I was gratified by the high level of feedback to the article on “The Aim of Kendo” by Matsumoto sensei. I know that many of the people that commented are active shiai participants. This bolstered my view that an understanding of kendo philosophy is a natural bedfellow for hard training and ambition to do well in shiai.
Sometime ago when I was making one of my uncharitable rants against Iai, I received a good natured comment from Scott along the lines of:
“Iai keiko – “did I manage to cut kasso teki? Did I incorporate kankyukyojaku when attacking? Did I exhibit fukaku throughout my embu?”
Kendo keiko – “did I go commando today?””
I certainly take his point, but to be honest I would assume that in the true spirit of zen martial arts you either exhibited kankyukyojaku and fukaku or you didn’t and in the same way you either went commando or you didn’t; and if you didn’t you should be ashamed of yourself.
The point I am trying to get to is that as Matsumoto sensei said “It is the true aim of kendo practice not only to try to improve your technique, but also to train your mind and spirit to find the rightness of mind (“no mind” / mushin), so that your mind, which is the source of the technique; will not be bound by anything.” So in short, we should train without being overtly analytical, but should reflect on how we achieve correct kendo attitude.
So where does shiai fit in? Surely it is the opportunity to test how you have progressed, both in the development of technique and the strength of your mental attitude in as close a situation to “real” shinken kendo as can legally be engaged in. When you are under pressure in shiai, that is the time when the conscious mind shuts down and the reflexes gained through hard training take over.
Some dojo will tell you “we do not teach shiai kendo. Our approach is based upon traditional kendo”. This seems to me to be based on slightly strange reasoning as kendo developed as a means to settle “life or death” contests.
I have a view that what these “traditionalists” are really against is the use of cheap tricks to win in shiai. This is a sentiment with which I wholeheartedly agree, but I also believe that in high level shiai it is the kendoka who has invested in thousands of hours of grueling basic practice and who avidly reads about the experiences and philosophy of previous generations of sensei who triumphed in the shiaijo.
kendoinfo.net 
My sempai and I were discussing this the other day. We refer to it as kendo versus “tournament kendo”.
To me, tournament kendo involves a lot of head bobbing, blocking with the shinai without following up with an immediate attack, much more aggressive taiatare to include trying to push the opponent out of the ring and so on. In general, it’s not so much about doing “good” kendo as it is “trying not to lose a point”.
I’m certainly not an expert at kendo, but I know I’d rather lose a match at shiai and know I’ve done the best “kendo” that I can than to win a match and know I had to resort to “bouncy” kendo to have a chance. That just tells me I don’t have enough confidence in my own abilities.
But, that’s my opinion. Others probably will disagree with this.
The easy solution to this is have the shimpan use the same standards in shiai that they do elsewhere.
Many people think the All Japans are the pinnacle of kendo competition but I don’t believe they are. The Tozai-Taiko is much more instructive I think, as you watch all the different levels and ages of kodansha kendo on show. There are no “tricks” in hachidan kendo, or at least none that I am able to perceive. They demonstrate excellent kendo and competitive kendo at the same time. They can do that because they have much greater courage than the young dudes in HS or Uni shiai whose kendo demonstrates that, more than anything else their main motivator is that they are shitscared of losing. b
Wouldn’t the fact that they are scared of losing, is not a good thing? Because losing in a real sword fight would mean death.
So doesn’t the All Japan demonstrate something close to a life and death fight?
Being scared of losing is definitely a bad thing. Makes you tense, predictable, defensive, conservative and slow. Wanting to win is something completely different. Not being fussed either way but still having the highest level of preparation and motivation, that’s the pinnacle IMHO. b
I’ve just published the first of a six part translation of Morishima Tateo sensei’s take on some of what you mention here. As well as that, I’ve just been handed some great stuff written by Takizawa Kozo on the topic.
The desire to alter you kendo for “comptetition” naturally peters out here in Japan as you age because you are surrounded by people older and wiser (and stronger), and with a more 3 dimensional view of kendo. In a situation like this, “competitiveness” isn’t really an issue for younger people (primary -> university level). It would be if it continued later into life, but there is no real fear of that (I believe).
The problem lies in places where there is not a strong kendo infrastructure. i.e. where there are few people with the necessary experience and authority (and respect) to teach, and where you have loads of young people teaching and doing things by themselves. Thats a recipe for disaster.
George,
Very timely article. Definitely looking forward to the other parts once you get them translated.
I listened some teachings from my sensei in my q the correct kendo
I listened some teachings from my senseis in my quest for the right kendo:
“You can use any waza that has a name (japanese name)” (asking him about the techniques that I can use).
“Win beautifully, lose beautifully” (seems better in Portuguese).
George – I liked part one of your translation of Morishima sensei’s take on shiai kendo. It clearly flags up many of the concerns that people have about modern shiai. I look forward to the rest of the series.
Ben – I agree with your view. I got the DVD of the Tozai Taikai with the December issue of Kendo Jidai and they definitely save the best till last. I also personally like the All Japan 8th dan Taikai and the Hanshi portion of the Kyoto Taikai.
Darren – In terms of the all Japan’s, I think it is less a case of life or death than of staying in the tokuren stable or going back to arresting cyclists for missing lights.