Jigeiko Training in Kendo

Since I began this blog by talking about kendo, I’ve decided to stay with this topic for a while. It’s often said that Budo allows one to refine technique without losing clarity even as one ages. Kendo is a discipline in which this trait is especially evident. Let’s look at this aspect of kendo.

In kendo, the training where two practitioners test techniques learned through kata and fundamentals in a free bout is called jigeiko. In karate, similar training is jiyu kumite, while in judo it’s randori. What happens if a 25-year-old kendo practitioner, third dan, faces a 75-year-old master, eighth dan, in jigeiko? Let’s view the situation from the perspective of the young kenshi, whom we’ll call Takuma.

After bowing in sonkyo, both stand and the match begins. Facing his opponent head-on, Takuma grips the shinai and positions it in front of the tanden, along the body’s midline. He keeps the angle such that the tip of the shinai lines up with the opponent’s eyes: this is chudan-no-kamae (middle guard). The distance between them is about 240 cm, considering each shinai is roughly 120 cm. Both maintain middle guard, with the tips of the swords touching.

Takuma advances decisively and attempts a men strike (to the head). However, at that very instant, the opponent makes the same movement, and in the end the master’s blade lands on Takuma’s head before he can complete his attack.

“It was just chance. We started at the same time, and his strike simply arrived a bit before mine. Next time I’ll pay more attention to timing and attack first.” With this thought, Takuma resets the distance and prepares again. This time, he tries to vary the rhythm: he edges forward, then withdraws, alternating pressure and relaxation to unsettle his opponent, before launching another men attack. Yet again, the master moves at exactly the same moment and strikes first.

Takuma repeats the action two or three more times, but the result doesn’t change. At this point he begins to realize something: every time he tries to attack, the opponent strikes first. It can’t be mere coincidence.

“The master moves at the exact moment I initiate my attack. Then this time I’ll wait for him to move, and I’ll hit before his strike lands.”

Takuma decides to wait and react only when the opponent initiates. But the master doesn’t move. The waiting drags on, and Takuma starts to feel pressured: if he waits too long, he won’t be able to react in time. Tension mounting, he ends up attacking again… and once more the master hits first.

In the end, Takuma finds himself trapped in a no-win cycle: if he attacks, he gets struck; if he waits, he ends up attacking on impulse and is struck anyway. He is completely overwhelmed.

Finally, the 75-year-old master, breathing lightly and in control, says calmly, “I think that’s enough for today. Let’s finish.” With these words, he invites Takuma to return to the starting position. The 25-year-old kenshi, still out of breath, kneels in sonkyo and bows, bringing the jigeiko session to a close.