Most memorable experience - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**VemyhemiHef** · 06-17-2006, 08:31 AM

Hi,
Long time lurker, 1st time posting.

I was wondering if any of you would like to share what was your most memorable kendo experience? Good or bad.

My most memorable is the 1st time I did kendo in Japan, which was also the 1st time I got to jigeiko with a hachidan. The whole experience was something that I will never forget.

The worst experience I’ve had was being pounded on as a beginner when visiting a dojo. In a rotation I did jigeiko with a shodan who was just learning nito and was delivering some very hard and painful blows. I went home with a killer headache and bruises all over my arms.

-kurisu

**EspnaConCam** · 06-17-2006, 09:00 AM

Getting my best point ever in a tournament against someone who was supposed to squish me almost instantly. It was my only perfect men and I can't remember it because I just acted without any thinking. So my most memorable experience is one I can't remember.

... he prompty squished me with two consecutive points in 10 seconds after that...

**Ferrotoral** · 06-17-2006, 09:11 AM

Welcome, kurisu. I've got so many memories I wouldn't know where to begin. The ones that leap to my mind as the best are times when after a big keiko with all of the people that I've met along the path, and we're all hanging out having a few and there's such an intense feeling of exhiliration and comeraderie in the air.

**Jellowstrom** · 06-17-2006, 09:24 AM

Most memorable experience so far: a Monday of this past April, one of my youngest students throws me legitimately to the mat for his first time in Judo practice. Incontestable ippon. Four hours later, in Kendo practice, my sensei acknowledges for the first time one of my men attacks on him. Probably coincidence, or perhaps I got inspired by the young man. Beautiful night.

**Sleflanna** · 06-17-2006, 09:50 AM

My most memorable experience was practicing w/ Miyazaki Masahiro sensei during a godo geiko at the 11th WKC in 2000 at Santa Clara.

I was trying my best, and I got in a lucky hit on his men. From what I recall, it was HORRID!! I was leaning right, the hit barely got in on the left side of his men, my left elbow was sky high, and the only reason he didn't hit a clean men on me was because my posture was straight to hell. (Unintentional, of course. I was tired and overwhelmed already.

) Then I turned around and I SWEAR I saw him smile. What followed just overwhelms me. He came in for men as soon as we stepped to issoku ittou no mai. Before I knew what happened he had scored my men and was past me. He did this like 5 more times, and I tried everything to no avail. I went forward, backwards, attack, counter, just BLOCK even, and everytime it was a clean men and *poof*. When you do everything in your power and you can't even disrupt his point in the slightest, it truly is awe inspiring...

**d1Bc25UP** · 06-17-2006, 09:58 AM

Haga-sensei, 45 years older and 50 pounds lighter than me, receiving my best taiatari without moving back an inch, then later watching him dismantle each opponent in the godo-keiko with ease, no matter their age or rank.

**Clunlippibe** · 06-17-2006, 09:56 PM

My most memorable experience was practicing w/ Miyazaki Masahiro sensei during a godo geiko at the 11th WKC in 2000 at Santa Clara.

I was trying my best, and I got in a lucky hit on his men. From what I recall, it was HORRID!! I was leaning right, the hit barely got in on the left side of his men, my left elbow was sky high, and the only reason he didn't hit a clean men on me was because my posture was straight to hell. (Unintentional, of course. I was tired and overwhelmed already. ) Then I turned around and I SWEAR I saw him smile. What followed just overwhelms me. He came in for men as soon as we stepped to issoku ittou no mai. Before I knew what happened he had scored my men and was past me. He did this like 5 more times, and I tried everything to no avail. I went forward, backwards, attack, counter, just BLOCK even, and everytime it was a clean men and *poof*. When you do everything in your power and you can't even disrupt his point in the slightest, it truly is awe inspiring...

I've had a very similar experience with Koike Sensei, I remember I couldn't shake off his hits for days all I could think of was how intimidating it was to be standing in front of him. For the life of me I couldn't escape him either, the hits just kept coming in, until I realized the only way I could attempt to avoid them was to keep up my attacks at the same rate. Of course I wasn't hitting him, but just the act of going for men at the same time caused both of our shinai to miss. In my mind, I beleive that is what he was trying to teach me, without verbally expressing it.

I also had a similar experience as Neil when I went up against Kondo Sensei in Japan. Crashing into him was like crashing into a wall. He was truly immovable. He also controlled me and my shinai in a manner that has never done to me before.

What I did learn from these experiences and many like it with other Sensei, is to keep training harder and harder.

**Rchzygnc** · 06-18-2006, 06:41 AM

I've had a very similar experience with Koike Sensei, I remember I couldn't shake off his hits for days all I could think of was how intimidating it was to be standing in front of him. For the life of me I couldn't escape him either, the hits just kept coming in, until I realized the only way I could attempt to avoid them was to keep up my attacks at the same rate. Of course I wasn't hitting him, but just the act of going for men at the same time caused both of our shinai to miss. In my mind, I beleive that is what he was trying to teach me, without verbally expressing it.

Yeah... but even when I attacked I couldn't make him miss, lol. The difference was just that wide.

**Wavgbtif** · 06-19-2006, 10:20 PM

My most memorable experience in the 8-9 months I have been doing kendo has to be either:

My first classes, I can't really explain why; but I will always remember them

or

My first and thus far only trip to a bigger dojo in Illinois, so much more people and it was a great experience. I plan on making regular trips there.

**Aagotiq** · 06-20-2006, 07:34 AM

My most memorable experience was sometime just before I tested for ikkyu and had a pretty high opinion of myself...

We were then going to make a trip to TMG for a seminar/testing with Maeda-sensei.. and I was really really fearless (out of ignorance, mostly) about taking on anybody, so I jokingly said something about "I'm going to kick Maeda-sensei's butt!!!" .... so of course, my sensei (Harry Dach), sent an email to Maeda-sensei telling him this...

We got to TMG and were introduced to Maeda-sensei and he says to me, "Oh, yes, I know you! You are going to kick my butt! I need to get my butt kicked, so I am looking forward to it!" (he was smiling the whole time of course)...

So, when jigeiko came around, he saw me and promptly started to turn his tare completely around as he said "I'm going to protect my butt!"

haha... we still laugh about that one when it gets brought up...

**G778G9P0** · 06-20-2006, 08:01 AM

I was doing keiko with Matsubara sensei and finally figured out (with hints from him) how he was creaming me and blocked his kote and hit what I thought was an excellent men.
He bowed to me then ran at me like a bull and speared me in the chest with his head, all the while laughing like a maniac.
Then kakarigeiko until I was dry heaving.

**tickerinet** · 06-20-2006, 04:22 PM

Gotta love the Matsubara sensei head butt manuever... I am looking forward to practicing with him again one day...

**bZEUWO4F** · 06-20-2006, 04:53 PM

He told me to come to Japan and train with his older brother who he says is really tough.

**duncanalisstmp** · 06-21-2006, 05:50 AM

Out of so many wonderful moments in kendo I have many that involve when I used to smoke and would be outside with just a visitng sensei and talking about kendo. This is in no way an ad for smoking, but I had extremely meaningful conversations that changed my entire viewpoint on kendo during these times. I believe you just need to approach sensei's and they will be this open, you donot have to neccessarily smoke. Cheers!

**JohnTruels** · 06-21-2006, 06:38 AM

*takes up smoking*

*blames Eric*

These are priceless - that tare on the butt anecdote had me lol'ing!

**Audi_z** · 07-08-2006, 03:13 PM

getting a point off of a member of the Korean national team at the Seoul WKC.

**tomspoumn** · 07-08-2006, 04:20 PM

I've got several memorable moments...but I can only remember one this early: being tsuki-ed off my butt by Kirby. It was a fabulous tsuki.

**fkisjjdhh** · 07-10-2006, 04:20 PM

not that memeorable, but once, just once, sensei went to hit my men, and debana kote looked big, like in thoese old supersize commercials when they 'supersized' the basket so you couldnt miss the dunk, thats how big it was, and all with ki ken tai ichi. oh it still gives me shivers

**obegeLype** · 07-10-2006, 04:58 PM

Chikushi Sensei killing me with kakarigeiko then asking me to do "one more men cut" (which never ends), all the going "Ho-Ho-Ho! again!"

or

Tabuchi Sensei going...ah, Yama-san...Jodan time!!

06-17-2006, 08:31 AM	#1
VemyhemiHef Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 591 Senior Member	Most memorable experience Hi, Long time lurker, 1st time posting. I was wondering if any of you would like to share what was your most memorable kendo experience? Good or bad. My most memorable is the 1st time I did kendo in Japan, which was also the 1st time I got to jigeiko with a hachidan. The whole experience was something that I will never forget. The worst experience I’ve had was being pounded on as a beginner when visiting a dojo. In a rotation I did jigeiko with a shodan who was just learning nito and was delivering some very hard and painful blows. I went home with a killer headache and bruises all over my arms. -kurisu Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-17-2006, 09:00 AM	#2
EspnaConCam Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 365 Senior Member	Getting my best point ever in a tournament against someone who was supposed to squish me almost instantly. It was my only perfect men and I can't remember it because I just acted without any thinking. So my most memorable experience is one I can't remember. ... he prompty squished me with two consecutive points in 10 seconds after that... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-17-2006, 09:11 AM	#3
Ferrotoral Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 542 Senior Member	Welcome, kurisu. I've got so many memories I wouldn't know where to begin. The ones that leap to my mind as the best are times when after a big keiko with all of the people that I've met along the path, and we're all hanging out having a few and there's such an intense feeling of exhiliration and comeraderie in the air. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-17-2006, 09:24 AM	#4
Jellowstrom Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 564 Senior Member	Most memorable experience so far: a Monday of this past April, one of my youngest students throws me legitimately to the mat for his first time in Judo practice. Incontestable ippon. Four hours later, in Kendo practice, my sensei acknowledges for the first time one of my men attacks on him. Probably coincidence, or perhaps I got inspired by the young man. Beautiful night. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-17-2006, 09:50 AM	#5
Sleflanna Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 513 Senior Member	My most memorable experience was practicing w/ Miyazaki Masahiro sensei during a godo geiko at the 11th WKC in 2000 at Santa Clara. I was trying my best, and I got in a lucky hit on his men. From what I recall, it was HORRID!! I was leaning right, the hit barely got in on the left side of his men, my left elbow was sky high, and the only reason he didn't hit a clean men on me was because my posture was straight to hell. (Unintentional, of course. I was tired and overwhelmed already. ) Then I turned around and I SWEAR I saw him smile. What followed just overwhelms me. He came in for men as soon as we stepped to issoku ittou no mai. Before I knew what happened he had scored my men and was past me. He did this like 5 more times, and I tried everything to no avail. I went forward, backwards, attack, counter, just BLOCK even, and everytime it was a clean men and poof. When you do everything in your power and you can't even disrupt his point in the slightest, it truly is awe inspiring... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-17-2006, 09:58 AM	#6
d1Bc25UP Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 438 Senior Member	Haga-sensei, 45 years older and 50 pounds lighter than me, receiving my best taiatari without moving back an inch, then later watching him dismantle each opponent in the godo-keiko with ease, no matter their age or rank. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-17-2006, 09:56 PM	#7
Clunlippibe Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 324 Senior Member	My most memorable experience was practicing w/ Miyazaki Masahiro sensei during a godo geiko at the 11th WKC in 2000 at Santa Clara. I was trying my best, and I got in a lucky hit on his men. From what I recall, it was HORRID!! I was leaning right, the hit barely got in on the left side of his men, my left elbow was sky high, and the only reason he didn't hit a clean men on me was because my posture was straight to hell. (Unintentional, of course. I was tired and overwhelmed already. ) Then I turned around and I SWEAR I saw him smile. What followed just overwhelms me. He came in for men as soon as we stepped to issoku ittou no mai. Before I knew what happened he had scored my men and was past me. He did this like 5 more times, and I tried everything to no avail. I went forward, backwards, attack, counter, just BLOCK even, and everytime it was a clean men and poof. When you do everything in your power and you can't even disrupt his point in the slightest, it truly is awe inspiring... I've had a very similar experience with Koike Sensei, I remember I couldn't shake off his hits for days all I could think of was how intimidating it was to be standing in front of him. For the life of me I couldn't escape him either, the hits just kept coming in, until I realized the only way I could attempt to avoid them was to keep up my attacks at the same rate. Of course I wasn't hitting him, but just the act of going for men at the same time caused both of our shinai to miss. In my mind, I beleive that is what he was trying to teach me, without verbally expressing it. I also had a similar experience as Neil when I went up against Kondo Sensei in Japan. Crashing into him was like crashing into a wall. He was truly immovable. He also controlled me and my shinai in a manner that has never done to me before. What I did learn from these experiences and many like it with other Sensei, is to keep training harder and harder. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-18-2006, 06:41 AM	#8
Rchzygnc Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 366 Senior Member	I've had a very similar experience with Koike Sensei, I remember I couldn't shake off his hits for days all I could think of was how intimidating it was to be standing in front of him. For the life of me I couldn't escape him either, the hits just kept coming in, until I realized the only way I could attempt to avoid them was to keep up my attacks at the same rate. Of course I wasn't hitting him, but just the act of going for men at the same time caused both of our shinai to miss. In my mind, I beleive that is what he was trying to teach me, without verbally expressing it. Yeah... but even when I attacked I couldn't make him miss, lol. The difference was just that wide. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-19-2006, 10:20 PM	#9
Wavgbtif Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 335 Senior Member	My most memorable experience in the 8-9 months I have been doing kendo has to be either: My first classes, I can't really explain why; but I will always remember them or My first and thus far only trip to a bigger dojo in Illinois, so much more people and it was a great experience. I plan on making regular trips there. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-20-2006, 07:34 AM	#10
Aagotiq Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 460 Senior Member	My most memorable experience was sometime just before I tested for ikkyu and had a pretty high opinion of myself... We were then going to make a trip to TMG for a seminar/testing with Maeda-sensei.. and I was really really fearless (out of ignorance, mostly) about taking on anybody, so I jokingly said something about "I'm going to kick Maeda-sensei's butt!!!" .... so of course, my sensei (Harry Dach), sent an email to Maeda-sensei telling him this... We got to TMG and were introduced to Maeda-sensei and he says to me, "Oh, yes, I know you! You are going to kick my butt! I need to get my butt kicked, so I am looking forward to it!" (he was smiling the whole time of course)... So, when jigeiko came around, he saw me and promptly started to turn his tare completely around as he said "I'm going to protect my butt!" haha... we still laugh about that one when it gets brought up... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-20-2006, 08:01 AM	#11
G778G9P0 Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 463 Senior Member	I was doing keiko with Matsubara sensei and finally figured out (with hints from him) how he was creaming me and blocked his kote and hit what I thought was an excellent men. He bowed to me then ran at me like a bull and speared me in the chest with his head, all the while laughing like a maniac. Then kakarigeiko until I was dry heaving. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-20-2006, 04:22 PM	#12
tickerinet Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 505 Senior Member	Gotta love the Matsubara sensei head butt manuever... I am looking forward to practicing with him again one day... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-20-2006, 04:53 PM	#13
bZEUWO4F Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 489 Senior Member	He told me to come to Japan and train with his older brother who he says is really tough. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-21-2006, 05:50 AM	#14
duncanalisstmp Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 396 Senior Member	Out of so many wonderful moments in kendo I have many that involve when I used to smoke and would be outside with just a visitng sensei and talking about kendo. This is in no way an ad for smoking, but I had extremely meaningful conversations that changed my entire viewpoint on kendo during these times. I believe you just need to approach sensei's and they will be this open, you donot have to neccessarily smoke. Cheers! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-21-2006, 06:38 AM	#15
JohnTruels Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 490 Senior Member	takes up smoking blames Eric These are priceless - that tare on the butt anecdote had me lol'ing! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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07-08-2006, 03:13 PM	#16
Audi_z Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 507 Senior Member	getting a point off of a member of the Korean national team at the Seoul WKC. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

07-08-2006, 04:20 PM	#17
tomspoumn Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 399 Senior Member	I've got several memorable moments...but I can only remember one this early: being tsuki-ed off my butt by Kirby. It was a fabulous tsuki. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

07-10-2006, 04:20 PM	#18
fkisjjdhh Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 460 Senior Member	not that memeorable, but once, just once, sensei went to hit my men, and debana kote looked big, like in thoese old supersize commercials when they 'supersized' the basket so you couldnt miss the dunk, thats how big it was, and all with ki ken tai ichi. oh it still gives me shivers Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

07-10-2006, 04:58 PM	#19
obegeLype Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 517 Senior Member	Chikushi Sensei killing me with kakarigeiko then asking me to do "one more men cut" (which never ends), all the going "Ho-Ho-Ho! again!" or Tabuchi Sensei going...ah, Yama-san...Jodan time!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote