Kendo Fundamentals

The Fundamentals of Kendo

Ability and progress in Kendo is said to consist of some eighty per cent posture and only

twenty per cent technique. In Kendo we are not merely attempting to hit the opponent, but to

deliver a correct technique in a specified manner. From this viewpoint Kendo has much in

common with shooting, since both posture and breathing are of importance. But the situation is

more complex in Kendo; both attacker and target are very likely to be in motion. Aiming has

little to do with Kendo and we do not even watch the target as we cut. Aim develops quite

naturally if left to itself. One does not make a fully conscious effort when reaching to pick up

an object and in the same way the precise target areas may be easily struck immediately by the

novice, providing that he is not inhibited by the concept of aiming, or it being particularly

difficult.

Shisei (general posture and carriage) Kendo Fundamentals

Shisei forms the foundation and platform from which all actions must spring and the

techniques will only be as stable as the base provided. The simple way to view the repertoire of

techniques is as each being the spoke of a wheel. To one side branch the purely aggressive

techniques and to the other the more passive techniques. The waiting condition should be in the

centre, where a free adoption of other techniques can be made with equal facility depending on

circumstances. Any intellectual planning or concentration on one aspect will inhibit the technique

at the crucial moment. The basic posture should therefore express the neutral and natural

condition of the human being and this applies equally; both externally and internally.

The hips and shoulders should be square, the spine and head erect with the chin tucked

slightly in. The body should be relaxed but firm, neither rigid and tense, nor loose and drooping.

Equally the mind should be calm and watchful, but not committed to any specific attitude. Any

heavy extreme is bad and it must be remembered that each negative expression includes a little

positive expression within itself and vice-versa.

The natural physique of a human being is shown by an upright spine and head whilst

excessive egoism results in hunched shoulders and rigidity without suppleness. The shoulders

should therefore fall downwards to their natural position and the body-weight dropped to the

Chushin (centre of gravity) just below the navel, and the general feeling of balance carried in this

area. Balance is of more importance in Kendo than in the other Budo arts in that the student has

no contact with his opponent to aid or assist his own balance. The student must act and move

in a completely independent fashion, automatically harmonizing with the opponent’s actions but

having little control over them.

What we term the Chushin-sen (body centre-line) is an imaginary line which we visualize

as passing through nose, navel and striking the floor exactly between the feet. Regardless of

changing foot positions or widening the stance the Chushin-sen must be kept straight to maintain

balance. This line is important as related to technique and in most cases the movement of the

sword follows this line.

Shisei can be simply regarded as the basic posture of the upper torso and head in relations

to floor and hips. In Kendo the basic Shisei should hold true, regardless of the movements or

position of arms and legs at any given moment. Naturally enough, the position of Shisei is very

similar to meditation posture and known for thousands of years in the East as the ideal and

natural positioning of torso and head. One should not be confused by different circumstances in

other Budo arts which demand variations due to the different techniques. Essentially the Shisei

is the same.