Hanshi - The Path to 8th Dan : Nakata Yuji Hanshi Part .1

"To receive a passing grade from me, you must intend from the beginning to win before you strike - not to strike in order to win."

                                                                                                                                                                      - Nakata Yuji Hanshi

If you do not do the match with a felling of winning and then hitting, as opposed to hitting and then winning, then I will not give you a passing mark.

If you are a referee on a regular basis, you probably know that the requirements for a valid strike is "full spirit, proper posture, that the striking part of the Shinai strikes the target correctly and Zanshin".

A valid strike is of course important in the promotional exam, but Nakata Hanshi says that, “it is not enough to just meet the requirements a such a strike in order to pass the 8th dan”.

He says "A Valid strike is the same from the first Dan to the eight,But the substance have to change. A 6th dan level strike becomes 6th dan, a 7th dan level strike becomes 7th dan”.

He continues, “for the 8th Dan, it is not enough to make a valid strike that meets the requirements, You must make a strike that has good timing, hitting as the opportunity presents itself, using proper body and hand movements, and has strength and sharpness, which are the elements of an effective impact".

Also, "Kendo is not only about hitting first. The person who can attack their opponent and hit the place where the opponent has become weak shines in a group of four people”. 

Whether you are winning by your attack and throwing a strike is clearly visible to the Judges. 

By his talk, I understood that it is possible to pass the 8th dan by practicing while paying attention not only to the requirements for a valid strike but also to these other factors.

M.
- GEN Editorial Staff 

Hanshi - The Path to 8th Dan

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