KENDO

 

Budokan Dojo Kendoka, who are affiliated to and members of the BKA, practice with the members of Kobukan Dojo. John Sparkes is still the highest-graded person and is titular head of the group but the leadership and guidance of the Kendo practitioners has been, for the last 5 years, in the stewardship of Bill Davison. He achieved 3rd Dan with the British Kendo Renmei in 1999 – but has had to ‘start again’ with gradings under the auspices of the BKA. He already holds the grades of 5th Dan in Iaido and 3rd Dan in Jodo.

 

 

All Kendo practiced is governed by the BKA’s and the ZNKR’s guidance and members of the BKA who practice with Budokan Dojo/Bill Davison will have the opportunity to visit seminars, competitions and other kendo groups to further their practice, their skills, their understanding of Kendo and not least make friends with other like-minded people.

 

 

Kendo is not about aggression, but is about spirit; the willingness to take on all-comers, regardless of their size, speed or proficiency, with the intention of being as good as you can be and disregarding the concept of ‘winning’ or ‘losing’.

 

 Miyamoto Mushashi once wrote the following thirteen points on how to win in combat in shinken-shobu.

 

1.      Every technique should be done with a combination.

2.      Always use both feet. This is natural – never move only one foot.

3.      Do not favour one foot.

4.      Maintain flexibility. This is essential so you can adapt to the situation.

5.      Pattern your techniques after your size and comfort.

6.      Do not favour one technique.

7.      The time to attack is when your opponent blinks, when he takes a breath,  when he tenses, or when he slackens. This instant is called Suki – this is a  stopping of the mind. It is a space between two objects or points of time.

8.      There must be no intention; it must just happen. This is Zen.

9.      Maintain a superior mindset. Never consider losing – if you do, you will.

10.    Move in combat as you do in everyday life and vice versa.

11.    Act freely of any conscious thought to act. There should be no sign of effort.

12.    When there is no intention, there is no thought.

13.    Maintain your balance. Never extend yourself over too great an area.

 

Although Kendo is often thought of as a ‘fighting’ art it does have a system of kata and Kihon similar to most other martial arts. The Kihon are similar to the Tandoku Dosa in Jodo in that they are a set of ‘routines’, for the want of a better expression, which are practiced repeatedly for incorporation in ones Kendo to better equip the kendoka to compete more effectively. They are as follows;-

 

KENDO KIHON

1.      Kihon Uchi Waza (Men, Kote, Do, Tsuki)

2.      Kote Men

3.      Harai Men

4.      Aiuchi Men Hiki Do

5.      Men Nuki Do

6.      Kote Suriagi Men

7.      Debana Kote

8.      Men Kaeshi Do

9.      Do Uchi Otoshi Men