Tampa Kendo Club

Tampa Kendo Practice Video

2011-07-09T05:11:00.001-07:00

Maeda sensei, 7th dan, visisted our dojo.

Fujihara sensei vs Maeda sensei

2011-07-02T04:21:00.001-07:00

Fujihara sensei is sempai of Maeda sensei when he was in University. Fujihara sensei visited Orlando for business seminar and practiced at the Orlando dojo. It was almost 100 degree inside with no A/C...

2011, 7th Florida Kendo Championship - April 30, 2011

2011-05-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

Everyone did very well and hope you all had great time.

Youth Division
James Ro: 1st place, Tampa Kendo Club
Hansol Ra: 2nd place, Tampa Kendo Club
Darby Green: 3rd place., Tampa Kendo Club

Following video is for Team competition.

Orlando Kendo Visit -

2010-12-30T19:01:00.000-08:00

Yang sensei's son (Mathew) and daughter(Eugina) visited both Orlando and Bartow dojo. James, Dongmin and I were there to practice with them. They just become a prospective USA Team for World Kendo Championship. Good Luck !!

Bartow Seminar Photos- December 4, 2010

2010-12-07T07:46:00.000-08:00

Everyone did very well !! I am so proud of you.

Harnjoo, Darby and Seungjoo got 4th kyu.
Hansol & James got 2nd kyu.

I hope you have learned something interesting at the seminar.

How to wear bogu.

2010-08-27T14:26:00.000-07:00

1) Tenugui

2) How to wear Bogu

Congratulation to Jeremy and Hansol !!

2010-05-03T17:44:00.000-07:00

Jeremey has just received his first rank as nikyu(2nd Kyu) at the Bartow over the weekend ! Also, Hansol won the first place in youth division at the Florida Kendo Championship which was held on May 1st, 2010.

Golden Shinai Championship

2010-01-17T19:44:00.000-08:00

University of Florida, Golden Shinai Championship. Jan 16, 2010.

Hansol won the first place and James won the second place. Great result !!! Jeremy did very well too. I am sure it was great experience for everyone.

Hansol vs James at the final

Kendo Promotional Exam Study Guide - From AUSKF website

2009-08-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

This study guide is from AUSKF website

http://www.auskf.info/docs/studyguide.htm

KATA

The failure of most candidates kata at lower dan is the lack of practice, the mechanics should be just rote memory. It is very obvious which candidates have neglected kata for long periods of time, hurriedly preparing by practicing only a few times before their test. Logically one would expect that if kata is 50% of the test the candidate would put more effort in to the practice and the learning of kata.

The uchidachi must demonstrate a strong leading of the shitachi, while the shitachi must be able to read the uchidachiís intention. A kodansha performing kata must express a strong and true spirit, reasonable mind and balanced zanshin. The performance shows stroke with drive and spirit, ri-ai, ma-ai, and understands the rhythm of each of the 10 forms.

Starting at 1st-Kyu where just the basic mechanics are needed to Sandan where all the mechanics and the basic fundamentals previously discussed are required, the kata of the candidate should improve at each dan level. At Yondan the kata must demonstrate a better understanding of the hei-ho of Kendo, the rhythm, seme and zanshin. All these things must steadily improve at each succeeding level.

Points that are observed when grading by the examiners:

-Manner before and after the tachi-ai.
-Does the candidate understand all five kamae in 1 through 7 and han-mi and iri-mi in the kodachi kata?
-Does the candidate demonstrate an understanding of me-tsuke and breath control matching with the partner?
-Does the candidate demonstrate an attitude of reality and dignity for the rank requested?
-Does the candidate demonstrate the relationship between uchidachi and shitachi in movement and rhythm?
-Is the timing of the strikes correct, is the shitachi receiving correctly?
Is the ma-ai correct?
-Is the strike with mono-uchi?
-Are the basic mechanics of the strikes correct? Not too big or too small.
-Is the footwork sliding or just walking? Are the heels touching the ground, flatfooted?
-Does the shitachi demonstrate ki-gurai and does the uchidachi respond to the shitachi's zanshin?

Expectations of Rank

6th-kyu through 2nd-kyu can be awarded at the dojo level depending on the regional federation. Other federations formally test for these grades and some have age restrictions for children. 1st-kyu and above are done through the formal examination process. While it is normal to have both adults and children testing for the same level of kyu there can be a great deal of difference in the basic skills between the adults and children. Most often the children have been doing Kendo much longer and have much better basics than the adults. However when the mental maturity of the adults is factored in this should not be a problem. An experienced examiner will understand this kind of situation and grade accordingly. (see attachments for skill guidelines used by some regionals)

1st-kyu requirements: enter and leave the court properly, strike with ki-ken-tai-ichi, good energy and 1 or 2 yuko-datotsu.

Shodan: same as above with nidan waza included.

Nidan: demonstrate the use of shikake waza, harai waza, debana waza, hiki waza, and oji (oh-ji) waza. Obviously the occasion may not arise to use most of the mentioned waza, but the candidate should show better basics than the Shodan level and be able to use more advanced technique as above. The Kenshi at this level should not be obsessed with the use of waza but start to master the opportunity of attack. Cuts should have good vertical motion with the use of both hands and te-no-uchi.

Sandan: Use seme and ken-sen to initiate attacks and have sharp waza. Particularly the use of oji type of waza should be incorporated in the candidates Kendo.

Yondan: should display very solid Kendo and kamae, display mastery of a variety of techniques, yuko-datotsu, excellent footwork and posture. An attacking kamae full of spiritual energy should be displayed rather than a waiting kamae that reacts to the opponent.

Godan: starting with the Godan examination the candidate must truly exhibit the use of seme and ken-sen to create the moment of attack. Often failure is caused by the candidate doing shiai style of keiko and trying to win points. One must demonstrate the control of the center, the opponents spirit, and mastery of the footwork and shinai. The Kendo must be logical without unnecessary strikes and actions. The strike is followed by zanshin that is true mental alertness.

Rokudan: the same as Godan, but even more, the ri-ai must be demonstrated. Strong control of the center, efficient use of waza and footwork, mental control of the opponent and situation.

Nanadan: all aspects of the previous ranks must be present and an essence of dignity that speaks to quality Kendo. This dignity shows both on and off the court in the persons life.

Kodansha Kendo is not only just winning a strong shiai, strong keiko or beating an opponent in the shinsa. You must express your Kendo with the correct kamae, strong ken-sen, reasonable ma-ai, smooth flowing footwork, body movement and a strong, smooth stroke in your strikes. This must be performed in one rhythm with sharp te-no-uchi.

Check following AUSKF website for the Written Exam
http://www.auskf.info/docs/studyguide.htm

Kirikaeshi

3 Different Ma-ai

Metsuke or enzan-no-metsuke

Ki-ken-tai-itchi

Zanshin

Seme

Mittsu-no-sen or the three attacks. According to Miyamoto Musashi there are three sen:

Kill the sword or ken-o-korosu

All these methods lead to the four sicknesses;

footwork. Ashi-sabaki or footwork is broken down into four types:

Waza

Maeda sensei vs Hyun sensei, 2007 Atlanta

2009-08-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

I found an old video from youtube.

SEUSKF Championships in Atlanta, 2007. Senior Division finals: Maeda sensei vs Hyun sensei.

Children Kendo

2009-08-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

We try to provide a fun, friendly and safe environment in which children can develop social and personal skills.

Kendo can help children with:

1. Basic motor function, balance, and co-ordination.
2. Listening and attentive skills.
3. Focus and concentration.
4. Teamwork and social interaction.
5. Self confidence.
6. Diligence in all undertaken tasks.
7. Respect for all people and things.

These lessons are critical to long term practice of kendo but more importantly these skills are more applicable to a childs personal development at home or in school.

Lessons thought to prepare them for entry into Kendo as a martial art. We try to help children become self reflective and thoughtful. We do not teach kids how to fight only how to act, think and behave. We will help them by providing postive feedback on area's they are good at and not critising area's they are not.

We encourage parents to stay and watch, but be mindful and respectful of the environment and dojo

About Maeda Shinobu sensei

2009-08-10T07:47:00.001-07:00

Shinobu Maeda Sensei held the rank of 7th dan, kyohi, and is the Head Instructor of Bartow High School Kendo Club, Bartow, FL. From 1995 to 1999, and 2001-present, he has been a member of the board of the SEUSKF. Maeda sensei participated in the All U.S. Kendo Championships five times, and was elected to the board of the All United States Kendo Federation for 2006-2008.

News Article about Maeda Sensei

About Sungmin Ro

2009-08-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

Sungmin Ro started Kendo 6 years ago in San Jose Kendo dojo. He has been lucky enough to practice at dojos in different countries including, Chile, Sydney, Korea, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong and many other location in USA. For him, Kendo is not only about learning martial arts but also about the respect between your fellows and elders.

Sungmin has got sandan in 2009 and still focussing on improving his basic skills.

Visit Orlando dojo

2009-08-10T00:45:00.000-07:00

Maeda sensei, Don, James and myself visited Orlando dojo.

Kendo Seminar & Testing

2009-08-10T00:15:00.000-07:00

Kendo seminar and testing was held at Bartow Highschool. It was organized by Maeda sensei.

Kakari geiko at USF Rec center

2009-08-10T00:12:00.000-07:00

Working on men

Visiting Orlando dojo

2009-08-09T23:56:00.001-07:00

Visited Orlando Kendo dojo. Keiko with Maeda sensei & Jay sensei(Orlando dojo, 4th dan)