Kata

[etherknot]

Well today I started learning the kata (wheee! It's plesantly different than the kendo kata). Anyways, we got through the first two with me as shikake without a problem. But I'm having beginners issues with ooji. Specifically in nihonme. The first time after blocking sune with gedan and moving to the next position it felt very different, weird and not right. My other issue is that after I've moved back away my naginata ha is facing the wrong way. I think this is because I'm not moving my hand correctly from the previous location. I pointed this out and was corrected and I did it right after that but then I started messing up again and going the wrong way. Actually I had a lot of beginners kata-brain-freeze syndrome :D But the really great thing is, I knew immediately that I'd be missing a head.. or a leg... or an arm...

At the end of practice:
"Wednesday- no mistakes!" "Right!" "We'll go live!". :eek: I'll be sure not to make the same mistakes again! :)

[gill]

Hey Ethernot,

I am glad I am not the only one with beginners brain freeze syndrome!!!!! :ermm:

I kept getting confused between Katas one and two, and cutting sune when I should be cutting men, and vice versa! I won't even go there on 3,4 and 5!

It's really hard being a beginner again! especially as I am so used to doing kendo - when I do free practice, I find myself slipping back into kendo mode - especially if I am getting really into it - I was almost sqaure on holding my naginata like a shinai at one time :eek:

What do you mean by 'going live?' Live blades? If so - best of luck mate!!!

Gill

[R A Sosnowski]

With practice, this will pass. :) Beginner brain-freeze is common. In fact, it does not quite ever disappear. ;)

Another valuable lesson that you mention is that the mechanics of Kendo do not transfer to Naginata. :( To be successful in your new training, you really need to embrace a beginner's mind.

Personally, I found and still find the Kamae and Ashi Sabaki to be my biggest challenge. :D

However, the Shikake-oogi [technically, they are referred to NOT as Kata, but rather as Oyo Waza (applied techniques); you get to learn the seven Zen Nihon Naginata Kata after achieving san-dan] have a few more interesting twists. The next one you'll find is that #3 & #5 begin with the same attack, but end quite differently. :D Generally speaking, you won't get to #6-#8 until after shodan. And they have their own quirks beyond those in #1-#5.

Shikake-oogi are simple and yet subtle, hence they can be rather frustrating.

Gambatte.

[mingshi]

Never seen Naginata Kata before, but I wonder...

1) Are the Zen Nihon Naginata Kata derived from a single branch of Koryu, or are they selected from a few different schools (like Kendo)? If so, which school are they using now?

2) Do they only cover Naginata vs Naginata, or Naginata vs Tachi too?

Thanks.

[R A Sosnowski]

1. Kata are derived from Tendo Ryu and Jikishinkage Ryu Naginata-jutsu.

2. Atarashii Naginata is strictly Naginata v. Naginata. In Koryu there is Naginata v. Tachi.

HTH.

[Nagi David]

I have a problem with KATA as far as we are the first people who begin Naginata in Belgium, it#s difficult for us to learn them properly, we have to wait some seminar with japanese sensei to get reliable information. Last one was for the european championship and as usual they give me so many correction that I fell I have to start from scratch again... I must be a bad student.

Talking about assimilating kendo in Naginata, it happens to many time, and it can be dangerous. Two years ago at a Tournament I so a beginner in Naginata who use to practise kendo, he was hitting the men so strongly that he broke a ha while doing a men. The broken bamboo part wound the other fighter at the mouth. I thing such kind of think should be forbidden.

[R A Sosnowski]

Training in both Kendo and Naginata can be a blessing and a curse in spite of their similarities, there are also great differences, especially in training.

In Kendo, Kata is deemphasized almost to the point of non-existence, while Jigeiko in Bogu is the highly emphasized. In Naginata, the converse seems to be the norm - Kata is primary, and Bogu work is secondary. At least this has been my experience.

I too have witnessed Kendo-trained people doing Jigeiko and Shiai in Naginata that is obviously more Kendo than Naginata-do. I have had to have words with more than one of my Kohai for such behavior. Fortunately, no injuries have occurred in these encounters.

For many of us, myself included, it is hard to let go of the familiar habits and behaviors when learning a new art. However, it can be done. A few of my Sempai have intermediate Dan ranks in both Kendo and Naginata.

No, David, you are not a bad student. Realization is the first step to change. Also remember part of the Japanese mentality is to correct only those worthy of correction. I would take all of those corrections as a complement; however, I know that feeling of needing to begin again too.

Regards,