kendo v naginata

[ben]

It doesn't come up much, but I was wondering, against naginata, are there any conventional strategies a kendoka should employ?

Also, are the naginataka's kote a target and if so, which one?

b

[mingshi]

http://www.btinternet.com/~mwan/naginata_vs_shinai.wmv

I happen to have this clip (1.45MB) of Naginata fight with a Kendoka... I don't remember where I found it from, but it's a demonstration at the Kyoto Taikai.

From observation, the Naginata one keeps going "Tsuki~!", while the Kendoka have to knock the Naginata off frequently by using kiri-otoshi...

Hardly anybody can have a go with that, because the # of organizations/dojo of Naginata outside Japan is far less than Kendo's. Hope that someone else has more useful comment.....?

[olaf]

Isn't that the clip from the Kendo World goodies page? By the way, your link doesn't work.

In case you fellas haven't visited the goodies page lately, they posted clips from the 49th all-japan championships.

[cklin]

I think it's all about maai. If you get into a normal (shinai v shinai) issoku distance, the naginata player will have a difficult time striking. The flip side being, the naginata player isn't gonna let you get that close... :)

Sure, kote is a target. Which one, probably depends on what kamae they're in. But then, why not just hit men?

[olaf]

Mingshi: My mistake - your link does work. And it is precisely the one on the goodies page.

[ben]

Yes, I saw this clip. The kendoka seemed to be mainly in gedan. This is what prompted my question. Is gedan simply this kedoka's preference, or is it considered the most appropriate kamae vs naginata?

b

[cklin]

I think gedan is a good idea b/c naginata folks like to strike the shins...

[mingshi]

(Dear Kendo World staff,
Sorry for forgetting where my clip is from... so embarassing "")

http://www.res.otemon.ac.jp/~yoshida/zakutu.htm

Meanwhile I found this interesting Japanese page on Kendo & Naginata. Scroll down to the bottom and you can see pictures from the 1st Man's East vs West Taikai, with Naginata vs Naginata (in action!!). Because their Shins are also valid points you can see them flying!!

Seriously, Naginata has the biggest advantage of toi-maai... if you can get closer than that (mess their distance up ??), roll on the floor and cut their legs off... I think you can win~ Haha :)

[lewis]

I've gone live against naginata several times, and I have to agree with cklin. The only effective strategy was to attempt to parry or knock aside the naginata and get in close and then press the attack continuously with all your spirit. Otherwise, the naginatataka will retreat or otherwise get back to his distance and you back where you started from.

It also takes a while to figure out what your distance should be. When I was just out of his range (without him moving), I felt like I was on the other side of the dojo from him. The (few) times I got in close, I did pretty well.

The naginata is very scary and fast when used well. The man I was playing had a lightning trusting kote strike and liked to try and sweep you off your feet with the handle.

It's a whole different experience than sparring against a kendoka. I learned a lot and I would highly recommend it.