[dushappeaps]

hahaha... maybe. (He was named after me btw, not the other way around )

There's an old Zen saying: "The greater the doubt, the greater the enlightenment."

b

[Beriilosal]

Glad to be of help, but I'm sure many out there can explain it better than I.

500 is a fair number!

I remember visiting the Oki co's. naginata team for a training camp once. I faced off with the team of 7 as the coach's words faded away: "Welcome to Miyazaki - HAJIME!"

2 on one kakarigeiko is not unusual in naginata practice, and it does cetainly serve to expand your spirit!

A little bit harder in kendo, but have you ever done ai-kakarigeiko in a large group, where you change at frequent intervals on the drum, and immediately attack anyone available on the change? That can get pretty hectic if the interval is very short.

Hamish

[251EPyso]

Maybe it's the Force, ben-kenobi

[MpNelQTU]

not throwing out vibes like "gggnnrrrgh! take THAT!", but still *causing* your opponent to flounder. maybe technique. maybe experience. maybe something else.

[Usogwdkb]

Hey Ted,

>What does the Ai in front mean?

[zibTefapparia]

I'll have a crack at a reply, Ted.

When I did the 1 year Bekka course at IBU (International Budo University) in Chiba, one of the topics that was focused on in the practical classes was how to develop strong seme.

This seemed to be stressed more in the higher classes (3rd year out of 4 for regular students) from memory.

A lot of the emphasis at lower levels in Japan, and I think this is a combination of youth and also grade, is on speed.

Getting beyond that stage marks a maturing of one's kendo (and character too, maybe?) certainly in Japan, where the majority of people still reach that stage at about the same time, early 20s.

As such, I would think that the kendo maturity aspect of it is something that comes from time with the men on, and can't be forced.

Saying that, though, is not a good enough reason for not teaching this fundamental aspect of kendo (or any other budo for that matter) Which brings me back to the point. . .

The way that Makita sensei (former individuals world champ)taught it at IBU was to drill us in pushing forward from chudan while keeping the kensen firmly targeted on the opponent's tsuki-dare/centre-line before striking. The front foot should be slid forward slowly at the same time. The movement itself, though, is coming from the koshi/hara region.

All basic kihon, of course, but the intent/feeling being very much to blast your ki down the kensen at your opponent, and try and give 'em that 'possum caught in the headlights' kind of experience!

After that, really, I think it's a case of trying it repeatedly, hitting and being hit.

I'm sure everyone has felt the difference between being hit by a fast men, and being CUT by a strong men. Technique-wise there may not be too much of a difference, but you can sure feel a difference!

At what stage should you teach these concepts? If you teach it too early, does it get in the way of acquiring the necessary physical skills?

Opinions anyone?

[Qncvqpgfg]

Greetings Andreas,

Aye M'Lord. Tis SCA heavy medieval foot combat, among many that I enjoy. Check this site out, it shows big battles.

http://homepage.mac.com/pennsicxxx/PhotoAlbum2.html

and a pic of me in my gear. I am the black bascinet with spear.
http://cleftlands.cwru.edu/archive/picture.asp?id=68

I would love to see clips of sca melee in Sweden!!!!

Are you in?, or thinking about joining?

Cheers, and best Regards,
Ted

[mitiaycatq]

passa dig
Nils Bjorkegard

[Jadykeery]

I learnt something of seme (which btw, in Aus we translate as "pressure" but which I have read in a dictionary is closer "to storm" or "to attack" - as in a castle, etc: Hamish? you're the resident scholar... What's the etymology of "semeru"?) recently from the Toda sensei visit to Melbourne.

Previously I had always thought seme to be some kind of projection outwards towards your opponent. Whilst it certainly is in terms of body movement and shinai position, the internal feeling is not necessarily so. What I realised from Toda was that his fearsome seme came from a complete lack of care about the result of my attacks on him. This fearlessness seemed to sap the energy from my bones. After training with him for a few minutes he was able to actually induce this feeling in me, showing me debana-men and de-gote. What I realised was hard to put into words, but there is no sense of pushing outwards at your opponent at all. You are not throwing any vibes at them, so to speak, they are simply pummelling themselves with their own stuff.

This may not make any sense...

[Tyncneiff]

Ben,

I think I know what you mean, thoug I don't know if it's possible to put in words. Tsushima sensei also got this feel that makes me retreat, ignoring every blow I land on him.

It also goes with debana waza, which he uses extensively alongside the seme.

Therefore, I, in my materialistic views, believe that seme is, as you say, not some kind of vibe or astral projecttion or the likes of it. It looks quite 'tecnical' to me in fact...

Cheers