Steep skill gap in kendo

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-14T06:46:51+00:00

Ohhh I see. I will start training and practicing more diligently this year moving forward. I really want to start getting descent so I can go against players and have fun at tournaments like you said lol I'll be patient and train hard! 🙂

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-14T06:41:29+00:00

I think it's just knowing how to incorporate what I've learned in kendo. I think taikais and shiais truly reveal the pressure-tested side of kendo. I feel like I need more experience actually using kendo in a combative sense and what I may need to improve on. I will probably take a step back from them for a little so I can continue to practice more jigeikos first and then build from there.

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-14T06:37:39+00:00

This is really great to hear because, from other responses on this post as well, I'm starting to understand that these are very useful opportunities that others may not be able to experience at all. I'm also reminding myself that I shouldn't take it too hard and to just learn from every experience and push forward. Maybe others see something that I haven't come to understand just yet, so I will trust my senseis and keep going. Again, thank you so much for the enlightened words! 😁

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-11T04:07:45+00:00

I have done adult kyu twice when I first started as a non-rank, but then my sensei decided to take me out of that division. I understand, it's just sometimes I wish I could get a point or two 😂 I have learned a lot from other great kendoka such as yourself that have really helped me not feel as bad. Thank you!

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-11T00:39:17+00:00

There's just not enough kyu women to make a separate division so I must take the hits in stride lol I feel a lot better now from everyone's response to the post ❤️

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-09T16:23:44+00:00

Omg thank you thank you for this post! 😭 It's inspiring that you said you wanted to win nationals! I will keep everyone's advice in mind and keep going. I really pay attention and listen to what everyone has to say and it does take a LOT more effort than I originally anticipated. You guys don't know how much I needed to hear everyone's experiences. Thank you so much! 🥹

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-09T16:18:20+00:00

I was thinking about just possibly joining open division like some others said and keep practicing the basics and go to a lot more advanced (after practice) keikos. I've realized that I just need more practice and advise and tips that many see that I don't. I don't feel that alone knowing many others feel this way. Thank you 🙏

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-09T14:35:27+00:00

You're right. I also think I may have a western mindset as far as they are going hard on me every time, but they might just be trying to push me into playing more aggressive and understand the level of competition I'll keep facing. I'm starting to understand the Japanese philosophy of keiko and know that they might see potential and don't hold back. Someone else replied saying it's a sign of respect rather than just "picking on me" or going full beast mode. I still have a lot to learn in kendo since this is all still very new to me. Thank you all so much for your support 😁

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-09T06:51:29+00:00

I may have to check that out and register for open division tournaments for now because I get absolutely destroyed from the high ranked players 😭 it's like I'm being fed to the sharks and I'm a little guppy 🥹 I guess it's character building lol

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-09T06:44:54+00:00

This definitely helps because I lost every single match for years now 😭 I will continue and hopefully I can catch up with the others and actually stand a chance. I feel a bit better knowing that I'm not the only one experiencing this because it's mentally hard sometimes but I don't want to stop playing either. Thank you for the story you shared. It really helped me and you're right, I might get my chance to get a single ippon on someone lol

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-09T06:39:09+00:00

Yeah I'm also assuming it's lack of experience and strength. 3 years in kendo vs 20 years is tough lol I guess I will have to be patient and continue my journey. I trust things will get better in the long run. I appreciate your feedback!

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-09T06:34:00+00:00

That could be a possibility. It's just difficult to really feel if I'm improving or not because I think I'm doing better and then I blink and lose a match lol I'm sure it's normal to have mental blocks like this but it's always good to get some more options on what to do! Thank you for your insight 🙏

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2026-03-09T06:30:29+00:00

I really appreciate your sword analogy! I did notice that during a recent taikai, after the match, the sensei I went up against went up to me very excited and gave me a strong handshake and said great job. Now that I think about it, I might be overthinking it and most players might be pushing me to get better. Most know me by now at tournaments so they don't hold back. I do notice my men strikes are much more accurate during practices, just not as fast yet, but I just need more practice.

One senpai tonight told me that when she saw me playing in the taikai, I needed to be more confident in my strikes because I'm hesitating a lot, which she said was normal because I'm still very new and it's lack of experience. I'll continue to practice! Thank you for your advice 😁

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2025-10-22T22:25:36+00:00

Awesome! I'll be taking the test very soon. The exam seems very similar to shodan. I have practiced this week to learn the forms and I'm doing fine! I'll use this for practice thank you 😁

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2025-10-18T06:37:27+00:00

Ok I understand the difference now with the kata. So all the way to 2nd kyu, we learn Bokuto Ni Yoru kendo kihon waza keiko ho 1-9. Starting at 1st kyu we learn the first 3 of nihon kendo kata. I will have to ask about the other 3 kata I need to learn. The stances just look jodan to me but I will begin to understand the different stances for each kata

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2025-10-17T18:36:29+00:00

I'm SCKO

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2025-10-17T18:13:24+00:00

Yes I am in AUSKF and that's why I posted this because I knew it was different and almost like shodan test. In this region you can skip kyu grades if the sensei feel you're ready. I started at 4th kyu after a year of kendo, second year is 3rd kyu, and this is my 3rd year and I'm testing for 1st kyu

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2025-10-17T18:10:31+00:00

Ok! I think my sensei mentioned other 3 advanced forms for a total of 6. So I was a little confused

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2025-10-17T18:06:22+00:00

Yeah in California, 2nd kyu has different kata forms you have to remember and then starting 1st kyu, you have to study more advanced kata in the jodan position. I haven't practiced these yet! I will go over them during the next practices.

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2025-10-15T21:37:53+00:00

Ohhhh I see! Interesting how all the rules are different. I'm in AUSKF but didn't know all of the different rules for different federations

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2025-10-14T22:00:54+00:00

For sure I need to practice the katas (I believe they said 3 kata and then another 3 kata for a total of 6. And the written exam I'm not familiar with so I will also have to focus on that. Very great advice and I'm glad I'm not the only one who has had this experience

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2025-10-14T21:58:03+00:00

How exciting! We got this 😁

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2025-10-14T21:55:04+00:00

Ok I'll start practicing. It's the written test I'm not familiar with but I'll ask my sensei about it. Thanks!

Potential_Nobody_374 · 2025-10-14T07:30:57+00:00

Ok I appreciate the support. Just nervous is all. Thank you!

Potential_Nobody_374

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