Kendo: A Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Swordsmanship
By Geoff Salmon
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About this ebook
Kendo or the "Way of the Sword" holds a special place within the martial arts as one of the few practices tracing back directly to Japan's ancient samurai heritage. Modern students flock to kendo for physically--and mentally--challenging activity that combines traditional martial arts values with strenuous physical activity.
Author Geoff Salmon has over 40 years of kendo experience gained in and outside of Japan. His goal in this kendo guide is to dispel many misconceptions about the sport and to make kendo training accessible and effective for anyone. His simple, straightforward writing style is especially helpful for beginning students and martial artists from other disciplines who wish to add kendo training to their repertoire.
The core of this kendo book is a series of detailed instructional sequences demonstrating the basic kendo techniques. The author also presents the fundamental principles and philosophy that make kendo as much an exercise of the mind as of the sword. For many adherents, the goal is to train your mind to achieve a state of mushin (no-mind). Beyond that, this book also shows you how to win competitions and integrate kendo into your personal fitness routines.
This is the first book to clearly link the philosophical and mental elements of kendo to the physical techniques, thereby enabling readers to gain a holistic understanding of the martial art. It offers a comprehensive training program similar to those given by leading kendo teachers in Japan, past and present.
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Book preview
Kendo - Geoff Salmon
Kenri—Calligraphy by Matsumoto Toshio Hanshi 9th Dan. The kanji shown here and on the front cover can be read as Sword Theory,
although they also convey a spectrum of deeper meaning to experienced kenshi.
A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO JAPANESE SWORDSMANSHIP
GEOFF SALMON
with illustrations by
KATSUYA MASAGAKI
TUTTLE Publishing
Tokyo Rutland, Vermont | Singapore
The Tuttle Story: Books to Span the East and West
Most people are surprised to learn that the world’s largest publisher of books on Asia had its humble beginnings in the tiny American state of Vermont. The company’s founder, Charles E. Tuttle, belonged to a New England family steeped in publishing. And his first love was naturally books—especially old and rare editions.
Immediately after WW II, serving in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur, Tuttle was tasked with reviving the Japanese publishing industry. He later founded the Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, which thrives today as one of the world’s leading independent publishers.
Though a westerner, Tuttle was hugely instrumental in bringing a knowledge of Japan and Asia to a world hungry for information about the East. By the time of his death in 1993, Tuttle had published over 6,000 books on Asian culture, history and art—a legacy honored by the Japanese emperor with the Order of the Sacred Treasure,
the highest tribute Japan can bestow upon a non-Japanese.
With a backlist of 1,500 titles, Tuttle Publishing is more active today than at any time in its past— inspired by Charles Tuttle’s core mission to publish fine books to span the East and West and provide a greater understanding of each.
Please note that the publisher and author(s) of this instructional book are NOT RESPONSIBLE in any manner whatsoever for any injury that may result from practicing the techniques and/or following the instructions given within. Martial arts training can be dangerous—both to you and to others—if not practiced safely. If you’re in doubt as to how to proceed or whether your practice is safe, consult with a trained martial arts teacher before beginning. Since the physical activities described herein may be too strenuous in nature for some readers, it is also essential that a physician be consulted prior to training.
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
www.tuttlepublishing.com
Copyright © 2013 Geoff Salmon
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data in process
ISBN: 978-1-4629-1180-6 (ebook)
Distributed by
North America, Latin America & Europe
Tuttle Publishing
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North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 U.S.A.
Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930; Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993
info@tuttlepublishing.com
www.tuttlepublishing.com
Japan
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Tel: (81) 3 5437-0171; Fax: (81) 3 5437-0755
sales@tuttle.co.jp
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First edition
16 15 14 13 5 4 3 2 1 1301CG
Printed in Singapore
TUTTLE PUBLISHING® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
Contents
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
The Purpose of Kendo
Kendo for Life
Equipment and how to choose and wear it
Reigi
Posture and Kamae
Maai
Footwork
Breathing and Kiai
Metsuke
Yuko-Datotsu
CHAPTER 2
Waza
Mitsu no sen
Shikake Waza
Sutemi
Men-uchi
Kote-uchi
Dou uchi
Gyaku-dou
Tsuki
Timing and opportunity for shikake waza
Tobikomi waza
Hikibana waza
Debana waza
Harai waza
Osae waza
Uchiotoshi
Makiotoshi and Makiage
Renzoku waza
Hiki Waza
Seme‚ tame‚ and the the Four Sicknesses
Sansappo or Sansatsuho
CHAPTER 3
Oji waza
Men nuki men
Kote nuki men
Kote nuki kote
Men nuki dou
Men suriage men
Tsuki suriage men
Kote suriage men
Kote suriage kote
Men kaeshi dou
Men kaeshi men
Kote kaeshi kote
Dou uchiotoshi men
Tsuki nayashi tsuki
Footwork for oji waza
CHAPTER 4
Kendo Training Methods
Kihon Geiko
Motodachi geiko and mawari geiko
Motodachi
Kirikaeshi
Uchikomi geiko
Kakarigeiko
Butsukarigeiko
Yakusoku Geiko
Waza geiko
Shikake waza geiko
Oji waza geiko
Jigeiko
Kata geiko
CHAPTER 5
Structuring a kendo session
Other structures
Warm up and cool down exercises
Hitori geiko
Practicing with children
Other forms of training
Shiai
Refereeing Kendo Matches
Grading Examinations
Glossary/Index
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
This book is written expressly with the objective of helping you make your kendo training more effective. It is aimed both at people starting to climb the kendo ladder and more advanced students who want to ensure they are making the most of their time in the dojo. Without attempting to delve into kendo’s lineage and history, I have peppered this book with elements of its philosophy—simply because you cannot divorce physical actions from the reasons for doing them. Whether your objective for practicing kendo is to train your mind to achieve a state of mushin (no-mind), or be a winner in competition—or simply to keep fit—it helps to know why things are done a certain way.
I do not claim to have invented a secret formula for success. All the ideas here are out there
and have repeatedly been impressed on me by a number of senior teachers over my forty-plus-year kendo career. There are no short cuts in kendo, but there are ways to ensure that you do not waste time doing things that are useless or counterproductive. When I started kendo in the UK in the early 1970s, we were pretty much cut off from the pool of knowledge that existed in Japan. Despite the efforts of one or two pioneers who knew more than the rest of us, a lot of technique was self-taught. I went on to live and work in Japan where I had access to some of the great second generation sensei. I did however, have to spend my first year unlearning my bad habits and starting again from scratch. Clearly the most effective way to improve is to start by doing things correctly and to conscientiously continue the correct practice of basic techniques throughout your kendo career.
This or any other guide is in no way a substitute for a good instructor. While we now have access to print and online resources from some of the world’s best kendoka, it is important to train with a teacher who can monitor your progress and make suggestions that are relevant to you. Your choice of instructor will have a major effect on your progress, so do put some thought into your selection. If you live in a major city, then you will probably have a choice of dojo. Go and watch some sessions before committing to join. Not all technically skilled kendoka are good teachers and vice versa. It is also worth talking to other members of the class.
If there is not a choice of dojo in your area, you need to make the best of what is available. In some cases you may have to work with a junior instructor or even train with your peers, taking turns to lead the practice. My only word of caution is that in these cases everyone should be aware of their own ability level and seek opportunities to attend seminars and club visits and invite senior instructors to visit whenever you can. In this way you get exposure to new ideas and can all improve together. I have seen a few rare cases where an inexperienced club instructor has forbidden students to train with other teachers. This is perhaps forgivable of very highly ranked teachers if students are going through the basics stage, but coming from lesser kendoka this smacks of conceit and cultism.
As a last resort you can train alone. I have included a section on hitori geiko, however these exercises should ideally to be practiced in addition to the work you do in the dojo. Kendo is a social and sociable art and is best done with others.
Readers’ note
International Kendo uses Japanese terminology extensively to describe equipment, techniques, and training methodology. I have therefore used this Japanese labeling throughout the book. In most cases I have done so without the customary italics. In line with Japanese grammar rules on compound words, I have made some consonant changes, so for instance kote becomes gote and futon becomes buton.
The Purpose of Kendo
In 1975 the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) developed and published The Concept and Purpose of Kendo
which is reproduced below.
Concept
Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.
Purpose
To mold the mind and body.
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo.
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor.
To associate with others with sincerity.
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
Thus will one be able:
To love one’s country and society;
To contribute to the development of culture;
And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples
Kendo for Life
Kendo is unusual in that it allows the generations to train together. Children from five upwards can enjoy kendo practice. At the other end of the scale it is possible to continue to enjoy keiko at an age when most other martial artists have hung up their boots or donated their dogi to the charity shop. Numerous sensei continue not only to be great teachers, but also remain formidable opponents into their 70s and 80s.
To quote the famous Taisho period 10th dan, Mochida Seiji sensei:
Until you are 50 years old, you must endeavor to practice the fundamentals of kendo and make it a part of you. It has taken me 50 years to learn the fundamentals of kendo by body. It was not until I became 50 years old that I started my true kendo training. This is because I practiced kendo with all my heart and spirit.
When one