Author: kiai

Really Seeing the Opponent and Opportunities to Strike – Erasing “Wagamama” Kendo

A young Kyoshi 7 dan  from Japan visited the dojo that I practice at this week.  I’ll refer to him as “O” sensei as he preferred not having his name mentioned.  He had once placed Continue reading “Really Seeing the Opponent and Opportunities to Strike – Erasing “Wagamama” Kendo”

“Soft Eyes,” A Way of Seeing and Being – Resources and Quotes

Here’s a compilation of resources and quotes on the topic of “Soft Eyes” below.  It goes by many other names: Whole Seeing, Effortless Seeing, Open Focus, Soft Focus, Wide-Angled Vision, Peripheral Vision, Panoramic Vision, “Enzan no Metsuke” (The Gaze to a Far-away Mountain), Seeing from Behind the Eyes and Looking without Looking. Continue reading ““Soft Eyes,” A Way of Seeing and Being – Resources and Quotes”

The Blown Feather Sword (吹毛剣) – To Cut Away Our Attachments and Shikai

Here’s a translation of an explanation of a koan [Wiki_Koan] regarding a special sword referred to as “The Blown Feather Sword”（吹毛剣－suimouken).  A koan is typically a Continue reading “The Blown Feather Sword (吹毛剣) – To Cut Away Our Attachments and Shikai”

Some Quotes from a Documentary on Eiga Sensei and Mushin-no-Waza (無心の技)

There is an inspirational documentary of Naoki Eiga sensei produced by NHK in 2003 [Eiga_Documentary].  In the video, he reflects on the reason behind his initial loss to Continue reading “Some Quotes from a Documentary on Eiga Sensei and Mushin-no-Waza (無心の技)”

Hikitsuke (the Quick Follow-up of the Rear Foot) in Fumikomi – Some Pointers and Videos

This article highlights some pointers and videos on a fundamental component of fumikomi known as hikitsuke (引付) – courtesy of a number of sensei’s.   An experimental Continue reading “Hikitsuke (the Quick Follow-up of the Rear Foot) in Fumikomi – Some Pointers and Videos”