Suburi shinai

[JoDuncan]

Does anyone have one of these?
Six Section Suburi Shinai (http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/product_details.asp?ProdID=243&CatID=16)

Do you find it as a useful aid? Or does it detract from learning?

I am in two minds whether or not to get one. I am still a newb (ikkyu) and so my swing is gash. Doing aiki suburi with a big beefy oar bokuto makes the regular bokuto feel like it's filled with Helium and really easy to swing.
On the other hand it might turn me into Conan... hang on... that sounds awesome, i'm getting one.

Your thoughts please.

peace and love

Jo.

PS How many of you out there do this; in hasso no kamae accidentally- on purpose- go into either Conan, Highlander or Starwars Kamae ;)

[Anime12478]

If you feel that your swings aren't up to snuff, then it would be best to skip the suburi shinai for now. Once you feel confident enough in your swings and get some conformation from sensei and sempai, then you can start to use them.

As for the shinais themselves, if done correctly, they can be a useful tool in increasing endurance and speed. But they have to be done correctly. Because of the extra weight, it's very easy to forget about trying to swing correctly. If that happens, then it could do more damage than anything since it would be easier for your muscles to remember stuff with the heavier weight (or at least I think that is the case).

[nysamurai]

I don't have any experience with the suburi shinai so I don't have much to offer in this regard. I suppose if used correctly it can be as good a tool as any other.

And to add my 2 cents to Chris', if you are doing suburi (or anything else for that matter, I suppose) your form is key. Poor form will create bad habits, negatively impact your overall training, and may even cause you a injury; shoulder or elbow usually, all of which suck. Before you make any Herculean efforts, start slowly and proceed with guidence from your sensei and/or sempai.

Being an old fart, I prefer the old fart ways and consequently practice with a good old fart, old fashioned, giant sized, wooden suburi... and move at a reasonable enough pace that I won't injure my old fart self.

With age comes wisdom... sometimes.

[Jefe]

I'd recommend your regular shinai to do suburi with. Kendo is not about big muscles, but much more of good technique. You can get that with your regular shinai easier. Just because you will swing in a more natural way.
One important thing in suburi for me is how to move with my body in the hit. Besides tenouchi and coordination of both hands...
Best way to learn is to swing your shinai which you use in a regular practice, again.

[Chow Farn]

I have used Surburi Shinai i found the following.

A heavier shinai/bokken/bokuto will increase speed & stamina, but you need to build up in weight - don't jump up big weights straight away.
I jumped straight up & then found my right hand was moving into the wrong position/grip to 'take-up' the weight - thus effecting regular kendo training

In other ways it can correct the swing form as you really start lifting/swinging with the shoulders. A friend of mine who was always bending a lot with the elbow found the big surburi shinai stopped him doing it - as his lower arms got too tired too quickly.

Some people also find when using Surburi Shinai/Bokken/Bokuto that are different lengths to a regular shinai that it upsets there maai.
I've even heard someone complaining that a when using a heavy Bokken/Bokuto that they had trouble keeping the regular shinai central during the swing.

Personally I prefer always using a heavy Bokuto slightly shorter than a shinai for surburi, striking my dumbie/target @ home & Bokuto waza.
I just use a shinai when the bogu is on.
I feel the shorter than shinai Bokuto makes you get your leg work going to cover the same reach that the longer weapon could cover ....but thats me !

[Makigai]

A lot of good advice has been given here. To empahsize

1-will not help if you do not have the fundamentals down. In fact it will hurt your swing.
2-will increase your speed.
3-will help you swing from your shoulders.
4-can make a bad swing worse.

[hyuna]

For what it's worth, I use a suburito to fine-tune my swing, and not just to get stronger or faster.

If you pay close attention while you do suburi, you can feel various problems in your swing. For example, if the shinai is off-center, then one arm has to work harder than the other. Or, when the shinai is fully overhead, its center of gravity will be behind you, so you will be able to feel the shinai trying to fall behind you. These sensations are more noticable when you use something more heavy than normal.

But to make use of a suburito in this way, you have to be very attentive and deliberate. Also, if it is too heavy for you, you will not learn anything because you will be struggling and not doing your normal swing. For these reasons, when I use a suburito in this way, I only do a few swings -- maybe 5-10.

[Genya]

What about very light shinai instead of heavy one? I´ve heard something like that it would be good for your tenouchi... Could someone tell if it´s correct...

[JoDuncan]

But to make use of a suburito in this way, you have to be very attentive and deliberate. Also, if it is too heavy for you, you will not learn anything because you will be struggling and not doing your normal swing. For these reasons, when I use a suburito in this way, I only do a few swings -- maybe 5-10.

So... not one for choyaku men then!!

[kartoffelngeist]

Only for people who arrive late...