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 What a weekend. What a seminar. What a line up of kendo royalty to teach the European masses. The seminar was led, as usual, by Sumi Sensei 8th Dan hanshi. It was assisted by Uegaki Sensei, Tashiro Sensei, Nagao Sensei and Mori sensei; all 8th dans. There were also about ten 7th and 6th dans assisting.

At the very first practice we were asked to leave the dojo and look at how our shoes were positioned. If they were neat and tidy we were mentally prepared for kendo, if they were scattered our mind also was scattered and we were not prepared for kendo. Uegaki Sensei emphasized the importance of fundamentals in kendo. He explained that if a sempei forgets to bow to shomen once a beginner would never do it. The importance of being a role model when it came to all aspects of kendo including shinai maintenance, sonkyo, seiza and rei is not to be underestimated.

Uegaki Sensei continued to teach us that there are 3 types of kirikikaeshi. For beginners (up to third dan) we should teach kirikaeshi with no tiatarai. This is because it is a bad habit for beginners to hit shomen and loose zanshin by going to tiatarai. Instead we must hit shomen and keep the shinai in that position and continue 2 or 3 steps with ashi sabaki. For beginners also after every sayumen they must raise their shinai straight up. This helps keep the left hand center and stops the wrists crossing and going outside the body. For intermediate (4th/5th dan) they should practice tiatarai and return their shinai along its original path after sayumen.

Sumi Sensei gave a key address on the difference between uchikomi keiko and kakaraigeiko. He asked us what we thought; we answered uchikomi keiko motodachi makes the openings and kakaraigeiko kakaraite creates the openings. Whilst this is correct it is only superficial at best.

Sumi Sensei explained that there are 3 types of uchikomi keiko. All types of uchikomi keiko are practiced from toma. The kakaraite must make good distance with correct suri ashi:

Type1 – Tsubazerai, The kakaraite cannot run thru. This type of uchikomi keiko builds spirit and stamina and is the hardest. Kakaraite strikes a target then hits hiki waza and moves back to toma.
Type2 – No tsubazerai, The kakaraite run thrus every time. This type of uchikomi keiko is easier than the first.
Type 3  - Mixture of both run thru and tsubazerai. The motodachi should not allow (block/cut/debanna etc) 50-70% of kakaraite cuts. Motodaichi should use tsubazerai for about 70% of strikes and allow kakaraite to run past with zanshin for the rest.

Sumi Sensei explained kararaigeiko in detail. There are 3 fundamental points to remember:

1) Distance. For karkaraigeiko the distance is closer, issoko-itto-no-maai, its important that both shinai’s are touching.
2) Mind contact. Leading from the first point, mind contact is as it sounds. Its forming a mental connection with you opponent. Sumi sensei suggests practicing this by feeling you opponents intentions via subtle movements and pressure of their shinai. It goes without saying that your shinai must be touching theirs. Also you must use a stong kiai. Your kiai must give a message to your opponent and not just make noise for the sake of it. Bear in mind it is kakaraigeiko and the mind contact does not have to be greater than a second or two.
3)Use many waza. Don’t keep using the same waza over and over, you won’t learn anything. Try ones you want to improve and try ones that are hard.

All uchikomi and kakaraigeiko practices lasted 30secs approx.

Every time you go to this seminar you learn different insights and different ways of looking at the same thing. I would strongly encourage anyone to travel to this seminar. This year there were 80 participants from 22 countries. Next year the event will take place in Malta.

Note: The above is just a small snippet of the 4 day event. I am currently putting together a full report of the seminar, which I will link to here. Watch this space.