Footwork: Kendo vs Fencing

[Sakabatou]

Me and my girlfriend disagree on this. She belives the footwork in kendo isnt important, and that the footwork in fencing is superior. I'm saying both are equally important to both styles. What would you say?

[Infinity]

I would say if she doesn’t do kendo, she probably doesn’t know.


There is a new guy at my dojo who used to do fencing. He has shown me fencing footwork and we both agree that it’s really different but just as important in both kendo and fencing. I have noticed myself, beginners struggling with fundamental elements of kendo because their footwork needs improvement.

Footwork, footwork, footwork. What did everyone else do during their first few months of kendo?

[gdane1989]

Your Gf doesn't know what she's talking about, even my sensei says 90% of kendo is footwork, it's impossible to have good kendo without good footwork. I know nothing about fencing so I won't compare, but it would be interesting to see a fencer go against a kendoka... I can already see the outcome :)

There are so many fundamental things about footwork... If you don't do it right you could break your foot like I did.

[Itto_Okami]

Footwork and Hara make the difference!!!

With poor footwork your maai is shorter, you´re slower and won´t be able to dodge or block any strike.

[nodachi]

I did fencing a very brief while in college before studies and work crushed me and made me quit, but while there the instructor was huge on footwork.

I heard him talk about footwork about 90% of the time, even with the more advanced students in the club.

Oldwarrior can elaborate more on this... he's done lots of fencing... where is he?



Footwork is your foundation for both these arts. In kendo your arms do essentially very little. Just lift up and swing down. Very simple, ne. :) The rest is footwork (at least in the very mechanical aspects of it, ignoring timing, seme, etc).

[EzzzE]

hmm the son of my mothers cousin started fencing, i'm looking forward to seeing him again *gg* should prove interesting

[Tangou Fudjin]

kamae - this is base
footwork must keep dynamic kamae, it's the most important thing )

[Zaphiel]

footwork is important whatever you do......
it's a basic.....
basics are important.
end.
=)

[nicuma]

u cant dismiss footwork or even think footwork is important in one n useless in another...

it suck to see ppl who dont do kendo n give their own analysis n say what important n whats not...as if they have an authority to do so....ppl have their right to their opinions but dont talk like they r an expert...it just pisses me off...its like somebody who goes to tell a master chef that a certain cooking method is not important in that particular dish they are best at making.....

sorry if i should sound very pissed off :P

hahahahaahahahahahaa....im not a morning person...

my 2 cents anyway...

[Old Warrior]

Me and my girlfriend disagree on this. She belives the footwork in kendo isnt important, and that the footwork in fencing is superior. I'm saying both are equally important to both styles. What would you say?
The essence of combat with a sword is mastery of distance and timing. Great technique is secondary. Kendo footwork is neither better nor worse than that for European fencing. However, I believe the advancing speed is greater in European fencing because there is no emphasis or need for power. Thus the purpose of footwork is to allow one to thrust with the tip of the blade and make contact with minimal force (less than a gram I believe). Even in saber, force is of no moment, only contact with a target area.

In kendo, I believe there is better, over all, balance because of the zanshin requirement. In European fencing it is perfectly acceptable to launch your body forward like an arrow and time is stopped after you pass the opponent. Obviously this concept does not exist in kendo.

[rainmaker]

Old Warrior,

This is very interesting point. If Europe and Japan get into sword war, whom do you think have more advantage ? Fencing or Samurai ? It seems like fencing requires more speed and seems faster with small movement. Your honest opinion please ?

[Old Warrior]

Old Warrior,

This is very interesting point. If Europe and Japan get into sword war, whom do you think have more advantage ? Fencing or Samurai ? It seems like fencing requires more speed and seems faster with small movement. Your honest opinion please ?
There are too many disparate qualities to give an unqualified answer. If the combatants were naked, on a flat, even surface, with weapons of equal quality material, the European fencer is likely to hit first. In armour, in warlike conditions, the samurai would rule the field.

[Matlock]

There are too many disparate qualities to give an unqualified answer. If the combatants were naked, on a flat, even surface, with weapons of equal quality material, the European fencer is likely to hit first. In armour, in warlike conditions, the samurai would rule the field.That analysis is very interesting but I think that it leaves out one important factor. If I were naked on some flat, even surface..... I would NOT be fighting anyone. I would be looking for some clothes or running away.....Situation sounds like a few nightmares I had back in high school.

:wink:

[EzzzE]

whoops *g* matlock, you have been a bad bad boy... O_o .. =)

well i have to point out a small differnce here that was overseen, one side we are talking about, a kendoka who has 4 target zones and a shinai, and a fencer who has whole body target zone, and a soft+blunt sword,

in war the samurai and fencer have the whole body as a target zone, and a katana/sword....

and 500 ppl standing there with no clothes and katana und swords would look rather *LOL*

[rainmaker]

I only flat naked in front of my woman.. She wins that battle everytime... Damn..




There are too many disparate qualities to give an unqualified answer. If the combatants were naked, on a flat, even surface, with weapons of equal quality material, the European fencer is likely to hit first. In armour, in warlike conditions, the samurai would rule the field.

[Frame]

ahem..... back to topic

in my first lesson one of the sempai said
"if you have fully mastered footwork, then you are untouchable and will never lose in battle"

which i thought was pretty damn right