HEMA vs Kendo

I see them as boxing vs MMA. You miss out on a lot in kendo, but it's not like you don't gain any useful skills.


Besides, hema contests don't seem a lot different, especially when they do that stupid running attack and the fight is stopped after getting tapped. I hate that move, it would not work in a real fight. It is just turning hema into another sport

Or course one could argue that fencing has been a sport for longer than we realize, with most going to first blood, as opposed to just raw brutality and trying to murder the other guy. From that perspective, the running thing they do would suffice

Yea this does a great job of wording my own feelings on the subject, so thanks for wording it so well. It's exactly how I see it too

Fabio has very good technique. When I was watching the video I was imagining myself fighting against him and looking for weaknesses and how he attacked. It would be a tough fight for sure and no doubt he would capitalize on any mistakes I would make. It would be great fun! I could learn a lot.

The vid also shows how Kendo is weak at exploiting uppercut openings.  By and large, Kendo teaches downward strikes, but little to nothing that comes up from the floor.  This is where I could have a chance against Fabio, as I see some openings there.  My game plan would be to block his high strikes (which are dam good), then strike short, close, and fast from underneath.  It would work a few times until he got wise to that and adapted, but it will make him more cautious, then I could possible start working higher strikes or from the sides. 

Upper cuts and thrust I’ve found very effective and are amongst my favourites. They are hard to block, especially the upper thrust.

Attack from below is often overlooked. It goes against our physiology, since humans are adapted to chopping motions from above using gravity assist. Attacking from below requires us to use weaker muscles and resist gravity. It requires deep bending in the legs and low crouching, which is uncomfortable. Because of this, we don't tend to think about it as a viable angle of attack.

It takes concentrated effort to learn how to do it, but once it's mastered, it's very hard to defend against AND it adds another tool to use if there is an opening. It allows a swordsman to be a 360 degree threat. The opponent, instead of having to defend in an umbrella shape, now has to defend in a globe, which inherently limits their attacks. The attacker, because they are already in the "lower sphere" area and can therefore focus on the use the the umbrella defense since no attacks will be coming from the floor at that height.

To start with this technique, i would suggest doing good stretches focusing on the legs and lower torso, followed by deep knee bends and duck walking to build strength and mobility. I would work on the arms by lifting a weight such as a cinder block or bucket of sand straight out in front to shoulder height, then lower slowly. Do the same to the sides. this will build the muscles used in the upper cut.

And don't neglect your normal practice.

Thanks for the advice, I am definitely gonna start doing these, its been a while since I did exercises for my legs. Do you know any good videos for practicing low cuts and thrusts?

I cannot fully agree. A number 3 & 4 cut is definitely weaker. A number 5 & 6 (all Brit ct) not by much. I certainly do not crouch low nor deep bend the knees unless the target is the lower leg. I suppose it all depends on the circumstances. In a gym or sparring class this may become more evident. I had a stick instructor once but we went our separate ways and that was some years back. Most of my experience is from the streets. I can give two example of an upward strike in the street from experience. I was attacked from the rear and did a 180 doing 2 or 3 series of #1 & #2 strikes, clearing strikes in this case, essentially forming a figure and choking up as not to give my true measure. After the initial dance we paused to size each other up. I had stopped with the tip at 7 o’clock and let gravity extend it. Also I had extended my right foot forward unnoticed during the last strike because his attention was elsewhere. I had accustomed the sob to strikes coming from above. Now I initiated the second series with a backhand #4 scoring his head. Discussion over. Another example a cabby noticed the nasty horn on my cane and wanted to engage in conversation, something I’m not fond of as I do not want to give away a secret that maybe used against me. After arriving home he got out and followed me with questions. So I stopped and faced him sizing him up. He wanted a demo. I could tell by his body language he was expecting a #1 strike. After it wasn’t forthcoming and he got a puzzled look on his face I caught his attention with my off hand and pointed down. My cane was squarely between his legs about 3” from his crouch. There was no bending.



As for upward thrusts, I never executed these but from what little boxing experience I’ve had that could deliver good results. The only time I’ve drawn a sword out of necessity I got out of the situation bloodlessly. But I have practiced in front of a mirror and found they come fast and unexpectedly especially if a shield is involved, although that isn’t necessary. After a series of upper strikes setting the opponent up instead of using the momentum from say a #2 strike to carry the sword around, at the bottom of the cut just stop and shove it up and forward. Best done with a light sword with a curved blade.

You need to understand that a lot of techniques were taken out from Kendo due to injuries. If the Kendoka is also iaidoka as it is supposed to happen, the knowledge is there - parrying with the blade a leg cut shouldn't be a novelty. The protection rules and training in just one aspect of the japanese sword-fighting without the complementary part makes it a shadow of what can be when you take it out from the "bubble". 
In the video, many times Kendoka could stab the Hema and end the fight right there. But the Kendoka was not taught yet how to execute a tsuki since it falls under "dangerous technique" rule  - he is below 3rd Dan I guess 

How is it I never heard about Bâton français when I'm in France myself ?
Ah well, shame on my ignorance but it's never too late to learn...