Meikyokan Program for Learning Fundamentals (DRAFT v01)
Since every group of individuals is unique, it's hard to say exactly how long each level will take to complete. I'm more interested in everyone becoming fundamentally balanced than in keeping to strict schedules, so I think it's better for each group to move forward when they've simply acquired enough skills and understanding for the next level to rest upon. This kind of 'progressive' approach to learning may seem slow sometimes but in the long run this way lends itself to clearer, deeper understanding, and has more potential for cultivating efficient, beautiful movement.
Lately I've been thinking that it'd be nice to start new students at Meikyokan at the beginning of Spring. (This year Spring begins on March 20.) But, if the timing is not right, I won't be too sad. ~ jks, February 2017
LEVEL 1 FUNDAMENTALS : "FIRST YEAR"
3 times a week practice; MKK practice only
MONDAYS (required) : Nihon Kendo Kata (bokuto, no bogu)
TUESDAYS (required) : Level 1 fundamentals (shinai, no bogu)
THURSDAYS (required) : Level 1 fundamentals (shinai, no bogu)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Level 1 fundamentals: This first part is mostly an introduction to how the human body is conceptualized and used in the kendo world. In addition to learning some of the basics of manners and etiquette for the dojo, we'll spend most of our time exploring different ways of increasing our awareness of our own bodies - sensations, balance, movements, expression - and how these elements are related to energy and the logic of sword-fighting. In terms of physical skills, Level 1 practice is primarily focused on being able to move with a relaxed, natural feeling, with a full consciousness of space and rhythm.
Although Nihon Kendo Kata is very conceptually complex and maybe difficult to memorize, we will practice it every Monday as a way to keep us focused on the heart of kendo.
reiho
saho
chakuso
shinai & bogu
breathing & ki
mokuso
kamae
tai-sabaki / ashi-sabaki / ken-sabaki
suburi
suriashi kirikaeshi
Nihon Kendo Kata
LEVEL 2 FUNDAMENTALS : "SECOND YEAR"
Minimum 3 times a week practice; MKK practice only
MONDAYS (required) : Nihon Kendo Kata (bokuto, no bogu)
TUESDAYS OR THURSDAYS (at least 1 day required) : Level 1 fundamentals (shinai, no bogu)
WEDNESDAY (required) : Level 2 fundamentals (shinai, with bogu), introduction to Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho (bokuto, no bogu)
FRIDAY (optional) : Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho (bokuto, no bogu)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Level 2 fundamentals: This next level simply extends the principles of Level 1 into more difficult movements and skills (for example, suri-ashi > fumikomi-ashi; deeper level study of breathing techniques and energy control, etc.) and more complex practice methods (individual practice without bogu > paired striking practice wearing bogu). Otherwise, it's basically "more of the same."
Being able to correctly do Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho is a required element of the 1-kyu examination. At the Level 2 stage, learning Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho is optional, but if you'd like to start learning it sooner rather than later you may do this by attending Friday practices.
continue practicing Level 1 Fundamentals
ki & kiai
fumikomi-ashi
ippon-uchi-no-waza
taiatari
kirikaeshi (taiatari)
kirikaeshi (taiatari-nashi)
hiki-waza
uchikomi-geiko
renzoku-waza (nidan-no-waza, sandan-no-waza)
Nihon Kendo Kata
Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho
basic rules and regulations of shiai & shinpan
LEVEL 3 FUNDAMENTALS : "THIRD / FOURTH YEAR"
Minimum 3 times a week practice; MKK practice only
MONDAYS (required) : Nihon Kendo Kata (bokuto, no bogu)
TUESDAYS OR THURSDAYS (both days optional) : Level 1 fundamentals (shinai, no bogu)
WEDNESDAYS (required) : Level 2 fundamentals (shinai, with bogu)
FRIDAYS (required) : Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho (bokuto, no bogu), intermediate waza (shinai, with bogu)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Level 3 fundamentals: In addition to learning many more waza, Level 3 practice also aims to deepen our understanding of the logic of kendo as a whole. In other words we should not only work on being able to perform kendo kihon-waza (mechanically) correctly, we should also aim to be fluent in the differing energies of the various waza, the logic and psychology of applying appropriate waza in different situations, and so on. If we practice our waza like this then kendo will be more interesting, enjoyable, and we will also learn a lot about ourselves and our relationships with others, including other animals and non-living things.
In addition to continuing our study of Nihon Kendo Kata, at Level 3 practice Meikyokan students should seriously study Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho. This will be practiced on Fridays.
In my mind, Level 3 Fundamentals may be somewhere around a year or two years in length. A student who is able to do Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho reasonably well should be well prepared to pass the 1-kyu exam (ikkyu). Taking the 1-dan exam (shodan) usually follows six months or a year later.
continue practicing Levels 1 & 2 Fundamentals
semete-men/kote/do/tsuki
harai-waza
katsugi-waza
debana-waza
nuki-waza
kaeshi-waza
suriage-waza
uchiotoshi-waza
Nihon Kendo Kata
Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho
complete rules and regulations of shiai & shinpan
LEVEL 4 : CONTINUING LEARNING : "FOURTH YEAR & BEYOND"
(unlimited practice; practice at MKK and elsewhere, with permission)
MONDAYS (required forever and ever) : Nihon Kendo Kata (bokuto, no bogu)
WHATEVERDAYS : practice at MKK and other dojo.
...or... written out a different way...
MEIKYOKAN PRACTICE SCHEDULE BY DAY
Monday : NIHON KENDO KATA
• all MKK students required
• open to other dojo students with permission
Tuesday : LEVEL 1 FUNDAMENTALS
• MKK Level 1 Fundamentals students (required)
• MKK Level 2 Fundamentals students (optional)
Wednesday : LEVEL 2 FUNDAMENTALS
• MKK Level 2 Fundamentals students (required)
• MKK Level 3 Fundamentals students (required)
• open to other dojo students with permission
Thursday : LEVEL 1 FUNDAMENTALS
• MKK Level 1 Fundamentals students (required)
• MKK Level 2 Fundamentals students (optional)
Friday : LEVEL 3 FUNDAMENTALS / BOKUTO NI YORU KENDO KIHON-WAZA KEIKO-HO
• MKK Level 3 Fundamentals students (required)
• MKK Level 2 Fundamentals students (optional)
• open to other dojo students with permission
[ View the Program in Table format (PDF, 61KB) ]
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