Your kirikaeshi says a lot about you.

I have written on several occasions about

the benefits to be gained from practicing
kirikaeshi. This time I wanted to share
some thoughts on just how much kirikaeshi
can tell others about your kendo.
I got home last night after the Watchet
kendo seminar and grading. In the past in
the UK, it was only necessary to include
kirikaeshi in grading exams up to third dan.
Now to align with other European kendo
countries, its inclusion has been extended to
4th dan examinations. With this in mind we
did some work on kirikaeshi over the
weekend and then as a grading panellist I
watched 3 hours of it on Sunday, so as you
can imagine, the topic is fresh in my mind.
It really is a very good indicator of an
individuals overall kendo level. A
demonstration of kirikaeshi is not affected
by the relative strength of your opponent, it
is a simple showcase for your kendo basics.
It gives examiners a clear view of your
ability to cut correctly with tenouchi, your
footwork and ki- ken- tai-itchi and the
strength of your kiai.
When as an examiner you watch kirikaeshi the first thing you notice is whether or
not the candidate is demonstrating full spirit. A big kiai and the ability to make
successive strikes in one breath will immediately get the panel on side. It is also

Your kirikaeshi says a lot about you|Shidokan Per

easy to see whether the attacker is making correct cuts to the target. For yoko men
this should be a a 45 degree angle to the temple and the right arm should be
extended and the left hand should remain in the centre of his or her dou mune.
Many kendoka get into the habit of aiming at the opponents shinai rather than
really trying to hit the target. When they are practising in their own dojo, they
should get motodachi to receive the strike as close as possible to their men to
encourage a correct cutting action and hasuji. It is also obvious if correct distance is
being kept. This is usually a good indicator of someones ability to control their
footwork.
One question I was asked several times over the weekend was whether tai-atari
should be included in kirikaeshi in gradings. There are various schools of thought,
but the simple answer is include it if you have to and dont if you dont. For instance
if motodachi offers strong resistance, make tai-atari, if he goes back after your first
strike, then there is no need.
Of course there are other elements of kendo such as timing, opportunity, seme and
the understanding of riai that are not visible in kirikaeshi, which is why we go on to
a jigeiko demonstration, but kirikaeshi certainly gives the panel a quick overview of
a candidates level of competence with kendos fundamentals.

Your kirikaeshi says a lot about you|Shidokan Per

Your kirikaeshi says a lot about you|Shidokan Per