[gagagaridze]

Oh, and to add another thing, I don't really buy into alternative medical methods to solve kendo problems. Why? Because I've never heard of any of the top competitors or teachers that I've had the good fortune to meet using them. These guys do kendo for a living, so they would use anything that's effective. Correction of poor technique combined with modern medical methods is, to me, the best way. As the founder of modern kendo, Takano Sasaburo said, 'Carry out your kendo research scientifically!'

http://www.e-kendo.net/meigens.htm

[VoriEremiagem]

It's not a question of strength, it's endurance. Plus, the typical stroke used in kendo isn't a matter of strength, it's quickness. If you can put your shinai on your opponent quicker than your opponent can put his/her shinai on you, that's the idea.

Suburi involves the wrists much more than the deltoids. You're just raising your arms with your deltoids, but your wrists are what give the shinai the necessary speed. The power for the strike comes from your legs as you drive into your opponent with the shinai.

I am an experienced mukyu sensei, so you can believe everything I say! [haha]

Yeah... you seem reliable.... hm..=S

[HRS1H7gO]

It's not a question of strength, it's endurance. Plus, the typical stroke used in kendo isn't a matter of strength, it's quickness. If you can put your shinai on your opponent quicker than your opponent can put his/her shinai on you, that's the idea.

Suburi involves the wrists much more than the deltoids. You're just raising your arms with your deltoids, but your wrists are what give the shinai the necessary speed. The power for the strike comes from your legs as you drive into your opponent with the shinai.

I am an experienced mukyu sensei, so you can believe everything I say! [haha]

[GlictStiply]

I usually start my beginners of at a couple of hundred änd then we progress gradually and at the end of the first semester we're usually up to 1000-1200.
I'm not familiar with the paper you refer to but for a bit more on topic reply I usually put myself in a state of mind similar to what I do during zazen, incidently I use the same techniqe when I'm out running 10km or more by myself (not very often, always more fun with someone to talk to instead ).

[kranfid]

If you don´t feel like counting, 1000 is around the 25 minutes mark at a a steady constant pace...at least that´s how it is for me.

[Lafclaria]

Once you get the requisite muscles and movements, 2000 isn't particularly difficult as such, it just takes a long time (and gives you blisters if you launch into it without preparation).
When I do suburi, I like to consider and check every single one. This doesn't mean that I stop and have a think between each swing - as you get more experienced you can analyze on the fly. I find that trying to do a number like 2000 isn't that helpful, as after a while you stop thinking about what you're doing and just getting into a rhythm of swinging back and forth, back and forth, which may be good exercise and increase the range of your shoulder joints, but isn't that conducive to making improvements.
I'm not sure you can consciously aim for 'spiritual improvement' or whatever when doing suburi. This kind of thing works the same in kendo as it does in, say, going to high school. Most people at high school have things like partying, study, girls/boys, whatever on their mind, and few have 'growing up' or 'maturing' as a specific goal. Yet when you graduate and look back at yourself as you were before you started, you realise that you've changed quite a lot without even meaning to. Kendo's like that - concentrate on the kendo itself and the 'spiritual' (damn I hate that word!) part will sort itself out for you.

[wMceqj7F]

I've read some things about japanese high school kids doing 2000 men suburi somewhere on this forum...and im just curious...is it 2000 continuous (non-stop) men cuts? I myself am a high school student and have tried to do as many cuts as i could today but could barely hit 500. Then again, im pretty new to kendo so i guess im not as used to the strain on the deltoids and hands, but for the love of god 2000 is alot.

I also bench 225 at 165lbs before i started kendo so i havent really considered myself weak, until today..haha. You experienced kendoka must be super strong .

Anyway, i started kendo (believe it or not) to broaden my mind, or at least to be able to better appreciate the philosophy of the mind that works in confluence with the body, and vice versa. I read a bit of Dr. Kosi's paper on kendo-world and was particularly interested in his observation of (Jing?), or strong spirit. He also mentioned the 2000 men suburi, which is what i wanted to ask about specifically. So (to any kendoka who use this method) I wanted to ask if the 2000 men suburi training method actually provides this kind of mental/spiritual strengthening (besides the obviously physical benefits), and was wondering if you could describe some specific benefits of it in the advancement of your kendo and/or personal life.

PS: Why is it 2000?