SU NAO

Koike Sensei's philosophy on Su-Nao:

Those students who are progressing quickly in kendo usually using a

method of learning called Sunao. On the contrary, those who seem to
have slower progression are not using sunao.

What is sunao?

Sunao- is a method of learning during a practice. It requires the

kendoka to copy the instructed movements and waza with honest and
open mind. Then, immediately after practice, it requires a question.
That question is: what is the best technique for me?

I asked Koike Sensei what is the translation of sunao to English, he said

there is no translation however, there are some close definitions:

Meek, Docile or Obedient

Sensei explained that there are two parts to sunao process . First part:
opening our minds and becoming obedient during kendo routines. This
will enable us to learn faster and in a more productive way. Children
use sunao technic, subconsciously, for learning the world. They have
pliable minds and are able to follow instructions without thinking. This
allows them to gain an experience in variety of ways and learn quickly
and sufficiently. During kendo practice everyone should learn as a child
does, using pliable mind and sunao.
Second part: after practice, we have to use our intelligence to analyze
and critic what we've learned. As we rationalize and process that
knowledge, we must ask ourselves a key question: what is the best
technique for me? This question helps to sort out useful and unuseful
knowledge.

Steps in achieving Sunao

1. Listening

During our practice open your ears and absorb as much knowledge as
you can by focusing your energy and attention.

2. Copy exactly

Do exactly as instructed. This refers to specific waza or basic. Those

students who are able to reproduce instructions into proper
movements get ahead. Remember, you must copy, not make your own.

3. Ask yourself: what is best for me?

After practice analyze and critic what you did, take a note and try to
determine what was the best waza you have done. Then, adopt those
waza/strategy into your arsenal and drop those that did not work for
you. During the next practice, keep refining those waza so that they will
become a second nature.

This is the way of Su Nao