Complete Kendo. John J. Donohue

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      THE LESSON

      Overview: The basic physical aspect of all Kendo can be understood as being built upon four central elements that form the heart of Kendo's fundamental techniques, or kihon:

      Stance/Kamae

       Footwork/Ashisabaki

       Gripping the Shinai/Tenouchi

       Swinging the Shinai/Suburi

      Beginning students tend to focus on the exterior, flashy aspects of Kendo, but to be effective, these more dynamic manifestations of Kendo's principles must be based on a solid foundation of less glamorous skills.

      In the pursuit of Kendo, it is best to go slowly and constantly drill and train in basics: how to stand, how to move, how to wield the shinai. Only a diligent pursuit of these more pedestrian aspects will yield an effective and aesthetically pleasing external form.

      Kendo, although simple, in that is based on fundamental principles, is also extremely subtle and complex in the way it brings these principles into action. Since the novice will most often experience this in the process of training, an experience often as confusing as it is enlightening, we will explore the basics of the art by emulating a training session.

      1. Beginnings

      entering the dojo

      Most training will take place in dojo of one sort or another. While it is not unusual for practice to be held out of doors in all kinds of weather, the novice swordsman will learn most of his or her early lessons treading the hardwood floors of a traditional training hall.

      A dojo is any place set aside for training. The requirements for a Kendo dojo are relatively simple. The ceiling must be high enough to permit the shinai to be swung freely overhead. The floor should be level and smooth. Dojo floors are usually made of polished hardwood. The better ones are loaded on springs to absorb the impact of movement. There is usually an area marked out for sparring matches. Traditional Kendo dojo partake of the structure and simplicity of traditional Japanese architecture. The most significant point in the room is the shomen or kamiza, referred to in Part I, Ground. Movement in and out of the dojo is made in reference to the shomen.

      Shomen