Kendo Suburi Diary

 

What is a suburi?

I have looked for a good description of what a kendo suburi is. I have been unsuccessful so I will try and describe it myself. This description is only for the sort of suburi I am doing - shomen suburi - and is aimed at people who have never seen seen kendo.

The movement starts in chudan kamae, the basic en guard position for Japanese fencing. The below picture shows two fencers in chudan kamae. Note the position of the hands and feet and general body posture.

(Click the picture to visit the site I took it from)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The aim of a (shomen) suburi is to practice the movement of striking your opponents head using a 'big' style. 

The shinai (bamboo sword as shown in above picture) or bokken is swung so it is above the head at an angle of 45 degrees. As you swing it up, your right foot slides forward to cover the ground between you and your  in this case imaginary attacker. 

In the last movement, you bring your shinai down onto the middle of the opponents head, striking just behind the hairline. At the same moment your left leg snaps forward, returning to it's original position of parallel and behind the right foot. 

The foot and sword should hit at the same moment. You should also let out a ki-ai, or shout. The best fencers have all three in perfect synchrony. 

It is probably worth mentioning that it is not a wild strike. You're not trying to brain your opponent. It has to be balanced - you don't want to break your sword - committed - or you won't improve - and unflashy - Posh Spice isn't going to want to marry you if you can do a good suburi.

There are many other types of suburi, forwards and backwards, sideways, twisting, jumping, different targets, different speeds. The suburi I do - shomen suburi - are the most basic.