not really a matter of superstition, but for promotion tests, i wear a white tenugui which my sensei has given me. it's a sort of a way to inspire myself by remembering how hard my sensei has taught me and that i am still a white/blank kenshi with much to learn and much space to fill in my kendo.

Originally posted by Nishi
[B]Does anybody have any strange superstitions before gradings?

In my younger Hapkido days i used to shave my head for a grading, but now i just opt for a short hair cut, however, it has still become a superstition.(silly, i know).

B] Funny you should say that....I also get my haircut (short and military style) before every tournament or promotion exam...

I was inspired to do this after watching a Documentary on the Great Judo Champion Yamashita....when I was 13 or 14 years old...

One segment was of how he prepared for an upcoming match. They showed him getting a haircut at the barbers...

I have been doing this ever since.....When I was younger, it was just copying the habits of a great champion. However, it was not until after I reached adulthood that I understood why it was so relaxing and puts you into the mindset to accomplish your goal...

1. You always feel refreshed and clean cut after getting a haircut..
2. It gives you time to relax and think...you don't have to worry about the phone ringing or someone coming by your office.

amatsuda
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/sjkendo

Hiroyuki Tsukamoto Sensei, youngest man to attain 8th Dan, on superstitions (interview by Yutaro Matsuura, Battle Creek Kendo Club):

'Hahaha, yes, as a matter of fact I do. I like to eat
Tonkatsu (deep fried breaded pork) before tournaments because it ends
with "katsu" (victory in Japanese). I also like to eat Beef Steak (Beef
Steak is pronounced 'biff-teki" by the Japanese) because Biff-Teki ends
in "teki" which is the Japanese word for "enemy." I draw inspiration from
it since I am consuming the enemy!'

I prepare my kendogu and check it again.

On the day I have a crap or two prior, not because I am nervous or anything !!

Relax , warm up, do it.

As far as I know, I will pay whatever I accuse you or not, so...

For the rest of the readers, we will post here the result of the combat. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/wink.gif

Rei

Originally posted by Tato
About chocolate bars, Now I understand!!! you played dirty all this time!!!!, you give heavy to digest Marsh chocolate to you rivals in order to reduce their performance!!!

ahhh! tricky Paburo. dude... my tradition of power chocolate during shiai/gradings is ONLY for me, my team members and friends. BY ANY MEANS, it is NOT meant to be eaten by the enemy.
i'll protect sacred chocolate bars with my own life if necessary...

aaaah btw, you just now falsely accused me in public, you will pay for this tonight in keiko... en guardia! http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif

Hi amatsuda.

I really belive that what you say is interesting.

I'm the most oposite that you can find to a superstitious person, I belive since allways that superstitions are something that weakens your perception of reality. I understand that many people is superstitious, but I can help thinking that this is a big weakness.

But I also belive that, for some people, some preparation can help to set them into the rigth state of mind for a critical activity (and I think that kendo is one of those).

In my case this translate to a special attitude and mindset when I put on the bogu, and particulary when I put the tenugi, men and kote in seiza. I do this in a very conscious manner, as separating myself from the "normal" life. As I say this is not supertistion, but a very personal way of preparing for something that is quite exceptional. (ok, I practice from two to four times a week, but for me, at this day, keiko is still quite special, and I feel few diferences between keiko, competition, and gradings. Yet).

Rei

(PD: sorry if this post is difficult to read, I've some diffuclties when I try to explain abstract concpets in English, it's none of my mother languages)

Not really a superstition, but I have gotten into the habit of saying to myself before every practice as I put on bogu, "I will work harder."

The night before taikai or grading I usualy just take everything out from my bogu bag and try to put everything back nicely, arrange men himo etc.. But I cant make it really look nice. Repair shinai etc.. Just to be ready for the next day!

Superstitious kenshi
 

Does anybody have any strange superstitions before gradings?

One of my sensei use's the same tenugui for every grading, and refuses to use it for regular keiko.(It is a nasty piece of cloth as well).

In my younger Hapkido days i used to shave my head for a grading, but now i just opt for a short hair cut, however, it has still become a superstition.(silly, i know).

Does anybody have any strange traditions or superstitions before or after a grading?(or shiai for that matter).http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/ponder.gif

I would love to hear all of your deepest ridiculous fears.....


Rei

_______________________________
Yamae............................TSUKI!!!!

I've heard of Tsukamoto sensei before, how old was he when he received his 8th dan? poeple kept on saying he's the youngest person to receive 8th dan but nobody tells me how old he was wehn he got it.

As for the superstitious stuff, I read a short prayer before every shiai, grading or training.
just for shiai I eat one or 2 chocolate bars and de-carbonated coke/pepsi or any other non-carbonated sweet drinks, oh and coco pops for breakfast.

i'm not suspersticious in gradings or anything really. the best tactic to do well in gradings is training a lot (and tying your hair in a topknot....ok not really)

but in shiai i got a well known reputation for always bringing chocolate bars and eating a bit between matches.

it's only 4-5 mins per shiai, but i still manage to lose so much energy on each battle... maybe i'm scared to run out of stamina? haha. it's a silly tradition i know, but a yummy one.

i'm getting everyone at my dojo hooked on chocolates too.
tato, you're next.

spread the love baby!

choko powah!!!!!

That falls under personal tradition....which is just as good!!http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/smile.gif

but in shiai i got a well known reputation for always bringing chocolate bars and eating a bit between matches Damn you Pabs!!!http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif Good Idea...now I got this habit too!! Before training I have a bottle of gatorade and about a quater of the box of the Meiji brand strawberry chocs...

The changeroom has their little pink wrappers all over(I offer them out as well)...eep...will I be able to find this brand in Bath???noooo.....weakness revealed...http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif

I've observed that I flick my Tenegui everytime I put it on. A bit like I am beating the dust out of it?!?
I also double tap my Do.

However I didn't do this procedure last Wednesday, and nearly "whited out" due to dehydration. As well as drinking more from now on http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/tongue.gif , I will make sure that I follow the prescribed routine..

flick and tap....
flick and tap....

Maybe Paburo's chocolate useage is a trigger for super powers?

Maybe it is like Ultra Man, and if Paburo eats chocolate between matches, it gives him superior powers, but for a limit of 4 0r 5 minutes of shiai.

Sorry, but I finally had that goofy show explained to me, and James put it in my head with his avatar.

I will shut up now... http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/smile.gif

Superstitious chocolate bars starts jigieko....i love it!!!
Please let us know who wins, and with what cut.

As for the rest of you......back to the topichttp://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/smile.gif

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/tongue.gif http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/tongue.gif http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/tongue.gif

About chocolate bars, Now I understand!!! you played dirty all this time!!!!, you give heavy to digest Marsh chocolate to you rivals in order to reduce their performance!!!

ahhh! tricky Paburo.

rei

yeah i got that tenugi one. always use the same one for shiais. its a japanese sakura flower pattern, the only prob is its indigo died.. so its a pain to wash..lol