The definition of mitori-geiko is: observing the practice of another, learning his or her good points and reflecting and improving upon one’s own kendo. Many years ago our kendo practices at our dojo were very relaxed and not strenuous. Sometimes one of my senseis would sit quietly on the side just watching the keiko. On one occasion I asked him if he was tired, his response was simple but stuck with me all these years. He said there are two kinds of kendo: ‘doing kendo and watching kendo (mitori-geiko)’. I have come to embrace this idea as essential to kendo training. It is a scientific fact that while watching a sport in which you are trained in doing the neuro and muscular pathways involved in doing that activity are reinforced. Watching also strengthens the visual and sensing portions of practicing kendo. Nuanced techniques can be seen and understood easier just by watching kendo. Thanks to my old sensei many years ago I have incorporated this type of passive kendo or mitori-geiko along with my physical training.
As I grow older day by day it becomes increasingly apparent that what I perceive as fast movement in a younger opponent is a normal speed for that age and my speed is normal for my age. How then is it possible to be faster than a younger person? Every action or movement contains a beginning and an end, every person has a natural rhythm that is unique to that person. Through mental and physical training and using your natural rhythm, attack in between the movements of your opponent beating or finishing the rhythm of your opponent. Always remaining just slightly off rhythm of your opponent, more precisely predicting the beginning or ending of any action or movement a fraction of a second before or after the action is launched or completed. Your strike will not be sucessfull by relying on eye sight completely, instead see with your minds eye, sensing the next strike, cycle of rhythm. It is very important to sense your opponents state of mind, hesitant or determined adapt accordingly and attack precisely crushing their rhythm.
I have a great interest in understanding the methods and wisdom of the great swordsmen of Japan and using that wisdom and knowledge to perfect my kendo.
It is my thought that kendo as it is practiced today is not just a sport and not a pale reflection of what was kenjutsu. I’m sure this is contrary to current thinking in describing sport kendo. We all know of Miyamoto Musashi and his great duel with Sasaki Kojiro. The duel was decisively won by Musashi with a simple wooden boat oar. Granted, Musashi’s skill was unmatched, but killing with a boat oar? Why? Clearly Musashi was a man who thought outside of the box, a master who did not need a steel blade to destroy his opponent. I do not dismiss his opponents great skill but Musashi could have killed his opponent with a broom stick. Musashi and many other masters put more emphasis in the mind and body rather than what the actual sword was made of. In sport kendo today we also put more emphasis on the mind and body mechanics rather than dwelling on the bamboo nature of our sword. I have come to realize and understand that all the methods of strategy and all of the teachings of the masters are and can be directly translated to be used in today’s sport kendo. In fact the transition between a live blade to a wooden sword and bamboo sword allows the freedom to experience directly the masters wisdom, we only need to have the courage to use the teachings. Still there are many differences the obvious with a real sword it was a life or death match, there was no room for error or even practice, a point system, and the permitted hitting areas. Given the potential for creative insight along with the study of kata, sport kendo can be a great way for cultivating a mind that is laser sharp.