February 06 - April 06

 

Day 464: Tuesday, February 14-06 - Day 488: Tuesday, March 22-06   

My suburi continue, even if this blog has become somewhat sporadic. I started a new job three weeks ago and it has been pretty intense. In fact, I would say that I have lost my focus on many parts of my life while I was going through this transition.

I have been reflecting on what new things I can get out of these suburi as I reach the half way stage. They have increasingly become a battle to refine and refine further the fundamentals of the strikes. In particular I focus on:

- My posture: tucking my tail bone in and and stretching my back straight.
- My knees: keeping the left leg straight and the right knee gently bent
- Movement: moving from the hips
- Kamae: finding the correct height for my hands (left hand not too low) and the correct position on the tsuka

Interestingly, I am moving more and more from the squeeze in my left hand, and feel that I am starting to understand what tenouchi is about. 

Another good learning point has come from my training with the national squad. Recently I believed I was out of contention for a place in a competition this year. Although disappointed, it made me realise that it's not so much the result that is important, it's the chase. The chase after the perfect men, or the strong kamae or simply challenging those people above you. I think that's important. Maybe this sounds like I am making the best of things - maybe I am - but it reminded me that my thrill, if you like, from kendo comes from the training.

Recently my kendo teacher has been showing me something new every week. This helps me to focus my suburi on a particular point and appreciate his advice. However, I often feel as if I do not give enough of my time to the club. Usually I rush home to see my wife straight after practice, which makes me question what my interpretation of 'club' or 'dojo' is. I am neglecting this important part of being a dojo member, even a sempai, but what can I do?

The other day he showed me a men, seemingly out of thin air. I caught a fleeting glimpse of what a perfect men is.

My daughter is walking and talking. I point to a cow and she says, 'moo'. I point to a sheep and she says 'baa'. I point to a frog and she says 'bonjour'. This is the essence of good training.

I will try and keep this blog up to date. Thanks for your patience.

 

Day 489: Wednesday, March 22-06 - Day 499: Wednesday, April 05-06   

On Friday I will reach the halfway mark. I doesn't seem quite possible. With half of this particular journey behind me there is still so much more to learn.

Life seems to be opening up somehow. My new job is closer to home so I spend more time with my family. I have also acquired a bike and I am cycling too and fro when the weather is nice. I have actually lost 3 kilos, which puts me in the slightly overweight bracket.

My kendo is in something of a slump at the moment. I need a good shake to snap me out of this apathy. I am working on some new things. In particular I am paying attention to my hand movement when bringing the bokken backwards (closed like a fist) to when I bring it forward (wring and relax). I am also trying to keep my right knee gently bent to generate pressure.

As I do my suburi today I dream about all the great teachers I trained with in Japan. Nishiyama-sensei,  Ogata-sensei, Masuda-sensei and my friend and mentor Yamashita-sensei. It reminds me of something - taking pride in what we do.

I don't have so much to say today, so I'll stop here. 

 

Thursday, April 06-06 - Day 507: Sunday, April 16-06   

I reach the halfway stage and do a nice set of suburi. It seems quite fitting. Over the weekend I travel to England for training with the national squad. It's fun and educational and well worth the journey. On the way over I am rereading Michael Johnson's 'Slaying the Dragon'. He says that pressure is the shadow of great opportunity. This is my mantra for the weekend.

The coach tells me to cut with all of my body, not just my arms. I am also reminded to make the cut in men kaeshi-do before moving past. The team is going to Berlin in two weeks for the 5 Nations cup. I think they are really strong and will surprise the other countries.

On Monday my wife goes to kendo for the first time in a long time. I put my daughter to bed and do my suburi. I try and remember to keep my coccyx in. I also take shorter steps, three or four where previously I would have done two. I am aiming to improve my balance and make my kendo smoother.

I ask myself how I feel after 2 years of suburi, but it is impossible to answer. Perhaps at the end of this challenge I'll ask my teacher to comment - he knows my kendo better than I do. I just can't believe that me - of all people - has persevered. If I can do something like this then anybody can, and I am not just being self-deprecating. In fact, in a curious kind of way, it is quite enjoyable.