HEART & DUTY
Women’s Kendo Team Canada
Bronze Medal at the 17th World Kendo Championships
Photo courtesy of Kendo Photography
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LATEST NEWS & EVENTS
2021 Virtual National Kendo Seminar
The CKF welcomes you to join the 2021 Virtual National Kendo Seminar on June 19 & 20, 2021. We are excited to present a lineup of speakers from across Canada and the World. Each session will focus on different skills, topics, and knowledge areas. The event is free to attend for current CKF members, and by donation for non-members.
2021 Team Canada Program Official Closing
An announcement from Christian D’Orangeville, CKF President, officially closes the 2021 Kendo Team Canada program. Details on the commencement of Team Canada and re-appointment of the leadership team for the 2024 World Kendo Championships are provided.
CKF Iaido Zoom Seminar Thank-you
As our experiences mount with a year like no other, may we extend our thoughts to you, family and those close for wellness and safe-being all around. Our sincere thanks to all who were able to join with us for the CKF Iaido ZNKR Seitei Zoom Seminar held Saturday,...
EVENTS
Registration is open for the 2021 Kendo Canada National Seminar, June 19 & 20, 2021. kendo-canada.com/2021-virtual-national-kendo-seminar/ ![]()
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In a time of altering priorities, hardship, and distance, the shape of kendo and its values have shifted. Come together to be inspired and find relevance in kendo.![]()
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We are excited to present a lineup of speakers from across Canada and the World. Each session will focus on different skills and knowledge areas. The event is free to attend for current CKF members, and by donation for non-members.![]()
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Keynote Speaker![]()
Alex Bennett, Kendo Kyoshi 7 Dan Professor and Author![]()
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Spotlight Speaker![]()
Renée Hock, Registered Clinical Counsellor, and Mental Performance Consultant![]()
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Panel Discussions![]()
Interview with the 2018 Bronze Medal Women's Team![]()
Dojo Leaders Building Strong Community in Unexpected Places![]()
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Session Presenters![]()
Taro Ariga, Kyoshi 7 Dan![]()
Dean Masahiro Ara , Kyoshi 7 Dan![]()
Bryan Asa , Kyoshi 7 Dan![]()
Matthew Raymond , Kyoshi 7 Dan![]()
Shigemitsu Kamata, Kyoshi 7 Dan![]()
Martin Doré, Renshi 6 Dan![]()
Junko Ariyama , Renshi 6 Dan
2021 Virtual National Kendo Seminar - Canadian Kendo Federation
kendo-canada.com
The CKF welcomes you to join the 2021 Virtual National Kendo Seminar on June 19 & 20, 2021. We are excited to present a lineup of speakers from across Canada and the World. Each session will focus on ...
::SNEAK PEEK:: 👀 Th 2nd Kendo Canada National Seminar will be held on June 19th & 20th. Here is a sneak peek at what's in store. We are very excited to welcome a diverse lineup of presenters and topics to help us be inspired and find relevance in kendo during these difficult times. Details on the registration process and schedule of presenters will be released over the next week. Stay tuned!
At the All Japan High School Kendo Championships "Inter-High" held last month, Koda sensei explained the referee rules under the Covid-19.![]()
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The message is on minimizing time under tsubazeriai, but he addresses the issue much deeper into the fundamental values of kendo. If shiai is done correctly, there should not be lengthy and improper tsubazeriai. I am sharing as I found his message to be valuable for all - Hyun-June Choi![]()
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Here is a brief translation of his speech (translation courtesy of Robin Tanaka sensei of Detroit Kendo Dojo![]()
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Key points from Koda-sensei:![]()
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1. Kendo has high risk of infection due to the nature of doing kiai, and being at close proximity. Hence, we will mitigate this risk by:![]()
a. Wearing masks![]()
b. Avoiding tsubazeriai as much as possible![]()
2. We also want to aspire to elevate the level of kendo shiai to the best possible (ideal state of kendo). Tsubazeriai is one of the most critical aspects. As this is shiai, you must be dedicated to the shobu (win/loss). However, the manner in which you do this should be fair and sportsmanlike. Try not to compete at the boundary of fair play (close to being penalized by hansoku), but compete fair and square with your kendo. To this point, many times we see a lot of tsubazeriai within the shiai, to the point that 2/3 of the shiai time is spent in tsubazeriai. We should aspire to do kendo at the tachiai no maai (sword tips crossed). We should do seme at this maai, close in, back-out, capture the opportunity. This is the kendo we should be aspiring to and cultivating. If we can develop this at the high school level, we can expect that this will continue through university as well as through adulthood. What is most important is that the shiaisha do this proactively. It should not be the judges enforcing this. If the judges enforce, it would mean numerous wakare or hansoku. Tsubazeriai is a matter of mindset and behavior. ![]()
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Moving to practical:![]()
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- When going into tsubazeriai, the shiaisha should in principle be going in with seme, resulting in tsubazeriai. Oftentimes, shiaisha enter into tsubazeriai with no seme, in a defensive position. This means that that the shiaisha has declined to do shobu and is only looking to avoid being struck. This type of action should result in hansoku.![]()
- Now, if tsubazeriai happens. Whether it is as a result of seme, or as a result of an attempt at yukodatotsu, at the moment of tsubazeriai there should be an attempt at a yukodatotsu utilizing waza.![]()
- In the case that a waza is not possible, both sides should acknowledge that there was no opportunity and agree to do wakare to the point where the kensaki is parted. Shiaisha should not have to wait for the judge to call wakare. ![]()
- When doing wakare, shiaisha should not open their kamae or lower their kamae. It is difficult to gauge distance if the shinai is not in kamae. Both sides should do wakare with the same kigurai (mindset) and timing. There are some cases where one side initiates the wakare with one step, but refrains from going back any further, waiting for the other to go back. As soon as the other competitor takes a step back, the initiator takes the opportunity to strike. This type of wakare is not considered wakare with equal kigurai.![]()
- Wakare should be done swiftly, with both sides keeping the shinogi together (continuing to maintain spirit between the blades).![]()
- When doing wakare, you should not open your kamae, lower your kamae or do gyaku-kosa (reverse crossing of shinai). If shiaisha are doing kobushizeriai (fist to fist) rather than tsubazeriai (tsuba to tsuba), then this is incorrect and can easily lead to gyaku-kosa.![]()
- If your hands are held too high in a defensive position, it is likely that this is incorrect tsubazeriai and can lead to gyaku-kosa, and improper wakare.![]()
- Do not do harai waza or maki waza when doing wakare.![]()
- Do not take the moment of doing wakare to strike. Both sides should have agreed that there was no opportunity at the moment of tsubazeriai and agreed to do wakare. To strike at this point is cowardly and should be counted as hansoku or will not count as yukodatotsu.![]()
- Of course, there will be cases that are difficult to ascertain. One could argue that the strike was not upon doing wakare but still at the point of tsubazeriai. If it is clear that both sides signaled to do wakare and one side took advantage to strike at that moment, it is hansoku. However, if it is difficult to judge, the shinpan should call gogi to discuss.![]()
- During the gogi, the shinpan should discuss whether the strike was intentional (take advantage of the wakare situation) or if it was coincidental. If coincidental, no hansoku, no yukodatotsu.![]()
- If shiai follow these guidelines, there should be good shiai. In the recent All Japan Championships, all shiaisha were able to proactively do wakare and there was not a single case of wakare due to tsubazeriai.![]()
- When doing wakare, there is no need to try to avoid being struck, as strikes will not count as yukodatotsu.![]()
- Question: What happens at the line? If one person has their back to the line, the other competitor should back up. If shinpan calls wakare and one competitor steps out, call yame and bring them back to the center with no hansoku. If the competitors proactively do wakare and inadvertently step out of bounds, also call yame and bring them to the center with no hansoku. ![]()
- If the stepping out of bounds happens during regular seme or striking, then this is a different story and unrelated to wakare or tsubazeriai. Of course, the shiaisha should do their best to try and avoid stepping out of bounds. Shinpan should also be aware and attentive to cases where yame should be called to avoid unnecessary physical contact at the line.![]()
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In summary, it is important for all shiaisha and shinpan to understand these guidelines and improve the quality of shiai with safety in mind.![]()
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youtu.be/HAeJto7Tz2Q?t=250
【重要】 試合形式・審判規則【第30回全国高校剣道選抜大会】
youtu.be
EVENT: Kendo Ontario extends an invitation to attend a virtual seminar (APR, 25, 2021) hosted by two-time Team Canada member, Kyrene Kim Sensei. The session shines a spotlight on Women's Kendo and will include both an instructional component and a panel discussion. Please see the link below for details.
Kendo Ontario: Open Practice and Panel Discussion
kendoontario.ca
Our focus this month is Women's Kendo. The practice and discussion will be centered around longevity in Kendo and how to foster lifelong Kendo as both a player and as a leader in the Kendo community.Log into your CKF account here for membership renewals, updates, and grading registration.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Christian D'Orangeville
Vice President East: Hyun-June Choi
Vice President West: Makiko Ara
Secretary: Neil Gendzwill
Treasurer: John Maisonneuve
Director: Pamela Morgan
Director: David Mori
Director: Patrick Suen