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BKA News Online Issue # 27 December
06 Contents Submission Guidelines Contact Details Introduction Notices Reports Diary of Events Grading/Taikai
Results Shopping &
book list Articles Report and Comments on
Discussion of Upcoming Legislation in the Scottish Parliament regarding Knives
and Swords 21st Kodokan International
kendo seminar Finnish Kendo Travel Diary Seminars/Competitions: Forms & Details Last
Words Submission
Guidelines: Submitting articles for use online (and thus the
newsletter) is easy - just email either the editor and/or the Webmaster with
the article/idea and take it from there. We are constantly looking for people
to write articles and contribute to the website, so please dont be shy. This news online is produced courtesy of the
website, please remember, we can only publish things that we get, so if we
dont get anything relating to a specific event, then we cant do anything
about it. You can help us by: Registering
your interest to do an article before
an event Be
conscientious - if you say you are going to do it, then do it! Supplying
content in digital format (with pictures) Get
someone to proof-read your article Spell-check
it! Electronic
submissions must now be supplied in HTML format, or WORD in an uncomplicated
format, pictures sent separately in JPEG format [small resolutions please] if
not inserted correctly into the document Items
that involve the team in retyping or reformatting will not be undertaken and returned to the originator. However some
typewritten formats may be acceptable, as these items can sometimes be
electronically scanned and included. Send Postal Submissions to: BKA Newsletter, co: P A
Budden. Gomms Corner. Copperkins Lane. Amersham, Bucks. HP6 5QB Contact Details: President John Howell Chairman: Geoff Salmon Vice Chairman: Gavin
Murray-Threipland Treasurer: David Spacey Secretary: Ric Schofield Membership queries bkamembership@duco-personnel.co.uk Kendo
Bucho: Paul Budden Iaido
Bucho: Vic Cook Jodo
Bucho: Alan Nash BKA
PRO: Paul Gray Iaido & Jodo PRO: Fay
Goodman Health and Safety Officer: Donald Gordon First
Aid Advisor: Trevor Chapman Webmaster: Carl Ranger. News
Online Editor: Paul Budden National Phone line 01494 581503 Automated response for a BKA leaflet and Club list only. A comprehensive and up-to-date
list of BKA contact details can be found online Introduction: Dear
members, Well
here we are at the end of 2006 and a very busy year its been. The diary for
2007 is published here, so get your calendar out to avoid disappointment. We
would draw your attention to the new Guidelines for registering clubs, the
revised membership forms and fee structures as published on the BKA website are
also included here. Also
the imminent implementation of the CRB and that the fact that all clubs must
indicate if they cater for juniors under the age of 18 even if they only have
one Junior practicing. Dont
forget to check out the new BKA Iaido & Jodo Website: http://www.iaido-jodo.org.uk
Notices: GUIDELINES FOR THE OPENING AND REGISTERING OF BKA CLUBS The following are the revised guidelines for the opening and registering
of all BKA clubs in Kendo, Iaido & Jodo and must be followed in order to
qualify for PI insurance, full BKA approval and official recognition, including
a listing on the club directory 1)
That the dojo leader is a fully paid up
BKA member and has been so for one full calendar year i.e. from Jan 1st to Dec
31st. 2)
That the Dojo leader has the minimum grade
of 1st Dan in the relevant discipline and is BKA, EKF or IKF registered 3)
That the Dojo leader and a minimum of one
other BKA registered club member have the minimum coaching qualifications of
BKA Club Coach Level 1 4)
That there is a registered first aider in
the club, or if in a sports facilities then duly qualified members of staff.
Certification will be required in either case as confirmation of compliance. 5)
That the BKA Health & Safety
procedures are accepted and applied in full. Final approval will always be at the discretion of the BKA Executive committee. All clubs will need to be fully compliant. These guidelines will come into force on 1st
January 2007. If you perceive that you are going to have a problem
complying with any of these guideline and if you have members within your
dojo/club who qualify for recognition as coaches through prior
accreditation for example by virtue of external
qualification or by established experience,
please contact your relevant Bu as soon as possible, so that they can advise
and assist in the processes. The following notification on Coaching is relevant to
the revised guidelines. BKA Executive August 2006 COACHING DEVELOPMENT It has now become
necessary that the Professional Indemnity and Public Liability offered by the
Association be linked to recognised coaching attainment and ability. This is
reflected in the decision that in order for a club to be recognised under the Guidelines
for Opening and
Registering BKA Clubs it should be able to provide a qualified
coach at every session where teaching takes place. Teaching is defined as
something taking place in sessions where some one takes charge of proceedings
and where instruction as to which aspects will be practiced occurs Additionally this
need for coaches also underpins two of the strategic aims of the Association.
These are:- (i) To increase the number of
dojo throughout the country (ii) To increase the number of junior members With these points
in mind the BKA Executive decided to undertake a full and frank review of the
current coaching system, which has resulted in the formation of a new Coaching
committee and the implementation of the following directives on coaching Having appointed
the Coaching committee, the Executive delegate their authority to the
respective Bu to ensure the technical development of the particular arts of
Kendo, Iaido and Jodo, with the remit to:- (i)
Revise the
present level 1 and 2 courses to meet the need for providing a minimum of 2
coaches in every dojo/club, opening new dojo and facilitating the teaching of
junior members. (ii)
To increase
the number of these courses being held in a year, to establish the locations
for these courses and to invite people to staff them. These courses will be
specifically tailored to BKA members who have little or no prior coaching
experience. The accreditation process will take place at the course. (iii)
Level 1 &
2 will in future be referred to as BKA Club Coach level 1 & 2 (iv)
To provide
and publish information on recommended external coaching courses for candidates
wishing to progress above Club Coach level 2 (v) Intending and newly accredited coaches need mentoring and
so experienced coaches in National centres of excellence, will be identified
to provide support both before and after their coaching course. (vi) To provide public guidelines for the recognition of coaches
through prior accreditation for example by virtue
of external qualification or by established
experience (vii) To
designate, where appropriate, committed and experienced personnel as Regional
and National coaches in order that a full package of support to be afforded at
both local and National levels and to implement
the published guide-lines for recognition of any form of prior accreditation (viii) Regional
coaches, will have the authority to run coach workshops/seminars, following the
same syllabus as the established National courses. This is to ensure
consistency of input (viiii) The
abolition of Coach Observers, as being no longer required under the new
guidelines, takes effect after all outstanding obligations under the present
regulations for observation are met. This committee, instituted
by the BKA Executive will, in the first
instance, comprise A representative
recommended by the relevant Bu i.e. ordinary member The Chief National
Kendo coach, Mr Sotaro Honda; Experienced
coaches and educators: Mr Steve Bishop, Mr Ian Parker Dodd, Mrs Leigh-Anne Law It is anticipated that future Bu representatives will
be elected to this committee and that the positions of the appointed experts
will be reviewed biannually by the Executive to ensure the maintenance of a
committee with current and relevant expertise. BKA Executive August 2006 Membership Fees for 2007
Notes for Current Members Renewing Current members renewing will be sent a renewal form
in early December. Do not use the form available on this site, which is aimed
for Temp / New joiners. All renewals for current members should be received by
the Treasurer by the 31st December 2006. A late penalty applies for
renewals sent after this due date. If you have moved then you can inform us of your new
address & request a renewal form via this email address : bkamembership@duco-personnel.co.uk
quoting your membership number, Date of Birth and your new address. I want to try Kendo / Iaido / Jodo which membership
is for me? We would strongly advise you to use Temporary
membership. It is very cheap, lasts 3 months and covers you for practice in
your local dojo. It does not allow you to participate in seminars, taikai or
gradings. Before the 3 months is up you will be sent an upgrade pack, should
you wish to continue your practice. It is a very cheap way to try Kendo / Iaido
or Jodo. All our other memberships involve a 10 joining fee;
this is waived for temporary members. Temporary memberships run for 3 months or till 31st
December if they are still active. However, anyone renewing in
January with a temporary membership active on 31st December will be
deemed to have paid the 10 joining fee, and so will eligible for the upgrade
rate. There is only one rate for temporary membership 10,
regardless of which sword art you study. You can only take out temporary
membership once, it is not renewable. What are the other types of membership
available?
All of these memberships have a 10 joining fee on top
of the membership fee itself, which is waived for those upgrading from
temporary membership. General Notes: These fees are current for 2007. If you are practicing Kendo and Iaido or Jodo, then
the Kendo fee applies. If you practice either Iaido or Jodo (or both), but not
Kendo then the Iaido & Jodo rate applies. Please note that ALL memberships expire 31st
December, except temporary memberships, which expire on their expiry date
or 31st December, whichever is sooner. The
Health & Safety forms and guidelines have been updated. Please check out
the website under General Information Executive for the documentation. Kendo & Jodo Grading Questions are now only
published on the BKA website: all candidates must bring their completed papers
with them on the day of the examination. There will be no official BKA Hatsugeiko next year .
All Dojo/Clubs are encouraged to hold their own local events. Please submit
information and it will be published on the website. There will be a FREE Kendo Kangeiko for Juniors at
KODOKAN on Sunday the 18th February 10. 30am to 5pm . All Juniors members are invited to attend. Please
contact: kendo.bucho@kendo.org.uk
We
would advise all clubs that have multi sites i.e advertising Additional activities such as Judo, Jujitsu, Ninjitsu,
Karate, Tai chi, Kung Fu etc. That their BKA page[s] should only display Dan
grades recognised by the BKA, EKF & IKF. Any other external qualifications
should not be included. Sites not complying with this format will be removed
from the BKA club directory. EC
December 2006 Further to the rather sad News, as mentioned in the
letter from the chairman, of the return to Japan of Sotaro Honda the Chief
National Kendo Coach. We would like to point out that we have been fully aware
that this was inevitable and we would like to wish Honda sensei every success for
the future in his new position. The ongoing programme
of a having a resident Chief National Kendo Coach will continue and we will be
announcing very shortly his successor. Kendo Bu December 2006 Diary of Events Here is a list of
all Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo related events in the U.K. and others of interest in
Europe. Events that span all three
disciplines are marked (All). This information
is Provisional at the time of going to print and will be updated in future issues. The CLOSING DATE
for all shinsa (gradings) is TWO CALENDAR MONTHS prior to the day of the exam. Contact FOR ALL UK shinsa is the Grading Officer
and NOT the person in charge of running the seminar. For all overseas Grading, members must contact John Howell
for a letter of permission.
Kendo
Squad Training & Schedule: Squad training sessions are
usually held once a month. These take place over a weekend. Anyone interested
in being involved with the squad is welcome to attend. There is a charge of 3
per session to help cover costs. The
next training weekend will be held at Kodokan Dojo in Rickmansworth on Sat &
Sun 6th & 7th
November There
will be no squad training in December: Team at the 13thWKC in Taipei. Dates for 2007: January
6th & 7th February
10th & 11th Saturday: Ladies practice[all ages ] 10am to 1pm seniors
2:00-5:00pm
Saturday: Young Males practice[15 to 25 years ] 10am to 1pm seniors
2:00-5:00pm
We particularly want to
encourage more women to come and
join the squad. Please
contact The Chief National Kendo Coach
to register Males: kendo.coach@kendo.org.uk or The National Ladies Kendo
Coach to register Ladies: ladies.coach@kendo.org.uk
Grading Results: IAIDO PASSES BRIGHTON 15/8/06 IKKYU O. WOODE 8321 A. PARKER 8243 J. GRIFFITHS 8365 R. BOERS S. RIDLER 8653 M. KLOMPENHOWER C. GRAINGER 8131 S. DAY 8178 S. SCHAGEN C. JOHN 7959 J. SPENCER 7653 A.R. KEEBLE 7783 S. LEITCH 8351 S.J. FITZPATRICK
8354 P. SALIBA 8670 S.P. WILLIAMS 7964 G. SALVONI 8547 R. GRAINGER 8132 SHODAN H.WILLIAMS 7751 J. LEECH 7262 L. EARLY 7931 L. COLE 8329 A. NASH 8015 J. DAY 7787 D. SMITH 7740 D. GLOVER 8194 G. HARTLEY 7070 P. HAWRYLCZAK 8569 R. PIMLOTT 6967 S. HALTON 7639 P. ROSSI 7563 G. WACEY 8497 S. SANFORD 7782 S. PAGE 7212 L. HOFSTEDE A. TURPIN 7536 A. DELHOMME 6790 NIDAN S. MERCHANT 8013 S. GRAY 7554 R.L. SHADDICK 7025 N. MOTHERWAY 7717 A. MOSELEY 7717 D. McLEAN 7728 L.D. HIGGINS 7009 R. MAUNDER 7365 S. EDGAR 7197 SANDAN I. SWYER 6070 YONDAN S. FLETCHER 5215 D. DAVIDSON 4615 D. GEORGE 5213 GODAN G.S. MURRAY THREIPLAND 4661 D.M. EVANS 1280 S. BOYLE 3172 R. BALLISTI IAIDO PASSES DARLINGTON
5/11/06 IKKYU C. MARLOW 8147 G. SPIERS 8190 L. STRONG S. FERNANDES DOS
SANTOS 8694 S. GERLACH 7994 F. RAMZAN 8786 B. ALDRIDGE 8029 V. CULLEN 7616 C. WOZNIAK 8558 D. BARBER 8621 A. JONES 7843 R. BURNS 8505 K. GIBBONS 8139 A. COBBETT 8624 SHODAN K. McGREGOR TOWERS 8087 C. JOHN 7959 R.A. POWELL 7083 A. HODGETTS 7569 R. LOH 7932 T. TORDOFF 8301 P.R. BURBURY 6834 M. AGELI 8284 NIDAN S. FARMER 7566 L. CAMPBELL 8017 D. BEVAN 7874 SANDAN J. BURN 6237 A. NACROUR 6202 S. KING 6760 JODO PASSES STEVENAGE 30/04/06 IKKYU M. AGELI 8284 J. ARMSTRONG 8244 K. SCOTT 8285 SHODAN M. HASAN 7072 D.SILK 7576 C. EASTON 7481 K.PICKAVANCE 5375 D.ROE 6296 NIDAN H. KHAN 7195 R. COLSON 5746 J. OFFLEY 7246 A. ALLAN 7013 T. DUFFY 6652 SANDAN D.FANNING 5334 D. LUBOMIROV 5008 JODO PASSES BRIGHTON 18/8/06 IKKYU L. CAMPBELL 8017 SHODAN L. EARLY 7931 T. ARMSTRONG 8244 K. SCOTT 8285 L.D. HIGGINS 7009 NIDAN G. TURNER 5556 S. PAGE 7212 JODO PASSES DARLINGTON
5/11/06 IKKYU S. McCARTHY
5495 L. STRONG J.BURN 6237 N. BALL 7935 S. FERNANDES DOS
SANTOS 8694 F. RAMZAN 8789 C. WOZNIAK 8558 J.M. PRUDHOE 7972 J. STEPIEN 5433 A. COBBETT 8624 SHODAN C. KNIGHTLEY 7650 SANDAN R. HAHN-MORRIS A. PRESTON P. BREHENY Shopping: The BKA recommend Nine Circles
and Emai shop UK for all equipment purchases. www.ninecircles.co.uk www.emaishop.com
BKA
Book List (available only from nine
circles) Kendo
The Definitive Guide - Ozawa Looking
at a Far Mountain - Budden Fundamental
Kendo Vols 1 & 2 - ZNKR (BKA Only item) Japanese-English
Kendo Dictionary - ZNKR (BKA Only item) Check out the Kendo World list of available titles Nippon Kendo Kata - All Japan
Kendo Federation NEW Iai Manual - All Japan Kendo
Federation NEW The
BKA have the following items on offer to members only! 39
Shinai Gold quality @ 30 each BKA
tenegui @ 5 each Car
stickers 3 each Blazer
badges 12 each BKA
pin badges 3 Referee's progress
log 3 12th WKC items: Shinai bags 10 Sweat shirts 8 Tenegui 2 Limited amount of polo and T shirts 4 Key rings 1 Pin badges 1 Pens 1 Towels 3 Luggage tags 1 Mouse mats 1 All items are plus
post & packaging and can be purchased by cheque/cash. Contact:
Dean Wormall If you have budo related equipment item[s] that you
wish to part with then please email us with details and you can be included in the next
newsletter (online and printed version). This can include books, shinai, clothing, 2nd
hand bogu, etc - anything relevant. Complete set of adult armour and two
complete childrens sets both Japanese quality Contact Alex McIntyre: mob no. 07966 377043 Iaito for sale Length: 2.3 Hamon: none Same: black Ito/sageo: dark blue silk This classy iaito is hardly used and in excellent condition, originally
bought from Swordstore.com for about 350, but turned out to be unsuitable for
the person it was bought for. I would like 275 for it. Contact: Dave Fanning, dave@hagakure.eu
or 020-7249-6527 Compression
suits check out: http://www.bsccompression.co.uk Contact Paul
Budden: paul.budden@kodokankendo.org.uk
Report and Comments on Discussion of Upcoming Legislation in the Scottish Parliament regarding Knives and Swords. Date: 17th November Attendees: Gery McLaughlin, Criminal Law Branch
Head of the Justice Department, Scottish Executive. Clark Pearson,
Criminal Justice Division. Gavin S. Murray
Threipland, Vice-chairman, British Kendo Association. This meeting was called by the Scottish
Executive to discuss the effects of upcoming legislation in the Scottish
parliament on the sale of swords and non-domestic knives and how it may
affect the BKA. Background: For many years in Scotland there has been
concern, especially in the Glasgow and Strathclyde area, about the level of
knife crime and the deaths and injuries that result. The vast majority of these crimes are committed using easily
available and cheap knives available in many shops, including DIY shops. Also, according to the Scottish Executive,
there is a trend among some criminals to use so called Samurai swords to
commit crimes or as a status symbol. With this in mind, the Scottish Executive
proposed legislation in 2004 regarding swords.
This was met by ridicule in some circles, and concern in others. It was evident that Australian legislation
had been looked at. In June 2005, the
Scottish Executive published Tackling knife Crime: A Consultation, laying out
the various possibilities for legislation and inviting comments and responses
from individuals resident in Scotland and groups who would be affected. The closing date for this was 30 September
2005. I responded on behalf of the
BKA, and a few BKA members in Scotland also responded. There were also responses from other groups
such as museums, historical re-enactment groups, highland dancing groups,
martial arts groups and a host of individuals.
The Scottish Executive collated all the results, and after massaging the
statistics, concluded that some sort of control was favoured by a narrow
majority. It became clear then that
some sort of law would be passed, and the legislation was announced in the
Scottish Parliament in September 2006. Also the Scottish Parliament is often
used as a test bed for legislation so that it can also be passed in the
parliament at Westminster, and in fact legislation is being talked about there. In the response I wrote on behalf of the
BKA, I was, fortunately, aware that there are some individuals in the Justice
Department who are strongly anti-sword. There is also a strong trend of thinking these days that something
will come to pass if only there was a law to make it so. With this in mind I introduced the BKA as a
responsible organisation, connected to the proper governing bodies, including
Sport Scotland, and holding world championships which had been visited by
Royalty. I also wrote that the cheap
stainless steel replica swords would not be missed, and these were likely to be
the weapons with which crimes would be committed, and that decent equipment
with which we practice was of altogether better quality and much more
expensive. I also pointed out that
laws already existed governing the carriage and use of swords, and that
burdening already law abiding citizens was hardly likely to result in a reduction
in crime. The responses were made
public on the internet, available on: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/11/30165358/53589#a20 Such was the
situation until 17th November 2006, when I was invited to attend the
meeting in Edinburgh. Summary of the meeting: Legal and technical. There has actually been a ban
on swords for decades; in that wearing one in public is illegal (it went out of
fashion anyway about 1800). However,
individuals and groups with legitimate reason are allowed to own, transport,
trade and use them for various purposes, such as sport, cultural reasons,
antique trades etc, etc. This
law has not changed. A copy of the new bill being
presented may be found on: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/bills/80-custsentwea/index.htm
1.
The legislation being
put forward to the Scottish Parliament proposes to control sale of
non-domestic knives and swords by licensing the vendors. Licences will be subject to conditions, such
as ascertaining the buyers intention and taking names and addresses. This will be in addition to restrictions
already in place, (eg buyers must be 18 or over). This affects dealers, defined as a person carrying on a business
which consists wholly or partly of selling, hiring, offering for sale or hire,
exposing for sale or hire, lending or giving swords and knives. It will not affect private individuals
transacting a private sale, although Gery McLaughlin did say that it would be
recommended that the seller keeps a record of the name and intended use, but
it is not anticipated that this would be a problem among club members as the
use is already implied (or words to that effect). 2.
Advertising in a
newsletter exclusive to members would not contravene the law, however
advertising shinken and iaito on the website may be an issue, as the BKA can be
construed to be in the business, as it were, and the internet is in the public
domain. 3.
Dealers who are selling
the restricted equipment and operating within Scotland would require a licence,
this includes any vendors who come in from overseas to ply their wares at
events within Scotland (overseas in this case includes England, Wales
etc). Imai and Nine Circles come
immediately to mind, but will include Japanese and American suppliers who come
over for events such as IKET. 4.
Items covered in this
legislation include shinken, iaito, (mogito), and kata swords. It does not cover bokken or shinai. Basically, if its metal and pointy or sharp, and is not exclusively used
for food preparation or DIY, then it comes under this legislation. 5.
It is clear that in this
case, BKA members in Scotland will not be any more hindered in practicing Kendo,
Iaido or Jodo. However, there are
concerns for the future, which is the subject for the next section. Other
matters, political and otherwise. There were other comments made
during the meeting which could be cause for concern, or could bode well for the
BKA, depending on the situation. 6.
Gery McLaughlin made the
point that the BKA is unique in that it is a member of Sport Scotland. I reinforced this by saying that the BKA is
a founder member of the Sports Council, and that the IKF is now a member of
GAISF. This, in a sense, makes the BKA
part of the establishment, and as such, legislative bodies may be more willing
to consult with the BKA rather than other groups. (I would like to point out that the Scottish Executive is meeting
with other groups, and possibly individuals, but I could not prise out any
further information on this). 7.
I pointed out that the
BKA is not the only group which deals with Japanese swordsmanship. Gery McLaughlin replied that he knew
this. This concerns me in that the Scottish
Government is looking at who is doing what, possibly with a view to imposing
further restrictions, this time on the buyers and groups, which really would
cause problems. It could also decide
who the Government will talk to in the future.
This may bode ill for various groups. 8.
Gery McLaughlin informed
me that the Justice Department will monitor the effects, and adjust the
legislation accordingly. In effect, if
this doesnt work then they can change the rules. This could mean more restrictions in the future. 9.
It seems that there is a
determination to legislate everything, and if we cant stop laws being passed,
then the BKA will have to keep a close eye on developments to head off and
ameliorate the effects as much as possible.
I have detected a frightening tendency of wilful ignorance in some
individuals and groups that could cause problems. 10. The BKA should keep in close contact with the
Government, as it seems that in their eyes we are a responsible body, and we
have good bona fides. However I would
caution that the freedom of action that the BKA has enjoyed up to now may be
compromised by ill thought out and rash decisions. We must keep an eye on the big picture as well. Conclusions The practice of Kendo, Iaido
and Jodo is not, at this time, under threat in Scotland, neither is the
ownership of the equipment required, providing, of course that the bill is
passed as it is written at the moment.
After this legislation is passed in Scotland, we can be reasonably sure
that similar legislation will be passed in England and Wales Gavin S.
Murray Threipland Vice-chairman, British kendo
Association 27th November 2006 21st Kodokan International
kendo seminar A new decade of kendo
For the 21st
seminar a new teacher was present Kai sensei (a floating foot specialist).
Junpei Matsumoto returned as did Tashiro sensei and Kumamoto sensei. Also
visiting from Japan was Shinbo sensei. As usual the team of teachers were
strengthened by Howell sensei, Yanai sensei, Holt sensei Honda sensei
OSullivan sensei, Salmon sensei and this year attending from Italy Castelli
sensei. In all 16
nationalities were represented. Thanks as always must go to Paul Budden and the
Kodokan dojo for their organisation of the event. In his opening
address Sumi Sensei said that this years seminar was to have three themes, and
as promised we would be breaking new ground. 1.
We would try
to build the ability to resist the opponents spirit (pressure), and develop
resolve, patience, calmness and become more relaxed. 2.
We were to be
prepared to go beyond our physical and mental limits by developing endurance
and patience. 3.
We were asked
to reflect carefully on our practice of kendo. To have an open mind not a
narrow view and to consider the different approaches possible. It was apparent
even at the first of the evening practices that Sumi Sensei had a more intense
approach. He was ruthless in driving students to correctly cut and finish off
techniques. To end a practice students were asked to complete three sets of
kirikaeshi instead of the customary two. This was further
confirmed at the opening address where we were promised hard training Sumi sensei
formally introduced Kai sensei (Hachidan Hanshi) a former senior police kendo
instructor in Miyazaki prefecture who has won both the All Japan police
championships and the All Japan eighth dan championships. For more than 20
years Kai sensei has been teaching kendo to children and beginners. This is a
particular area of interest for him. He shared with us his training precepts:
When asked
typically how long it should be before a beginner was allowed to train in
armour the response was about 6 months (training once or twice a week). Sumi
sensei interceded to say this should be on a case by case basis. The usual format
was employed with participants being put into teams. Each team has a general.
Practices followed the established format with the generals doing the bulk of
the teaching and Sumi Sensei, Kai Sensei and Tashiro Sensei circulating and
giving advice and demonstrations on the finer points. Kiri Kaeshi We were introduced
to a new variation of Kiri Kaeshi where kakarite steps in from long distance
and cuts MEN then steps back to do five cuts on the spot, before separating to
long distance again. This was repeated three times. To improve breath control
the whole exercise was to be done in only three breaths. Ashi Sabaki (Footwork) Sumi sensei
discussed the way of using the feet when doing shikake waza. For attacks from
long distance first we must slide in the right foot maintaining balance and an
upright stance (seme). When the moment is right the left foot is quickly
snapped into position behind the right foot causing the weight distribution
over the feet to change (more weight on the left foot). The instant that this
happens the right foot is driven forward (a stretching step) and the arms are
raised sharply keeping the body upright. When cutting from issoku itto no maai (perhaps
the opponent has stepped in) there is no need (or room) to do an extra step.
All that is needed is a stretching step driven by the left foot and a sharp
raising of the arms. In either case the
stamping movement should not be over heavy and the effort in the arms as the
strike makes contact should not be excessive. In this way the body will stay
more relaxed. The strike will be
powerful and the use of energy will be more efficient. By relaxing the upper
body when striking it is possible to keep better posture and balance. In
addition you will be more easily into the next strike or defence. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
