How to make Jodan not so obvious.

[jjcruiser]

But is it? If you take someone who has never done Kendo before, what difference would it really make to them if they started in Jodan then Chudan? They still have to learn everything they would need to learn in Chudan, whatever stance is easy or hard, is is not relevant, you will learn it.
Personally, I see it no different as using my right hand to open a door or using my left hand to open a door or firing a pistol then a rifle.

I am not an authority to say why that is wrong, but I am sure it is wrong based on reading and being told far too many times by experienced sensei that it is not so. Jodan is not just "switching feet."

B8amack already explained a few reasons it's hard to start with jodan but the most obvious problem, even from my beginner perspective, is that you can far more easily judge two of the most important concepts in Kendo from chudan than from jodan -- controlling maai and the center.

[JSchmidt]

But is it? If you take someone who has never done Kendo before, what difference would it really make to them if they started in Jodan then Chudan? They still have to learn everything they would need to learn in Chudan, whatever stance is easy or hard, is is not relevant, you will learn it.

Personally, I see it no different as using my right hand to open a door or using my left hand to open a door or firing a pistol then a rifle.

It's not a right vs left issue, but a question of feedback, both visual and tactile.

[verissimus]

But is it? If you take someone who has never done Kendo before, what difference would it really make to them if they started in Jodan then Chudan? They still have to learn everything they would need to learn in Chudan, whatever stance is easy or hard, is is not relevant, you will learn it.

Also easier to teach, I imagine. For example, consider a situation where a sensei who is leading a group of beginners, has to teach everyone (in chudan) how to do proper men-uchi, and then immediately has to qualify everything for those in jodan.

[hugo]

Jodan, in my opinion, is something of a very powerful bluff. There are so many openings in jodan that you are practically begging the opponent to come at you. The only reason that he doesn't, ideally, is because he can sense that he will be struck if he does. Jodan relies on strong kote and men, with rare nidan-waza. It is not as mobile or adaptive a stance as chudan is. (Let's analyze the kanji for water and fire to break this down even further.) A person really needs to start stepping into the deeper understanding of the relationship between opponents to practice it successfully and properly.
Just to illustrate a point, another of my sensei recommended that I take up jodan when I was only 1-Kyu. Our head sensei was against it, but went along with it for a while. I am tall, and I still suspect to this day that this is the reason that the other sensei thought that I would be good at jodan. I've heard several tall kenshi mention similar suggestions. But a tall jodan player without solid basics and some seme ability is basically a trick pony. He might win a match or two because the opponent is confused by the height issue; but it's not the same as winning with the real ideals of Kendo.
Now, I don't claim to understand an intense amount about Kendo at this point, but in retrospect I am glad that our head sensei asked me to wait. Now that I'm trying jodan again, I can see some of the reasons as to why it works and why it's unique in comparison to chudan Kendo.

[Fudo-Shin]

Because it's the foundation. Because it's easier to learn.

Thanks to Jakob and B8amack, I agree with all of your points and reasoning for not starting jodan until later. It's just nice to hear that actually reiterated from jodan kenshi should some young upstart challenge me on "Why shouldn't I do jodan now that I am 3-kyu?!?".

[DigitalDowntown]

I have re-read Nakayama Sensei's article three times now, & each time i get the feeling that it is an "aimed" passive agressive attack...there doesn't seem to be much advice on how to not be a fake Jodan except wait till you have 30+ years of chudan...of course, this is my opinion...

Do you mean to say you think he was attacking an individual that he didn't like/agree with?

Like Takano-sensei?

[Bokushingu]

I have no idea who or which group of people he may feel this way against...just saying it doesn't feel as if he trying to help in that article; it almost feels bitter.

[Fudo-Shin]

Yes, definately more than meets the eye/ear...

[D'Artagnan]

I have no idea who or which group of people he may feel this way against...just saying it doesn't feel as if he trying to help in that article; it almost feels bitter.

Actually I can think of a few modern-day, very famous and influential Kendo teachers who take an *active* disapproval of Jodan... So it wouldn't surprise me if it was the same with Nakayama Sensei... Though, as has already been alluded to, there is also the chance he simply disliked an individual or institution which took a more positive view towards Jodan... I'm sure politics factored into things as much then as they do now.