About this blog..

This is a blog that I started in April 2006, just after I first put on my bogu (kendo armour). It collects the advices given by more experienced kendo practitioners as well as those from my own experiences. Both technical and the mental aspects of kendo are written in the blog. I hope someone will find them useful or interesting at least!

Monday, May 05, 2008

Hakamada Sensei 8th Dan

I just saw from the ZNKR website that Daizoh Hakamada Sensei, with whom I had the privilege to practise in Nittaidai last year passed the Hachidan test, at age 59. Congratulations to him! The most distinctive impression that I have of him is his kamae. His kensen is aimed at the opponent's left-eye. Which was the first time I noticed this style. (This is rarely heard of in Europe, but quite common in Japan, Taiwan and Korea. There are in fact five different chudan no kamae, aimed at throat, centre of face, left-eye, left-hand of jodanka, and right-hand of jodanka. I recommend everyone try them out.)

I hope the list of Senseis I know making to the hachidan will increase soon... 

2 comments:

Jörg Klinkenberg said...

Hallo Ivan,

vielleicht freut es Dich zu hören, das Prof. Hakamada im September für 14 Tage nach Deutschland kommt.
Ich organsiere 2 Lehrgänge mit Ihm (u.a.) in Eschweiler.
Für mehr Informationen bitte mail schicken. trainer@kendo-krefeld.de.
Grüße, Jörg Klinkenberg.

Unknown said...

I've used the aimed-at-the-left-kote-chudan as a defense against jodan. It's very effective.