Kendo Class Description
Tuesday Evening Kendo Keiko Class:
Participants are supposed to finish stretching and be warmed up
before the class starts. This is important to prevent physical injury
and to save time since we have only one hour for training.
The class starts with Ashi-sabaki (foot work), Suburi (sword-cut)
and Haya-suburi (jumping sword-cut). These are done without
Bogu (armor). Occasionally there will also be Uchikomi
(running sword-cut) practice.
Then, with Bogu, we do several Kihon-waza (basic skills) such as
Kirikaeshi, Men-uchi, Do-uchi, Kote-men, Kote-do, and more.
We can hit the opponent’s protected parts such as Men (head),
Do (trunk), Kote (forearm), and Tsuki (throat).
Finally, we do Keiko (one-against-one practice) with each other
or with the instructor.
Saturday Morning Sword Kata Class:
This class is devoted to Kendo Kata, traditional Japanese sword movements
with partners,as well as other sword movements taught in Asian martial arts.
Students who are attending the Tuesday classes may also practice keiko
during the session.
Beginners: Students new to Kendo will need to take the Tuesday
class if they wish to study the basics of Kendo, as well as to take rank in
Kendo. Students interested only in the sword kata do not have to attend
the Tuesday class. Everyone may attend the Saturday class.
Participants are supposed to finish stretching and be warmed up
before the class starts. This is important to prevent physical injury
and to save time since we have only one hour for training.
The class starts with Ashi-sabaki (foot work), Suburi (sword-cut)
and Haya-suburi (jumping sword-cut). These are done without
Bogu (armor). Occasionally there will also be Uchikomi
(running sword-cut) practice.
Then, with Bogu, we do several Kihon-waza (basic skills) such as
Kirikaeshi, Men-uchi, Do-uchi, Kote-men, Kote-do, and more.
We can hit the opponent’s protected parts such as Men (head),
Do (trunk), Kote (forearm), and Tsuki (throat).
Finally, we do Keiko (one-against-one practice) with each other
or with the instructor.
Saturday Morning Sword Kata Class:
This class is devoted to Kendo Kata, traditional Japanese sword movements
with partners,as well as other sword movements taught in Asian martial arts.
Students who are attending the Tuesday classes may also practice keiko
during the session.
Beginners: Students new to Kendo will need to take the Tuesday
class if they wish to study the basics of Kendo, as well as to take rank in
Kendo. Students interested only in the sword kata do not have to attend
the Tuesday class. Everyone may attend the Saturday class.
