There is a saying in kendo that physical training and training the mind are like two wheels of a cart. For me the purpose of ji geiko (free practice/sparing) is to experience mind training such as strategy and other intuitive aspects not easily taught or understood in physical exercises. It is through ji geiko that many of the teachings of the sensei and self discovery are understood and transmitted. It is ji geiko practice that allows all that you have learned physically to be crystalized along with teaching the mind to engage an opponent in a real match. Take every advantage while practicing ji geiko to stretch your mind and sensing the difference in each opponent at that moment in time. Ji geiko is one of two aspects in kendo where the outcome is not predetermined, the other being shiai keiko (tournament match) where the emphasis is to win the match. Because mind training is different from any other exercise using a simple attack forgetting the opponents mind or reaction is a mistake and will cause you to lose, the same can be said for shiai keiko. The significance of mind training can not be overlooked in ji geiko, always embracing the right spirit of learning and respect since winning is not the goal in ji gieko.
The great sword master Miyamoto Musashi advocated using a natural step type of footwork. It is likely that Musashi could strike from any position and any distance as if walking through a park. Once basic footwork is mastered strive to attack from any position or from any distance without the thought of jumping or sliding your feet. Because footwork is the underpinning of an attack, it must be done without the thought of how to bridge a distance, great kendo footwork is done in a seemingly natural manner, complimenting your motion of attack. Kendo is an art that must be practiced regularly, great footwork gives you advantages otherwise missed.
Everyone who follows the path of the way of the sword faces the four poisons of fear, doubt, surprise and confusion. All of the poisons are the products of the false mind, the realm of the ego. Because the poisons are products of the false mind they will always be present the only way to rid yourself temporarily of the poisons is with awareness. Realize that the fear and the doubt exist only in your false mind, dismiss your ego as a product of the false mind so that you can see your opponent with your minds eye and will not be surprised or confused. Telling your self that you are stronger, better, faster than your opponent is also a product of the false mind. It is important in kendo training to pay special attention to these poisons and to be aware that they are from the false mind.
There is more than one way to take the initiative and forestalling in kendo. The dictionary defines initiative as: The power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do: we have lost the initiative and allowed our opponents to dictate the subject. In his book the Book of Five Rings the master swordsman Miyamoto Musashi states there are three ways to forestall the opponent or take the initiative 1. Set the opponent up and attack first with an overwhelming spirited attack, called Ken Sen No Sen 2. Draw in the opponent to attack with the guise of a suki, slowness or fatigue then quickly and strongly counter attacking, called Tai Sen No Sen 3. Swift counter attack at the same time the opponent attacks, called Tai Tai no Sen. We all know these techniques, how interesting they are as a contrast of initiative, forestalling and superb strategy. Taking the initiative is one of the most important strategies in kendo giving you the suki or opening, and timing of your choosing. Using the initiative allows a chance for a quick victory.
As absurd as it sounds there are many martial artists that feel kendo has no relevancy since no real harm can come to yourself or to an opponent that loses. In today’s world there is no martial art that can say the end result is that you or your opponent will be killed at the end of a match. All martial arts practice mock killing, even the police and the military practice in the same way. Like the gun and live ammunition the live sword can not be used to practice striking people, so a simulated sword made of bamboo called a shinai is used. In ancient times even the wooden sword when used freely in kendo was to lethal resulting in serious injury even death! The sword and the gun are both killing instruments. a person trained in killing with a gun cannot kill without a gun, and so it is with the sword. What about the sword as means for self defense? Of course the core question is still about whether you have the killing weapon (gun, sword, knife etc.) or not. Our laws and common sense keep us from carrying these weapons around easily. Gone are the days of killing with a sword, yet the real sword is no less lethal in the hands of a person trained in the way of the sword just as someone trained in killing with with a rifle. Besides today’s semantics, for those of us that care, kendo remains directly linked to the samurai, in strategy, sensibilities, and self control.