Sword Instruction
Kendo
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Kendo is a combative sword art accomplished with a bamboo sword. Shihan Dana Abbott's kendo program will teach you how to employ simple instruction techniques in your kendo classes. Shihan Dana Abbott's kendo instructors' program not only focuses on the combative strikes, blocks and evasions practiced for years in traditional kendo, but the program also teaches the traditional Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Kata, the Zen Nihon Kendo/Iaido Renmei kata and includes instruction on refereeing a kendo match for those who are interested. Even experienced instructors will benefit from Samurai Sports kendo instructors' program.
Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Kata (2-person kumitachi 10 kata series) are pre-set sequences of motions that illustrate one or more aspects of the movement and technique of the sword. Kendo kata are first practiced with a solid wooden sword called a bokutou. With experience the kendo forms will be practiced with steel swords. There are ten kendo kata specified by the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei. Kendo kata are practiced between two people, the Uchitachi and the Shidachi. In kendo kata, the Uchitachi attacks; the Shidachi demonstrates a proper response to the attack.
Seven of these kendo kata demonstrate techniques that are used by a long sword defending/attacking against another long sword. The last three kendo kata demonstrate the short sword defending against attacks by the long sword. Originally, the role of Uchitachi was taken by the teacher, and the role of Shidachi by the student.
The Zen Nihon Kendo/Iaido Renmei 12 kata seitei series is derived from several old “koryu” schools of iai. Iaido kata are solitary forms in which the practitioner visualizes and defends against one to four imaginary opponents. This kendo kata series offers a well-rounded education in kneeling and standing sword movements and techniques. The basic components of each kendo/iaido kata include unsheathing the blade; executing a disabling cut; follow through on the cut; chiburi/ cleansing by flinging the blade, and re-sheathing. Every movement is precisely timed and executed.
