Once again, the Akita Kendo Group, led by Hiroshi Sasaki Sensei joined us for practice at the beginning of the new year. This year’s group was made up of familiar faces Kennosuke Misawa (7 Dan), Chiaki Miura (6 Dan), and Kozue Udou (3 Dan).

As usual, Sasaki Sensei’s practice focused on the basics, which he says is important to reach higher levels of Kendo. It was apparent that the group from Akita had very good basics as was demonstrated through their strong solid Kendo.

Although nothing beats actually being at practice to listen to Sensei explain his methods and watch him actually demonstrate them, here are some of the more important points he shared with us during his short visit:

•  When practicing men uchi, ensure the proper distance is understood. Start by extending your arms at the proper distance as if you were hitting men with the shinai actually touching your opponent’s men. Take one big step back from your left foot and return your hands to kamae position. This is your uchima (hitting distance).

•  When practicing the basics, raise your shinai with the feeling of bringing your hands above on top of the head (furikaburi) using your shoulder and back muscles. If you just think of raising your hands up (furiage), your motion usually ends up too small. Developing the back and shoulder muscles if essential in being able to hit a powerful, smaller hit as well.

•  In tsubazeriai (especially when hitting do), don’t pull the right arm back to hit. The right hand should be used to control the opponent’s shinai while the movement of the left hand initiates the strike. Sasaki Sensei compared it to Gyaku Nito, where the short sword in the right hand is used to control the opponent’s shinai, while hitting with the long sword.

•  When practicing on hard floors, it is also effective to practice waza using suri-ashi. Practice pushing with the left foot and taking a big step with the right. Important point is to practice hikitsuke, bringing the left foot in quickly at the moment you strike.

•  What is the difference between jigeiko (地稽古） and gokakugeiko (互角稽古）? Jigeiko is where you develop the foundation of your Kendo. When you practice with a high ranking sensei, you shouldn’t worry about getting hit, but try to hit good waza. That’s why we practice hitting men when we go with higher ranking Sensei. Men uchi is the hardest target to hit since it’s the farthest and most easily defended. Gokakugeiko is practice amongst people that are equal in ability. The aim of gokakugeiko is the practice of different waza.

By going back to the fundamentals, I think we can all strive to reach a higher level and understanding of Kendo.