I am sometimes asked about the transition from practice drills which is a controlled sequence of striking and predetermined outcome to keiko where one is not protected by the part of the mind that is full of distraction. How does one become comfortable with the freedom to attack using what little you know? The simple answer is strategy or experience. As one moves from practice drills to keiko the mind is forced to solve a random problem presented by an opponent. This problem of how and when the opponent will strike can be overwhelming even for a master. Only through strategy can this random problem be solved or what is the old axiom “the best offense is the best defense”. Strategy is really a plan of attack for which the randomness of waiting to be attacked is given back to the opponent using your own time frame and method of attack. What strategy? Strategy can simply be a series of attacks for which you gain access to an opening in the opponent’s defense, but these attacks are always tailored to the opponent’s likes and dislikes, always entering through his weaknesses. Strategy is also preplanning before a kendo match this means training, and assessing the opponent/opponents strengths and weaknesses. Strategy also encompasses experience which is really a collection of physical and mental memories of structured and random events and the best solution to handle each situation. To condense what is a very large and complex topic such as strategy one must train hard and observe how the more advanced kendo players solve the issue of strategy. Only by using strategy can one avoid making the same mistakes over and over again. There really is no single way to defeat an opponent, but strategy is the point where consistent victory is achieved.
“KAGE O OSAYURU TO IU KOTO” or “suppressing shadows” is a subject the legendary Miyamoto Musashi describes as determining the morale of the opponent, then checking and thwarting his every move. Once the opponent is overwhelmed and thwarted change your tactics and seize the initiative, defeating the opponent. Suppressing the opponent’s “shadow” or strategy is a useful counter strategy when confronted with a particularly excitable opponent. It is important not to delay in seizing the initiative once the opponent has been overwhelmed by your suppression. ‘Suppressing the shadows’ is a skillful strategy to know.
In practicing keiko with a superior opponent, one that defeats you every single time, it is useful to allow your opponent to strike for a short time in the match. We are programed to press an attack without thinking against all comers, this does not allow any room for observing (first hand) the opponents natural preferences for attacking. Without being obvious or him noticing, allow your opponent to strike you while you attack in your normal way. Carefully watch, observe your opponents distance, timing and movements, as well as your own, keeping track of possible openings. Chances are he will attack you in the same way every time. Make a careful mental note of when and how you are defeated. After the match, and after practice assess your observations of your opponent, changing your strategy and attacking methods for that opponent. It may take sometime to discover how to defeat the superior opponent but you will win on another day.
Ancient sword masters of Japan describe strategy for war and apply the same strategies to individual combat. I have come to realize that the difference between the two strategies is time. The large strategy of war has a time frame of from minutes to hours and longer, the time frame for strategies in individual combat is literally in seconds, from one sword exchange to the next. All the large strategies of war can be used seamlessly in individual combat. Individual combat strategy and tactics are methods instantaneous in nature. Kendo kata gives us a revealing insight into ancient strategy as all the katas start from a distance five paces away from the closest distance we are able to strike. Why the five paces? The reason for starting at a far distance is for a quick assessment of the opponents physical movements, posture, mental readiness and a quick formation of a strategy. An ancient battlefield way of fighting, with a practical application, even today. Continual use and the practice of strategy is important to learn and understand.
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.
Beginners are aware that all you need to win a match is to constantly attack. What they do not realize is this is just one of many strategies. Higher ranking kendoka will devise a different strategy to defeat you based on past matches. Talented kendoka can devise strategies on the fly, adapting and changing infinitely to the situation of the match. The level of devising strategies on the fly is clearly what true champions are able bring to a match.
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.