Today, we had morning practice (7:00am-8:30am) as usual.
Our practice usually starts with warm-up, suburi and foundation(kihon) practice, then if we still have time, we do a little jigeiko.
I’d like to write down something that really struck me today.
It’s about ‘The importance of motodachi’.
By the way, am I the only one who feels that, not just in kendo, but in the world today, there are an increasing number of self-centered people?

Oops!
I’m quite self-centered, too
The more time we spend on smartphones, we can solve our problems without having interaction with others, and get what we want instantly with just one click.
When we get too used to this, we stop thinking about how we should communicate with others,
and more and more people are starting to say that they don’t even understand the meaning of ‘interaction with people’.
I wonder if things like ‘patience’ and ‘putting the needs of others’ will become obsolete eventually… These days, I feel a little anxious about the future of modern society.
Anyway, sometimes when I’m doing kendo or maybe just doing mitori-keiko, I find myself getting a little startled.
It’s those moments when I think, “Wow, this person is only thinking about themselves.”
For example,
When doing kirikaeshi,
I want to follow Sensei’s instruction and practice kirikaeshi with ‘big’ feeling.
So after striking the first shomen-uchi, I would like to do left-right striking (sayu-men) using wide step coordinated with my striking.
However, if motodachi‘s stride is very small, or his/her stride changes irregularly with each step, I could not practice the way I want to.
Another example is, when practicing renzoku-waza like kote-men, after attacking kote, I want to immediately attack a straight men.
But if the motodachi moves to left or right to avoid kakarite’s forward movement,
or
doesn’t step back quickly enough to give room for kakarite‘s forward movement, it’s almost impossible to finish with a nice, straight men.
Of course, in a tournament, all kinds of unpredictable situations arise all the time and we do have to respond to them,
but when we are doing kihon practice, I think it’s really important to practice lots of basic, straightforward kote and men.
In the same way, when practicing men-kaeshi-do,
if the motodachi closes the distance (ma-ai) too much for their men attack,
the men-kaeshi-do practice can easily become messy and lead to developing bad habits.
And anyway, if someone attacks your men from super close, men-kaeshi-do probably wouldn’t be your first choice response in the first place, right?
When practicing kihon keiko, people on the attacking side (kakarite) seem to think quite seriously about how to execute each kihon waza effectively, including the process leading up to it.
However, when they are in the motodachi position, I feel like there are quite a few people who allow their energy level to drop.
They make an openings for kakarite without any intense feelings.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say they’re ‘taking a break’ when they are in the motodachi position, but it does seem like they’re a little casually relaxed. I often see this.

Hey, hey, Motodachi,
I’m counting on you!
As I’ve had more opportunities to practice as a motodachi, I’ve come to realize this:
If motodachi doesn’t do their job correctly with seeing kakarite’s perspective, the kakarite won’t be able to practice properly.
So, when I am motodachi, I better think, “If I were kakarite, what do I want motodachi to do for me?”
It’s difficult, I know…
Hmmm, or even better I should feel, “I’m a motodachi, I’m going to perform the waza together with kakarite!”
This way actually makes me learn how to be “ai-ki” with my practice partner.
Furthermore, the relationship between a motodachi and a kakarite is like good learning buddies, when developing kendo techniques.
In other words, for a kakarite…

🌸Motodachi is Tomodachi🌸
Yaaay!
I really wanted to make this pun.
This is one of my reasons why I started writing today’s post!
Phew, I feel so good now.
Anyway, when I am in motodachi position, I have to practice as if I am kakarite and be in sync with kakarite.
I feel that the role of motodachi when practicing with beginners is especially important.
Don’t let my guard down “just because” they are beginners, but rather, fulfill my role as motodachi precisely because they are beginners!
Okay, I’ll do my best!
I’m going to practice again tomorrow ♪