I have a question

[Siglith234]

I was wondering if you could do kendo with your left hand on top because im left handed and it would be alot easier for me if i could do that. Plus i would have a advantage over the majority. But wouldnt that go against tradition?

[gill]

Being left handed is already an advantage, as all the power should be in the left hand, if you switch your grip you will lose this advantage.

Gill :D

[kendomushi]

I'm left handed too, and when I started it seemed very unnatural to use the standard kendo grip.
Within a couple months though it felt fine and now I can't imagine doing it the other way round.
Stick with it, practice well and you'll get the hang of it soon enough.

[Neil Gendzwill]

There's no rule against a left-handed grip. If you can find a teacher who's willing to let you do it, have at it! There is a lot of traditionally prejudice against it however, so finding that teacher may be tougher than you think.

[nodachi]

Just get rid of the typical sports thought of right handers do it this way and lefties can just switch it. After a few practices you will get it and see there is no need to change it.

After being forced to favor my left hand in kendo, I don't see why we make such a big deal out of left or right in other sports now. It will all work out.... you just need to give your body time to adjust.

Just a goofy thought...

[Siglith234]

Thanks i did alot more practicing with my shinai (cuts) and got the hang of it

[kendokamax]

Thanks i did alot more practicing with my shinai (cuts) and got the hang of it

wow thats fast!! !miyazaki in the making!

[Siglith234]

well now i put my right hand on top now instead of my left when i pick up my shinai

[kancho]

By switching to the left hand then it would be natural to have the left foot forward and that can be quite dangerous I think. I already have a black toe from one person(over zealous). Not to switch feet when switch hands makes your body feel awkward I think and you will not get good extension.

That is my 2 cents and I am still a bogu beginner so I might not know what I am talking about. So it is not all about the traditional thing. I am sure tradition does play a big factor when the right side was chosen

[JSchmidt]

By switching to the left hand then it would be natural to have the left foot forward and that can be quite dangerous I think.

Nah, jodan players and some nito players have left foot forward.
I get the odd 'toe-collision' but nothing major..as long as people cut their toenails.

Jakob

[kancho]

So when you strike, you left foot advances? I don't know since no one in my club uses jodan not that I see anyway.
I was thinking when both people try for a hit there is a better chance that injury may occur. If one person lunges with the left and one with the right.

[Neil Gendzwill]

So when you strike, you left foot advances? I don't know since no one in my club uses jodan not that I see anyway.
I was thinking when both people try for a hit there is a better chance that injury may occur. If one person lunges with the left and one with the right.
If your kamae is left foot forward (hidari jodan, gyaku chudan, etc) then you normally attack with the left foot. But you can also attack with the left foot from regular ol' chudan. Crossing over to the left foot to hit kote is commonly done, as is attacking with the left foot on katate-men. And we get plenty of toe collisions even with the regular stances so trim those nails!