Meikyokan Program for Learning Fundamentals (v02 DRAFT)
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.
~ jks, September 7, 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 & bokuto, no bogu). Focus on inward awareness / movements / suburi.
THURSDAYS (required) : Level 1 fundamentals (shinai & bokuto, no bogu) Focus on outward awareness / paired practice / waza.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
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 explore different ways of increasing our (INWARD) awareness of our own bodies - sensations, balance, movements, expression - and how these elements are related to energy and the logic of sword-fighting (OUTWARD). In terms of physical skills, Level 1 practice is primarily focused on being able to move with a relaxed, natural feeling, with good awareness 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
kirikaeshi (suriashi only)
Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho
Nihon Kendo Kata
LEVEL 2 FUNDAMENTALS : "SECOND & THIRD 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 recommended) : Level 1 fundamentals (shinai & bokuto, no bogu)
WEDNESDAY (required) : Level 2 fundamentals (shinai, with bogu) : how to do paired attacking & receiving practice
FRIDAY (optional) : Level 2 fundamentals (shinai, with bogu) : most fundamental paired striking practice (MKK students together)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Level 2 fundamentals: This next level simply extends the principles of Level 1 into more advanced 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. We will practice this mostly on Thursdays. Level 2 Fundamentals usually take about one or two years to learn. A student who is competent in Level 2 skills should easily pass the 1-kyu (ikkyu) exam.
continue practicing Level 1 Fundamentals
ki & kiai
fumikomi-ashi
kirikaeshi (no taiatari)
ippon-uchi-no-waza
renzoku-waza (nidan-no-waza, sandan-no-waza)
harai-waza
hiki-waza
uchikomi-geiko
Nihon Kendo Kata
Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho
basic rules and regulations of shiai & shinpan
LEVEL 3 FUNDAMENTALS : "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 & bokuto, no bogu)
WEDNESDAYS (required) : Level 2 fundamentals (shinai, with bogu) : how to do paired attacking & receiving practice; slowly expand waza vocabulary
FRIDAYS (required) : Level 2 fundamentals (shinai, with bogu) : uchikomi-geiko, ji-geiko, shiai-geiko (MKK students & guests all together)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
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 be able to feel the different energies of the various waza, understand the logic and psychology of applying appropriate waza in different situations, and so on. If we practice 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 be able to perform Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho with confidence.
In my mind, Level 3 Fundamentals may be somewhere around a year or two years in length. A student who is well-versed in Level 3 skills should easily pass the 1-dan (shodan) exam; and possibly the 2-dan (nidan) exam.
continue practicing Levels 1 & 2 Fundamentals
some students: kirikaeshi (with taiatari)
all students: receiving taiatari
semete-men / kote / do / tsuki
renzoku-waza
harai-waza
hiki-waza
nuki-waza
suriage-waza
debana-waza
kaeshi-waza
uchiotoshi-waza
katsugi-waza
Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho
Nihon Kendo Kata
study and apply rules and regulations of shiai & shinpan
LEVEL 4 : CONTINUING LEARNING : "BEYOND SHODAN"
(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 members with permission
Tuesday : LEVEL 1 FUNDAMENTALS
• MKK Level 1 Fundamentals students (required)
• MKK Level 2 / 3 / 4 Fundamentals students (optional)
Wednesday : LEVEL 2 / 3 FUNDAMENTALS
• MKK Level 2 / 3 Fundamentals students (required)
• MKK Level 4 Fundamentals students (optional)
• MKK Level 1 students mitori-geiko ok.
Thursday : LEVEL 1 FUNDAMENTALS
• MKK Level 1 Fundamentals students (required)
• MKK Level 2 / 3 / 4 Fundamentals students (optional)
Friday : OPEN PRACTICE / MOST FUNDAMENTAL STRIKING PRACTICE FOR MKK LEVEL 2 STUDENTS
• MKK Level 3 Fundamentals students (required, MKK students together with visitors)
• MKK Level 2 Fundamentals students (optional, MKK students separate)
• MKK Level 1 students mitori-geiko ok.
• open to other dojo members with permission