Kendo Competition
Kendo Match (shiai) Competition is of considerable significance within Kendo as it provides the opportunity to try out techniques and skills you have developed during daily practice, with an opponent, while having the external pressures of time and penalties enforced upon the match.
Some of the essential elements in a Kendo match are as follows: POSTURE No matter what posture you assume as you adjust to your opponent offensive or defensive, none of them will guard you unless backed by a determined spirit. A kendo match is ultimately decided by the difference in mental power between you and the opponent.
KI- AI In Kendo, to be full of Kiai is to be full of spirit. Kiai should be used sparingly. It is most effective when used in the following three situations:
- In the initial moment when one comes face to face with an opponent.
- When attacked by the opponent
- At the time of attacking a specific target.
Its purpose is to eliminate the sickness of doubt, fear, perplexity, hesitation and surprise. MA_AI: Literally meaning 'distance between'. Ma-ai in Kendo is referred to as distance and timing. Ma- ai involves more than just the judgement of distance between opponents, it actually refers to space. A Kendo player needs to control the space during a match at any given time. It is necessary to develop the ability to 'size up'.
ZANSHIN (awareness) The Kendo player must employ Zanshin at all times while training and be in a sustained state of alertness with the aim of assuring strategic victory.
A Kendo match is a series of actions, both offensive and defensive, requiring uninterrupted concentration. Kendo is a continuing training of the mind and body. It is a life long pursuit often extending into one's 70's and 80's years of age. Throughout this time the element of competition is still relevant, although the emphasis will most certainly change from an external to an internal (self) opponent.
