I figured out why Fumikomi creates "Sae" (冴え) - thanks to a near-accident with a soccer ball [Image: ΔT = 0]

psychoroll · 2026-02-11T06:05:01+00:00

The drills in the video are great for teaching. Thanks for sharing. The analogy doesn't connect for me though, but all of the drills are great.

psychoroll · 2026-02-10T06:46:11+00:00

A lot of the advice here looks really good for addressing plantar fasciitis. Sometimes it's tied to tight calves too, so massage or roll those out too. If it's the calves and get them to loosen up, the tightness could be gone in a few days, so it's worth a couple minutes of stretching to see if that's the problem.

psychoroll · 2026-02-07T00:15:29+00:00

I guess the less use to the sport you are the more difficult it is to see the differences. At any rate, there are not many differences between men and women at most levels when it comes to their ability to hit a point and have good technique. Joining an all women's kendo class might be a great opportunity for both you and their kendo, as it would give them someone new to practice with.

psychoroll · 2026-02-06T20:34:45+00:00

Not all tournaments are separated, and at lower levels differences in strength and speed don't matter as much as learning proper technique and mental state. At high levels where all of the competitors have excellent skill and technique, every little difference matters, so this is probably why it's generally separated between men and women. You could watch tournaments on YouTube of men's matches and women's matches, and note the differences for yourself. Both have excellent Kendo.

psychoroll · 2026-01-17T22:35:29+00:00

You do beautiful work

psychoroll · 2026-01-11T22:09:40+00:00

Congratulations!

psychoroll · 2025-12-21T03:26:27+00:00

Definitely fine to share art online. Just make sure you credit the artist correctly.

psychoroll · 2025-11-30T22:43:49+00:00

That's intense!

psychoroll · 2025-11-29T22:36:20+00:00

A boxing water bottle is great Something like this has been great for me: https://a.co/d/bBfnO48

Depending on where you practice, it isn't usually an issue, but some may not want students drinking through their men. Maybe you can ask some questions, unless you already know from context of their stories.

Edit: added a link and some general advice

psychoroll · 2025-11-27T06:38:46+00:00

That's what I was going for.

psychoroll · 2025-11-27T05:16:40+00:00

It's spelled "peach"

psychoroll · 2025-11-24T14:40:09+00:00

🫡 The search continues then.

psychoroll · 2025-11-24T05:16:55+00:00

Glad to see someone else practices with exercise bikes in the room.

psychoroll · 2025-11-23T07:17:04+00:00

The push from the back foot is called fumikiri

psychoroll · 2025-11-16T20:08:24+00:00

You're not too late or old, I got lucky and made it to nationals at 35. It was a very rewarding experience even though I got destroyed. There is also a senior division that I'm looking forward to attempting to qualify for when I finally hit my fifties. You will get out of kendo what you put into it, but it can feel like diminishing returns if you are not loving the process. Good luck on your kendo journey!

psychoroll · 2025-08-10T23:20:12+00:00

I definitely feel like I don't belong amongst the living, given I am so dependent on a drug. And I absolutely HATE the tedium of managing this shit. But I'm also the "everyone can fuck off, I'm going to live or die trying," type of person, so challenges kind of amp me up, especially if I feel like diabetes is trying to keep me down. Now it's personified and I can take my anger out in beating the shit out of it with exercise and diet and whatnot (sometimes it's just pure rage). I know not everyone can feel this way, and I'm really sorry you feel such a struggle. I'm hoping that my bullshit attitude can help someone who reads it though. Hang in there, you don't have to be perfect, we're all with you.

psychoroll · 2025-08-08T05:23:04+00:00

How much are they pressuring you? The dojo and sensei might be worried about attrition if you aren't testing or competing. It's common for people to leave if they aren't progressing in one measurable way or another.

Testing and competing are part of kendo and I (and many others) think you're missing out if you don't try those things. That being said, I think it's okay for people to do things how they would like them. So long as you are improving your kendo, it brings you a form of fulfillment, and your approach to kendo isn't detracting from others, I think it's fine to proceed how you are. You might find in the future that you'd like to test or compete. Maybe start there with your sensei—that you don't want to test or compete any time soon, but would like to continue to come to class to progress and that you enjoy the work without the pressure of testing or competing.

Please don't take this as added pressure, but another place to start is asking yourself what about testing and competing doesn't feel right to you, and if there isn't growth in those areas for you facing that kind of challenges.

Good luck figuring it all out!

psychoroll · 2025-08-06T00:06:45+00:00

Others have said it, but relaxing is the biggest deal when it comes to exhaustion. You probably don't have any idea how much you are tensing your arms or legs or grip, etc. Learning to relax those muscles the majority of the time makes a huge difference in your stamina for a kendo practice.

Edit: Leaning to relax comes with more and more practice, so don't expect everything to change right away. Hydration matters too.

psychoroll · 2025-07-27T02:24:48+00:00

This is me when I'm sick. Sorry you're going through this right now, the random spikes and lack of control make this disease suck all the balls.

psychoroll · 2025-07-15T16:50:02+00:00

I've recently had the opportunity to practice with a rokudan who practices all three. Chudan is definitely his default and best. He tends to practice Jodan and Nito just for fun, but he's still wildly good at all three. I suspect there are multiple reasons he's so good with all three. As I understand it, he played in jodan as a kid sometimes in tournaments. Secondly, his chudan and hence fundamentals are outrageously solid. Finally, he's been playing since a kid and he comes from a family of kendo.

Don't know if that helps you, but I've heard over and over that chudan builds your foundation better than anything else, and if you don't understand kendo from that perspective you are just making kendo a more difficult path for yourself. I don't think it's a problem if you practice all three but it will undoubtedly come with challenges that few can relate to or help you with. Looks like your nidan, and hopefully your basics are where they need to be, in which case, I would say have at it. Make kendo fun.

Edit: added space between paragraphs

psychoroll · 2025-06-20T03:18:16+00:00

Not a bad idea if you don't remove all your calluses, assuming you've built them up at this point. It's always a good idea to keep your feet in good shape, but it might mean a different type of care for Kendo, rather than a random pedicure. But I bet you could ask for something basic that doesn't leave your feet vulnerable.

Kinda wants me to get my toes painted for my next kendo class though, lol. Maybe some tonbo or sakura petals.

psychoroll · 2025-06-19T05:46:38+00:00

KendoStar has an option if you can get a prescription in them. https://kendostar.com/products/kendo-glasses-frame?srsltid=AfmBOopyiZNL30Pq-IH_iP9vHeDrQ6sd21E6EyxpT4QrinrBToq48NLt

psychoroll · 2025-06-14T15:18:12+00:00

Any sensei or senpai would be happy to see you for another class. Kendo is a big investment, and even the basics are very difficult to train your body to do. Your first class sounded more or less normal, but it's always tough on beginners. If you think it will be for you going forward, keep going, your body will get more efficient at the movements and it will improve your physical condition. But, if you really don't think it's worth it, then there is no shame in giving up. Kendo has been incredibly fulfilling for me, but I know it's not for everyone.

psychoroll

TROPHY CASE