This video explained a bit about left-hand grip that I was just not getting. After practicing tonight, I varied the strength of my grip with the focus on the pinky and ring fingers in the order explained. You can see immediate gains in tip control and definitely in oji waza, specifically men kaeshi do, much "snappier". But what really stands out to me is how much less fatigued my left forearm was during class. Which makes sense when one thinks of it biomechanically, forms a more lateral focus of control. It was sort of a "got it" moment. Thanks to you and Masayoshi Miyazaki sensei!!
They did indeed, amazing sometimes how a simple concept can be so complex. A shift of finger tension, and a noticeable increase in efficiency. My kiai needs work though, when compared to his. Signed up for the newsletter, interesting reading. Also will look into your patreon and see what I can do, thanks again Sensei.
You must be very good at paying attention to your own body and feeling the differences. After you left this comment, I paied attention to my grip actually :) I have been working on my one handed strikes so your comment helped me :) I think this article might help you regarding the kiai. www.kendo-guide.com/making-your-kiai-loud-in-kendo-especially-during-bogu-tests.html Thank you for looking into my patreon. Without them, I won't be able to keep doing this. I want to make more videos so I really appreciate more help from you and others. Even if you cannot be a patron, please spread the words so more people can have access to these videos. That will help me and them :) Thank you!
I think it I was actively looking for it Sensei, I was noticing the aforementioned fatigue in my left forearm and a certain restriction in motion. So when I saw this, it made me reevaluate my basic grip and it worked. Biomechanics are a part of my graduate work, so they're always in the back of my mind when it comes to physical activity. Great that I was able to help in any way. Thank you for the link, I've bookmarked it for future reading. Read your patreon and have to say that I seriously like your philosophy of kendo as budo versus its increasing use as a sport. While of course kendo is "fun" we must not forget it's origins as a martial art developed from kenjutsu and it's warrior lineage. Nor the personal and spiritual growth it can engender, I too fear that deep aspect is being lost. I will sign up ASAP, just been incredibly busy lately. Trust me, I'm spreading the word to everyone I know that's involved in kendo. You're welcome Sensei.
Hello, aimafuji sensei, Thanks for making this video. This is exactly what I want to learn,the strangth of pawn and fingers on how to holg the sword. But I just want to confirm with you that when the master said “1”, did he mean the index finger or the thumb? Because that makes the whole sword holding looks like no middle finger been used at all. Is this the way how Kendou is? Or was it just one of the many ways? Also, during my practice, sometimes my right shouldwr felt sore, so I switch to left hand to keep on practice. I understand yiu had mentioned in the past that in proper Japanese Kendou, only right hand on the top. But is it really wrong to have left hand on the top? I thought left hand on top was the Ura stance/form, compare to the Omote/表 form........
Thank you for your comment and I am glad that you liked the video. OK: Left: index finger 1, Right: index finger 1. Please check the video for the rest of the numbers. I took time to insert the text so you can watch over and over again :) About switching your hands. I don't recommend it. It is not prohibited but not many instructors can teach you to do that. You might have to teach yourself that. But at the same time, you need to work on the normal chudan. If your right shoulder hurts, that means the shoulder is very tense. Well, that is one possibility. You need to relax. And also you are not used to the kendo movements so it is normal to have sore muscles. Make sure to analyse your form and correct it when necessary. And make sure that you listen to your sensei! Have a happy kendo!
Thank you for your question. I don't know what you mean by your question. What do you expect buy from Kendo-Guide.Com? A book or DVD? You can buy these from anywhere because you can download them to your computer. If you have more questions about this, let me know!
Sensei, I've been practicing indoors a lot lately because of rainy weather and I've had the issue of ceiling height, could I use the saya of my iaito in my footwork and kata?
General question: if Japanese martial arts (Judo, Aikido, Kendo, etc..) are called Budou (in a modern context), then how do you translate discipline? Like "Judo, Aikido and Kendo are different ..... in Japanese martial arts"
Thank you for your question. Let's define discipline. From a dictionary it is defined "activity or experience that provides mental or physical training". And a Japanese dictionary translates it to "訓練 (kunren)" and "修養 (shuyo)". Kunren is more like physical training and shuyo is more of mental training. Now the do or way involves both. Budo is to discipline oneself through physical and mental training by whatever the method you choose like kendo, judo and so forth. Hope this makes sense.
+Hiro Imafuji (Kendo For Life) It does make sense, thank you for the answer. But for example, if I me and my friend both practice the same discipline, Kendo f.e.: "We practice the same ... (discipline)"
Then you can say "We practice the same budo". If people don't understand what budo is then you can say Japanese martial arts. I think you are trying to translate discipline but probably there is no different word in this case because discipline here means budo.
This video explained a bit about left-hand grip that I was just not getting. After practicing tonight, I varied the strength of my grip with the focus on the pinky and ring fingers in the order explained. You can see immediate gains in tip control and definitely in oji waza, specifically men kaeshi do, much "snappier". But what really stands out to me is how much less fatigued my left forearm was during class. Which makes sense when one thinks of it biomechanically, forms a more lateral focus of control. It was sort of a "got it" moment. Thanks to you and Masayoshi Miyazaki sensei!!
I am glad that his teachings help you with your kendo! And thank you for paying attention to the detail of the video! Hard work paid off! Than you!
They did indeed, amazing sometimes how a simple concept can be so complex. A shift of finger tension, and a noticeable increase in efficiency. My kiai needs work though, when compared to his. Signed up for the newsletter, interesting reading. Also will look into your patreon and see what I can do, thanks again Sensei.
You must be very good at paying attention to your own body and feeling the differences. After you left this comment, I paied attention to my grip actually :) I have been working on my one handed strikes so your comment helped me :)
I think this article might help you regarding the kiai. www.kendo-guide.com/making-your-kiai-loud-in-kendo-especially-during-bogu-tests.html
Thank you for looking into my patreon. Without them, I won't be able to keep doing this. I want to make more videos so I really appreciate more help from you and others. Even if you cannot be a patron, please spread the words so more people can have access to these videos. That will help me and them :) Thank you!
I think it I was actively looking for it Sensei, I was noticing the aforementioned fatigue in my left forearm and a certain restriction in motion. So when I saw this, it made me reevaluate my basic grip and it worked. Biomechanics are a part of my graduate work, so they're always in the back of my mind when it comes to physical activity. Great that I was able to help in any way. Thank you for the link, I've bookmarked it for future reading.
Read your patreon and have to say that I seriously like your philosophy of kendo as budo versus its increasing use as a sport. While of course kendo is "fun" we must not forget it's origins as a martial art developed from kenjutsu and it's warrior lineage. Nor the personal and spiritual growth it can engender, I too fear that deep aspect is being lost. I will sign up ASAP, just been incredibly busy lately. Trust me, I'm spreading the word to everyone I know that's involved in kendo. You're welcome Sensei.
Thank you very much! I really appreciate your words and actions!
And keep posting! I also need to think, study and learn. :)
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Nice!
Thanks!
ビデオを大好きだったよ！, どーもありがとう！！！！
どういたしまして！
Hello, aimafuji sensei,
Thanks for making this video. This is exactly what I want to learn,the strangth of pawn and fingers on how to holg the sword.
But I just want to confirm with you that when the master said “1”, did he mean the index finger or the thumb? Because that makes the whole sword holding looks like no middle finger been used at all. Is this the way how Kendou is? Or was it just one of the many ways?
Also, during my practice, sometimes my right shouldwr felt sore, so I switch to left hand to keep on practice. I understand yiu had mentioned in the past that in proper Japanese Kendou, only right hand on the top. But is it really wrong to have left hand on the top? I thought left hand on top was the Ura stance/form, compare to the Omote/表 form........
Thank you for your comment and I am glad that you liked the video.
OK: Left: index finger 1, Right: index finger 1. Please check the video for the rest of the numbers. I took time to insert the text so you can watch over and over again :)
About switching your hands. I don't recommend it. It is not prohibited but not many instructors can teach you to do that. You might have to teach yourself that. But at the same time, you need to work on the normal chudan.
If your right shoulder hurts, that means the shoulder is very tense. Well, that is one possibility. You need to relax. And also you are not used to the kendo movements so it is normal to have sore muscles.
Make sure to analyse your form and correct it when necessary. And make sure that you listen to your sensei!
Have a happy kendo!
Thanks Imafuji sensei. I will watch this video again.
Jen-Yen Chen Let me know when you have questions!
Do the kendo guide sell in malaysia??
Thank you for your question. I don't know what you mean by your question. What do you expect buy from Kendo-Guide.Com? A book or DVD? You can buy these from anywhere because you can download them to your computer.
If you have more questions about this, let me know!
Sensei, I've been practicing indoors a lot lately because of rainy weather and I've had the issue of ceiling height, could I use the saya of my iaito in my footwork and kata?
Thanks for your question! It is not a good idea. If the ceiling is too low, you don't need a sword. Do it without it.
4:48 the camera is laughing at the master. Pretty bad.
Sorry. I am not laughing at my sensei. I am laughing because I am not good at remembering the numbers. Just so you know.
General question: if Japanese martial arts (Judo, Aikido, Kendo, etc..) are called Budou (in a modern context), then how do you translate discipline? Like "Judo, Aikido and Kendo are different ..... in Japanese martial arts"
Thank you for your question. Let's define discipline. From a dictionary it is defined "activity or experience that provides mental or physical training". And a Japanese dictionary translates it to "訓練 (kunren)" and "修養 (shuyo)". Kunren is more like physical training and shuyo is more of mental training.
Now the do or way involves both. Budo is to discipline oneself through physical and mental training by whatever the method you choose like kendo, judo and so forth.
Hope this makes sense.
+Hiro Imafuji (Kendo For Life) It does make sense, thank you for the answer.
But for example, if I me and my friend both practice the same discipline, Kendo f.e.: "We practice the same ... (discipline)"
Then you can say "We practice the same budo". If people don't understand what budo is then you can say Japanese martial arts. I think you are trying to translate discipline but probably there is no different word in this case because discipline here means budo.
+Hiro Imafuji (Kendo For Life) That's pretty good for me Thanks!
Omar Elnaggary You're welcome!