Beginner

Written By Young Kim

The course covers the basics of footwork, posture, kendo dojo etiquette (reigi) and fundamental kendo (kihon) strikes. We also cover the course of Bokuto ni yoru Kendo Kihon Waza Keiko Ho(木刀による剣道基本技稽古法) was officially presented by All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) in June 2001. It was made for kendo beginners.

At the end of the course, the beginner integrates into the main practice group. The beginners course includes starter equipment with a kendo bamboo shinai, wooden bokken/bokuto and a bogu(equipment) bag. If the beginner member is away for any reason during the course and miss a few practices, please just let us know.

Footwork

Ashi-sabaki (⾜足捌 ) General footwork

Ayumi-ashi (歩み⾜足) Sliding step with alternating feet (like normal walking)

Okuri-ashi (送り ⾜足) Sliding step with right foot leading (like normal kendo footwork))

Hiraki-ashi (開き⾜足) Sideway step used to turn the body diagonally

Tsugi-ashi (継ぎ⾜足) Fast footwork; left foot is pulled in close to the right foot before advancing forward with the right foot.

Fumikomi-ashi (踏み込み⾜足) To stamp on the floor with the front foot so as to move the body with stability when striking.

Chisai (⼩小) Small (short distance move)

Mae (前 (まえ)) Front (forward movement command)

Ato (後 (うしろ)) Back (backward movement command)

Migi (右 (みぎ)) Right

Hidari (左 (ひだり)) Left

Standing Posture

Omote (表 (おもて)) Forward-facing, or in the front side of the opponent

Ura 裏 (うら) Backward-facing direction or in the rear side of the opponent

Chudan no Kamae (中段の構え) Most common stance with tip of sword pointing at your opponents throat; analogous to the element of “water”- fluid and versatile

Jodan no Kamae : (上段の構え(じょうだんのかまえ)) High position of the sword over one’s head; analogous to the element of “Fire”–aggressive and purely offensive stance, usually only an option for higher level kendo practitioners.

BOKUTO NI YORU KENDO KIHON WAZA KEIKO HO

  • To have kendo practitioners understand the concept of nihontō.

  • To have kendo practitioners learn kendo basic movements by bokutō and make it possible to learn more advanced techniques.

  • To make it easier to shift to Nihon Kendo Kata.

1.Single cuts: Men, Kote, Dō, Tsuki

2.Two continuous cuts: Kote and Men

3. Harai waza: Harai Men (using omote the left side of your sword)

4. Hiki waza: Hiki Dō (the right dō)

5. Nuki waza: Men Nuki Dō (the right dō)

6. Suriage waza: Kote Suriage Men(using ura the right side of your sword)

7. Debana waza: Debana Kote

8. Kaeshi waza: Men Kaeshi Dō (the right dō)

9. Uchiotoshi waza: Dō Uchiotoshi Men (the right dō)


Young Kim
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