Hello. This is Asuka.
Yesterday, Seo Sensei (Executive Vice President of Korean Kumdo Federation for Social Members ) visited our Dojo. He is Hanshi 8 dan. Thanks to Kim sensei, we were able to arrange Seo Sensei’s visit to our Dojo, during his busy schedule here in the USA. He was also one of the referees who refereed Ariga Sensei’s match at the 11WKC in 2000 (Semi Finals, Taisho match Canada x Japan). After that WKC, Seo Sensei and Ariga Sensei had become good friends, although Seo Sensei is much older than Ariga Sensei.
Mmany students came to practice with Seo Sensei, and he gave us a short Kendo lecture. He taught us how to invite our opponents. First, we move 5 steps toward opponent from Issoku ittou no maai. When we can make opponent open, we hit Men. When we can’t, we still hit Kote using the opponent power. He taught us more advanced things also. When we show our Kote, the opponent might come for the Kote, and we do Kote Suriage Men. Any time, it is the most important that we should keep ‘good distance’ and keep our Kensaki in the center.
After the lecture, we had free practice (Jigeiko). All students had the opportunities to fight with him. HE IS VERY STRONG!! Most of students in our Dojo could not touch him. His Ashisabaki was very good. It is easy for him to avoid our attack, by just using his feet. We had very good practice with him.
After practice, we went out to eat and talked many things about Kendo. It was a very big party. We all liked his personality. He is a very calm and kind Sensei.
