What kendo skill would I want to master immediately?
My immediate reaction to this question is that I want to master being able to “read” my opponent more accurately. That is, to anticipate what is coming and to then react accordingly. There have been drills and exercises where my concentration has not been as strong as it could be and so, when the time comes for the motodachi to open for a strike, my reaction is not as quick as I would like. That will all come with practice and training – indeed, it will only come with practice and training.
There is a second skill: fumikomi-ashi. This is the firm stepping of the right foot, with the entire sole, and forward motion of the left foot to gain forward momentum. The following video from YouTube shows Chiba Sensei demonstrating this to a dojo in Italy. There is a translator present but he is translating Japanese into Italian. However, Chiba Sensei’s discussion and accompanying demonstration makes things self-evident.
While it may appear an easy thing to stamp one’s foot as you move forward, the real ‘catch’ to this technique is having one’s timing correct. The shinai striking the target and ‘foot stamping’ all happen at the same time.
In addition to this, I also want to improve my physical resilience. That is not technically a skill, I know. However, I want to be able to keep going at training with minimal breaks and rests. I watch older, more experienced kendoka at training and they manage to do it so why can’t I? I know their kendo improves as a result – a further incentive to keep on keeping on. Again, this will come from regular and quality training – one will get used to the physical activity. It is something for me to work on.
