Bringing it all together!

[BAMBINOMONTANA]

This weekend I went to a nearby dojo and practiced with a 5th and 7th Dan Sensei, it was a great experience and I came to realize why many Kendoka who have been practicing for a while tend to say that after twenty years of training they are just starting to do good kendo. It takes a long time practicing to combine all the different aspects of kendo and to be able to apply them during Keiko or a match. I’m very tall and constantly being told that I should be concentrating on just hitting men which I did this weekend, it work initially but after a while they noticed and started hitting my Kote. My distance was also a key factor which I’m working on and will try this weekend when they plan on being at our dojo. I found myself constantly striking and after a couple of minutes I was exhausted to the point where I couldn’t pick up my arms, I would have to say that stamina and being able to control the tempo of a match are a major benefit. In conclusion I would have to say that practicing with Kendoka of this level has given even more enthusiasm and drive to practice harder and I look forward the different levels of skill that may bring.

Thanks,
Bam

[Hisham]

I don't remember if it was from a "Hanshi says" article that the KW mag guys translated or some other source but this hachidan hanshi said something like:"everybody in the dojo is my teacher".