Kendo technique – the basic concept of kendo posture and cutting is in co-ordination, timing and the mental aspects of its training.

Kendo technique – Japanese art created in the Meiji period (1868 – 1912). It is based on the classical techniques of Ken-jitsu (sword skills) and its basic concept of posture and cutting is in its co-ordination. Kendo technique is said to consist of some eighty per cent posture and only twenty per cent in cutting and other technique.

As a student practicing kendo technique in the martial art school you would be called Kendo-ka, wearing white or navy blue dogi (martial arts uniform) and hakama (wide pleated trousers). They are outfitted with armor called bogu and this protective gear consists of:

• a metal and cloth face mask (men)
• laminated wood breastplate (do)
• thickly padded fencing gloves (kote)
• canvas hip shields (tare) and
• Kendo-ka is armed with practice swords made of bamboo, called Shinai.

As a Kendo-ka, you will begin a typical class seated in rank order for brief meditation period called mokuso. It is easy to assess a student's ability by the way he sits stands or moves about the Dojo.

Posture

Kendo technique of posture: there are literally dozens of other postures - many very ancient. The essential posture to concentrate on is the Seigan (natural posture) and is the most important posture to study and understand. Seigan is the only posture which covers the front attack line and also the only position to give equal facility for offence or defense as required

1. Seigan-no-kamae (natural posture) - the right foot is advanced with the knee slightly bent; the left leg is straight with the heel clear of the floor
2. Shisei (general posture and carriage) - forms the foundation and platform from which all actions must spring and the techniques will only be as stable as the base provided
3. Kamae (positions of posture) - in which the Shinai or bamboo practice sword is held
4. Judan-no-kamae (high posture) - is the only posture favored in contests
5. Gedan-no-kamae (low posture) - is still used to some extend
6. Waki-gamae (side posture) - has little use in modern Kendo
7. Hasso-kamae (figure of eight posture) - has little use in modern Kendo

Cutting

Kendo technique of cutting and thrusts - consists in Kiri-otoshi, or 'striking downwards' and each technique is about the same. If we can master a single technique of delivery this may be applied with equal facility in any direction or angle

1. Oshomen – downward cut aimed at the center of your opponent’s forehead
2. Hidarimen – diagonal cut aimed at the left side of the mask
3. Migimen – diagonal cut aimed at the right side of the mask
4. Migido – diagonal cut aimed at the right side of the breastplate
5. Gyakudo – diagonal cut aimed at the left side of the breastplate
6. Kote - downward cut to the right wrist
7. Hidarikote - downward cut to the left wrist
8. Tsuki – thrust aimed at the throat and it is the only thrust in Kendo is to the throat guard or Kubi-tare, the stiff pad at the lower bottom of the grill.

NOTE:

• Kendo technique of posture and cutting: Tsuki is very dangerous since the Shinai is a rigid weapon and this thrust is forbidden below the rank of 3rd Kyu and at all times the Tsuki should be performed with caution. A wild jab can easily damage the neck, or slip under the pad and cause permanent damage to the throat. The Tsuki should only be employed when it has been properly taught and practiced.
  
• Once mastered the yielding of the wooden sword in kendo technique, the next step is “lai” which involves drawing and cutting with a sharp blade or Batto-jitsu – where testing of the skills would be slicing bundles of straw.

Page topic – kendo technique