劍道人

Middle-Aged Kendo Practitioners

Definition: Those who begin to learn kendo after the age of 35.

What afflicts middle-aged people is the loss of stamina. No matter how well one stays in shape, he can’t beat a stud who is 25 years younger. Time forgives no one. Middle-aged people more or less are left with some signs as time goes by, such as scars or wounds from car accidents or surgeries or chronic diseases, etc. These seem to be disadvantages of these half-century-old folks. But what exactly gives them more momentum? Let’s give a look.

1. Financial capabilities: They are better able to afford facilities and tuitions.

2. Wisdom: They can demonstrate more strategic tactics when fighting.

3. Time: We are talking about those retired ones.

4. Calmness: Middle-aged people are less prone to instinctive impulse.

5. Insufficient stamina makes them smarter in efficient strikes.

6. Tactics: Tactics can be acquired fairly easily without huge demand for stamina.

7. Others

And I think middle-aged practitioners are more able to protect themselves. They are willing to put on ugly protection gadgets and armors than the youth. Honestly, if you don’t attend to your bruises immediately, they will be severely detrimental to your body in the long term. Ensuring your physical safety is the way to keep your life going the way you want, isn’t it?

Although we face decline of strength as we age, we must always keep ourselves as energized and refreshed while learning kendo.

Keep going, folks!

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P.S. Translation by T-UNITED Translation Service. 

shizen-tai 自然體 (自然体)

shizen-tai (n.)

“A basic kendo posture which is stable and natural.  From this posture, one can move one’s body or respond to an opponent’s moves quickly, accurately, and freely.”

--P.90 ; Japanese-English Dictionary of Kendo

Natural body posture is the fundamental posture of kendo kata and a primitive, natural, and tranquil posture. In such status, a man’s body is kept at a balance, which allows free move of body for attacks and counter-attacks with more swiftness and accuracy. This is not only an ideal posture of practicing kendo but a healthy one for daily life standing.

Must-knows About Natural Body Posture: (Please check in order):

(1) Find an balanced position with two feet standing on the parallel lines and well distance.

(2) Do not bend or stretch your knees. Keep them flexible and not stiff.

(3) Place your body weight in the middle between your feet. (Stand upright on the forefeet and hold your body using your calf and thigh fore muscles to maintain balance.)

(4) Straighten up your waist. (Kendo strikes are referred to waist strikes, making waist stance important in practicing correct strikes.)

(5) Gather ki (氣) using your lower abdominal region (one to three inches below the navel).

(6) Chest out with spine in a upright position.

(7) Relax your shoulders. (This helps retain flexible stamina.)

(8) Gently close your mouth. (Breathe through your nose and stomach and exhale from your mouth. Be as relaxed and natural as possible.

(9) Pull up your neck and tuck your chin. (Pull up your head as if someone is grabbing your hair.)

(10) Look directly on front as if you are gazing upon mountains far away. Keep comprehensive alertness for what happens around you.

(11) Look directly on front as if you are gazing upon mountains far away. Keep comprehensive alertness for what happens around you.

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P.S. Translation by T-UNITED Translation Service. 

The quite serious-sounding topic is actually a summary of the most common difficulties I have observed in learning Iaido.

Some people are highly interested in Iaido. They would buy the uniform, the sword and scabbard, this and that - all the basic equipment they need at first.

However, once classes start, they begin to realize that the difficulty in learning iaido stems not from lack of equipment nor from the heaviness of the sword but from the inability to kneel or to sustain the kneeling position for too long.

Kneeling refers to “seiza” (proper sitting) in Japanese.

Iaido beginners of the ALL Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF, Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei or ZNKR) start out by learning the twelve Seitei iaido forms (seitei-gata). The initial four forms require sitting in seiza-style, and all beginners follow a sequence in learning these forms.

Reviewing these forms carefully, the techniques for the first to the fourth form all begin with sitting in seiza-style.

Some beginners are not adapted to sit in seiza-style; sitting in this posture for even just a little while causes numb feet, which leads to an inability to stand up or to move the feet when drawing the sword from the scabbard.

(On the screen: In order to be able to keep the upper torso erect, the person leans forward due to numb feet. The right hand that is supposed to draw the sword naturally touches the floor for support. If the left hand fails to hold back the edge of the sword, the sword may slide forward at the moment of leaning forward. This situation can be very dangerous. The action looks a bit like orz.)

A particularly troublesome situation arises when a student who has been taking iaido for several months already is still unable to sit in seiza-style for long. The student will be of two minds as to whether to continue or not, because by this time he has already made a major investment in purchasing the iaido equipment.

Practicing sitting in seiza-style regularly is one way to overcome the problem. Also, some students find it helpful to do some stretches before sitting.

However, there are those who claim to have “too-stiff bodies,” and for them the problem may persist for a longer time.

In my view, sitting in seiza-style is one of the biggest challenges for iaido beginners. Of course, I have also met many students who do not have any such problems, even at the start of learning. It is difficult to pre-detect this problem, as it usually takes a while for someone to realize that this is going to be a major challenge for him. Even with the help of knee pads, there are those who are unable to conquer this difficulty.

Those who are interested in learning iaido can practice sitting in seiza-style at home to see how it goes. A simple test can serve to give a preliminary assessment.

Note 1: Are there any schools teaching techniques comprised of standing positions only?
Note 2: Kiza in Japanese refers to a specific movement in Kyūdō (the Japanese art of archery). In this article, the general concept of “seiza” is to be understood unless there is a specific note indicating that “seizas” means otherwise.

Lynn Fang (Translator)

This article is for the purpose of those who are unfamiliar with Kendo.

There are several ways and information by which one can get acquainted with the sport right at the beginning.

In case you are not familiar with the game rules:

1. You can ask the Kendo enthusiast beside you, he/she can explain the rules.

2. Watch when the referee raises the flag.

3. Observe the number of players as well as the sequence of the game.

4. Observe the planning approach of the match arena.

5. Observe competition time and how it is kept.

6. Observe the age, gender, and profile of the players (students/public figure/rank) and how they are grouped in the competition.

7. Analyze why the referee does not raise the flag and declare a score especially when you think that the target was hit.

   During this time, you can politely ask your Kendo seatmate for his opinion.

   You will certainly learn many things about Kendo when you have the initiative to ask about your observations during the game.

8. Observe how the players line up, dress up, warm up, and prepare for the match.

9. Observe the shout and posture of the player when striking (frame/posture)

10. Observe what qualifies for an illegal point deduction.

11. Observe how players advance and retreat, as well as where the referee positions himself during the match.

12.Apply all your senses to experience the Kendo match.

By using these observation methods, one can slowly piece together the rules of competition. Later on, if you are still very much interested, the internet is a good source of finding several Kendo rules. After reading a page or two, you can begin to have a general idea.
Lastly, you are reminded to observe the following rules during the match even though you do not completely know Kendo. 

1. If the match arena is found on the 1^st floor and the bleachers for spectators are on the 2^nd floor, you must proceed to the auditorium. Non-authorized personnel are not allowed to roam around the match arena.

2. If you find the competition a brilliant match, the Kendo way of cheering is to quietly applaud. Please do not shout, curse, or criticize the players and the referees.

3. Please observe cleanliness. Many players come in bare-footed, therefore littering on the floor may cause them injury.

4. When taking photos, please make sure that the camera flash does not distract the players. It is best to shoot without using the camera flash.

5. Please turn off your cellular phones or switch them to silent mode. Should you need to use your cellular phone, please keep your voice down.

6. Maintain a cheerful atmosphere and preserve the solemnity of the competition.

Taiwan has no live radio or TV broadcast of Kendo matches. Kendo enthusiasts can watch them through NHK or DVDs.

Interest in Kendo may be further enhanced through the help of dedicated sports anchors.  It is similar to watching American baseball whereby the presence of an expert explaining the details of the game makes it easier for people to understand.
That day is worth looking forward to.
 

Translator > Michael