Takahashi Kentaro Style: Building a Body for Kendo

Following on from last time, this time too, we will be asking Mr. Kentaro Takahashi, the training coach for the Japanese national kendo team, to tell us what kind of training is necessary for kendo. This is the seventh time, and this time we will be talking about training methods for strengthening the legs.

Imagine pulling your left foot in

Takahashi: " Now imagine hopping. From the ready position, about 5 or 10 meters is fine, but imagine hitting the ball and pulling it back while you're ready, and do this with just one foot. Imagine pulling it back with just your left foot. Okay. So let's get to this point."

Takahashi: " Imagine you're ready, and go over there. Take small, precise steps. Yes, knock knock knock. Yes. Let's go one more time. Knock knock. One more time. Okay, OK."

Takahashi: Yes. Try not to bend your knees or lean forward, but focus on your knees and left armpit. Just keep going.

Towel gathering

--So, where on the tenugui should I start?

Takahashi: That's right. It doesn't matter where you are, but the important thing is to alternate between going right and left, right and left, until the very end.

Takahashi: "This is for strengthening the muscles in your toes. Kendo is done barefoot, so it's said that it's very important to imagine that you're biting into the floor with your toes. High-ranking teachers have you imagine attacking your opponent with your toes. So, this is commonly called towel gathering, and because it's done with your toes, it's a very important exercise for building leg strength."

Takahashi: " Okay, let's try it. One, two, three. That's right. Just a little more. Okay."

Next time stretch

This time, he explained how to train your legs.

There is a saying about the most important things in Kendo: "One eye, two feet, three courage, four strength." The feet are said to be second only to the eyes, so I realized that this training was extremely important. Hopping with just the left foot seems like something that can be incorporated right away, using any free time during practice. Towel gathering may seem mundane at first glance, but I think that this kind of steady training, not neglected but continued every day, will become a source of strength.

In the next episode, we will be teaching you about stretching. Please look forward to it!

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"The Japanese Kendo National Team Coach Teaches You What Kind of Training (Muscle Training) is Necessary for Kendo" [Kentaro Takahashi] #8 "Stretching"

"The Japanese Kendo National Team Coach Teaches You What Kind of Training (Muscle Training) is Necessary for Kendo" [Kentaro Takahashi] Total of 10 Parts