Kashi no ki kenyu kai was pleased to host a five hour kendo practice led by Howell, Budden and Honda sensei. There was an opportunity to cross swords with the British Mens Team Captain, the previous Mens Team Captain, the current British Champion as well other 3rd, 4th and 5th dan members. So why weren’t you there?

Ok we are lucky enough to have high level practice nearly every week now with squad training , high grade sessions, taikai, seminars, events and instructor visits so people can’t attend every event, something has to give. I also personally think it’s a mistake to call it a referees seminar because it isn’t just for people getting ready to grade or who are refereeing at the next taikai. A much better name would be “Shiai day”. Everyone can come and everyone learns. The kyu grades present got lots of opportunities to get used to the shiai-jo, learn the calls and etiquette as well as why some strikes score and some don’t. Of course there were some good matches as well and keiko.

I’ve only been able to attend three of the four referees seminars but each one has been informative and enjoyable. I could have memorised the rulebook but I’m not really up to that yet so getting involved in these events and hearing and taking part in the discussions is a much more reasonable way to learn. The tuition was good as always and the small turnout means lots of individual attention.

What did we cover? Well it did exactly as it said on the tin so I won’t make a list for you. I did pick up a few interesting things such as the basic kamae against nito, the reasons for which sword should go in which hand and when nito players should be given hansoku for their kodachi technique as well as other more orthodox situations. If I hadn’t been injured I could have also had an excellent hours scrapping at the end. I did learn a lot by watching though and it stopped me being Gibbo fodder for once.

Kendo has many aspects, shiai is a key part and refereeing puts people in a stronger position to compete. Can you really be successful in the long term without understanding what you can and can’t do and what can and can’t be done to you? Understanding datotsu is very important for all kendoka.

Well that leads me on to…

Honda Sensei visited Kashi no ki kenyu kai on 28th November. The three hour lesson was broken up into three sessions with the final session being jigeiko.

Again there’s no point listing the lesson content except to say that we worked on suburi, kihon and uchi komi geiko with kime as the main focus. What turns a hit into a cut? What goes between the hit and zanshin? How do you let the referees or the grading panel know that you know how to cut? If you want to know turn up. If you haven’t practiced with Mr Honda yet you are really missing out. His sessions are excellent for kendoka of all experience levels. First timers and veterans seem to go away with a buzz and plenty to think about. The lesson finished with Sunday lunch at the The Snooty Fox .

Thanks to all the visitors and the sensei for two successful sessions.

Rob Wix
Kashi No Ki Kenyu Kai