#5 One Step Closer: Connecting and Communicating.

Since my last post, I have been working on connecting and communicating (aiki) with my opponents. This is difficult and of course depends on your opponent. It is easier to connect and communicate with opponents who understand the importance of aiki. It is not often taught and learnt outside of Japan early enough in one’s kendo journey.

It is not difficult to “perform” connection and communication between kensen in kendo. But how do you connnect and communicate with kendo opponents genuinely and at a deeper level? It requires a certain openness, risk, vulnerability and technical ability to really connect and communicate with opponents. I do wonder what 8 dan sensei are communicating to each other when they are moving in kamae for long periods. It is so subtle and intricate. Are they pressing for weaknesses/openings on the body and do the reactions depend on the day, situation, what is at stake, and the opponent? Is it spiritual? A battle of both ki and technique? A real example of aiki?

Being more aware of connection and communication during my keiko now, I have found that generally my opponents do not connect and communicate or they communicate hastily to press stress for a reaction. There is nothing established, no foundation or connection to build anything from. This type of seme has not really pressed on an opening or weakness nor does not demonstrate that my opponent knows anything about my kendo or me as a person. I don’t really see how either sides can develop from this type of keiko―regardless of grade level.

I feel there is too much of a focus on striking and not getting struck. People then judge their kendo and opponent’s kendo ability based on whether they are “hit” or not. But if there is no opening developed before a strike, is the point really won and what can be learnt from the strike or not getting struck in these situation? This interpretation of kendo becomes a game of chances and ego stroking, more like shiai and lacking in the intriguing aspects of kendo.

I became interested in the communicating and connection aspect of kendo when I trained at an elite university kendo club on a daily basis for 18-months in Japan. Learning how to (non-verbally) communicate is considered a characteristic of sport pedagogy in Japan as it is a valued culturally. In the dojo, I observed that there was a great emphasis on being aware of others and feeling or understanding others through their body language and kendo movements. Awareness training, which is incorporated into many aspects of keiko in Japan, can enhance one’s ability to connect, communicate with, and understand opponents during keiko. Kendo is deeply interpersonal.

As culture overlaps with kendo practices in Japan, I would argue that learning how to communicate and connect with your opponent in kendo contexts outside of Japan needs to be verbally explained, cognitively processed, then practiced with intention. Although, I believe non-Japanese people can understand kendo at a deeper level, communicative kendo as a form of kendo embodiment is not imitable. It can only be learned through the body through certain experiences and spaces alongside others engaged in similar processes.  

Communication methods through the kendo body is one significant way that Japanese kendo differs from kendo outside of Japan. Although I have an understanding of this, I can not say that I can communicate with opponents at a deeper level yet. Although I can read others, I am still learning how to communicate through my body in a way that I feel comfortable and open. I have focused mostly on kihon movements up until this point. Now as part of my 7 dan preparation, it is of course important to think about these things and work on them, not just for performance purposes but to demonstrate a deeper understanding of kendo communication that is built into my kendo.

To previous blog posts in this series:

#1 One Step Closer: Starting again.

#2 One Step Closer: Standing Tall.

#3 One Step Closer: Being Comfortable in Open Space.

#4 One Step Closer: Connecting with Ki.

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