CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY KENDO CLUB INTRODUCTORY HANDBOOK Fall 2008 Original Design: Hiroko Matsuyama Vector: Joseph Chen Case Western Reserve University Kendo Club 1 www.case.edu/orgs/kendo INTRODUCTION Kendo, the "way of the sword," is the most respected form of modern budo in Japan, and has perhaps the closest links to many aspects of the classical martial tradition. Although it may be broadly categorized as the ritualized, sportive version of Japanese fencing, kendo is neither a viable combat art nor is it a pure sport. The modern heir to the social, cultural, and philosophical heritage of the Japanese martial tradition, kendo is perceived by most experienced practitioners to be an essentially spiritual discipline (Draeger 1974:77). While kendo is a very traditional art and sport, it is also a lot of fun. We try to strike a balance between an emphasis on good form and posture and training for tournaments. The following sections will provide a good introduction to some of the basics of kendo, including the equipment, footwork, exercises, and some general terminology. Hopefully the pictures and diagrams will be a useful guide in understanding the concepts.
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CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
KENDO CLUB
INTRODUCTORY HANDBOOKFall 2008
Original Design: Hiroko MatsuyamaVector: Joseph Chen
Case Western Reserve University Kendo Club 1
www.case.edu/orgs/kendo
INTRODUCTION
Kendo, the "way of the sword," is the most respected form of modern budo in Japan, and has perhaps the closest links to many aspects of the classical martial tradition. Although it may be broadly categorized as the ritualized, sportive version of Japanese fencing, kendo is neither a viable combat art nor is it a pure sport. The modern heir to the social, cultural, and philosophical heritage of the Japanese martial tradition, kendo is perceived by most experienced practitioners to be an essentially spiritual discipline (Draeger 1974:77).
While kendo is a very traditional art and sport, it is also a lot of fun. We try to strike abalance between an emphasis on good form and posture and training for tournaments.The following sections will provide a good introduction to some of the basics of kendo,including the equipment, footwork, exercises, and some general terminology. Hopefully thepictures and diagrams will be a useful guide in understanding the concepts.
GENERAL EQUIPMENT
KAMAE&FOOTWORK
EXHIBIT A: KEIKO-GIEXHIBIT B: BOGU
EXHIBIT C: WEAPONS !
MEN
DO
KOTE
TARE
DOGI
HAKAMA
shinai
bokken
flamethrower(experienced members only)
your feet should look like this!
width of one foot
area of does-not touch ground
back
straight!
No matter what direction you move in,your left foot should never pass yourright foot.
you’ll also eventually getblisters. sports tape is always nice to have handy
Your shinai should always be pointed at youropponent’s throat.It’s sort of hard to explain how to hold yourshinai on paper... ask one of us later ^^;
Right foot front, left foot back. Your leftheel should be slightly raised during thechu-dan no kamae, which is shown here.
( these are feet )
Case Western Reserve University Kendo Club 2
b. zenshin-kotai shomen-uchi (basic men)a. okina suburi (big men)
while steppingfoward:
knee level
lift!
footwork is same asbig men
left handshould be approx.
WARMING UP SUBURI EXERCISES (these are done after stretching)
1 fist distanceaway from forehead.
swing all the way back. swing all the way down.
repeat stepping back.swing back... but not as far. swing down to about head level.
rinse and repeat.
c. sayu men e. suemono-giri (this thing sucks imo)