tenouchi/shimeru

[moetl]

hi,
i theoretically know how to perform tenouchi, it's a wringing motion at the end of the strike. both hands turn inwards. (back to the starting position from chudan kamae, i guess?). i conclude from this that the hands have to turn outwards somewhen - maybe when you lift the shinai?
but then it is said that the left hand should firmly grip the shinai - so i should firmly grip the shinai and rotate the hand?
i can imagine that this causes really bad blisters... :confused2

please shed some light upon this topic :)

[ctan]

Here's what I remember my sensei telling me about this (and it fits my experience): when you're at chudan kamae, your arms are *not* straightened. In fact, your arms holding the shinai should form a "rounded" shape (sort of) when viewed directly from the front. They should also be relaxed; both your shoulders and your grip. To strike men, simply raise the arms directly upward from this position and then strike *outwards* (the whole motion is up-and-out as opposed to up-and-down). At this point (striking outwards), your arms straighten; your right arm should end up being straight (but not "locked") and parallel to the ground at shoulder level, your left arm should have a slight bend at the elbow with the left fist at chest/upper stomach level. The "straightening and hitting out" motion naturally leads your wrists to compress inwards; this "wringing" motion is actually a very small motion. Just as you make contact with the target, your grip tightens and then goes back to being relatively relaxed right after the strike. The combination of these two events gives you that quick "wringing a wet cloth" feel.


This is my understanding of tenouchi in kendo anyway. Hope this helps.

[Magnus Stern]

i can imagine that this causes really bad blisters... :confused2

I get a blister just below the little finger in my left palm. My coach says it's because of bad grip.
Well, is it?
(It only happens when practicing basic technique without kote, of course..)

[Neil Gendzwill]

People misunderstand tenouchi - your hands are not moving on the tsuka. It's a wringing motion which creates tension in the grip at the end of the swing.

As said before, from chudan your arms should be bent in a natural arc. When you raise, both elbows should be bent equally. Most people have the left arm too straight. As you swing forward, your arms straighten out and at the end you have the towel-wringing thing. The straightening motion helps generate a lot of tip speed. Think of it as cricket vs baseball. Why do baseball pitchers throw faster than cricket bowlers, despite the bowlers run-up? Pitchers are allowed to bend the elbow. As the arm straightens, you generate speed. Same thing in kendo. The tenouchi at the end generates the final snap, makes the cut crisp and sharp, and controls the finishing position.

[ralphy]

I get a blister just below the little finger in my left palm. My coach says it's because of bad grip.
Well, is it?

I have permament blisters below the little finger and the two neighbouring ones. I'd also be interested in the answer to how this is a mistake and how I can improve on it.

Regards
Ralph Rippel

[taiwnezboi]

I have permament blisters below the little finger and the two neighbouring ones. I'd also be interested in the answer to how this is a mistake and how I can improve on it.

Regards
Ralph Rippel

You're supposed to have those.. but they're callouses, not blisters

[moetl]

hi,
thanks for your replies. although it were not much, they answered my question. thanks ctan, and special thanks to neil ;)

actually, the way you described tenouchi (we call it shimeru...) is like i do it. i just was confused about this wringing motion - i imagined that it would be supposed to be a strong and visible motion.

concerning blisters, oh well :(
i especially get them on the left hand in the middle of the heel of (the) hand and beneath the middle finger

[tantadi]

If you are supposed to have a lot of your hand on top of the shinai handle, and grip with pinky and the finger next to it, how can I wringe inwards at the end of the swing? It just kills my left wrist.

And another question, maybe related..how do I get a fast upswing?

[taiwnezboi]

If you are supposed to have a lot of your hand on top of the shinai handle, and grip with pinky and the finger next to it, how can I wringe inwards at the end of the swing? It just kills my left wrist.

And another question, maybe related..how do I get a fast upswing?

I think for a fast upswing the key is to be relaxed.. but someone correct me if I'm wrong

[Neil Gendzwill]

If you are supposed to have a lot of your hand on top of the shinai handle, and grip with pinky and the finger next to it, how can I wringe inwards at the end of the swing? It just kills my left wrist.
Well, that's why we need instructors. I've described it as best as I can, beyond that I'd have to look at you to see what you're doing wrong, and then show you how to do it right. Better yet, ask your sensei these things.

And another question, maybe related..how do I get a fast upswing?
Fast upswing (on big techniques I assume) is mostly a matter of relaxed shoulders. Which means just practice, it will come.

[Magnus Stern]

You're supposed to have those.. but they're callouses, not blisters
ok. (actually it's calluses, I looked it up)

But would it be very "wrong" (like not "kendo-ish") to use a glove of some kind (like a sailor glove or a golf glove)
when traing basic techniques without a kote?
You see; I have such delicate hands.. (Girlie-warning on that one, huh?)

[Hyaku]

The way I had it explained to me years ago was, "How much effort does it take to lift an umbrella"?

As to bringing it down again, if you hold a shinai up and drop it. It will fall very fast. It takes little effort to lower it. What is essential is the use of forward movement and a bit of tenouchi.

Smile and enjoy it. The only thing you lose is a bit of pride. No one gets killed or injured. "Relax"