The Doshi-Kai Kendo – Part 3

Doshikai Equipment / Uniform Recommendations

Bokken

The Bokken is the wooden practice sword that is used for initial kata practice in both iaido and kendo.  It is also known as a bokuto.  High quality hardwood bokkens are available starting at around Rp 80.000,- and should be purchased with a tsuba (sword guard) and a stopper to hold the tsuba.  They are available in a variety of different natural colors including white, black and red depending upon the type of hardwood.  Some bokken are also available with a plastic saya (scabbard) which can make your iaido pre-sword training much more realistic.

Shinai

The Shinai is the bamboo fencing sword used in kendo.  They are available in various lengths.  For obvious reasons it is important that your shinai be as long as that of your opponent.  At Doshikai we use a size 39.  A basic good quality shinai may be obtained for as little as Rp 200.000,-.  One shinai will be sufficient until you begin contact training.  At that time you will want to have at least one spare shinai available in case your primary shinai becomes damaged during practice.  A splintered shinai can be dangerous to your fellow students and should never be used until repaired.

Make sure that you order a ‘Complete Shinai.’  It is possible to order a Shinai‘Bamboo Only’ in which case you will receive only the bamboo replacement staves and not all the parts necessary for a working shinai.

Clothing

To get started you may use any comfortable, loose fitting, athletic-cut clothing for your training.  A sweatshirt and sweatpants or a martial arts gi will work just fine.  Since we will be spending a fair amount of time kneeling on the hardwood floor of the dojo, you will probably wish to purchase a pair of kneepads.  These can be obtained at a local discount store for less than Rp 150.000,-.  More specialized athletic pads may be obtained through your local sporting goods store or any martial arts supplier.

As soon as you are sure that you wish to pursue your studies, you should invest in a kendo uniform.  While many fabrics and colors are available, traditionally, kendo students wear uniforms that are the same throughout their school to recognize their affiliation with that school and with their sensei.  At Doshikai we wear black, 100% cotton.

Keikogi

The Keikogi or kendo top is used at Doshikai for both kendo.  You should buy 100% cotton, black in color.  A top quality, single layer, 100% cotton keikogi can be purchased for between Rp 400.000,- and Rp 1.700.000,-.  Double layer keikogis with a sweat absorbing inner liner are available at a slightly higher price.

Obi

The Obi is the wide belt that is used to close and secure the keikogi before donning the Hakama.  The saya (scabbard) with the iaito (training sword) is inserted between the second and third layers of the obi to secure it to the kendoka.

Hakama

The Hakama is the pleated pant-like uniform bottom used in kendo.  Top quality hakamas are available in 100% cotton in various weights.  The heavier weights last longer and maintain their pleats better.  However, the heaviest weight material may also be warmer and, therefore, less comfortable during warm weather practice sessions.  Heavier weight fabric is recommended during promotion exams and tournaments, where
appearing at your best is particularly important as it is considered part of good etiquette and respect.  Top quality, 100% cotton, black hakamas are available for between Rp 300.000,- and Rp 1.700.000,-.  It is very important to make sure that the dye is set before the first wearing.

Bogu

Kendo armor, called Bogu, is fashioned after the fighting armor of the Samurai.  It consists of four different pieces:

• • • The Men, or helmet, is designed to protect the head, face, shoulders and throat.
    • The Kote are the gloves or gauntlets that are used to protect your hands, wrists and forearms.
    • The Do, or Doh, is the body armor used to protect your chest and abdomen.
    • The Tare is used to protect your hips, groin and lower body.

We have a few sets of spare bogu for beginning students to use at Doshikai.  Eventually, you will want to get your own bogu that is sized to your proportions.

Hand-stitched, custom-made bogu is available in a wide array of designs and colors for the experienced kendoka to use on special occasions and can be very expensive.  Machine-stitched bogu is also available and is more than sufficient for students and, in fact, is what most kendoka use during practice sessions.  One measure of the quality of machine-stitched bogu is the density of their stitching (i.e. 2mm, 3mm, 4mm).  In
general, higher stitching density is a key indicator of higher overall quality.  Therefore, a 3mm bogu would probably be of better quality than a 4mm bogu from the same supplier.

We recognize that the cost of bogu represents a major investment to a student.  However, you should be comforted by the knowledge that a good quality set of armor should last for many years if it is well cared for.  It has been our experience that better quality bogu will last longer and offer the student greater comfort and better protection for the life of the armor.

A new set of bogu may be obtained for as little as $300 to $400.  Top quality 3mm or 2mm machine stitched bogu may be purchased for between $600 and $1,000. (T_T)

The Doshi-Kai Kendo – Part 2

The ZNKR Kata

There are currently twelve forms recognized by the federation called the “seitei gata.”

1. 1. Ipponme – “Mae” (To the front)
   2. Nihonme – “Ushiro” (To the rear)
   3. Sanponme – “Ukenagashi” (Take and give back)
   4. Yonhonme – “Tsuka-ate” (Strike with the tsuka)
   5. Gohonme – “Kesa giri” (Diagonal cuts)
   6. Ropponme – “Morote tsuki” (2 handed thrust)
   7. Shichihonme – “Sanpo giri” (3 direction cuts)
   8. Hachihonme – “Ganmen-ate” (Strike to the face)
   9. Kyuhonme – “Soete tsuki” (Companion hand thrust)
   10. Jupponme – “Shiho giri” (4 direction cuts)
   11. Juipponme – “Sou giri” (Many cuts)
   12. Ju Nihonme – “Nukiuchi” (Draw and cut down)

Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Kata

There are several sets of kata for MJER.  The following lists the eleven forms in the first,“Seiza no bu,” set.

1. Mae
2. Hidari
3. Migi
4. Ushiro
5. Yaegaki
6. Omote
7. Ura
8. Ukenagashi
9. Kaishaku
10. Tsukekome
11. Tsukikage
12. Oikaze
13. Nukiuchi

Definition of Japanese Terms

This section outlines some of the Japanese terms heard during class and when discussing
topics related to Japanese Swordsmanship and other martial arts.

• Batto – another name for iai
• Bunkai – The application of the technique, a description of the real-world scenario around which the kata is formed.
• Dan – advanced grades from 1 to 10
• Hajime – start
• Hakama – the pleated pants, bottom half of the uniform
• Hasuji – the angle of the blade
• Iaido – The way of drawing the Japanese Sword, name from 1932
• Iaito – literally sword for iai, practice sword – unsharpened, typically made of alloy.
• Jo-ha-kyu – the concept of rhythm within the kata.  Jo-ha-kyu is expressed aslow-to-fast-to-slow movement. Cuts should exhibit a buildup of intensity and speed, slowly bringing the blade back and increasing the speed through the cut, then letting the intensity slow again.
• Keiko-gi – the jacket (top half) of the uniform
• Kendo – the way of the sword, already drawn, name from 1895
• Kesa-giri – the diagonal cut that follows the keiko-gi line.  Named after the kesa/lapel that monks wore.
• Ki – spirit or presence
• Kyu – student grade, from 5 up to 1 where 1 is the highest
• Ma-ai – the distance between combatants
• Men-uchi – strike to men, the head
• Metsuke – one’s gaze or look.
• Mo ichido – one more time
• Mokuso – meditate
• Obi – the belt wrapped around the waist/keiko-gi, in which the sword is
• placed.
• Otagai ni rei – bow to each other
• Rei – bow
• Reigi – etiquette
• Reiho – etiquette, method of bowing
• Ritsu rei – standing bow
• Seitei – basic, fundamental. Seitei Gata is fundamental techniques kata.
• Seiza – kneeling
• Shibori – wringing; the wringing motion of one’s hands when performing a cut
• Shihan – teacher who takes class when sensei is absent
• Shinken – literally “live sword” – used to describe sharp swords made in the Japanese style
• Shomen – the front of the dojo, also the front of the head, as in shomen uchi
• Shomen ni rei – bow to front of the dojo
• Suburi – practice
• Taito – position of the sword when put into the belt
• Tatte – to stand up from the kneeling position (seiza)
• Tate-hiza – raised-knee position
• Teito – holding the sword loose by the left side
• Torei – bow to the sword
• Yame – stop
• Yudansha – members with dan grades
• Zanshin – remaining spirit/heart
• Za rei – kneeling bow

Counting in Japanese

For many of the warm-ups and exercises, students will hear a count in Japanese.  The following are the Japanese words for the numbers one through ten, with pronunciation in parentheses – the final vowel is often not pronounced in Japanese words:

1.  Ichi (eech)
2.  Ni (nee)
3.  San (sahn)
4.  Shi (she)
5.  Go (go)
6.  Roku (rook)
7.  Shichi (sheech)
8.  Hachi (hach)
9.  Kyu (kyu)
10. Ju (joo)

To be continued …

The ZNKR Kata
There are currently twelve forms recognized by the federation called the “seitei gata.”

1.  Ipponme – “Mae” (To the front)
2.  Nihonme – “Ushiro” (To the rear)
3.  Sanponme – “Ukenagashi” (Take and give back)
4.  Yonhonme – “Tsuka-ate” (Strike with the tsuka)
5.  Gohonme – “Kesa giri” (Diagonal cuts)
6.  Ropponme – “Morote tsuki” (2 handed thrust)
7.  Shichihonme – “Sanpo giri” (3 direction cuts)
8.  Hachihonme – “Ganmen-ate” (Strike to the face)
9.  Kyuhonme – “Soete tsuki” (Companion hand thrust)
10. Jupponme – “Shiho giri” (4 direction cuts)
11. Juipponme – “Sou giri” (Many cuts)
12. Ju Nihonme – “Nukiuchi” (Draw and cut down)
Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Kata
There are several sets of kata for MJER.  The following lists the eleven forms in the first,
“Seiza no bu,” set.

1.  Mae
2.  Hidari
3.  Migi
4.  Ushiro
5.  Yaegaki
a.  Omote
b.  Ura
6.  Ukenagashi
7.  Kaishaku
8.  Tsukekome
9.  Tsukikage
10. Oikaze
11. Nukiuchi
Definition of Japanese Terms
This section outlines some of the Japanese terms heard during class and when discussing
topics related to Japanese Swordsmanship and other martial arts.

-  Batto – another name for iai
-  bunkai – The application of the technique, a description of the real-world
scenario around which the kata is formed.
-  Dan – advanced grades from 1 to 10
-  hajime – start
-  hakama – the pleated pants, bottom half of the uniform
-  hasuji – the angle of the blade
-  iaido – The way of drawing the Japanese Sword, name from 1932 -  iaito – literally sword for iai, practice sword – unsharpened, typically made of
alloy.
-  jo-ha-kyu – the concept of rhythm within the kata.  Jo-ha-kyu is expressed as
slow-to-fast-to-slow movement.  Cuts should exhibit a buildup of intensity
and speed, slowly bringing the blade back and increasing the speed through
the cut, then letting the intensity slow again.
-  keiko-gi – the jacket (top half) of the uniform
-  kendo – the way of the sword, already drawn, name from 1895
-  kesa-giri – the diagonal cut that follows the keiko-gi line.  Named after the
kesa/lapel that monks wore.
-  Ki – spirit or presence
-  Kyu – student grade, from 5 up to 1 where 1 is the highest
-  ma-ai – the distance between combatants
-  men-uchi – strike to men, the head
-  metsuke – one’s gaze or look.
-  mo ichido – one more time
-  mokuso – meditate
-  obi – the belt wrapped around the waist/keiko-gi, in which the sword is
placed.
-  Otagai ni rei – bow to each other
-  rei – bow
-  reigi – etiquette
-  reiho – etiquette, method of bowing
-  ritsu rei – standing bow
-  seitei – basic, fundamental. Seitei Gata is fundamental techniques kata.
-  seiza – kneeling
-  shibori – wringing; the wringing motion of one’s hands when performing a cut
-  shihan – teacher who takes class when sensei is absent
-  shinken – literally “live sword” – used to describe sharp swords made in the
Japanese style
-  shomen – the front of the dojo, also the front of the head, as in shomen uchi
-  shomen ni rei – bow to front of the dojo
-  suburi – practice
-  taito – position of the sword when put into the belt
-  tatte – to stand up from the kneeling position (seiza)
-  tate-hiza – raised-knee position
-  teito – holding the sword loose by the left side
-  torei – bow to the sword
-  yame – stop
-  yudansha – members with dan grades
-  zanshin – remaining spirit/heart
-  za rei – kneeling bow Counting in Japanese
For many of the warm-ups and exercises, students will hear a count in Japanese.  The
following are the Japanese words for the numbers one through ten, with pronunciation in
parentheses – the final vowel is often not pronounced in Japanese words:

1.  Ichi (eech)
2.  Ni (nee)
3.  San (sahn)
4.  Shi (she)
5.  Go (go)
6.  Roku (rook)
7.  Shichi (sheech)
8.  Hachi (hach)
9.  Kyu (kyu)
10. Ju (joo)

The Doshi-Kai Kendo – Part 1

The Doshi-Kai Kendo

- Part I -

Beginning the class

At the start of the class, all students line up, holding swords in the left hand at hip-level. Sensei will then announce “seiza,” at which time everyone will kneel into seiza.  Swords are then to be placed on the right side with the cutting edge towards you.  This change from left to right is indicative of the non-aggressive intentions of the practitioner – the sword cannot be drawn while sitting on the right side.

Kendo : Peralatan Tingkat Pemula dan Tingkat Bogu

Nah, sekarang saya akan menulis tentang peralatan apa saja yang diperlukan pada kendo untuk tingkat pemula dan tingkat bogu.

Kendo : ETIKA

Kali ini saya akan menulis tentang etika dalam kendo.

Kendo berakar sangat kuat pada tradisi. Etika dalam kendo, sama juga halnya seperti pelajaran dalam hidup, didasarkan pada akal sehat dan rasa hormat terhadap sesama. Prosedur Operasi Standar (SOP) dalam dojo ini ditujukan untuk menciptakan harmonisasi, yang dengan demikian dalam jangka panjang aturan yang sederhana ini dapat mencegah timbulnya permasalahan antara sesama anggota klub. Para pemula yang baru memulai kendo mungkin akan sedikit terintimidasi dengan banyaknya hal-hal yang harus diingat, berikut ini adalah beberapa contoh yang penting.

• Tempat untuk berlatih, seperti juga dalam ilmu beladiri Jepang, disebut dengan DOJO.

Kendo

Kendo (剣道, kendō) adalah seni bela diri modern dari Jepang yang menggunakan pedang. Kendo berasal dari kata “ken (剣)” yang artinya “pedang”, dan “dō (道)” yang artinya “jalan”. Jadi arti kendo secara keseluruhan adalah suatu jalan/ proses disiplin diri yang membentuk suatu pribadi samurai yang pemberani dan loyal. Kendo menggabungkan unsur-unsur bela diri, seni dan olahraga. Dalam latihan, Kendo menggunakan peralatan seperti: