[KENDO] Degashira-no-Men is about striking when you sense the intention to move.

During Monday’s kendo practice, our eighth dan sensei provided some guidance:

You always aim for Degashira-no-Men, but for us, countering it is easy. When I make a slight move, you immediately go for Men, so it’s easy to respond. Our Degashira techniques are different.

When you sense, ‘Oh, the opponent is coming in for a Men strike!’ and you swing, that’s not Degashira-no-Men. Degashira-no-Men is when you think, ‘Right here!’ and go for the Men It’s like, ‘Here it is!’ and you nail the Men. And if you’re feeling, ‘Here!’ and you go for the Kote, that’s Degashira-no-Kote.

Reflecting on the advice after practice:

Amazing. It reminded me of the previous guidance I received when practicing Degashira-no-Men during basic training. The teacher advised me:

Striking Men after the opponent moves is not Degashira-no-Men. Degashira-no-Men is about striking when you sense the intention to move.

Advice during practice:

Oh no, I haven’t been applying the advice from basic training in jigeiko. Instead of waiting for the opponent to move before striking, I should try to grasp their pre-movement signs.

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