One's Favorite Kiai (kendo yell)

[Gary Severyn]

First off, I acknowledge that this topic has been discussed several times within the forum (here's a link to one such thread, titled: "War/battle cry" http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4653 )... so please forgive me.

Although I'm still in 'beginner' status (I've been practicing kendo for over four months... and my sensei says it will not be until January 2005 when I'll be allowed to put on my bogu armor and spar with everyone else), oddly... my greatest concern right now is adopting an appropriate "kiai" technique during keiko/sparring. Years ago, I practiced Tae Kwon Do and I'm familiar with the purpose and meaning of a strong kiai... so I have the basic knowledge behind its purpose; it's origin coming from within one's body... the "chi" if you will (and no, I'm not implying that the "kee-op" yell associated with a Tae Kwon Do punch or kick is the same as the kiai for kendo... with kendo, the kiai is largely an attack on your opponent's spirit, etc.).

Anyway, my point is... acknowledging that a simple or extremely short kiai can, for all intensive purposes, be some sort of gutteral yell, it still sounds to me (based on my listening to all my dojo's intermediate to advanced students' kiais... and to the video clips located on Kendo World of the World and All Japan Kendo Taikai tournaments) that the yell is of Japanese origin. Know what I mean? Yes, I realize that perhaps I'm being a bit anal about this, but I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist... and I would like my kendo to be as true and correct as possible.

I'm also aware that during tsubazeriai (the situation in which you and your opponent hold your shinais upright, and stand in close physical contact... shinais almost locked together, face to face, in a sort of boxer's clinch) a kiai is also often used and I should think most appropriate (since indeed... you are litterally staring into the eyes of your opponent)... yet quite often, the kiai used by the kendoka in this situation is different than that used during ai-chudan (both kendoka being in position of chudan-no-kamae).

What I'm hoping to receive back from some of you, are suggestions for phrases. Okay?

As a side note, (although this may be received as being highly inappropriate and very "un-kendo" like) I can't help but to wonder whether it is NOT a major taboo to utter slight insults at your opponent, specifically when locked in tsubazeriai. What comes to my mind is not profainity... but more along the lines of semi-off color, potentially funny insults such as those used by the French knights/soldiers that were within the castle during the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." You know... "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of eldaberries" (or whatever), or "I laugh in your general direction!" Mind you, any such kiai uttered insults would be in the Japanese language, and of course would be short stated.... and likely only the presiding taikai referee that understands Japanese would understand, and perhaps chuckle and wonder, "Did I hear correctly... what that contestant just said??!!"

I'd like to receive back suggestions of words or phrases... in Japanese.

[Twobitmage]

well if you want to get kicked in the "danger zone" by your japanese competitors you can say "chikusho" which means something like "bastard!" (literally:beast)

[tantadi]

A kiai is a yell, not an uttering of something. If you have fighting spirit and focus in the moment how can you use a part of your mind to actually make a phrase instead of a yell? To me that just shows that you are not giving it all you got.

Maybe not the answer you expected.

[SirFingerLickin]

When I kiai, I'm definitely not trying to say anything. Its just that, a yell or scream. Except for when I cut something that is.

[Anime12478]

All a kiai is is a yell. Based on movies and seeing other people doing it, you might have a "ya!" kind of yell. But based on the movies here on Kendo World, you seem to develop your own kiai as time moves on. I really don't think they are saying anything. If they are, it might not be of anything important. A kiai represents your spirit, so just let yours develop and a yell of your own will come out.

[ukenagashi]

i think that kiai is nessasery, beacause it can help you breathe, like "KIAI" (breathing out) then breathe in and "KIAI" (breathing out) and then breathe in, it helps to regulate breathing so you will not be tired due to lack of oxygen, and also ive found the if a loud kiai is used then some people who are not used to kiai bveing used jump and blink and that is the opertune time for a strike

[mark]

One of the first things to surrprise me in kendo was the kiai.

A karate kiai, and I suspect a tae-kwan-do kiai is a different beast. In karate training everyone has a similar kiai that channels Ki. Just look at the striking excersises (group empty air strikes), kata, or breaking competitions - kiais all sound pretty much the same. Not so in kendo!

As explained to me by my sensei, a kendo kiai will change naturally over time as your kendo improves. As an integral part of your kendo spirit it affects your breathing, balance and rest-energy cycle. Your kendo spirit in turn depends on the type of kenshi you are and your relationship to your opponent during a specific match. It is not mean't to be pretty or cool, it is an imprint of who you are.

I think trying to model the sound of my kiai is a waste of time and missing the point of kiai. If I feel down or need more energy. I sometimes try to give more kiai, to let my spirit flow. That said, if I'm thinking about changing my sound, my kiai is probably not doing its job. Sort of like footwork. When I think about my footwork I know I'm in big trouble.

.

[Gary Severyn]

Thank you all for your replies to my thread/inquiry. Obviously... I was "barking up the wrong tree" which is indicative of my status and lack of experience with my budding kendo journey. You have all been absolutely most helpful!!! I mean that with the utmost sincerety.

Tis my nature.... to make mountains out of mole hills, and to fret over some truly really silly stuff (which is not to imply one's kiai or the purpose of it, is silly whatsoever).

[Matlock]

I think that trying to learn about the kendo kiai as a beginner would be a very difficult concept to grasp. I think that all of us can recall the first time we were told to kiai by our instructors during our first men strike. For those people that had no prior martial arts training, it felt strange to openly yell like that. Just raising our voices to the right level was all that we could hope for, let alone understanding what the kiai meant.

I fully agree in what was mentioned about as your kendo grows, so will your kiai develope. It takes a while just to find the right volume and tone for yourself. There are two seperate kiai to think about. The first is during a strike while yelling, men - kote or -dou. The other kiai is while in chudan facing your opponent. Of course, when yelling during a strike, it creates the ki-ken-tai that is needed in a well formed strike. The second is not a taunt towards your opponent. It is a yell that helps stimulate you before or in preparation of a strike. I believe that a good kiai will also help stimulate your opponent as well. I have had times in a friendly bout when my opponent and I both benefit from each others kiai. Some say it is like a "good feeling" to be matched with someone with a strong kiai. I truly believe, that your opponent is not your enemy that must be destroyed at all costs. But rather someone who can help teach you what you lack or what skills you need. Yelling insults at such a person would never enter my mind. The kiai, rather than an attack on your opponents spirit, is a projection of your own spirit for its benefits.

Anyway, the path to learning kendo it is a long road, and you should enjoy even the little steps.

Cheers

[nodachi]

There's not much to add to this. My only suggestion is to not think about your kiai. In the beginning people tend to copy the kiai they hear from sensei or people in their club. As time goes on, it does develop into your own thing. Your kiai changes based on the situation your are in. Sometimes deep, sometimes short, sometimes long, etc. Just kiai. If you feel like it, then kiai. Even at random times during keiko when you just feel like yelling, then kiai. Don't worry if you are saying anything or not. I just make strange sounds, not words, as do most people. There is enough to think about in your technique and such to also have to worry about kiai. Just let it develop on it's own and you'll be happy with it as it develops.

[Ares]

I was glad to see that my idea's of "kiaing" are similar to those expressed by the forum. I myself used to kiai the names of the hits, but recently i have unconciously been simply yelling my kiai with nothing particular being said, just trying to get that spirit out and i feel more comfortable, when i make a hit i tend to spend that extra second thinking about the name of the hit for some reason and tend to get the name wrong if i dont or if i do combo's, i prefer my method but i do try and keep the names when i do make the hits, i suppose that is the proper way to do it isnt it?
definatly during shiai especially i tend not to put the names out, during practice maybe.

[dr-spiff]

Kiai is not unique only to the martial arts. In tennis or racquetball it's called grunting. Tennis players are encouraged to grunt when they exert force on a ball. The goal is to encourage deep breathing. This same idea applies to weight training where you are always trained to exhale during exertion otherwise you will black out.

The reason why kiai is so important in Kendo is that in the thick of "battle", like tennis, ones breathing becomes uneven and kiai just reminds you to keep your breathing deep (or you'll pass out).

If you're interested in a reference to grunting in racquet ball, see:
http://www.velocityracquetball.net/Breathe%20Racquetball.htm

[anyway, just my opinion...]

[Catherine]

When you make a cut you kiai the name of the cut. You can do this in a short sharp gutteral manner or in a longer more flowing manner. I tend to think that sharp kiai makes for a sharp cut. This may be the Japanese type sounds that you are hearing.

After a period of time the way in which you kiai the name of your target changes eg sometimes now I just kiai 'te' instead of 'kote'- if I want to do a particularly quick cut.

I think that it is generally not a good idea to insult your opponent during shiai. I think that there is a rule that says that a competitor must not disrespect his or her opponent. I feel that any non-martial kiai or jokes would be seen as a sign of disrespect.

From another point of view, if you give a joking Monty Python type insult, you might find it rather funny yourself and thereby open yourself up to a cut!

I use a 'ya' type kiai and it has served me well for about 15 years - although it has changed during that time. So I think that the suggestion someone gave to use that sort of kiai while you work out your own is not to be sneezed at!

One thing to think of is that a person's kiai becomes quite distinctive and members of one's dojo can usually identify you from afar from your kiai.

Catherine

[SirFingerLickin]

What my sensei told me in my earlier days of kendo was to be just ridiculously loud. Its a psychological thing. You learn to relax and let it all out, and not care what you sound like or anything really, and with that comes confidence and better kendo. Just be loud. It doesnt matter what it is, but be loud.

Another sempai of mine said to just relax, and look inside yourself. Everyone has an animal or a fire inside themselves, and thats where you can find a really powerful kiai. This applies to finding a stronger kiai. It helped me anyway.

[Mikeyprime]

but recently i have unconciously been simply yelling my kiai with nothing particular being said, just trying to get that spirit out and i feel more comfortable, when i make a hit i tend to spend that extra second thinking about the name of the hit for some reason and tend to get the name wrong if i dont or if i do combo's, i prefer my method but i do try and keep the names when i do make the hits, i suppose that is the proper way to do it isnt it?
definatly during shiai especially i tend not to put the names out, during practice maybe.
I have seen many kendoka that blubber mumblings while hitting their point at tournaments practice etc. Im not really sure how I feel about this subject, however, I think at practice you should make an effort to call the point you cut and at a tournament, do whatever coes out naturally. Chances are if you practice calling your cuts, the proper name will come out naturally during shiai.

[Matlock]

I have seen many kendoka that blubber mumblings while hitting their point at tournaments practice etc. Im not really sure how I feel about this subject, however, I think at practice you should make an effort to call the point you cut and at a tournament, do whatever coes out naturally. Chances are if you practice calling your cuts, the proper name will come out naturally during shiai.Hello Mikeyprime, you have a great point there. You should always practice as though you were in shinsa. Rather than practicing like shiai, shinsa will be the better form of the two. Yell out the target in a clear, loud voice. It will become routine and will come naturually in those times when you really need it.

Those mumblers were of lower rank, I suppose? I think it is just failed basics. With each strike must come the ki-ken-tai ichi. You cannot only give half of ki and try to make it up in ken or tai. :) Now let's get out there and hit some heads. I have practice tonight and I am FIRED UP!!!!!

Cheers

[Pokie]

Mumumu mamamama ooh!!!! ooh!!!! aaaaaah!!!! aaaaaaah !!!!!!!!!!!! *shows zanshin*

[ukenagashi]

ive herard some people say "namu" sounds wierd, but what does it mean?

[Nabeel]

Harada Satoru is my kiai idol.

[Koki]

Favorite Kiai: wazzzzzzzzzupppppppp! :D

[KamisoriX]

I got in this forum by accident while surving the wired.
I just wanted to correct(more or less) some people that a Kiai is not yelling.
It's a short impulsive(if you like) exhale with a loud sound.
It serves to empty your lungs from air so your body blablablabla....and someone might get even scared of your kiai.:old_man:

[Iviro]

Harada Satoru is my kiai idol.
man, you should see Takenaka Kentaro (11WKC 2nd place)

[Lloromannic]

Last saturday there were some visitors to the dojo and, not to speak ill of them, they had very "strange" Kendo. It was quite physical and "high-school-ish" but practiced by a 5 feet 4 inches tall 50 year old. It also had some stylistical pecularities: Before going into sonkyo they'd go into something like jodan, sometimes after making a strike they'd let go of the right hand and do age-to jodan with the left hand almost touching the top bar of the mengane, other times they would follow through and while still with the back to the opponent, stop, go into jodan and then turn around while still in jodan and hold the pose for a while (I think one of them was a bit angry because I continuall hit Do when he did this).
But relevant to the thread at hand was their penchant to tack on -ari whenever they struck, be it on the target or somewhere in the vicinity of a couple meters. It got kinda annoying when he kept shouting men-ariiiiiiiiiiiii after hitting my shoulder. But I tried to keep calm and I think I did my cleanest straightest big kendo (with rather satisfactory results)
Does anyone else know of (or do it themselves) someone who likes to add -ari to their kiai?

[KamisoriX]

as a kid someone hit me real hard on the leg with the shinai and I started crying....never added ari to my kiai thou :old_man:

[DCPan]

All a kiai is is a yell.

Kiai is not kakagoe.

I believe "chikusho" in kanji means "animal-born" in Chinese.

:wink:

[nalogg]

Last saturday there were some visitors to the dojo and, not to speak ill of them, they had very "strange" Kendo. It was quite physical and "high-school-ish" but practiced by a 5 feet 4 inches tall 50 year old. It also had some stylistical pecularities: Before going into sonkyo they'd go into something like jodan, sometimes after making a strike they'd let go of the right hand and do age-to jodan with the left hand almost touching the top bar of the mengane, other times they would follow through and while still with the back to the opponent, stop, go into jodan and then turn around while still in jodan and hold the pose for a while (I think one of them was a bit angry because I continuall hit Do when he did this).

All of the senior members in bogu at my dojo do this too....
I'm not sure what it is because I don't have bogu yet, but i assume it's either an admission that someone has scored a point on you, a declaration of a point on them, or maybe an admission of a mistake.....?

They also seem to keep "talking" during this- kinda dragging out and warbling up the end of their kiai.

i have no clue though.

[JByrd]

Kiai is not kakagoe.
:wink:
Is it "kakagoe" or "kakegoe"? Regardless, thanks for making a useful distinction. :) As I understand it, kak(ae)goe refers to the vocal expression of ki-ai (life force).

A lot of people have said good things, addressing the question from different angles.

My personal concept of what I am trying to accomplish with the vocalization has changed over time. I used to think of it mostly in an external sense, i.e., as a way to intimidate or unbalance my opponent. I'm working now to use shouting internally, i.e., as a means to help focus and control my breathing. Shouting in a certain way helps me feel more "settled" (for lack of a better term) in my lower abdomen, which affects how long I can hold my breath, and how quickly and powerfully I can attack.

If I shout improperly and release too much air, I have to breathe more often. It's a big problem to be forced to suck wind when the pressure is on.

[kuzu70]

This is part of their zanshin, and yes they are bragging that they just got a point off you. When I fight some sensei and they do this, there is one of two actions I take. 1. If you believe the point is in, I bow and acknowledge the point. (This usually makes them happy). or 2. If I don't think the point is in, I do not acknowlege the point. I just stand in kamae, and wait for the sensei to return to kamae. I don't hit the sensei when they are doing this, as this may be seen as disrespectful. Now if someone closer to my rank were doing this, that is a different story!!

[DCPan]

Is it "kakagoe" or "kakegoe"? Regardless, thanks for making a useful distinction. :) As I understand it, kak(ae)goe refers to the vocal expression of ki-ai (life force).

LOL...honestly, I'm not sure. Depends on how you want to romanize it I guess. I first heard the term while practicing at SKK, haven't had a chance to ask the sensei yet.

http://www.wfkendo.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=57

I recently read something on this too...was it the latest issue of Kendo-World?

I'll go through my bookshelf tonight...maybe it's time for more Ginko Baluba....

[N2k]

well if you want to get kicked in the "danger zone" by your japanese competitors you can say "chikusho" which means something like "bastard!" (literally:beast)
"Chikushou" literaly means "Beast", not "Bastard", but it is actually used for saying: "Crap!", "Damn!", "Dammit!", etc. "Chikushoume" or changing the noun to "Teme", well that's another story. XD.

Please don't insult your opponent, Kendo is also a sport of respect, you're kiai should'nt be a phrase, much less an insult. The words you hear in shiai aren't always kiai, some are just to let know your opponent who's he or she dealing with, and to be ready for an attack from you, like "Mada Mada!" or "Ikuso!" ("More coming at you!", "Let's go!"). I still don't get the "~ariiii" though XD.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Regarding talking/yelling at your opponent in shiai - it's against the rules, you can get a penalty so don't do it. Even saying "sorry" after a missed hit can get you a penalty if they want to be sticklers about it.

As far as saying men-ari, etc - some sensei do that as a way of letting you know that particular hit was a point. Others might just be saying to themselves "that was a good one". As a student, it's not up to you to acknowledge or ignore the point, just carry on. It's like when they say "ippon-shobu" - they usually don't really mean that, they mean "lets go until you get what I consider to be a good point".

[N2k]

True, true, I meant in practice matches of course, sorry 'bout that. And thanks for clearing that "~ariii" thing.

[Lloromannic]

When I feel the opponent has gotten a good point I briefly lift my right hand and say "kote" (or men or whatever). Unless it is a sensei as they hardly need my approval.
What made it feel annoying was not that they announced it, but more than they seemed to brag about it. And usually I am not bothered if someone brags when they got a good point on me. But it was that they did it every single time they struck, whether their shinai struck the intended bogu part (only happened a couple times), somewhere near, on the tsuba, on the shinai, on my skin or just plain air.

Anyway, except for a bit of annoyance and confusion, they left me with a good feeling, I had never been able to see and take advantage of so many opportunities and hit so many good (IMHO) strikes. And no amount of -ariii-ing will erase the look on one bloke's face after he lost his shinai to makiotoshi.

[Hisham]

This is part of their zanshin, and yes they are bragging that they just got a point off you. When I fight some sensei and they do this, there is one of two actions I take. 1. If you believe the point is in, I bow and acknowledge the point. (This usually makes them happy). or 2. If I don't think the point is in, I do not acknowlege the point. I just stand in kamae, and wait for the sensei to return to kamae. I don't hit the sensei when they are doing this, as this may be seen as disrespectful. Now if someone closer to my rank were doing this, that is a different story!! If i don't feel it's a clear point i'll go after my opponent whatever his rank is, i won't hold back cuse he/she turned his/her back on me, the thing is i never saw that kina behavior in the dojo i trained at and i feel it's shouldn't be part of a teacher's attitude anyway.In jigeiko ,you show respect to all your opponents whatever there rank is by giving it your all.
My 2cents.

[Ursamajor]

As a beginner and a westerner I am a little confused with kiai. My dojo teaches us to kiai the body part hit when attacking which made sense at first. Then, I saw visitors of higher rank visit our dojo. They seemed to be "kiaing" whatever came out of their spirits---it sounded vaguely japanese.

Since I am not japanese or asian, the last weekend of practice I decided what I feel in my soul would be my kiai. What came out rattled the walls, but was not a bit asian in its feel. My sempai said I wasn't kiaing the name of the part I hit, and should try again kiaing "Men". I did so.
Later in practice, I was matched against a visitor of higher rank in which beginners strike at bogu-armed opponents(sorry-don't know the terminology yet). I released my "viking" kiai on him with a flurry of men blows. It felt natural and right---for once I wasn't worried about my footwork or how far back I swung the shinai. After the sparring was over he said that I had good kiai, but I released too much energy at one time.
So what is it? Do we, as westerners, must try and enter the mind/spirit of asia, or can we retain some of our own, while respecting the art of kendo?

[kuzu70]

In jigeiko ,you show respect to all your opponents whatever there rank is by giving it your all.
My 2cents.
Hisham, thank you for your opinion. I have a tendency to sometimes overestimate (and underestimate) my opponents. I will try as you suggest to give it my all to all opponents.

[kuzu70]

As a beginner and a westerner I am a little confused with kiai. My dojo teaches us to kiai the body part hit when attacking which made sense at first. Then, I saw visitors of higher rank visit our dojo. They seemed to be "kiaing" whatever came out of their spirits---it sounded vaguely japanese.

Since I am not japanese or asian, the last weekend of practice I decided what I feel in my soul would be my kiai. What came out rattled the walls, but was not a bit asian in its feel. My sempai said I wasn't kiaing the name of the part I hit, and should try again kiaing "Men". I did so.
Later in practice, I was matched against a visitor of higher rank in which beginners strike at bogu-armed opponents(sorry-don't know the terminology yet). I released my "viking" kiai on him with a flurry of men blows. It felt natural and right---for once I wasn't worried about my footwork or how far back I swung the shinai. After the sparring was over he said that I had good kiai, but I released too much energy at one time.
So what is it? Do we, as westerners, must try and enter the mind/spirit of asia, or can we retain some of our own, while respecting the art of kendo?
I am not sure what your sempai meant by having too much energy. Why don't you talk to him and ask what he/she meant by that? I am not sure what you mean when you say "enter the mind/spirit of asia," but I am sure if you do your best and try to listen to your instructors, you will be fine.
Good luck!

[joekc6nlx]

Ursamajor,

I believe that what he meant by releasing too much energy was that you had expended all of your energy in your attack, leaving none for the end.

The idea being: You use as much energy as you need to do the attack, but always conserve some of your energy to allow you to drive through your attack and to remain ready for a second attack on or from your opponent. This is part of maintaining zanshin.

[rainmaker]

In earlier stage, you should name where you hit. It is because most of beginner very often make a mistake, meant to hit men but hitting kote or just swing. So your sampai is right on this. I thought about exactly same thing until everyone tell me exactly what your sampai told me.
Also, your higher rank visitor probably wanted to point out that sometimes you are focus on loud Kiai instead of combining your body+Kiai+sword. You are there to fight, not scream till death. But as a beginner, I try to scream as much as I can, but right kiai.....





As a beginner and a westerner I am a little confused with kiai. My dojo teaches us to kiai the body part hit when attacking which made sense at first. Then, I saw visitors of higher rank visit our dojo. They seemed to be "kiaing" whatever came out of their spirits---it sounded vaguely japanese.

Since I am not japanese or asian, the last weekend of practice I decided what I feel in my soul would be my kiai. What came out rattled the walls, but was not a bit asian in its feel. My sempai said I wasn't kiaing the name of the part I hit, and should try again kiaing "Men". I did so.
Later in practice, I was matched against a visitor of higher rank in which beginners strike at bogu-armed opponents(sorry-don't know the terminology yet). I released my "viking" kiai on him with a flurry of men blows. It felt natural and right---for once I wasn't worried about my footwork or how far back I swung the shinai. After the sparring was over he said that I had good kiai, but I released too much energy at one time.
So what is it? Do we, as westerners, must try and enter the mind/spirit of asia, or can we retain some of our own, while respecting the art of kendo?

[Ursamajor]

In earlier stage, you should name where you hit. It is because most of beginner very often make a mistake, meant to hit men but hitting kote or just swing. So your sampai is right on this. I thought about exactly same thing until everyone tell me exactly what your sampai told me.
Also, your higher rank visitor probably wanted to point out that sometimes you are focus on loud Kiai instead of combining your body+Kiai+sword. You are there to fight, not scream till death. But as a beginner, I try to scream as much as I can, but right kiai.....

You are right, this was the general conclusion I came to, and have continued to follow all of my sampai's instruction to the letter and with respect.
...and yes---that first series of attacks with the loud kiai sapped me of strength.
But at the center of my query is that should westerners who have found their kiai rely upon the sounds they hear from asians to be their vocal kiai, or from their own souls and use the sounds that come from them?

Note: This question is not intended to be rascist or zenophobic in any manner. It is a question that recognizes difference in cultures and the enviroments one is reared in.

[joekc6nlx]

But at the center of my query is that should westerners who have found their kiai rely upon the sounds they hear from asians to be their vocal kiai, or from their own souls and use the sounds that come from them?

Note: This question is not intended to be rascist or zenophobic in any manner. It is a question that recognizes difference in cultures and the enviroments one is reared in.
You use whatever works for you. The kiai is to focus your spiritual and physical energy, only you can determine what that should be. I use a modified growl, sounds a lot like a dog growling, but the actual sound I use is "ai-i-i-i-i", where I start low on the first part, and raise pitch and volume. When I make my strike, though, I call the body part, because that is what sensei has us do, so that when we are in shiai, it's automatic.

[kuzu70]

Yea, kiai is whatever is in you! You could yell whatever comes out of you, as long as it comes from you gut (except obscenities).

[kanyil]

But relevant to the thread at hand was their penchant to tack on -ari whenever they struck, be it on the target or somewhere in the vicinity of a couple meters. It got kinda annoying when he kept shouting men-ariiiiiiiiiiiii after hitting my shoulder. ...Does anyone else know of (or do it themselves) someone who likes to add -ari to their kiai?
Lol, a few people at my dojo do that all the time, although in a slightly different fashion. They would kiai "men-ah" or "kote-ah" etc.

There's also this guy who would, after a missed strike from you, kiai "bo-dio, bo-dio, bo-dio" three times in quick succession (which roughly translates into "you missed, you missed, you missed") in Taiwanese while retaliating and/or scooting out of the way.

[rainmaker]

I think it is true that Asian, including me, usually have a sharp and high tone voice. Meanwhile other race seems to have thick and heavy voice.


But at the center of my query is that should westerners who have found their kiai rely upon the sounds they hear from asians to be their vocal kiai, or from their own souls and use the sounds that come from them?

[goh]

not too long ago we had a seminar with a high ranked sensei,i dont know if his intial kiai was suppose to be a word or a growl,but it sound like "whoopass!!" which was hilarious:)

[DCPan]

The idea being: You use as much energy as you need to do the attack, but always conserve some of your energy to allow you to drive through your attack and to remain ready for a second attack on or from your opponent. This is part of maintaining zanshin.

Zanshin can be compared to drinking tea.

When striking, you should empty the cup. Regardless how hard to try to drink it all, the cup remains wet. That is zanshin.

Zanshin is not intentionally holding back. Zanshin is having the reserve despite giving your all....

BTW...on the kiai comment, I should suspect the visiting sensei is saying the kiai should be more focused....