Kihon Dosa

"On one of my many visits to Nenriki Dojo (London) I was invited to a seminar being hosted by sensei Harashima. I was very impressed
by what he taught and I gained a lot of information on how to improve my own Kendo, not just for the present but for many
years to come and his Kendo was very beautiful to watch. This is Mr Harashima’s recommended kihon-dosa."

Mark Needham

JAPANESE KENDO FUNDAMENTALS - FINAL OBJECTIVES OF KENDO
Kendo is an art
Therefore,kendo must be beautiful.
ko-ken-chi-ai -The desire to achieve mutual understanding and betterment of humanity through kendo.

Kendo is not just hitting or a quarrel, but a meeting of hearts
Waza is born naturally from practice.(Mu-shin - 'no mind' or innocent intent )

DO PLENTY OF BASIC PRACTICE

STEP1 Su-bu-ri(swing)

•be especially concious of your left foot,left waist,left wrist
•keep a good posture with the back straight and extended
•use the muscles of the smaller fingers on your left hand
(correct grip comes with correct use of these muscles.)
•ensure the shinai cuts in line with the blade (Hasuji - check the shinai tsuru )
•Remember that the Shinai is a sword.

Joge-buri
swing the shinai above the head and about 45 degrees behind vertical as you move your right foot slowly swing up your hand.(without changing the grip). The correct use of your shoulder is vital as you move your left foot swing the shinai slowly down to calf height.
(keep the shoulders and arms relaxed)

Sho-men uchi Strike to the centre of men
swing the shinai above the head and about 45 degrees behind vertical
as you move your right foot slowly swing up your hand.(without changing the grip)
(correct use of your shoulder is vital)
as you move your left foot swing the shinai slowly down to chest height.
(Get use to swinging freely, take a big step with the right foot and draw left foot up quickly.)

Saiyu Men Strike to the center of men with sideways body movement.
Strike to the centre of men whilst alternatively opening the body to right and left.
Use your hip movement to quickly draw up the trailing foot. Always have left foot to the rear.

Kiri Kaeshi Saiyu Men Strike to the right and left men
moving forwards and back strike the right and left men-bu (temple).

Step 2 Basic practice (in armour )

Kiri-Kaesi
This practice contains all the Kendo basics
at first use the Shinai and do footwork slowly
the receiver should be relaxed and ready to cut back
(if practiced correctly the two shinai will engage harmoniously)

Toi Maai Kara no Uchi Strike to the centre of men from long distance (No.1)
Smoothly swing up Shinai , strike to the center of men .
Lift the sword with a relaxed arm and shoulder movement and don’t change the grip.
Avoid excessive power, cut just enough to reach the opponent's ears
(A correct strike is not painful to the receiver!)
strike with the mono uchi (best part of blade for cutting).

Kiri Saki Maai Kara Uchi Strike to the centre of men from sword engage distance (No.2)
moving a short step strike the men firmly
left hip and leg move up strongly
the correct distance is when the swords are engaged I.e. one can feel the opponent's sword

Issoku Itto no Maai Kara Uchi Strike to the centre of men from a single step distance
This waza(technique) requires a movement into engage distance.
You can this do this waza(technique) if you can do No 1 and No 2.
Moving your centre of gravity and the strike are done in one breath
Strike with lots of vigor in your stomach.
(Imagine holding your stomach like an expanded balloon)
The feeling as you strike should be like a balloon exploding.

Step 3 Kaeshi Waza Striking back the opponent's waza imediately

Kaeshi-dou
Dodge/receive the opponent's Men attack and hit his Dou
Ensure the grip is good. Movement and strike come from the hips.
Use power from your opponent's attack to create your strike.
After striking bring the hands closer together and loosen the left grip.

kaeshi-men
Dodge/receive the opponent's Men attack and hit his right Men
Dodge/receive the opponent's Men attack and hit his left Men
(point : Movement and strike come from the hips.)

Step 4 Oji Waza Counter-attacking the opponent's waza imediately

Ai-Men (Both players strike to the centre of men simultaneously)
Strike the centre of men with forward movement before the opponent strikes.

De-gote
Strike Kote before before the opponent strikes Men

NB Don’t rely overmuch on this text - rather please learn style and waza from watching and practice.