Kendo Blog

Duck a l'orange

The Roosevelt rule is don't hunt them if you're not going to eat them.  And that's exactly what we did Sunday night.  Birds were plucked and cleaned and prepared as follows:

Duck A L’orange

Orange Sauce can be made up to 1 day ahead if desired. This recipe is not suitable to freeze or microwave.
Serves: 4 No 20 duck 30g butter, melted ORANGE SAUCE 1 orange ½ cup orange juice 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon white vinegar 2 teaspoons lemon juice 2 cups water 1 chicken stock cube 3 teaspoons arrowroot 1 tablespoon water, extra ½ cup Grand Marnier Conversion Table
Method
1.Tie duck's legs together as shown. Place duck into baking dish, brush duck with butter. Bake in moderate oven for about 1 hour. Brush occasionally with juices during cooking.
2.Remove rind from orange, remove any white pith; cut rind into thin strips. Combine rind , orange juice, sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, water and crumbled stock cube in saucepan. Stir over heat until mixture boils, boil rapidly uncovered, without stirring, until mixture is reduced by half.
3.Stir blended arrowroot and extra water gradually into sauce, stir constantly over heat until sauce boils and thickens. Remove from heat, stir in Grand Marnier.
4.Drain pan juices from baking dish, pour sauce over duck, return to oven, bake further 20 minutes, basting frequently with sauce until duck is tender and well glazed.

Served with baked potatoes, home grown carrots and a bit of Merlot.  Trick with duck, like most game, is not to over cook.

Kamouchi

(Picture credit: Ogata Gekko).

No kendo yesterdays, the YMCA was closed for a "Harvest Party."  So up, bright and early (0400) and off to the Snake River to chase the wily mallard.  Got to the boat ramp in good time, launched boat, motor started fine.  Clear, cloudless morning, Orion in the southern sky, temperature in the mid-20s (F) and some fog on the river.  Slack water had a lot of weeds which fouled the jet boat 3 times before we got to the hunting blind.

Finished setting up at 0735, hunting time began 0740.  Duck began piling in at 0738.  Flash (my Lab) looked at me like I was crazy because I wasn't shooting.  Legal time comes and the season began for me and my friend.  Two hours later we had 12 birds in hand, and one lost (dog could not find it after a 40 minute search but I always count downed and non-retrieved birds toward my bag limit).  Wader was leaking so time to go home.

Great day, lots of fun.

Kendo connection:  Wing shooting is a lot like kendo in that you need to groove your technique and then shoot in mushin.  If you start to thing about it you will miss nearly every time.

Oji Waza

Kendo practice last night was conducted by one of the yondans since Stroud sensei was out of town on business.

No kata, just warm up and straight to it.  Lots of footwork and kihon practice and then to finish kihon we practiced oji waza, primarily kote suriage men, kote kaeshi men, and kote ochiotoshi men.  Finished up with uchikomi geiko, kakari geiko and finally jigeiko. 

Merihari and Iaido

Last night was iaido night.  I got there early, opened the facility, and cleaned up the floor.  We had a total of 4 iaidoka as well as Stroud sensei.  After warm up drills we worked through a number of the seiteigata.  Stroud sensei said that  you need to use merihari when doing kesa giri cuts (and in other forms).  He explained it in the same terms he used to describe it on the Kendo World Forum:

Merihari is used in kendo and iaido to explain how to not only use a variety of techniques but to commit fully to what you are doing. Do not do it "half way" Make your movements either fast or slow but don't muddle along with something in between. If it needs to be strong do it clearly strong, if it needs to be soft do it soft.

Merihari is what keeps you from getting in a rut!

--start--

めり張り、Merihari

「めり張り」とは、特に「剣道」や「居合道」だけに使われる言葉で はありません。
Merihari is not only applied to kendo and iaido.

「めり張り」という言葉は、「剣道」以外でも、一般的に使われています。
Merihari is a phrase commonly used outside of kendo.

「めり張り」の意味は、「中途半端になってはいけない」ということです。
Merihari’s meaning, is explained as ‘don't do something halfway’.

つまり、「強い_弱い」、「早い_遅い」、「大きい_小さい」、「打つ_防ぐ」、「攻める_守る」というこ  とを、はっきり行うことが 大切だということです。
In other words you can say that it is important to perform clearly, ‘strong or weak’, ‘fast or slow’, ‘big or small’, ‘strike or protect’, ‘attack or defend’.

また、「稽古」についても、休息が必要な時はしっかり休み、稽古をする時は集中してやることが大切というこ  とです。
In the case of, ‘keiko practice’, it is important that you really rest when it is breaktime, and really concentrate on keiko when you are practicing.

例えば、「野球」の「投手」と同じです。
It is exactly the same for a ‘baseball pitcher’.

いくら優秀な投手でも、早いボールだけを投げ続けたのでは、いつか 打たれてしまいます。
Against a great pitcher, who throws only fastballs, you can eventually get a hit.

「早いボール」と「遅いボール」、「直球」と「変化球」、「外角と内角」を織り交ぜながら投げることが大切  ということです。
It is important that one throws with a mixture of ‘Fast balls’ and ‘slow balls’, ‘straight balls’ and ‘change ups’. ‘outside pitches’ and ‘inside pitches’, all woven together.

--end--
Note: translation errors are all mine. If someone can improve the English or correct a mis-understanding I welcome your comments.

As part of the discussion in class Stroud sensei discoursed on what the men target is.  Interestingly enough, to cut men is not to cut the crown of the head, to cut men is to cut the face of the teki.

On another note, I've really been trying to study Stroud sensei's footwork and have picked up a couple of things that I think I can incorporate into my game.  First example, ippon mae, mae.  No details to follow.

Finally, a new koryu Omori ryu kata last night, Ryu Toh 流刀.

Iaido Seminar - the Venue

As previously mentioned, our club will be hosting the 2009 AUSKF Iaido Summer Camp.  The PNKF was hosting it's annual Iaido Summer Camp and Taikai so I went along to swot up and how to run a camp and taikai.  More on the actual seminar in subsequent posts.

The venue was at the Rain City (they got that right) Fencing Club.  It was a wonderful facility for both iaido and also for fencing.  I wish that when I was training hard as a fencer that I had a place that nice to go to.  Provost Colton was a wonderful host and gave me a mini-tour of his facility.  Very nice indeed.

I took this picture with my cell phone so it's a bit grainy. 

Apropos nothing.  I had a saber bout with Anderson Sensei after a number of kampais in the head lights of Stroud Sensei's car with Wacky Whackers.  I'm not going to tell you who won, but the bout score was 2-1.

As a bit of a side note, the Leon Auriol Fencing Tournament was held in Seattle this past week.  I checked the results online and Rain City Fencing Center did very well (expecially in foil). Well done!

How to tie an Obi for Iaido

This is by the search term that leads the most folks to my website.  Here is a copy of the instructions that came with the obi I just purchased.

Update:  I tripled the number of hits on my site in the past twelve hours since I posted this.

Also, Stoud Sensei sends the following translation of the instructions under each of the steps listed under the images:

貝の口結び方

How to Tie the 'Shell's Mouth' Knot

1. 細帯の腰紐を締めて形を整え、角帯の一方の手先を二つ折りにする
Fold the thin end of the kaku obi in two

2. 折った手先を固定して
Fix the folded end in place

3.  二回巻 きつける
Wrap it around 2 times

4.  余った部分を適度の長さに決めて内側へ折り曲げてねる
Fold the remaining section into an appropriate length by doubling it over

5.  後方から見た結び始める所
Position the back end to start

6.  手先と交差して
Cross the ends

7.  抜き出す
Pull out (the ends)

8.  上と下を形よく整える
Properly arrange the upper and lower (ends)

9.  タレを手先に通して結ぶ
Tie the end to form a 'tare' flap

10.  貝の口結び上がり
The completed "Kai no Kuchi" [or] Shell's Mouth Knot

Iaido Practice 10/1/2008

Practice yesterday was "free practice" since Stroud Sensei was out of town.  I worked on Mae for about 45 minutes trying to make it flow more, and also trying to breathe at the appropriate stops (I cannot do it in 1 or even 2 breaths).  Much harder than I thought it would be. 

Here is an example of a very smooth demonstration of what I was trying to do.

ZNKR Seiteigata MAE

My Last California Fencing Coach

Maxine Mitchell was my last fencing coach when I lived in Southern California.  I was in Salle Barracho (yep, that's right) from 1983-1988.  Here is her story.  And here is her Olympic record.

She was a very nice lady.

Congress Bombs!

Major Kong Rides the Bomb

Nice allegorical depiction of how both political parties managed the credit crisis today. Sheesh!

Theft Alert - Stolen Nihon-toh

Bolling sensei has sent around the following e-mail:

Dear Kendo Friends:  Please read this message from our fellow kenshi whose 300-year-old family sword was stolen, and please be on the lookout for this sword.

If anyone reading this message is not able to view the attached rubbing of the sword, please let me know, and I will be delighted to forward the pdj to you directly.

Thank you so much.  Tom

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:19:11 -0400
From: Chris Takahashi <chris.takahashi@gmail.com>
To: kendo@u.washington.edu
Subject: Stolen sword

Hello Bolling Sensei,

Can you forward the following message to whomever may be able to help?

Recently the home of my parents was burglarized and our family's sword was
stolen.  I am sending this message in the hopes that kenshi and sword
collectors who frequent pawn shops and sword shows may be able to help.

The sword at the time it was stolen (mid September 2008) was in an
unfinished wood colored resting scabbard (aka oil scabbard, shirasaya,
etc).  It had no tsuba and the handle did not close flush with the scabbard
(there was a small gap).  The sword felt short, for someone who normally
uses a 2.45 shaku blade and it was farely straight.  The signature on the
tang is "Kashi Fijihara Yukimitsu".  It is thought to be about 300 years
old.  The sword was stollen in Eugene Oregon, though I believe that it may
show up anywhere along the west coast (especially Portland, Seattle, LA, or
the bay area) or further.

A rubbing of the blade's tang has been attached.

If any one finds my sword please contact me at (206)-226-0561 or at
chris.takahashi@gmail.com.  If you find it for sale please tell the seller
you know someone who is interested and you will forward their contact
information to me.

Thank you for your help.

Chris Takahashi

How is the plan working?

I had previously indicated that I had a plan to improve my kendo.  Last night was the first night of it's implementation.  It worked much better than I thought it would.  Keiko with one of the yondan's at the club was much more successful than it generally is (he's much more skilled and half my age) and when I keikoed with one of the younger kyu students it had him all at sixes and sevens.  I must work much much more on footwork, however.

Cross training

The following was published in Medical Science and Sports Exercise (1996) 28(10):1327-30

Effects of moderate-intensity endurance and high-intensity intermittent training on anaerobic capacity and VO2max.

Tabata I, Nishimura K, Kouzaki M, Hirai Y, Ogita F, Miyachi M, Yamamoto K.

Department of Physiology and Biomechanics, National Institute of Fitness and Sports, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.

This study consists of two training experiments using a mechanically braked cycle ergometer. First, the effect of 6 wk of moderate-intensity endurance training (intensity: 70% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), 60 min.d-1, 5 d.wk-1) on the anaerobic capacity (the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit) and VO2max was evaluated. After the training, the anaerobic capacity did not increase significantly (P > 0.10), while VO2max increased from 53 +/- 5 ml.kg-1 min-1 to 58 +/- 3 ml.kg-1.min-1 (P < 0.01) (mean +/- SD). Second, to quantify the effect of high-intensity intermittent training on energy release, seven subjects performed an intermittent training exercise 5 d.wk-1 for 6 wk. The exhaustive intermittent training consisted of seven to eight sets of 20-s exercise at an intensity of about 170% of VO2max with a 10-s rest between each bout. After the training period, VO2max increased by 7 ml.kg-1.min-1, while the anaerobic capacity increased by 28%. In conclusion, this study showed that moderate-intensity aerobic training that improves the maximal aerobic power does not change anaerobic capacity and that adequate high-intensity intermittent training may improve both anaerobic and aerobic energy supplying systems significantly, probably through imposing intensive stimuli on both systems.

In lay terms you need to perform high-intensity training.  While keiko is a good start it tends to develop asymmetry.  Cross training is the answer and in response there has arisen a whole series of "Tabata" exercises, generally ranging for about 4 minutes of intense exercise.  Here is an example (if you don't like rap music turn down the sound).  See if you can keep up with these ladies, I can"t (yet).

If the video doesn't work try this link.

Cross Training

There are injuries, and then there are injuries.

Scrotum Tsuki (Kendo)

Speaking of injuries, there is always this type. Commando style kendo puts more at risk.

Injuries

Recent report on injuries in fencing.  Here's the abstract:

The physical demands of fencing competitions are high, involving the aerobic and anaerobic alactic and lactic metabolisms, and are also affected by age, sex, level of training and technical and tactical models utilized in relation to the adversary. The anthropometrical characteristics of fencers show a typical asymmetry of the limbs as a result of the practice of an asymmetrical sport activity. Fencing produces typical functional asymmetries that emphasize the very high level of specific function, strength and control required in this sport. Moreover, the physical demands of fencing are closely linked to the perceptual and psychological ones, and all are subjected to a continuous succession of changes during the bouts based on the behaviour of the opponent. For this reason it is difficult to identify a significant relationship between any one physiological characteristic and performance, and performance is more likely to be influenced by perceptual and neuro-physiological characteristics. Fencers need to anticipate the opponent and to mask their true intentions with a game of feints and counter-feints, which must be supported by an adequate psycho-physical condition to prevent central and peripheral fatigue. Fencing is not particularly dangerous; however, there is a fine line between a fatal lesion and a simple wound from a broken blade. The suggestions for injury prevention fall into three primary areas: (i) actions that can be taken by participants; (ii) improvements in equipment and facilities; and (iii) administration of fencing competitions. As in every other sport, the prevention of accidents must be accomplished at various levels and above all must involve the institutions that are responsible for safety in sports.

Since the exercise intensity and duration and skill sets are relatively similar, the injuries are probably as well, although kendo has some specificity, e.g., Achilles tendon tears.

And here's the abstract of another study as well.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of time-loss injuries in competitive fencing and to characterize these injuries regarding type and location. DESIGN: A 5-year prospective study. SETTING: Data were collected at all national events organized by the U.S. Fencing Association (USFA) during the 2001-2006 seasons. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 78,223 male and female competitors, ranging in age from 8 to above 70, participated in various events in the targeted competitions. METHODS: Experienced certified athletic trainers (ATC) evaluated and documented all incidents that resulted in withdrawal from competition. Exposure data [athlete exposures (AE)] were calculated from the number of bouts completed in each competition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of time-loss injury was calculated per 1000AE. Frequency distributions for types and locations of injuries were used to characterize time-loss injuries. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-four time-loss injuries were reported during the study, for an overall rate of 0.3 per 1000 AE (95% CI: 0.26-0.35). Of these, 26.1% were recorded as strains and 25.5% were identified as sprains. The knee was the most frequently injured location (19.6%), followed by the thigh (15.2%) and the ankle (13%). Overall, 60% of the injuries were in the lower extremities. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of time-loss injury in competitive fencing is low. Although there are differences in the distribution of types and location of time-loss injuries by sex and discipline, the predominant characteristics (sprain/strain in the lower extremities) are similar to other sports with ballistic action in stop-start, rapid change-of-direction activity (emphasis added).

Myspace?

My 14 year old daughter loves it.  I think this is the best response I've seen.

The lost has been found

This is my favorite fencing poster.  I purchased a copy of it over 20 years ago when I competed in the Midwest Sectionals in Minneapolis in 1977.  Somehow, in all my subsequent moves, it became lost.  I recently found a copy of it online.

It shows Maestro Okawa in a dramatic shot, having passed his opponent (a Polish fencer I believe) he is remising with a thrust over his head and behind the back. 

More on Uyttenhove

Andy Shaw runs the American Fencing Museum Website.  If you need any information on fencing history this is the place to go.  Here is the link to Maestro Uttenhove.

One of the most beloved and highly respected of all fencing masters, Henri J. Uyttenhove, was born in Herch-La-Ville, Belgium in 1878 and has just passed away (1950).

His spectacular rise in European fencing circles found him, at the age of twenty-six, Head Professor of Fencing at the national Belgium Normal School of Fencing where fencing masters were taught their profession, trained and received their diplomas. Many presently living Belgium fencing masters treasure their diplomas signed by Professor Uyttenhove.

He arrived in the United States in September, 1907, and after a short stay in New York and Chicago came directly to Southern California. Mr. Frank Garbutt, President of the Los Angeles Athletic Club, immediately recognized his superb qualities and offered him the position of fencing master. He remained with the A.C. for 5 years where he was successful in building the popularity of the sport. He then opened his own private salle in Pasadena. Probably the first fencing competition held in southern California was between his Pasadena pupils and his pupils from the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

Beginning in about 1916, his services were in great demand by the motion picture industries and in rapid succession, with Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., and his pupil, he was appointed the technical director of “The Modern Musketeer”, “The Mark of Zorro”, and “The Three Musketeers”.

He returned to the Los Angeles A.C. in 1921 and remained as fencing master there until 1950 when he retired in favor of his personally selected successor, Professor Jean L Heremans. His duties also included coaching at the Hollywood Athletic Club, a subsidiary of the Los Angeles A.C.., until 1939 when he installed Duris W. De Jong as coach.

In 1922 the University of Southern California decided to make fencing one of their sports and, under his inspirational coaching, interest in fencing increased. It was from his classes at the university that fencers such as Edward Carfagno, Herman Hersum, (who is now chairman of the San Diego division), and the writer of this article were developed.

Without remuneration, and in the interest of the sport, he started classes at the University of California at Los Angeles and continued until a proper coach could be found in the person of captain of Capt. John Duff, a prominent English fencer.

A committee of Belgium fencers, headed by the late Professor Deladrier of the U.S. naval academy, recently petitioned the Belgian for award of the Legion of Honor to Professor Uyttenhove in recognition of his great contribution to the Belgian school in the United States.

Here, truly, was a maker of champions. His pure, classical form, his great ability as a teacher, his personal magnetism and above all, his innate humility and sportsmanship won him the love and loyalty with all of whom he came into contact with. Without question, here was one of the greats among fencing masters, who did much to promote the sport of fencing in this country. He will live long in our memories. His passing is a great loss to fencing.

Point in line = Holding Center

As a former foilist, one of  the hardest habits to shake in kendo, is the concept of priority, i.e., that if an attack is initiated, one has to deal with it before attacking oneself.  Now there are a number of ways to deal with it, parry-riposte, counter attack, distance, etc.

After class yesterday, at the "Sensei Circle", where we get pointers, announcements, acknowledgements, and a little pep talk, Stroud Sensei talked about holding center.  I had keikoed with him earlier that evening and was throwing myself on his blade on more than one occasion.  It suddenly struck me, as he was talking, that holding center is very much like the concept of "point in line."

Here's a picture. Fencer on the right has his arm extending, threatening the valid target.  It is the fencing equivalent of the "holding center" in kendo. 

Stroud Sensei said that his original kendo sensei was  H. Umemoto sensei.  Of Umemoto Sensei, Stoud Sensei, has said: "Umemoto sensei stressed strong basics and straight correct kendo. As a student of Mori Torao sensei, he provided me with very good fundamentals upon which to build my kendo skills. His comments about 'hitting straight, keeping center, and good footwork' have served me well over the years."

At that moment, I realized that I had to redo my game.  As I earlier said, Shodan is not the end, but rather the end of the beginning.  I have a plan, I'll let you know over the next several months how it works.

Sad News

It was recently announced that the Military Master's Program at San Jose State University will be closing.

Founded by Maestro William Gaugler in 1979, the three-year fencing master's program has thrived for 30 years because of one man's passion to bring fencing to the United States.

Gaugler was trained in Italy by Maestro Aldo Nadi, Umberto Di Paola and Giorgio Pessina, according to the Classical Italian Fencing Web site.

Gaugler received his fencing master's diploma from the Accademia Nazionale di Scherma di Napoli in Naples, Italy.

Sahm said Gaugler was made an honorary member of the National Fencing Academy in Naples, which is a rare honor itself, but far more rare for a non-Italian.

Gaugler has also contributed many books and articles to the fencing community, two of which are "The Science of Fencing" and "The History of Fencing," according to the Classical Italian Fencing Web Site.

"The Science of Fencing" is "the most widely used fencing text in the world," and "The History of Fencing" is used for the exams in Naples, Sahm said.

In 1979, Gaugler founded the fencing masters program at SJSU, with the intent to teach fencers how to teach fencing, Sahm said.

In 2004, Gaugler retired, and military master Ralph K. Sahm became director of the program with Janine Sahm as assistant director.

"He really laid out a foundation, a solid one, that has its roots in 500 years of dueling tradition," said Janine Sahm.

Maestro Gaugler (R), pictured with Maestro Amrico Angelini in 1967 , was a profoundly influential instructor of fencing pedagogy in the latter part of the 20th Century in the United States.  Gaugler originally began instruction with Maestro Aldo Nadi in Los Angeles and continued his fencing career training with Maestro Umberto Di Paola, Director of the Fencing Masters Prepatory Course at the National Institute of Physical Education in Rome, and Maestro Georgion Pessina, President of the Italian Fencing Masters Association, of  which Dr. Gaugler is a full member.  Dr. Gaugler was awareded a fencing master's diploma from the Accademia Nazional di Scherma in Naples, Italy. Gaugler is also the author of The Science of Fencing, The History of Fencing and A Dictionary of Universally Used Fencing Terms.

Why is this important?  It would be like Noma Dojo going out of business after Moriji Mochida Sensei ceased to practice there.

Shinai is (sometimes) quicker then the eye

Kendo in High Speed Camera(Slow Motion)

Interesting hign speed footage of kendo illustrating the difficulty of scoring. Shinpan can distinguish between 0.1 to 0.2 seconds but not 0.009 seconds. Not surprising.

Having said this I am NOT promoting anything other than the human eye to judge kendo. The so-called scoring box has been the death of Western fencing.