Gareth's Blog

Thoughts on Keiko

Published by Gareth Allwood-Spiers on Fri 28 of May, 2010 admin

Today I'll explore to concept and practice of keiko.

To Learn from the Past

For a definition of the word “keiko”, Ozawa Hiroshi writes;

When learning traditional Japanese martial arts or other performing arts, a term of "keiko”, which means practices and training, is often used. The term is formed from two Chinese characters meaning "antiquity" and "to think" or, more specifically, "to reflect upon the things in the past: or to learn their logic by reading old books and referring to ancient matters" According to the Japanese dictionary.

Types of Keiko

I will be concentrating on Jigeiko in this entry. But first let's take moment to mention a few other equally important form of keiko.

  • Kihon-geiko is the practice of fundamental kendo through repetition. This includes Suburi.
  • Waza-geiko is similar to kihon-geiko, but concentrating techniques for opening a target or counter attacking.
  • Kata-geiko is the practice of Nihon Kendo no Kata.
  • Uchikomigeiko is a continuous cutting kihon-geiko.
  • Kakarigeiko is a continuous cutting waza-geiko.
  • Shiai-geiko is competition practice.
  • Enjin-geiko is winner-stays-on matches.
  • Mitori-geiko practice through observation of others.

Jigeiko

What is Jigeiko?

Jigieko is the opportunity to apply what you have learnt in a realistic way. Your partner is no longer a static and compliant target wait for you to perform you intended technique at you leisure. Instead, while you are trying you hardest to perform an attack, they should also be doing the same.
It is important that jigeiko is not approach in a sterilised, I cut then you cut then I cut then you cut, fashion. Jigeiko should be livelier. Remember that jigeiko is a replacement for actual life and death combat.
However, while jigieko may be a battle, it is not a competition! You must approach jigieko without any fear of being struck. It does not matter how many times you are struck in a jigeiko or how many of your strikes are successful. There is a common saying in Kendo that “we learn by being cut”.
It is sometimes the case that one may spend many sessions without making a successful attack in jigeiko. This is normal, especially at the lower levels.

How to approach Jigeiko

On the subject of your approach to jigeiko, Honda Sotaro writes;

How to Tackle Ji-geiko in Each development Stage.
3-1. Kyu Grade

Firstly, the most important point for Kendo-ka of this level to keep in mind is: to try to use Waza (Shikake-waza) on your own initiative. It should not be just Men and Kote, but you should use all Waza you have learnt in Kihon-geiko and Kata-geiko. You should not be afraid of failing and being defeated. It is expected that you will gradually grasp the timing of using each Waza whilst you try to attack using your own initiative. Another important point is that you should not stop your movement after striking and thrusting, but try to complete your attack and quickly prepare yourself for the next action. It is quite often seen in beginners Ji-geiko that they loose their attention and guard as soon as they finish their first attack and that they walk back to where they were before attacking. It is important to always maintain concentration wherever you are and to prepare for the next action as soon as you have finished your first attack.
Secondly, it is usual that most beginners have not learnt, at this stage, how to defend. It is also quite often the case that beginners do not properly know what to do and they are just absent-mindedly standing without doing anything, closing their eyes and tensing their shoulders, moving back or running away in case their opponent attacks before them. It is also be reasonable to assume, that they may feel fear at someones attack. What is important here is to have a proper understanding of Ko-bo-itchi and Ken-tai-itchi. These terms illustrate the importance of always being mentally and physically ready to defend against the opponents counterattack whilst attacking, and ready to counterattack while defending (All Japan Kendo Federation, 2000, p. 47). There is no defence just for the sake of defence, in Kendo. Defence is done for the next attack or counterattack. Using a proper defence enables you to immediately attack after defending, but you should not just be standing and defending by using only your Shinai, you should keep your knees relaxed and defend by using both your Shinai and your footwork. As you gain more experience, you come to acquire a wider variety of Waza and better timing. What you are encouraged to do for your progression at this stage is to use big techniques involving all of your body and not relying on small techniques or trying to strike more times than your opponent has.
If you form bad habits on the way you attack and defend at this stage, it will take a long time to get rid of them in the future. It is important to reflect how you have been tackling Ji-geiko by listening to your Sempai and Senseis advice and by self-examination.

And also;

try to get Sho-dachi (the first cut) no matter who you are having the Ji-geiko with. Irrespective of the difference in grade and experience.
Ji-geiko should start with Ippon Shobu played in earnest in an equal fifty-fifty situation, with the philosophy: that there is no second chance in a fight with real swords. It is important to understand this philosophy in Kendo as Budo and try to get a successful Sho-dachi by utilising all of your abilities to the full.

You should also remember that keiko means to learn from the past, this includes the things you have been taught that night. It is very easy to to fall back on what you aleady know you can do. This may provide satisfaction in the short term, but will eventually make it difficult for you to progress.

Goals

Finally, it is important for you to formulate goals for each session. One night you may decide; "Tonight I will be fearless" another it may be; "I will concentrate on bring my left leg up quickly". It is important for every person to take responsibility for their own improvement to a certain degree.

References

Ozawa Hiroshi, "Essence of Training (Keiko) on Japanese Culture", Kendo Acadamy Press, 2005
Honda Sotaro, “Attitudes to Ji-geiko”, http://kendo.org.uk/articles/attitudes-to-ji-geiko/

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