I know there are different ways to do men-kaeshi-men and men-suriage-men, but the way I do men-suriage-men I end up on my opponents omote side (right side of the shinai from the attackers viewpoint). When I do men-kaeshi-men, I switch sides and strike on the ura side. After both Kendoka smash into each other or go past each other after the strikes, I look out for the way my opponent does his zanshin. Are the arms down low, just forward, or held in a jodan-esque fashion after the hit? Sometimes people like to raise theirs arms high up after a men strike, and you won't be able to hit them with men-kaeshi-men, because the high right arm will be in the way. Men-suriage-men is easier then, because their left arm is lower and you have more space for your hit. Also, men-suriage-men hits earlier than kaeshi waza. This is true for all suriage waza vs. kaeshi waza. Suriage, if done properly, sometimes can look like ai-uchi, while kaeshi always has to "wait" for the impact of the aites shinai. Like Andy described you don't actually wait of course, but the suriage motion is done on the way down/forward of the opponents shinai, which is earlier, thus resulting in a quicker hit.

You know, in such international thing it is probably good when everyone is using the same language to name the techniques :)

If the men-nuki-do is done with proper timing, you are out of luck... since by the time you come to the revelation that "you've been had", the do already lands. If you notice it early on, just hit men. It will either be ai-uchi or your men will usually win over the do. Another route to go would be do-uchiotoshi-men, like in kihon waza number 9. You'd have to be really quick on your feet though. just refrain from pulling your ellbow down. You will only get yourself hurt (and only you are to blame if you do this) and, more importantly, you are ruining your aites well prepared waza. In a shiai, do whatever you have to do to win, but in a ji-geiko just end your men properly and be happy for your opponent, and learn how he did his seme. Try to discover why you ended up in that situation, the outcome is usually decided in the seconds before the actual waza. If one of my clubmates pulls off a good oji waza on me, I am usually just as happy about that as if I had done a good waza.

Geh Kacken while I completely get what you mean by “with perfect timing”, not everything that works in shiai or jigeiko rises to the level of kami waza where we can’t even discuss a counterplay. :) I do like your take on do-uchiotoshi-men, that is the kind of answering play I was hoping to discuss. Of course getting baited into a predictable line and timing sucks, so then it becomes a question of how to deal with the Morton’s Fork of the enemy feeling comfortable hanging out at the edge of measure, since that is the real issue at the heart of the play. The opponent felt no difficulty in pressing the edge of measure, trusting they could either join in at the moment of commitment to the attack in debana waza, or that they could sideslip the attack and take some form of ouji-dou. Clearly kizeme was lost for the enemy to feel comfortable advancing with their feet while still waiting with their hands and mind! In my own practice, I find that by asserting the tip of my shinai slightly onto the opponent’s tip as we enter itto issoku no maai I can suss out the enemy’s intentions, but that still leaves me feeling a bit reactive in dangerous ground. Andy, your thoughts?

yes because they require your opponent to strike. shikake waza would include all basic attack moves like men, kote, do or hiki and harai waza, since those dont get used when the opponents attacks but when you want to attack.

What is the difference of each waza?

@@jsiwoeikddjd8165 Well i dont know how much you know about kendo but i guess i can explain the basic forms. Shikake Waza (attacks you do on your own initiative): Men - strike to the mask (striking on top of your head) Kote - strike to the wrist Do - strike to the torso Tsuki - thrust to the throat Harai Men/Kote - striking the opponents shinai to hit men or kote afterwards Hiki Men/Kote/Do - striking the opponent from the closest position while moving backwards Oji Waza (attacks you do when opponent is on the initiative): Men/Kote KAESHI Men/Kote/Do - parrying the opponents Men/Kote and attacking accordingly; kaeshi describes the way you parry, you receive the attack on one side of your sword and then counter attacking moving around the opponents sword. Hard to describe but its rather simply in motion ,maybe you watch this vid in slomo more closely when andy does kaeshi. Men/Kote SURIAGE Men/Kote - deflecting the opponents strike and counter attacking; this usually means you the enemy sword will either be deflected to the right or left and stays at that side, so its a shorter move then KAESHI where you would move around the opponents sword DEBANA Men/Kote - you strike when the opponent has the intent to strike but before he actually strikes; its a timing thing with debana you want to right the moment when the enemy starts his movement for striking but before he completes the move There are a few more techniques that are not that common and rather situational like uchiotoshi, maki and other shinanigans... The basic men/kote, hiki waza, debana waza and some kaeshi and suriage waza are most common. Outside of japan the skillset of kendoka is usually alot more limited men/kote, debana and mb some kaeshi do or suriage or 90% of peoples skillset. Learning all these techniques not only requires a lot of training but especially good training partners and a knowledgable teacher. I hope this helps and sorry for this super long thing here.

Please answer because I don’t know suriage waza

kaeshi is block and suriage is like hitting u k_ow wut i mean?

That's OK - I don't engage in 'actual combat' ;)

What a knobhead comment