[clubcughSheet]

Hey Kendoman!

Well I think all the hard work and training should be done prior to any tournament then the end result will be your performance in your shiai.
On the day of the shiai you should do heaps of suburi which will keep your muscles loose and improve technique (warm up before your bout not during it) and most importantly keep calm, relax then go out there and enjoy it.
One of the great things about kendo is that you learn to overcome yourself.
I once fought in a shiai where the other oppenent and myself were tied and we went into encho (extra time). Eventually he struck kote. The match was over and I found out he was a beginner. I was furious with myself and could not believe I was beaten by someone who had not practiced kendo that long. But then I realised that at the end of the day we both fought bravely and I should acknowledge him and his skill as he was very good. So I went up to him, shook his hand and thanked him for the bout. I felt really good after doing this and it makes me more appreciative of another kendoka's skill. Even if I won I still would have thanked him.
Looking back now I am 100% sure that winning or losing is not that important in a shiai it is about maintaining good manners and being humble enough to appreciate another's skill and admiring his/her's kendo spirit (plus shiai is a great spectator sport).
Hope this helps!
John W

[DurryVony]

The big problem with Taikai is lack of experience. In my area we have on the order of 5 Taikai per year so we several chances to compete. About three years ago I was at a dojo where we had only one chance a year so we typically did poorly because of general nervousness.

In the US if you look at the regions where there are more Taikias, Southern and Northern California for example they tend to do much better than those less experienced kenshi from other parts of the US. Personally I don’t think Taikai is the only measure kendo skill. If you think about it you practice three times a week or ~ 150 times a year and you attend 3 Taikai you practice 50 times for every Taikai. With this in mind you should concentrate on your practice. Just a thought

[Hamucevasiop]

Hi KendoMan (better to use your real name!)

I would say concentrate on your REIHO. Not just on the shiaijo, but as soon as you arrive at the venue for the taikai and until you finish having a few beers/food after the event.

Examples of this are opening doors to people, bowing when entering the dojo, not stepping over shinai, going behind people sitting down (or in front with your right arm extended and head down), helping where you can etc etc etc more shiai-orientated ones are bowing correctly, not showboating if you score a point, not complaining if someone gets a dodgy point etc

Sounds easy right?!

Of-course, you should be doing all this anyway... but at a shiai there is generally lots of people, and various degrees of chaos... plus you will be competing. Concentration is easily lost.

"Whats all this got to do with kendo?" you say. Here is the quote from the ZNKR Kendo Dictionary, English version:

"Rei - Moral standards in life for maintaining social order. Behaviour and conduct which show respect for the opponent. In kendo, the saying "rei ni hajimari rei ni owaru" (beginning with rei and ending with rei) is used to express the importance of manners which show respect to ones opponent"

Dont worry, you will have fun!

Oh yeah, and remember to breathe!

Cheers,

[chuecfafresslds]

Dear John,

Cool! Sometimes people get very anxious/nervous duing taikai .... if you spend less time thinking about the fight, and concentrate on other stuff (reiho for example) its a way to keep calm (for some people).

Also, so many people get into a fluster about getting in and out of the shiaijo ... "which foot goes first.." , "should I bow to the shomen", etc etc etc if you know your reiho inside out, then that worry is removed. In tandem with this is knowing the rules!

Reiho is more than sportsmanship, although sportsmanship is certainly part of it.

Good luck with your taikai, and be sure and post your thoughts about it here.... as I am sure lots of us forget what it was like first time !!!!!

Cheers.