Kendo Thoughts & Insight

Striking exercise drills are a staple in all martial arts, kendo is no different in where most often the outcome is predetermined. The compliment to the striking drills in kendo is keiko or ji geiko, a type of free sparring, where the outcome is not predetermined. You may have noticed while practicing that the two types of training differs dramatically in the physical and mental requirements. Once in keiko or ji geiko your mind takes over and body takes a back seat, this fact slows down the match somewhat. Although it is tempting to just let your body dominate and continue as in the striking drills, in keiko and ji geiko it is folly to do this, as you know. This free practice is kendo mind training and involves many issues that must be solved in an individual manner, conquering yourself. Like all practice, keiko is fundamental to your training and should be approached for the valuable skills it teaches such as direct cognition, strategy, timing, rhythm, maai and includes every aspect of kendo training. The more keiko under your belt the more calm and less distracted your mind will become, yet your body must be trained to respond instantly with the correct strike at the correct moment (mushin).

In kendo it is important to see the opponents mind, and resolve, quickly. You can determine the opponents mind in the first few seconds of crossing swords, the opponent will react to your seme, or not, his presence will be strong or weak. Since the mind controls the body the opponent can not conceal his mind. Seeing the mind of the opponent means to see his intent his strategy using your intuition. Practice intuition everyday by really seeing what you are looking at and by paying attention to what your intuition is saying. By listening to your intuition you will see your opponent with your true mind not clouded with your ego, do not be distracted by superficial movement of your opponent but sense his mind. Seeing the opponents mind (strategy) happens in an instant, then quickly disappears as quickly as it is seen. However short the insight may be you will be able to strike at his mind giving you a good chance of victory.