Doing kendo like drumming

Today I made it to the final 30 minutes of the training. My focus was still to make good men strikes, and, in addition, to explore the timing and moments for Oji-waza. In the past year, it became to me more and more obvious, and hence easier to recognise, my opponent's response to my seme. It therefore became easier to execute oji-waza.

One other thing I have focused on to improve is the footwork for Zanshin after men-strike. I realised today that it is much easier if I imagine in my head the tempo of my steps. If I imagine it being fast paced, and make my feet "on beat", my footwork is naturally agile and swift. This is just like for kote-men, which I always consider like drumming. By following the quick beats with my right foot stomping and the shinai-tip hitting, I can strike fast. If one wants to increase the striking speed, then simply tune the clock faster in the mind.