Ishimaru sensei (7th Dan Kendo)

Last night was the last training session with Ishimaru sensei (7th Dan Kendo), at the Ken Yuri Kai Dojo in Braamfontein, before he returns to Japan on Friday.

The one nice thing about Ishimaru sensei's explanation of Kendo is that he always relates it to how a real real sword would be used! Awesome stuff!

I managed to have another round of keiko (sparring) with him tonight, and as usual, I could not even touch him! At 60 years old, he's lightning fast and has this zanshin (fighting spirit) that freezes me in my place and causes my movements to be sluggish! This is the 4th time during this week that I managed to have keiko with Ishimaru sensei. I managed a reasonable kote strike on my first attempt that he acknowledged. Subsequently, he proceeded to knock me senseless!

However, believe it or not, he is actually a very nice person! Ishimaru Sensei came by our dojo, the San Kawa Kendo Dojo, on Tuesday night. Later on, we went for dinner with him and Buster sensei. There we got to know him a bit better and learn about the long history of the South African kendo Federation (SAKF) and everything they have been through. Turns out that about 10 years (if not more?) ago in Japan, Ishimaru sensei accident mentioned to a group of fellow Kendoka that he would be sent to South Africa for 3 years on a work assignment. One senior sensei, Omasa Sensei (8th Dan), heard him and TOLD him to teach the people in South Africa kendo! It wasn't a request, just a simple instruction. Anyway, he came here to South Africa and taught the likes of Buster Sensei, Tony Sensei and Ray Sensei, who are all now accomplished 5th Dan, 5th Dan and 4th Dan Kendoka, respectively. He was made the lifetime chairman of the SAKF and has comes through to South Africa every year for the past 7 years on his own expense to conduct the seminar.

The weekend seminar with him was great. Beside helping us refine our basic kendo techniques and kata, we were also briefly exposed to how to referee in a shiai (competition). It was fun!

This is only the second seminar that I have been on with him. My first was where I had a very memorable, if not embarrassing experience, as described in one of my earlier blog postings.

Anyway, Ishimaru sensei's instruction was invaluable and increased my knowledge and understanding of Kendo greatly! For that, I will always be grateful.