First Kendo Strokes

Did my first warm up with a bokken yesterday.

Bokken is Best (To Start)

My shinais are out of condition and to be honest I prefer to start training with a bokken for a couple of reasons:

• strength - a bokken is slightly heavier than a shinai (from memory) so training with it will help build up endurance
• form - as the bokken has an oval grip it should help train my hands to sit in the right positions, also because it has an obvious edge, it is easier to check your cutting angles.

We always used to do some bokken training at my old clubs (and of course you use them for Kata) so it is not unfamiliar.

I like how the bokken is shaped like a katana - in particular it has a recognisable edge - so it adds a touch of realism to the cutting.

Bokken Books

I did a quick look online for a book and found Dave Lowry and Mike Lee's Bokken - it seems to have good reviews. I haven't read it so can't comment.

(If anyone can tell me if they have used this specifically in relation to Kendo I'd be obliged.)

Been trying to track it down in the library but not easy to find in Sydney. May need to try Abebooks!

Dave Lowry trained in Kenjutsu so has some experience with the bokken. Check out his book Autumn Lightning which is all about his training in Japan - this was a super book - I especially remember his Sensei's advice about how to sit on the toilet (yeah, really. Read it.)