https://youtu.be/YjZfqKhpWs8 By Emily Jackman and Simon Larsen This more advanced shiai exercise is another one from Yamaguchi-sensei; it’s not complicated but it does require good timing and footwork to do successfully. The shuugisha takes the initiative to enter from tomaai using suriashi - as they cross ma-ai the motodachi, who does not move in, attempts... Continue Reading →
Replacing mokuju tampo
https://youtu.be/yosViTJ5Glo By Emily Jackman If you’ve ever replaced the sakigawa on a shinai then this is not likely to be too new to you. This technique is also similar when changing the sakigawa on your tanshinai. You’ll need: - a new tampo - tsuru - thin flexible wire that can be bent into a hairpin... Continue Reading →
Seminar planning or how to not go slowly insane
By Emily Jackman Seminars are amazing opportunities for attracting new practitioners, giving existing ones a chance at training with high level instructors and building up your budo network but what happens if you’re the one doing all the planning? Where do you start and how do you keep sane in the process? Well, as a... Continue Reading →
Training in the 1st Tankendo seminar in ASEAN
By Emily Jackman At the August seminar in Yokosuka I was fortunate enough to meet a number of lovely people from all around the world who had come together to help bring jukendo and tankendo back to their own countries. Among them were Kelly and Edwin from the Hamachidori Dojo in Malaysia who planted... Continue Reading →
A cucumber, a cucumber! My tanken for a cucumber!
By Emily Jackman For a large variety reasons, most of us may have done some training on our own at some point in our budo life. Whether it’s lack of other practitioners, wanting to practice at home between sessions, practicing on your own isn’t that unusual. So here’s some of my random training techniques for... Continue Reading →
Training basics: Tankendo: Do tsuki
Do tsuki is the first strike I learned in tankendo - a very straightforward thrust to the centre of the opponent's torso. From naore to chudan no kamae The movement to go into kamae is done in two smooth motions. You start with the tanken in your left hand which is resting lightly down... Continue Reading →
Starting out: Melbourne, Australia
What is your budo background? I’ve been studying atarashii naginata for over a decade now and acting as instructor for the Victorian Naginata Renmei for about 8 years; I wasn’t yet shodan when I began instructing, it was a case of there was no-one senior to me left to run classes and it was figure... Continue Reading →
Emily’s Starter Kata guide: Tanken tai To
Disclaimer: these kata descriptions are the authors own interpretations of the patterns are based on the AJJF videos and the written descriptions from Kendo World articles. Some of the terminology may not be 100% accurate but is intended more to help in visualise positioning based on basic strike knowledge. Any errors lie with the author... Continue Reading →
Emily’s Starter Kata guide: Mokuju tai to
Disclaimer: these kata descriptions are the authors own interpretations of the patterns are based on the AJJF videos and the written descriptions from Kendo World articles. Some of the terminology may not be 100% accurate but is intended more to help in visualise positioning based on basic strike knowledge. Any errors lie with the author... Continue Reading →
Emily’s Starter Kata guide: Mokuju tai tanken
Disclaimer: these kata descriptions are the authors own interpretations of the patterns are based on the AJJF videos and the written descriptions from Kendo World articles. Some of the terminology may not be 100% accurate but is intended more to help in visualise positioning based on basic strike knowledge. Any errors lie with the author... Continue Reading →