How to Choose & Tie an Obi
here are a few points that will help you to find an obi that is right for you and, if need be, a few points on how to tie it.
These are MUST-VISIT places for Budoka
These are MUST-VISIT places for Budoka Not only in kendo, but in any contest are decided not just on raw ability. “Luck” can also play an important part. There is a saying “do your best, and leave the rest to Providence.” In order to win, the basic idea is to Read More
Budo’s “maai” and “zanshin” can make for smooth communication with others
I’m sure the Budo practitioners know how “maai”(gap, space) is important in Budo. There is an appropriate maai between you and your opponent during the fight. Being too close or too far apart is no good. “Maai” is the correct distance between you and your opponent. People who excel in Read More
Cultivating your Spirit through your Kamae
This article is a translation of an essay by Tachibana Tatsunari-san, he works for Tozando and practices Yoshinkan Aikido and is currently 5-dan. In his essay he explores “kamae” – posture or stance – in training and why it is emphasised so strongly in Yoshinkan Aikido. In Yoshinkan Aikido, as Read More
Thus spoke Hayashi – Vol. 2
Evaluating budo equipment can be very difficult, especially as a newcomer to martial arts. We thought who better to ask than our resident kyoshi 7-dan Hayashi Sensei: he not only has a great understanding of his chosen art (kendo), but he also actively works in product development. Let’s take a Read More
Ashi de semeru – attack with your feet
Footwork is not just a kihon practice, but a skill that will develop alongside our seme throughout our shugyo.
Shoshin in Aikido
Stick to your original purpose to the last Seami, who spread No, a traditional Japanese art, left a lot of wonderful writings. A common saying in Japan “Do not forget your shoshin.” is attributed to Seami. “Indeed do not forget your shoshin; do not forget your shoshin in each moment, Read More
Being true to your Sword
– Though we use iaitō, bokutō and shinai; we must never forget that these are swords – Iaido and kendo are both budō that place a strong emphasis on manners and etiquette – not only to our partners, but also the spaces within which we practice and to opponents who are Read More
Mastering the Manners and Aiming for Beautiful Kendo
There are all kinds of sports in our world, but a big difference between kendo and other sports is its approach towards “manners”. Many people have the image that if you take up kendo you will learn good manners. Why is kendo so strict when ti comes to enfocring etiquette? Read More