Day 722:
In Iaido, I made sure to try to do what my previous lesson taught me. I slowed down and only had time to do 2 sets of kata. I was able to remember to perform flat shinden-style noto. After class, I told Sensei about the comment about my left hand being open. He said he’ll try to pay attention.
In Kendo, we had a basic practice. We did kihon, kote-men, and uchikomi-geiko. We finished with ji-geiko for those who had bogu.
We stopped early for kata. I was in a group of three to practice all 10 kata. I got to practice both uchidachi and shidachi sides. I messed up the third kata and did not make the contact on the uchidachi side of the 8th kata. However, I got comments about how continuing to go forward with the kata as if no error. I need to practice the kata over and over.
Day 723:
In Iaido, I got to go 2.75 sets of kata. It’s getting easier to keep the saya flat for noto. This time I added not using my muscles but just guide the sword. The best way is to only cut with only the left arm.
In Kendo, it was Sensei’s turn to teach the beginner but he asked our shodan to teach. We got to practice okuri-ashi, kihon, kote-men, men-suriage-men, kiri-kaeshi, and ji-geiko. During the last couple of ji-geiko I really was very tired. In the last ji-geiko I nearly stopped breathing, so I had to just bait and counter-attack. I did completely dominate Sensei during our ji-geiko with three men-ari, a kote-ari, and almost a perfect doh-ari. After practice, he admitted his left leg spasmed and stopped moving. The lack of forward momentum made it easier.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Saturday, October 10, 2015
A Beginner's Point of View 720-721
Day 720:
No class today as I am injured.
Day 721:
No class today as I am injured.
Day 721.5:
I had made an appointment to see a sword vendor to get my iaito’s saya fixed. The wooden inside was wearing uneven and even the narrow part in front of the cutting edge had worn away totally. I was worried that one unlucky draw would crack the saya.
I was actually invited to practice at his dojo with his students for a day while getting my saya repaired. I took this opportunity to practice Iaido with another dojo to see how they do things. However, some details came to light. The dojo practices Jodo as well as Muso-Shinden Ryu. I only practice Seitei-Gata. However, the sensei decided to alter class to be more accommodating to me. I felt very honored that way.
When I met the sensei, he examined my sword just as much as my saya. He then told me that my sword was a cheap knock-off sword made in China. The tsuka had even thickness in front as well as in back. That’s not supposed to be the way it’s made. The narrowing in front reflects the cutting edge which reminds you of the plane of the sword. The blade has a twist to it and the wood is not Japanese wood in the saya.
After being so very disappointed in my sword, I went to the dojo. I was given a jo and asked to follow along with the class practicing kata. The movements were so different and designed to deflect swords and then counter-strike. I could tell an amusing joke about how I was practicing anti-Kendo and feeling dirty about it. Never mind. It was still interesting and fun.
Sensei walked in and gave me my iaito, showing me my saya. He glued a piece of wood where the vacant place was. I feel more confident drawing it now.
In Iaido class, we only did two kata, but we really went in depth. Sensei talked a lot about technique and showed many examples of what to do and not to do. He also was the type to tell many jokes and make many not-serious jibes with students who were his friends. That’s different, but he’s high-ranking, so there’s no criticism at all.
We practiced the fifth and ninth katas. Sensei actually asked me for a request. I requested the ninth kata. I tried to follow sensei’s instructions as best as I could. Among other things, my flaw of using too much muscle was exposed. I do use my muscles a lot because my iaito is steel.
I should also state that the opening and closing rei-hou were slightly different. We would intentionally pull our hakama in tight to our legs and put the sword on the right side. My own rei-hou seems very abridged. Is it? Or is this just different? I guess I’ll just have to trust my sensei.
At the end of the day, I wanted to buy a new sword which was Japanese. However, sensei said he wouldn’t sell me a sword today. He wanted me to try my current sword and then shop around. I think my sword is okay for at least a little while. However, I still want a better one. Sensei did tell me not to go to aluminum. The lack of weight would give me injuries later in my career.
No class today as I am injured.
Day 721:
No class today as I am injured.
Day 721.5:
I had made an appointment to see a sword vendor to get my iaito’s saya fixed. The wooden inside was wearing uneven and even the narrow part in front of the cutting edge had worn away totally. I was worried that one unlucky draw would crack the saya.
I was actually invited to practice at his dojo with his students for a day while getting my saya repaired. I took this opportunity to practice Iaido with another dojo to see how they do things. However, some details came to light. The dojo practices Jodo as well as Muso-Shinden Ryu. I only practice Seitei-Gata. However, the sensei decided to alter class to be more accommodating to me. I felt very honored that way.
When I met the sensei, he examined my sword just as much as my saya. He then told me that my sword was a cheap knock-off sword made in China. The tsuka had even thickness in front as well as in back. That’s not supposed to be the way it’s made. The narrowing in front reflects the cutting edge which reminds you of the plane of the sword. The blade has a twist to it and the wood is not Japanese wood in the saya.
After being so very disappointed in my sword, I went to the dojo. I was given a jo and asked to follow along with the class practicing kata. The movements were so different and designed to deflect swords and then counter-strike. I could tell an amusing joke about how I was practicing anti-Kendo and feeling dirty about it. Never mind. It was still interesting and fun.
Sensei walked in and gave me my iaito, showing me my saya. He glued a piece of wood where the vacant place was. I feel more confident drawing it now.
In Iaido class, we only did two kata, but we really went in depth. Sensei talked a lot about technique and showed many examples of what to do and not to do. He also was the type to tell many jokes and make many not-serious jibes with students who were his friends. That’s different, but he’s high-ranking, so there’s no criticism at all.
We practiced the fifth and ninth katas. Sensei actually asked me for a request. I requested the ninth kata. I tried to follow sensei’s instructions as best as I could. Among other things, my flaw of using too much muscle was exposed. I do use my muscles a lot because my iaito is steel.
I should also state that the opening and closing rei-hou were slightly different. We would intentionally pull our hakama in tight to our legs and put the sword on the right side. My own rei-hou seems very abridged. Is it? Or is this just different? I guess I’ll just have to trust my sensei.
At the end of the day, I wanted to buy a new sword which was Japanese. However, sensei said he wouldn’t sell me a sword today. He wanted me to try my current sword and then shop around. I think my sword is okay for at least a little while. However, I still want a better one. Sensei did tell me not to go to aluminum. The lack of weight would give me injuries later in my career.
Monday, September 28, 2015
A Beginner's Point of View 718-719
Day 718:
No class today as I am injured.
Day 719:
No class today as I am injured.
No class today as I am injured.
Day 719:
No class today as I am injured.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
A Beginner's Point of View 716-717
Day 716:
In Iaido class, I did 2.5 sets of kata. Things are getting smoother. The fifth kata is becoming easier to finish.
In Kendo, we had a small class. Only a few people showed up. We had a hard class today. Men, ai-ouchi-men, kote-men, ai-ouchi-kote-men, men-hiki-men, then the same drill differently. The kakarite receives a men strike, and then performed hiki-men. I’m not good at receiving it, I’m better at blocking and instantly going backwards. Then we finished by doing the entire string in a single, continuous drill. Very tiring, very breath-stealing.
We stopped keiko early and had a kata lesson. I did learn that for shidachi shoto kata, you practice two types of chudan. High-hanmei and middle-hanmei. The shoto is not perfectly vertical because you are one-handed. Only step forward when the uchidachi tries strikes. Also remember to lift your shoto on the right side, not the left.
Day 717:
Today we got interrupted in Iaido. The association moved us to the gym without telling us. We lost some time to practice. I could only finish 2.5 sets of kata.
In Kendo, it was a small class again. I led the class in stretches and suburi. Sensei said it was okay for everyone to strike the young student now, but only gently as she’s very small.
We had a repeat of the yandan training from last class, only this time we added men-suriage-men, including into the long string of drills. We finished with some very short ji-geiko.
In Iaido class, I did 2.5 sets of kata. Things are getting smoother. The fifth kata is becoming easier to finish.
In Kendo, we had a small class. Only a few people showed up. We had a hard class today. Men, ai-ouchi-men, kote-men, ai-ouchi-kote-men, men-hiki-men, then the same drill differently. The kakarite receives a men strike, and then performed hiki-men. I’m not good at receiving it, I’m better at blocking and instantly going backwards. Then we finished by doing the entire string in a single, continuous drill. Very tiring, very breath-stealing.
We stopped keiko early and had a kata lesson. I did learn that for shidachi shoto kata, you practice two types of chudan. High-hanmei and middle-hanmei. The shoto is not perfectly vertical because you are one-handed. Only step forward when the uchidachi tries strikes. Also remember to lift your shoto on the right side, not the left.
Day 717:
Today we got interrupted in Iaido. The association moved us to the gym without telling us. We lost some time to practice. I could only finish 2.5 sets of kata.
In Kendo, it was a small class again. I led the class in stretches and suburi. Sensei said it was okay for everyone to strike the young student now, but only gently as she’s very small.
We had a repeat of the yandan training from last class, only this time we added men-suriage-men, including into the long string of drills. We finished with some very short ji-geiko.
Friday, September 18, 2015
A Beginner's Point of View 714-715
Day 714:
Today was a better day. I did 3 full sets of kata in Iaido.
However, in Kendo I was lacking in energy. After suburi and kihon we did many men-ouchi strikes. I was really getting sluggish inside. I haven’t felt this bad since I had liver damage.
Sensei has been striking the newest young student, albeit gently. I asked if I could do so also. I hate it when I get paired with her and she doesn’t get the entire experience. Still, Sensei said it was okay if I was gentle. So, I only tap her. She seems eager to receive strikes like a full student.
At the end of class it was balloon Kendo for her birthday. She took us all on gauntlet-style. My balloon popped in 3 seconds. Sensei said it was a dojo record. Great. She did have several good strikes for someone so young.
Day 715:
Today had lousy traffic, everyone showed up late. I only got to complete 2 sets of kata in Iaido. I asked Sensei about the fifth kata in hasso-no-kamae. He said the cutting edge is off by 45 degrees, not straight ahead. The follow-up strike follows the plane of the sword from the down cut.
In Kendo, after suburi it was a beginner class. We did a lot of kihon strikes and then immediately into ji-geiko.
Afterwards, we had a class in kata. Finally! I needed lessons in shoto kata. I actually got to practice uchidachi kata. I really need more practice. I know all of the pieces for uchidachi and shidachi, but not the order to put them in. For example, the uchidachi uses left jodan, gedan, and chudan, in that order.
Today was a better day. I did 3 full sets of kata in Iaido.
However, in Kendo I was lacking in energy. After suburi and kihon we did many men-ouchi strikes. I was really getting sluggish inside. I haven’t felt this bad since I had liver damage.
Sensei has been striking the newest young student, albeit gently. I asked if I could do so also. I hate it when I get paired with her and she doesn’t get the entire experience. Still, Sensei said it was okay if I was gentle. So, I only tap her. She seems eager to receive strikes like a full student.
At the end of class it was balloon Kendo for her birthday. She took us all on gauntlet-style. My balloon popped in 3 seconds. Sensei said it was a dojo record. Great. She did have several good strikes for someone so young.
Day 715:
Today had lousy traffic, everyone showed up late. I only got to complete 2 sets of kata in Iaido. I asked Sensei about the fifth kata in hasso-no-kamae. He said the cutting edge is off by 45 degrees, not straight ahead. The follow-up strike follows the plane of the sword from the down cut.
In Kendo, after suburi it was a beginner class. We did a lot of kihon strikes and then immediately into ji-geiko.
Afterwards, we had a class in kata. Finally! I needed lessons in shoto kata. I actually got to practice uchidachi kata. I really need more practice. I know all of the pieces for uchidachi and shidachi, but not the order to put them in. For example, the uchidachi uses left jodan, gedan, and chudan, in that order.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
A Beginner's Point of View 712-713
Day 712:
No class today because of the holiday.
Day 713:
Today was a terrible day. I had no focus all day, even at work. I should have stayed home but I came to the dojo because it’s fun.
I did only 2 sets of kata in Iaido, all wobbly.
In Kendo, I was lacking energy. I led the class in stretches and suburi. By the time sensei led us in kihon, I was losing energy. I tried to pace myself but I kept slowing down. I just kept going with my arms and no kiai. Eventually, I had to step out. I missed ji-geiko but at least the day was over.
No class today because of the holiday.
Day 713:
Today was a terrible day. I had no focus all day, even at work. I should have stayed home but I came to the dojo because it’s fun.
I did only 2 sets of kata in Iaido, all wobbly.
In Kendo, I was lacking energy. I led the class in stretches and suburi. By the time sensei led us in kihon, I was losing energy. I tried to pace myself but I kept slowing down. I just kept going with my arms and no kiai. Eventually, I had to step out. I missed ji-geiko but at least the day was over.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
A Beginner's Point of View 710-711
Day 710:
In Iaido class, I got an e-mail from sensei. He said that in the 5th kata, you grab the koiguchi directly. He also said that he commonly does the same mistake. It’s a good thing I have the official Iaido manual now.
In kendo, we had a small class. Sensei took over as our other nidan taught the newest beginners. He asked me to lead stretches and suburi. Then he taught a simple class in kihon and harai-men. The student that I taught has to stop about three-quarters through the class, but she did rei-hou with us at the end.
Day 711:
In Iaido, we had a slower start. Time seemed to pass by faster today for some reason. I only had time for 2.5 sets of kata.
In kendo, the student\nt I taught did not show up. I hope she did not give up. Still, we had a class today. After I led warm-ups and suburi, Sensei led a class in kihon and kote-men. There were two other beginners so we had plenty of uchikomi-geiko today.
In Iaido class, I got an e-mail from sensei. He said that in the 5th kata, you grab the koiguchi directly. He also said that he commonly does the same mistake. It’s a good thing I have the official Iaido manual now.
In kendo, we had a small class. Sensei took over as our other nidan taught the newest beginners. He asked me to lead stretches and suburi. Then he taught a simple class in kihon and harai-men. The student that I taught has to stop about three-quarters through the class, but she did rei-hou with us at the end.
Day 711:
In Iaido, we had a slower start. Time seemed to pass by faster today for some reason. I only had time for 2.5 sets of kata.
In kendo, the student\nt I taught did not show up. I hope she did not give up. Still, we had a class today. After I led warm-ups and suburi, Sensei led a class in kihon and kote-men. There were two other beginners so we had plenty of uchikomi-geiko today.
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