Hello. This is Asuka.
It has been a week since I last practiced Kendo, because I traveled around Southern California. There were a fewer students than usual today. Since our Dojo is not so big, this number was actually ideal for our practice.
Unfortunately, I found that my size 39 Shinai was broken just before practice. So I used 37 Shinai as substitution. Sometimes I couldn’t reach out to the opponent. Every practice, Ariga Sensei told us to show our best Men to fellows. I am always nervous when he asks us that. Particularly this time, my Shinai was shorter than usual, so I was even more nervous than usual. In addition to that, before I showed my strike, one of our high school Kenshi has been told that his Kiai was too small, and he should watch my Kiai carefully. It was terrible for me. I concentrated not only on my distance and my postures, but also Kiai. I had to concentrate on everything.
BUTOKUDEN DOJO Adult Practice
Personally, I don’t’ like being nervous, but this practice is very good for us. It is more like real game feeling. We have to concentrate on everything to show to Dojo fellows. Also I can tell who is improving now from this practice. I get more inspired to practice harder and I think about how to beat them or how to tell their good points and bad points.
Anyways, today I learned that it is important to check the Shinai before going to practice.
Check your Shinai all the time, guys!!
