Master the basic “suriashi” of kendo! Complete guide from beginner to advanced

Learning techniques is of course important when learning Kendo, but the basic technique of “suriashi” is especially important.

Suriashi is the most basic part of Kendo’s movements, yet it is one of the most advanced techniques.

By mastering this technique, you will be able to approach your opponent faster and more accurately.

However, accurate knowledge and continuous practice are essential to acquire the correct suriashi technique.

 

In this article, we will introduce a wide range of methods for practicing kendo’s “suriashi” correctly and effectively, from beginners to advanced players.

We provide a detailed guide, starting with basic posture, how to move your feet correctly, common mistakes made by beginners and how to correct them, and even advanced exercises for advanced players.

 

Whether you’re just starting Kendo or you’re an experienced player looking to further improve your skills, this guide will help you deepen your “Suriashi” technique and hone your Kendo skills.

 

Introduction: The importance of “Suriashi” in Kendo

In Kendo, “suriashi” is more than just a movement technique.

This is a basic movement used by swordsmen to adjust their distance to their opponent during a fight, assess opportunities for attack, or take a defensive stance.

Learning the correct “suriashi” technique can be said to be the first step in improving your kendo techniques.

So, what exactly does “suriashi” refer to?

 

What is suriashi?

“Suriashi” is a walking style unique to Kendo that involves moving while rubbing your feet on the floor.

This movement allows you to glide back and forth and side to side without making any footsteps or kicking the ground hard.

This technique is essential in kendo and is used by swordsmen to maintain balance and change positions quickly and effectively in battle.

 

Its role in Kendo

The role of “suriashi” in kendo is wide-ranging.

First, when attacking, it allows you to quickly approach or retreat from the opponent, creating advantageous striking opportunities.

Also, when defending, it is important to make it easier to avoid the opponent’s attacks and to create opportunities for counter attacks.

Furthermore, “suriashi” also functions as an element to maintain the basic posture in kendo, that is, “beauty posture.”

“Suriashi” with the correct posture is essential to enhance the beauty of Kendo and its effectiveness.

 

Learning “Suriashi” in Kendo is not just a technical skill, but also leads to spiritual growth.

This is because through a series of movements, you can increase your concentration and feel a sense of unity with the other person.

Through “Suriashi”, you can learn the depth of Kendo and train not only your body but also your mind.

 

 

 

 

The basics of shuriashi practice: correct posture and movement

In order to master the technique of “Suriashi” in Kendo, it is essential to first understand and master the correct posture and basic movements.

Accurate posture and movement are the foundation not only for efficient movement, but also for stable offense and defense.

Below, we will introduce the basic posture and how to move your feet as the basis for practicing suriashi.

 

Let’s start with basic posture: foot position and body center of gravity

In the basic stance of Kendo, the position of the feet and the center of gravity of the body are very important. First, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your left foot slightly behind you.

Turn your feet slightly inward and bend your knees naturally.

At this time, keep the center of gravity of your body in the center, and be especially careful not to shift the center of gravity to the front or back feet.

By distributing your weight evenly across the soles of your feet, you’ll always be able to move quickly.

 

How to move your feet for proper shuriashi

When shuffling, keep your feet in close contact with the floor. To perform this motion, start with your front foot and use the entire sole of your foot to glide forward.

Similarly, let the hind legs slide as much as the front legs move forward to catch up with the front legs.

At this time, be careful not to let the soles of your feet leave the floor, and make small, quick sliding movements.

It is also important to maintain a low posture and avoid shaking your upper body up and down while moving.

Stability of the upper body is essential for maximizing the effectiveness of “Suriashi” and maintaining balance during a fight.

 

 

Mastering correct posture and movement is the first step in solidifying the foundation of suriashi training.

By learning these basics, you can lay the foundation for stepping up to more advanced techniques in Kendo.

With practice, correct posture and movement become second nature to your body.

 

 

 

 

Practice method for beginners: Learn the basics of suriashi

Kendo’s “suriashi” is an action that requires more skill than it looks.

Especially for beginners, learning the correct suri-ashi form is the first step to improving.

Here, we will introduce tips and methods for beginners to effectively practice the basics of surashi-ashi.

 

Basic practice of suriashi: Tips and practice methods

The most important thing when practicing suriashi is to get the feeling of sliding your feet while maintaining the correct posture. In the early stages of your practice, you may want to follow these steps:

1. Check your posture : First, start with correct posture. Place your feet about shoulder-width apart, bend your knees slightly, and lower your center of gravity.
2. Practice sliding your feet : In a quiet place, get the feel of sliding your feet forward. Keeping the soles of your feet firmly on the floor, try sliding your front foot forward and your back foot backward. Perform this movement slowly and be aware of the sensation of the bottom of your foot touching the floor.
3. Practice moving forward and backward : Once you have mastered the basics of sliding, you can move on to practicing moving forward and backward. Try slowly moving forward or backward in small steps. At this time, be careful not to shake your upper body.

 

Exercises you can do at home

It is possible to practice suriashi outside of the dojo. We recommend the following methods for practicing at home:

1. Practice in the hallway or living room : If you have a large space, you can practice shuriashi even at home. Practice on a smooth floor, such as the hallway or living room.
2. Check your form using a mirror : By practicing in front of a large mirror, you can check your posture and movements while making adjustments. It is especially useful for correcting small points such as whether your upper body is stable and whether your knees are bent correctly.
3. Wearing socks to take advantage of the slippery feeling : By wearing slippery socks and practicing on a slippery floor such as the living room, you can more easily grasp the slippery feeling that is unique to slithering feet.

 

 

For beginners to learn the basics of surashi-ashi, it is important to maintain correct posture and movement, and practice repeatedly.

By incorporating these practice methods that you can easily do at home, you can efficiently master “suriashi”, the basic technique of kendo.

 

 

 

Advanced practice methods for advanced players

Becoming an advanced kendo practitioner requires advanced practice that goes beyond basic surashi techniques and further increases speed and accuracy.

Here, we will introduce more advanced suriashi practice methods that advanced players can practice, as well as applied techniques for interpersonal practice.

 

Advanced practice methods to increase speed and accuracy

1. Combining interval running and shuffling : Practice short distance sprints followed by immediately switching to shuffling. This develops your ability to maintain speed and accuracy even when tired.
2. Practice using obstacles : Create a course using cones and obstacles, and practice shuffling while avoiding them. This exercise will develop your reaction time to irregular movements and accurate foot placement.
3. Training to improve reaction speed : Practice reacting quickly and shuffling in the direction your partner tells you to move. This exercise will improve your immediate decision-making skills and quick foot movements during matches.

 

Application of surashi in interpersonal practice

1. Distance Adjustment : Practice creating attack opportunities or evading your opponent’s attacks by quickly changing your distance from your opponent. The key is to be aware of the distance between you and your opponent and use your sliding foot to effectively change your position.
2. Practice using mock matches : Actively use suriashi in mock matches that simulate actual matches. It is important to actively use suriashi not only when attacking, but also when defending, and experience its effectiveness.
3. Using suri-ashi for specific techniques : For example, practice how to use suri-ashi for kote-uchi and men-uchi, focusing on the movement of the foot at that moment. By deepening the application of surashi to a specific technique, the accuracy and effectiveness of the technique will be increased.

 

 

As you become more advanced, you will be required to go beyond the basic techniques of suriashi and apply them to establish an advantage in the game.

Further refine your Kendo techniques through advanced practice methods that increase speed and accuracy, and application in interpersonal practice.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting for Gripping Exercises

Although surashi is a basic technique in kendo, it is one of the difficult techniques to master.

Here we will provide specific solutions to the problems that many Kendo enthusiasts face while practicing, as well as advice for effective practice.

 

Common problems during practice and their solutions

1. Problem: Feet come off the floor

   • Solution: Practice slowly, focusing on the sensation of keeping the soles of your feet in contact with the floor. At first, it is important not to focus on speed, but to get a feel for skating with correct form.

2. Problem: Practice is monotonous and I can’t concentrate.

   • Solution: Add more variety to your practice. For example, by incorporating different types of exercises, such as practicing using obstacles or changing the timing of sliding, you can effectively improve your skills while having fun.

3. Problem: Easy to lose balance when slipping

   • Solution: Pay attention to your center of gravity and posture. In particular, it is important to lower your hips and stabilize your body so that your upper body does not sway back and forth. It’s a good idea to practice in front of a mirror and check your posture while making corrections.

 

Advice for effective practice

1. Continuation is power : Improving your suriashi technique cannot be achieved in a short period of time. It is important to practice continuously, even if it’s just a little bit every day.
2. Aim for quality practice : quality over quantity. When practicing, try to maintain correct posture and movements, and give meaning to each movement. Rather than being complacent, we always aim to find areas for improvement and improve the quality of our technology.
3. Enjoy your own growth without comparing yourself to others : Each person grows at a different speed. Rather than comparing yourself to others, it is important to feel your own growth and enjoy the process of practicing.
4. Actively seek feedback from superiors and instructors : By having them point out problems that you may not have noticed on your own, you can hone your skills more efficiently. Actively seek advice and use it in your practice.

 

Practicing suriashi is an essential element for improving your Kendo skills.

Use the troubleshooting and advice above to ensure effective practice.

 

 

Summary: Master Kendo’s “suriashi” with daily practice

The “suriashi” technique in Kendo may seem like a simple sliding movement, but in reality, its depth and effectiveness are immeasurable.

Mastering surashi-ashi is essential to improving the overall technique of kendo, and continuous practice is essential to mastering it.

In this section, we will explain the importance of daily practice in order to master Kendo’s “Suriashi” and how to create an effective practice plan.

 

The importance of continuous practice

Kendo techniques, especially “suriashi”, cannot be learned overnight.

Only through continuous practice will this technique become a natural part of your body.

By repeatedly practicing correct posture and movements through daily practice, you will gradually acquire the movement of suriashi, and you will be able to naturally demonstrate this technique during matches and interpersonal practice.

Therefore, continuous practice is an absolutely essential element in mastering surashi-ashi.

 

How to make a practice plan

In order to practice effectively, it is important to work in a planned manner. Below are some points to keep in mind when creating your practice plan.

1. Goal setting : Set specific goals and clarify the steps to achieve them. For example, set an achievable goal, such as “mastering the basic movements of suriashi within three months.”
2. Clarify your daily practice content : Decide in advance what you will focus on in your daily practice. It’s a good idea to vary the content of your exercises depending on your goals, such as repeating basic movements, improving speed and accuracy, or practicing with others.
3. Weekly review : Each week, review your practice and technical progress and adjust your plan as needed. By objectively evaluating your own progress, you can further improve the quality of your practice.
4. Take breaks : Excessive exercise can have the opposite effect. Get the right amount of rest to help your body and mind recover and get the most out of your practice.

 

 

In order to master the “suriashi” technique of kendo, daily practice and systematic efforts are required.

Practice with a goal in mind and hone your skills while enjoying personal growth.

 

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