Putting on, taking off kote

[olaf]

Hi fellas:

I seem to remember that when you put on and take off kote, there should be a set order in which you do it, either left first, then right, or the other way round.... I forgot which.

Can someone remind me?

[rockum]

You should put on left first then right and take off right first then left.

[Kendoka]

Originally posted by rockum
You should put on left first then right and take off right first then left.

rockum is right - and do it with zanshin, looking ahead and always treat your kendogu with respect.

Richard

[Confound]

Amen to that. It should be noted that if you're really worn out after a beating and a half from a motodachi in keiko, and you want a rest against the wall, take off your right kote. It signals that you aren't available for practice.

This part of the unspoken kendou semaphore code has been brought to you by the letter

c

[Ares2907]

I thought straining carrots through your men-gane while you puke was the only signal that means unavailable for practise.
Damn they let you young'uns off easy these days.
;)

[Kuri]

Originally posted by Confound
...and you want a rest against the wall, take off your right kote. It signals that you aren't available for practice.
The only resting should be under your own steam. Propping up a wall or being sprawled out on the floor (imitating a dead rug) is really bad form, punishable with lifelong kakarigeiko.

Watch the old fellas how they rest, you might just pick something up :D

[alexpollijr]

Yea yea. Right.

*sigh*

[Confound]

I know that, however it makes a much more fitting illustration than saying, "Plop yourself down into seiza, and whip off a kote, then look inscrutable and pensive." One is far more short than the other, and requires less explanation.

c

[stakenaka]

Old teachers rest? I thought they don't need to rest. They hardly break a sweat! :)
Seriously, some of the older teachers (reallly old) do need to sit out once in a while.
I thought the only time you can rest a bit was in jiyu-jigeiko, where you pick your opponent (you rest between bouts). In regular practice when you rotate, you practice until you puke your guts out. After you 'lighten your load', you continue practicing until the end of practice! :)