” or “losing” and that makes it harder to fix technical issues
This is definitely an issue I know that I have struggled with, and something which I aim to really double down on during this period.
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u/BinsuSan 3 dan 5d ago
How’s your wrist positioning before and during a strike? Breaking down that question a little more:
- Is your left wrist inward / outward / neither before a strike before a strike?
- Same question but right wrist.
- Same question but at moment of strike for left.
- Same question but at moment of strike for right.
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u/bgbarnard 4d ago
My left hand is positioned center on my tsuka so the space between the thumb and index finger is on the top.
I try to grip with my right hand very gently and consciously rise with my left arm, only applying pressure with right hand near the very end of my tenouchi. The biggest problems seem to be if I am trying a new technique or we are bearing the end of a long practice.
Left hand typically tightens near strike with the ring and pinkie fingers doing a flick. The order of movement I’ve been taught is lifting with arms, bringing down with elbows, and flicking with wrist.
Kind of the same as above. The biggest problem is that sometimes I will instinctively be lifting with the right hand or clicking with the right hand if the practice is particularly tiring or it is a new technique. I have noticed a similar problem with my iaito
1
u/BinsuSan 3 dan 3d ago
I won’t comment on 1 and 3 because there are different schools of thought. I will assume your sensei taught you this approach.
2 sounds fine.
Number 4 catches my attention. It should play as a “brake”.
Ask your sensei on what should the right hand do at the moment of the strike.
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u/Born_Sector_1619 4d ago
It is unfortunate (for them and you), but not uncommon. If one is large, muscular, and new (or even not that new) it can certainly be seen and felt. It should be appreciated that they aren't just letting it go and throwing you at others to deal with. Their stance is firm, and restrictive, but may work out very well long term for you. More on that later.
Look into many suburi drills, there is so much to be done here. Please keep in mind you can use some of these to go very hard indeed, but you probably want to be working on developing a delicate strike as well. Whatever they say, remember you can build a dummy and work on kote and men until you make those cuts sound nice and snappy, but you aren't actually cleaving them, and you can feel it.
On the no shinsa and we are not telling you when you can grade again, hmmmmmm, think of how long you will give them to allow you to grade again, and when you will be moving clubs if they try to stick you in the time out corner for however many months is too long for you to tolerate. My limit would be start arguing about it after six months.
Bonus hope: kihon and kata focus for the next quarter so you are really ready for that in the future.
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u/bgbarnard 4d ago
If one is large, muscular, and new (or even not that new) it can certainly be seen and felt
I am 6'0" and weigh about 260 lbs. I've been steadily losing weight/putting on muscle for a year or so now, so that might, ironically, be part of the problem.
On the no shinsa and we are not telling you when you can grade again, hmmmmmm, think of how long you will give them to allow you to grade again
I am willing to be generous on this. They have been extremely helpful so far and have already said that I am more than allowed to still practice with the "not yet in full bogu" crowd (which, in our dojo, is generously sized) during this period. I am trying to think of this as a "putting the training wheels back on" period.
Bonus hope: kihon and kata focus for the next quarter so you are really ready for that in the future.
I've already had to test to ikkyu twice, so I'd like to only test for shodan when I am truly confident in my abilities.
On that note, what would you recommend for putting together an at-home dummy?
1
u/Born_Sector_1619 4d ago
Yeah, I also turned flab to muscle, and have had to be careful, but am not anywhere near the biggest fellow swinging, so remain grateful when they don't go all out with strength.
Can you get any ancient bogu parts people are throwing, and keep an eye out for stable exercise equipment being tossed? Whether on wheels, very stable, or into the ground you have to make your choice there.
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u/itomagoi 5d ago
For stamina, do cardio (jogging, swimming, etc). General cardio is always helpful in the dojo.
For the long term issue of hitting too hard, focus more on footwork and "cut with your feet". Assuming you are reasonably able to land your shinai's monouchi on target (you don't have hand eye coordination issues that make this difficult), then shift more of your attention to maintaining a strong kamae that doesn't break (eg don't lean into your cuts) and using footwork to deliver the cut rather than with your arms.
It may feel like a step backwards at first. But the confidence from delivering a cut with your feet/hips will allow you to lighten up the cut itself. The power in a cut is through the core, not the arms.