1. Explain the requirements of Ippon (一本) in Kendo
Like many other martial arts, hitting the correct targets of one’s opponent with a legitimate position, a good posture (構え方と足の位置と踏み方など) and polite manner is a basic requirement of getting Ippon. But learning Kendo is not only learning how to fight using our shinai. Instead we are learning how to co-ordinate our body, the shinai and our mental condition together. Our body, our mind, as well as the way we use our shinai determine whether we can get Ippon.
A valid hitting position with shinai (打突部で正しく打つこと) is judged by the angle and distance we are cutting the men, kote, and dou. Like cutting a watermelon, our shinai works most effectively if we use the sharpest part (i.e. 刃すじ, the opposite side of つる) against the target. To make sure we are using the sharpest part to hit, we have to control our distance with the opponent once we decide to proceed. It is very important to manipulate the sharpest part of the shinai. No matter we are going from a far-away distance (遠い間) or proceeding within the distance between two shinai.(一足一刀), 13 to 15 cm from the tip of a shinai (剣先) is the most effective part.
Spirit is very essential. A good kiai(気合) strengthens our fighting spirit, while a weak kiai will weaken our power and slow down our speed and accuracy. A good coordination between our mind, our body and our hitting means that our voice, our energy and posture are in harmony. In Kendo’s jargon, it is called ki-ken-tai-icchi（気剣体一致）
A good hitting is not completely accomplished without a zanshin (残心), in order to make sure that your opponent does not strike back suddenly. To get IPPON successfully, a good preparation, a good timing, effective hitting and keeping your mind in cautious and concentration are indispensably required.
2. Why do we learn Rei/ Reiho in Kendo (礼．礼法)
Rei and Reiho are two sides of a coin but they should be explained separately. To be concise, Rei is of the utmost importance in Kendo. It is always said that Kendo starts with Rei and ends with Rei (剣道は礼にはじまり、礼に終わる). While Reiho is a way to keep our looking properly and to train our manner politely through a set of Reigi (礼儀). This includes our standing posture and sitting posture. In Japanese, it is called “ritsurei” and “zarei” respectively.
Both Ritsurei and Zarei emphasize that we should respect each other all the time inside a dojo. Whatever we are standing and sitting, keeping our backbone straight and keeping our eye-contact with each other is a basic manner. Actually, kendo training is a good way of self-cultivation. A good manner with a tidy, modest, respectable, and decent appearance is a universal criterion to judge one whether she is an educated person. Therefore sometimes we may think that kendo is not only teaching us a martial art, a sport, a physical game, but also giving us a comprehensive, all-round nurture of ourselves.
In other words, learning Rei/ Reiho is knowing oneself, which motivates us to grow and become mature. When Rei is represented by Ritsurei, it reminds us all the time that getting wins cannot achieve through violence and bad-tempered. Bowing to the dojo and bowing to each other is a way to learn how to maintain one’s manner, discipline and show our kindness to people. Zarei trains our way of breathing and concentration. We begin to realize that a smooth breathing and knowing how to calm down ourselves is a stepping-stone to our next step. Not only for doing keiko on the class, but this training can also apply to our daily life as well.
It is very natural to study Rei/ Reiho when we start to learn Kendo. Why did we choose Kendo instead of other martial arts in the first place? Kendo is somehow a mirror of Japanese way of thinking. Rei/ Reiho is then the very basic common sense that is widely shared in the Japanese society.
* Written for the occasion of 6th Regional Kendo Championships Dan Examination
(4 December 2010, Hong Kong)
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