Short training

Tonight I led the training since very few people were there. We had very little time so we did only kihon, and at the end 10 mins of jigeiko.

I should remember to push my hip forwards when striking.

Another thing is, when doing jigeiko with someone who is obviously more of a beginner than I am who couldn't do much against me, I should let the targets open after he/she shows enough seme. Otherwise, it's pretty pointless to them..

True samurai spirit?

This week I'm on the road, attending a conference in Duesseldorf. It's always nice to, once in a while, get out of my home institute and have a change of the air.

Last week back in Dresden I managed to train once on Tuesday, the evening before I had to deliver a presentation. My body was not fit due to the lack of sleep and overworking lately. But I enjoyed nevertheless the mental and physical exersices.

We did 2 sets of kirikaeshi, followed by some kihon, and then started yoko-men ooikumi-geiko, and kote-men ooikumi-geiko. At this point my body was already exhausted -- just the right time to do jigeiko.

I couldn't hit fast especially when I did kote-men, for example, I constantly forgot to push my hip forwards. I was experimenting with ways of seme (pressuring forwards), but I'll have to try more to see what works. In general, I have a better centre and maai has improved a little too.

The training finished at 11pm. I got home around 11:30pm and worked until 3am. True samurai spirit?

Got cramps

Yesterday's training was intense. We practised hiki-wazas. In the previous two weeks I only trained once, so my body was slowly waking up.

Six people with armours turned up. There were also three people without, two of whom were complete beginners. They couldn't even make kiai, and giggled when Stephan and I asked them to before striking. Rather annoying to be honest.

We had about ten minutes of jigeiko. Two minutes against each person. I only made points with men-strikes. My body and mind weren't strong enough to do more, or use other techniques. At the end, we did some sit-ups and the reverse (raising the upper body while lying face-down).

My friends Alex and Britt came to watch the training. I was rather surprised that they stayed the whole time. Of course they were shocked by the amount of noise we made, which for me is always amusing ha ha.

Later when we were chasing for the tram I got slight cramps on both of my calves. I really have to take care of my body more!

Some thoughts:

• think of ichigo-ichie (one life, one meeting) 一期一會. Although tired, still have to try my best and pump that extra energy in me.
• I didn't have tenouchi while doing hiki-waza. Have to improve.
• make openings.
• bring the shinai forwards without raising the tip too much while striking men.

Georg and Tatsuro (waseda student)


After a kote-strike (Tatsuro).



A little souvnier.


Bakka photo