Commentary by Simon Larsen Both players open in the same manner. Moving forward but in a circular pattern. To my mind this is a fairly defensive way of testing out an opponent you suspect is going to be good. The first series of strikes all look to be made by confident mindsets and the attacking... Continue Reading →
Aichi Teams Match – Senpo
Commentary by Simon Larsen I have a better win ratio in the teams than the individuals, especially if I play in the first position (senpo). As far as I am aware the psychology of going first is not so much to win but to set a good mood for your team i.e. if you lose... Continue Reading →
Mens Individual: Match 65 Senior Division
Commentary by Simon Larsen A lot of people think jukendo is the dangerous one of the two arts but tankendo seems to have more injuries once you have achieved a basic skill level. Certainly I get hurt and hurt myself a lot more often in tankendo. I think the much shorter distances are the... Continue Reading →
Mens Individual: Match 51 Senior Division
Commentary by Simon Larsen This is from the next age group up. Tankendo shiai for the All Japans is not separated into Civilian / Air Force & Navy / Army groups like the Individuals for Jukendo. It is separated into age groups: 0-35, 36-50, 50+ usually. Hisatsune loves shou ippon do. I know; he... Continue Reading →
Match 1 : Ladies Individual : 17th All Japan Tankendo Championships
Commentary by Simon Larsen. I was going to get Ewa drunk and just record her rantings but she insisted I write the commentary. The opening point is a good example of why maintaining your kamae is so important in shiai. Just that small amount of lifting the tip of the tanken while running in made... Continue Reading →
Training basics: Nodo Tsuki
Commentary by Simon Larsen With Nodo tsuki your shimei (locked final position of the strike) is even more important than for normal tsuki. If you are not locked and end up pushing against the receiver in normal tsuki it is annoying for them and encourages bad habits. In nodo tsuki the same action can cause... Continue Reading →
Match 70: Final: Mens Individual: 17th All Japan Tankendo Championships
Commentary by Simon Larsen Kikuchi opens with his off centre tactic like we saw in his last match however Takizawa obviously has trained against this and uses some pretty great footwork to start the final step first. Halfway through what looks like a normal step it turns into a full strike. You can see he keeps... Continue Reading →
Match 42: Mens Individual: 17th All Japan Tankendo Championships
Commentary by Simon Larsen Alex's second match. Due to his injury he has started attempting fewer men strikes which I think is a good idea, he has a fast do strike and that scores a lot more often. On top of my personal feelings regarding men vs do there is the risk factor of having... Continue Reading →
Match 69: Semi Final 2: Mens Individual: 17th All Japan Tankendo Championships
Commentary by Simon Larsen I don't know enough about the grading rules for tankendo but surely an 8th dan has to be reasonably old. Usually when you see the matches with a decent rank discrepancy the higher rank person uses less energy and relies on technique and experience. Not Kikuchi! He can bounce around like... Continue Reading →
Match 12: Mens Individual: 17th All Japan Tankendo Championships
Commentary by Simon Larsen Alex had injured himself the day before the match and was wearing a brace on his striking arm. Fortunately his opponent is wearing one of the older style do futon which is very bulky and provides great protection in training but I find they are very restricting. So I guess that... Continue Reading →