Yamada Sensei Visits the HKC
On August 21st, 2003 the HKC was visited by Sensei Glen Yamada of the Mississagua Kendo Club. Yamada Sensei is a 4th Dan Kendoka, and has been practicing Kendo for over 25 years!
After performing our clubs standard warm-up, and a few Suburi I asked Yamada Sensei to take over the class. We lined up and put on our bogu. As we had some non-bogu kendoka, Yamada Sensei suggested that I take the non-bogu people aside to work on basics with them, while he did some drills with the rest of the class. (We would have a chance to practice with each other shortly.) Big thanks goes to Jennifer for taking the following pictures for the HKC!!
Class begins with Yamada Sensei.
Yamada Sensei begins the class by going over the all important basics of Kendo: KiriKaeshi Men, KiriKaeshi Do, Men, Kote, Do. Yamada Sensei's main emphasis was on strong Kiai, and on having a strong Kensen.
KiriKaeshi practice with Yamada Sensei
Before and after each drill, Yamada Sensei instructs the students on some of the finer points to each, their purpose. and proper execution.
Yamada Sensei giving instructions on performing a proper Men.
Yamada Sensei then put on his Bogu, and continued the drill practice. This time, Yamada Sensei practiced the drills himself with the rest of the students.
Yamada Sensei explaining the next drill to be practiced.
Kyoung practices Men with Yamada Sensei.
Yamada Sensei has Chantelle practice Kote Uchi.
At this point i had finished with the non-bogu students, and joined in with the bogu students for some drill practice. I joined in at the last drill, which was "Three Men-Uchi, one breath"....always a great drill.
Yamada Sensei performing the Three Men Uchi, One Breath drill with me.
After the drills were finished, Yamada Sensei suggested a quick break for everyone to check their Bogu then we began Geiko. This was the first 40 minutes of the class. The next 50 minutes would be Geiko. We started Geiko with a three minute rotation in order for everyone to have a chance to practice with Yamada Sensei. As i had just done drills with Yamada Sensei, i would be the last to spar with him.
Ian vs Yamada Sensei. Nice Kote attempt Ian!
Chantelle in Tsubzeriai with Yamada Sensei.
After about 20 minutes or so, I was next in line to do Geiko with Yamada Sensei. I asked Yamada Sensei if I could practice Jodan no Kamae with him and he agreed. Now the fun begins. We did Geiko for the three minute rotation, but when the time was up Yamada Sensei told the rest of the class to rotate around us...we were going to keep going. Two roations pass, then three. The great part was that every so often, Yamada Sensei would assume Jodan no Kamae himself! It was my first experience in Ai Jodan.
Katate Shomen.
Steve hits a Hiki-Kote on Yamada Sensei!!
Attempting to perform a Shinai Uchi, Hiki-Men against Yamada Sensei's Do strike.
After about 20 minutes of Geiko with Yamada Sensei we had about 10 minutes left in the class, so we decided to do Ippon Shobu as our last exercise. Yamada Sensei wanted to use the entire floor for this, so the other Kendoka lined up at the opposite end of the Dojo. 10 minutes went by with no point. 15 minutes. Twenty minutes later, I scored a point (!!) with a Katate Men strike. What a great match!
Tsubazeriai with Yamada Sensei.
Ai Jodan with Yamada Sensei.
After our closing formalities with Yamada Sensei, I asked him for some general comments for the club. He talked with us for about another 10 minutes on both the purpose and theory of strong Kiai, and a strong Kensen.
Everyone had a lot of fun, and we thank Yamada Sensei for everything he taught us.
On behalf of the HKC, Thank you Yamada Sensei!!
If you have any questions please contact: hfxkendo@hotmail.com