Day 582:
In Iaido class, our new student learned horizontal cuts, vertical cuts, and the twelfth kata. I was able to complete 2.75 sets of kata again. That seems to be my new quota during the humid summer.
In Kendo class, we did suburi and okuri-ashi. After that, we had a lot of lecture. It was a Kendo lab all about proper tenouchi. We got to practice tenouchi for most of the class.
Day 583:
Today, Sensei in Iaido class as well as our other dan are out for a seminar. He asked me to teach the new student in both classes.
For Iaido, we reviews vertical and horizontal cuts. We practiced the twelfth kata and made sure to draw the tsuba in front of our faces and above the head. Then I taught him the first kata. He was really awkward with coming up on his toes and sliding forward. I advised more practice.
In Kendo, I took the new student aside and we practiced kihon-waza. At first we cut the air. Then I had him strike my shinai held above my head and off to the side. Once we got comfortable doing that, then I put on my bogu and had him hit my men, kote, and doh. I made sure to show him issoku-ittou-no-maai. He struck well with that. Then I taught him most of kiri-kaeshi. One men, tai-atari, four sayu-men, five backward sayu-men. He took to it well, but he keeps twisting his feet sideways. He also twists his left hand and sometimes misses the target. I told him to slow down and it worked.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Saturday, June 7, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 580-581
Day 581:
Today was really hot and humid. It really does not feel good to exercise today. Still, I did 2.75 sets of Iaido. I was a little wobbly on my feet. I should be a little slower. We have a new student today and Sensei showed him some elementary cuts.
In Kendo, I stepped into suburi and was winded already. I pushed on and did men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, uchikomi-geiko, keiko, and doh-ouchi. We had a Guest Sensei today, who is a sandan. After waza, we had rotating practice matches. I got some advice in not using full-sized fumi-komi or else risk running into my opponent, especially if they are just as tall as myself.
Day 582:
In Iaido class, Sensei spent time teaching the new student the twelfth kata. He likes to start with the final kata because it’s the simplest. I did 2.75 sets of kata again, like a trend. The humidity really makes me unwell. Today I tried to fix my metsuke and grip my iaito when backing up with a firm right hand instead of the loose right hand.
Today we had a huge Kendo class. As big as the class ever was when I started years ago. I was asked to be in the dan line to help train the students. The student formed lines and waited their turns. When the repetitions were done, the dans would rotate to be more efficient. I got lots of time to recover my stamina from the humidty. Still, after rotating two full lines we got to practice against the senior-most student in the line. That was good. We did kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi, and uchikomi-geiko. I really did my best to demonstrate best Kendo when it was my turn to practice.
One of the students, who was ready to test for shodan, announced it was his birthday. Our dojo has the tradition of hotseat keiko with the who dojo when that happens. It was about 12 opponents without a break. He finished and even fought evenly with Sensei at the end.
Day 582.5 Tournament:
Putting on our tournament is always a fun affair. I was put in charge of Court B again. I knew what I was doing and we did our job swiftly. When it was my turn to fight, I had two matches. I lost the first match to someone who was seemingly my mirror. He was as fast as me. He baited like me. We circled together. He was just a little more accurate than me, so he got two points. My second opponent was slower than me, I out moved and got two points. I did not advance but I put forth a good effort. At the end of the day we had our team match. I was put into Taisho position to fight the other ‘captain’. This was to let our other people fight the people in the middle. I fought against a yandan. It was easily predictable but I was able to push my opponent to bring his best effort. I even got to strike two good doh-ouchi against him. Too bad he was able to strike my men before my doh strikes.
Today was really hot and humid. It really does not feel good to exercise today. Still, I did 2.75 sets of Iaido. I was a little wobbly on my feet. I should be a little slower. We have a new student today and Sensei showed him some elementary cuts.
In Kendo, I stepped into suburi and was winded already. I pushed on and did men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, uchikomi-geiko, keiko, and doh-ouchi. We had a Guest Sensei today, who is a sandan. After waza, we had rotating practice matches. I got some advice in not using full-sized fumi-komi or else risk running into my opponent, especially if they are just as tall as myself.
Day 582:
In Iaido class, Sensei spent time teaching the new student the twelfth kata. He likes to start with the final kata because it’s the simplest. I did 2.75 sets of kata again, like a trend. The humidity really makes me unwell. Today I tried to fix my metsuke and grip my iaito when backing up with a firm right hand instead of the loose right hand.
Today we had a huge Kendo class. As big as the class ever was when I started years ago. I was asked to be in the dan line to help train the students. The student formed lines and waited their turns. When the repetitions were done, the dans would rotate to be more efficient. I got lots of time to recover my stamina from the humidty. Still, after rotating two full lines we got to practice against the senior-most student in the line. That was good. We did kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi, and uchikomi-geiko. I really did my best to demonstrate best Kendo when it was my turn to practice.
One of the students, who was ready to test for shodan, announced it was his birthday. Our dojo has the tradition of hotseat keiko with the who dojo when that happens. It was about 12 opponents without a break. He finished and even fought evenly with Sensei at the end.
Day 582.5 Tournament:
Putting on our tournament is always a fun affair. I was put in charge of Court B again. I knew what I was doing and we did our job swiftly. When it was my turn to fight, I had two matches. I lost the first match to someone who was seemingly my mirror. He was as fast as me. He baited like me. We circled together. He was just a little more accurate than me, so he got two points. My second opponent was slower than me, I out moved and got two points. I did not advance but I put forth a good effort. At the end of the day we had our team match. I was put into Taisho position to fight the other ‘captain’. This was to let our other people fight the people in the middle. I fought against a yandan. It was easily predictable but I was able to push my opponent to bring his best effort. I even got to strike two good doh-ouchi against him. Too bad he was able to strike my men before my doh strikes.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 579-580
Day 579:
No class today because of a holiday.
Day 580:
There was a great deal of traffic today. I arrived late to the dojo but still first. I only had enough time for two sets of Iaido and a few spare kata. There was a person who showed up as a prospective student. I told him a few facts about Kendo and Iaido to keep him interested.
In Kendo, the day wasn’t too hot but it was humid. After suburi, we lined up for kiri-kaeshi and men-ouchi. Then we had a surprise round of uchikomi-geiko. We got back to kote-ouchi and then split up into lines. I was in the instructor line while the rest of the class rotated into and out of my line for sixty seconds of keiko. I got my second wind and kept in line the whole time.
We then broke into groups and did some practice ippon-shobou matches. Sensei wanted as many lower-ranking students to fight me as possible to get them to try hard against a harder opponent. I remember being on the other end when I was san-kyu and forced to fight a ni-dan. It made me bring out higher levels of effort. My first fight was embaressing because my Sinai kept getting caught in my opponent’s arms and tangled. The subsequent fights went my way, though.
We then had a long lecture about what not to do in a match, leading to hansoku calls. Things like being bumped out of bounds, pushing others out of bounds, falling down, etc…
No class today because of a holiday.
Day 580:
There was a great deal of traffic today. I arrived late to the dojo but still first. I only had enough time for two sets of Iaido and a few spare kata. There was a person who showed up as a prospective student. I told him a few facts about Kendo and Iaido to keep him interested.
In Kendo, the day wasn’t too hot but it was humid. After suburi, we lined up for kiri-kaeshi and men-ouchi. Then we had a surprise round of uchikomi-geiko. We got back to kote-ouchi and then split up into lines. I was in the instructor line while the rest of the class rotated into and out of my line for sixty seconds of keiko. I got my second wind and kept in line the whole time.
We then broke into groups and did some practice ippon-shobou matches. Sensei wanted as many lower-ranking students to fight me as possible to get them to try hard against a harder opponent. I remember being on the other end when I was san-kyu and forced to fight a ni-dan. It made me bring out higher levels of effort. My first fight was embaressing because my Sinai kept getting caught in my opponent’s arms and tangled. The subsequent fights went my way, though.
We then had a long lecture about what not to do in a match, leading to hansoku calls. Things like being bumped out of bounds, pushing others out of bounds, falling down, etc…
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 577-578
Day 577:
Today was hot and humid. I did three sets of kata and my sweat was pouring out.
In Kendo, I stepped into suburi and then did my best in okuri-ashi. I shouted very hard and tired my voice.
We put on our bogu and then practiced our waza. We did kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, men-men-ouchi, and then kakari-geiko. I lost my breath and was very tired. I had to sit out for a few minutes.
After I stepped in, I practiced kote-men-ouchi and a few rounds of ji-geiko. We then did a practice tournament. I volunteered for two fights against lower-ranking students. I let them have a few strikes but I made sure to advance and strike twice for the win each time. I was totally out of breath during each match. I really underestimated my strength during this weather. The guest sensei told me about how I wasn’t showing much zanshin except at the end of each match. I don’t know why I’m so slow to recover my breath from okuri-ashi.
Day 578:
In Iaido class, I was tired and distracted. I only did two sets of Iaido and then nine kata. Not even a full set.
Today was cooler than the previous class. After suburi and okuri-ashi, we did lots of repetitions of men-ouchi and finished with a ji-geiko. I got to fight a nito-player that used to belong to our dojo. I always like fighting against him.
We then did lots of repetitions of kote-ouchi and then another ji-geiko. We did repetitions of doh-ouchi and then another ji-geiko. I nearly had to step out but I toughed it out.
It was sensei’s birthday, so we all took turns fighting him. I was in the second half of the class, so I saw him when he was breathless. I practiced men-men-ouchi and was able to strike. After class, one of our sensei said that my hips were not square, so my left foot was awkward. Now I need to remember to square my hips every time.
Today was hot and humid. I did three sets of kata and my sweat was pouring out.
In Kendo, I stepped into suburi and then did my best in okuri-ashi. I shouted very hard and tired my voice.
We put on our bogu and then practiced our waza. We did kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, men-men-ouchi, and then kakari-geiko. I lost my breath and was very tired. I had to sit out for a few minutes.
After I stepped in, I practiced kote-men-ouchi and a few rounds of ji-geiko. We then did a practice tournament. I volunteered for two fights against lower-ranking students. I let them have a few strikes but I made sure to advance and strike twice for the win each time. I was totally out of breath during each match. I really underestimated my strength during this weather. The guest sensei told me about how I wasn’t showing much zanshin except at the end of each match. I don’t know why I’m so slow to recover my breath from okuri-ashi.
Day 578:
In Iaido class, I was tired and distracted. I only did two sets of Iaido and then nine kata. Not even a full set.
Today was cooler than the previous class. After suburi and okuri-ashi, we did lots of repetitions of men-ouchi and finished with a ji-geiko. I got to fight a nito-player that used to belong to our dojo. I always like fighting against him.
We then did lots of repetitions of kote-ouchi and then another ji-geiko. We did repetitions of doh-ouchi and then another ji-geiko. I nearly had to step out but I toughed it out.
It was sensei’s birthday, so we all took turns fighting him. I was in the second half of the class, so I saw him when he was breathless. I practiced men-men-ouchi and was able to strike. After class, one of our sensei said that my hips were not square, so my left foot was awkward. Now I need to remember to square my hips every time.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 575-576
Day 575:
Today I gave blood to the doctor. Not as much as last time but still gave blood. I only went to Iaido class today and skipped Kendo. I have a history of pushing myself unhealthy after giving blood to the doctor. It was also brutally hot today.
I completed three sets of Iaido with a few minutes to spare. I thought I would only have time for two sets but I did it. I finished with a few sets of matobori-suburi and vertical cut suburi.
Day 576:
Iaido class was cooler than previous, but still humid. I did three sets of kata and felt like I sweat a pound of water.
In Kendo class, we did suburi and then went into kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi and then some ji-geiko. Sensei wanted to practice kata in preparation for our tournament and testing.
I was paired with a shodan candidate. He looks so young for shodan. Still, I was assigned to teach him, so I did. We did both shidachi and uchidachi sides twice. He really seemed agitated and excited. I told him to relax and be sure that shidachi follows uchidachi.
Today I gave blood to the doctor. Not as much as last time but still gave blood. I only went to Iaido class today and skipped Kendo. I have a history of pushing myself unhealthy after giving blood to the doctor. It was also brutally hot today.
I completed three sets of Iaido with a few minutes to spare. I thought I would only have time for two sets but I did it. I finished with a few sets of matobori-suburi and vertical cut suburi.
Day 576:
Iaido class was cooler than previous, but still humid. I did three sets of kata and felt like I sweat a pound of water.
In Kendo class, we did suburi and then went into kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi and then some ji-geiko. Sensei wanted to practice kata in preparation for our tournament and testing.
I was paired with a shodan candidate. He looks so young for shodan. Still, I was assigned to teach him, so I did. We did both shidachi and uchidachi sides twice. He really seemed agitated and excited. I told him to relax and be sure that shidachi follows uchidachi.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 573-574
Day 573:
I completed three sets of kata in Iaido plus a few spare kata. I had a question for Sensei. During the seminar, a Sensei instructed me about pulling my hands into my body as opposed to reaching forward like in Kendo. My Sensei told me that this was kiri-oroshi (allowing the cut to fall) as opposed to kiri-otoshi (making the cut fall). It is the way to really cut with a sword as opposed to charging forward to supply the forward motion.
In Kendo, I’m using the tabi to preserve the skin of my left foot. I don’t like the deep cracks and blisters anymore. This is my first Kendo practice since having influenza. I was asked to lead warm-ups and suburi. We did kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, step-in-other-men, step-in-other-kote, step-in-ai-ouchi-men, and then a match of ippon shobu for only 20 seconds. My left toe hurts. Perhaps I twisted it during practice. I’d hate for this to be normal for wearing atabi just barely big enough to fit my foot. Also, I nearly collapsed from the effort. Maybe the flu took more stamina from me than I thought.
Day 574:
Today was a warm day. I was actually able to perform three sets of Iaido kata and have enough time for a full set afterwards in random order. I feel tired but good. I decided to try Kendo again. We had someone show up and watch practice. We might have a new student.
In Kendo, I stepped in for suburi. For practice, we did kiri-kaeshi, step-in men, step-in kote, walk-in men, ji-geiko, and a final set of kiri-kaeshi. I felt poorly by the end of class, like I nearly wanted to step out and rest. I pushed myself and just finished class. I need more time to recover. I have an appointment with the doctor for a physical. I may need to stay out of Kendo while recovering.
I completed three sets of kata in Iaido plus a few spare kata. I had a question for Sensei. During the seminar, a Sensei instructed me about pulling my hands into my body as opposed to reaching forward like in Kendo. My Sensei told me that this was kiri-oroshi (allowing the cut to fall) as opposed to kiri-otoshi (making the cut fall). It is the way to really cut with a sword as opposed to charging forward to supply the forward motion.
In Kendo, I’m using the tabi to preserve the skin of my left foot. I don’t like the deep cracks and blisters anymore. This is my first Kendo practice since having influenza. I was asked to lead warm-ups and suburi. We did kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, step-in-other-men, step-in-other-kote, step-in-ai-ouchi-men, and then a match of ippon shobu for only 20 seconds. My left toe hurts. Perhaps I twisted it during practice. I’d hate for this to be normal for wearing atabi just barely big enough to fit my foot. Also, I nearly collapsed from the effort. Maybe the flu took more stamina from me than I thought.
Day 574:
Today was a warm day. I was actually able to perform three sets of Iaido kata and have enough time for a full set afterwards in random order. I feel tired but good. I decided to try Kendo again. We had someone show up and watch practice. We might have a new student.
In Kendo, I stepped in for suburi. For practice, we did kiri-kaeshi, step-in men, step-in kote, walk-in men, ji-geiko, and a final set of kiri-kaeshi. I felt poorly by the end of class, like I nearly wanted to step out and rest. I pushed myself and just finished class. I need more time to recover. I have an appointment with the doctor for a physical. I may need to stay out of Kendo while recovering.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 571-572
Day 571:
Today I’m back from being sick. My breath is shallow and my throat is still a little sore, causing coughing. Still, I need some exercise. I had a nice, quiet session of Iaido with three full sets.
I was tired after class but Sensei asked me to train a beginner early enough in his training to not practice with the class. Our other Sensei did not show up today, so I had to help out. No problem. I like being dependable. I took the student through basics of suri-ashi, men-ouchi, and kote-ouchi. I tried to mix things up by having him keep issoku-itto-no-maai with me in the two-man movement. He was exhausted after the session while I was just breathing a little heavier than usual. I wonder if it’s him not being used to the physical effort or if I’m just showing the years of effort I put into it. Still, I gave him encouragement to keep coming back to practice because repetition makes everything easier after a while.
Day 572:
No class today because of dangerous weather. There was a flash flood warning from the state.
Today I’m back from being sick. My breath is shallow and my throat is still a little sore, causing coughing. Still, I need some exercise. I had a nice, quiet session of Iaido with three full sets.
I was tired after class but Sensei asked me to train a beginner early enough in his training to not practice with the class. Our other Sensei did not show up today, so I had to help out. No problem. I like being dependable. I took the student through basics of suri-ashi, men-ouchi, and kote-ouchi. I tried to mix things up by having him keep issoku-itto-no-maai with me in the two-man movement. He was exhausted after the session while I was just breathing a little heavier than usual. I wonder if it’s him not being used to the physical effort or if I’m just showing the years of effort I put into it. Still, I gave him encouragement to keep coming back to practice because repetition makes everything easier after a while.
Day 572:
No class today because of dangerous weather. There was a flash flood warning from the state.
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