Kendo Kata: Essence and Application

[John W]

In Auckland, New Zealand from the 11th to the 13th of June 2004 about 50 to 60 NZ kendoka were lucky enough to be instructed by Inoue Yoshihiko Sensei Hanshi 8th Dan.

On the Friday night Inoue Sensei took about 20 students through a 2 hour kata seminar. The emphasis was mainly on the philosophy and theory behind each of the kata. It was a fantastic learning experience and it made me think about kata in a whole different manner. The sensei explained things like; why does uchidachi turn to face shidachi in the 7th set after having his stomach cut open and is, in theory, dead-very interesting stuff! He also explained in great detail why we take a different kamae in each set and what each kamae means.

The sensei also brought over about 25 copies of his book which you can buy on this site (they were not free, WHAT IS??- but he did sign each copy and provided a little pearl of wisdom for each purchaser in some beautiful calligraphy- not bad eh?) I highly recommend this book- it has great explainations and nice photo's, but best of all some deep insights of each kata. A must for any kendoka!

[DCPan]

The sensei explained things like; why does uchidachi turn to face shidachi in the 7th set after having his stomach cut open and is, in theory, dead-very interesting stuff! He also explained in great detail why we take a different kamae in each set and what each kamae means.

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[Alex]

The sensei also brought over about 25 copies of his book which you can buy on this site (they were not free, WHAT IS??- but he did sign each copy and provided a little pearl of wisdom for each purchaser in some beautiful calligraphy- not bad eh?) I highly recommend this book- it has great explainations and nice photo's, but best of all some deep insights of each kata. A must for any kendoka!

Hi John!

Glad the seminar was a success.

Actually, the books were free. They were donated by Kendo World to the NZKF/Auckland Kendo Club for cost, on the agreement that all sales of the book would go towards funding the event.

All profits from this book are returned to the kendo community thorugh various projects such as the trip by Inoue sensei to NZ. We are also looking at using the proceeds to send second-hand bogu overseas etc. That was Inoue sensei's will when we worked together to publish it. KW and no individual profits from the sale of this book. Only kendo does.

Everyone, please buy it.

[John W]

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Oh right!

Yeah... Inoue sensei said that in the olden days of Japan when a samurai commited seppuku (spelling?) that as soon as the act was done he should have enough energy or ki left to give the command to have his head cut off.

Much like in the 7th set, when uchidachi has had his stomach cut open he should still have the energy and will power to turn around and kill shidachi with a cut to his head. This is why uchidachi turns his head and takes waki-game in an attempt to take shidachi's life but shidachi is aware of this and also takes waki-game to prevent the blow from occuring.

This refusal to die lightly by uchidachi is also prevelent in the 1st, 3rd and 6th set so the sensei said, esp no.6 when shidachi takes hidari jodan, uchidachi should not step back lightly but with regret and a sort of blunt refusal to do so.

As for the kamae it is all in the book.

[DCPan]

Oh right!

This refusal to die lightly by uchidachi is also prevelent in the 1st, 3rd and 6th set so the sensei said, esp no.6 when shidachi takes hidari jodan, uchidachi should not step back lightly but with regret and a sort of blunt refusal to do so.

In Kata #3 & #6, the uchidachi doesn't die though... But the refusal to give up is certainly evident...

Ahh...that also explains kodachi #2, why you would grab the uchidachi's arm after men-ukenagashi-men

Thanks!