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, you can also jump about 5 or 10 meters, but imagine hitting the ball and pulling it back while you're ready, and do this with just one foot. Just imagine pulling it back with your left foot. Okay. So let's get to this point."

Takahashi:Imagine yourself 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, that's good."

Takahashi:Yes. Try not to bend your knees or bend forward, but keep your knees and left arm in mind, and just keep going.

Towel gathering

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

Takahashi:That's right. It doesn't matter where you go, but the important thing is to go alternately right and left, right and left until the end."

Takahashi: Thisis for building strength in the toes. Because kendo is done barefoot, it is said that it is very important to imagine biting the floor with your toes, and high-ranking teachers have the image of attacking the opponent with their toes. So, this is commonly called towel gathering, and because it is done using the toes, it is also a very important exercise for building leg strength.

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