In kendo, douchi is the most basic and highly advanced technique.
By mastering this technique, you will be able to land decisive blows in matches, and it will also become an important means of improving your own technique and polishing your spirituality during daily practice.
In this article, we will explain in detail the correct technique for dodouchi and how to use it effectively, from the basics to advanced techniques.
It covers a wide range of topics, from the points beginners should take when learning to do dōuchi to the advanced tactics used by advanced players in matches, and provides knowledge and information to improve your overall kendo skills.
We hope that this guide will be a valuable resource for all Kendo practitioners looking to learn and practice the art of Torauchi.
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The importance of douche in kendo
Torauchi is one of the core techniques in Kendo.
The “torso”, which is the basic target of kendo strikes, is the part that hits the opponent’s abdomen, and it is extremely important to hit this area accurately.
Torauchi is a technique that requires precision and speed at the same time as a kendoist, as it not only provides a great source of points in a match, but also allows you to decide the match with a single blow.
The basic role of tortoise and its position in kendo
The role of the tortoise is not just to score points.
Through this technique, kendo practitioners can hone their basic posture, movements, and accuracy of strikes.
Tao-uchi also includes a tactical aspect that allows you to control your opponent’s movements and advance the match according to your own rhythm.
Like other striking techniques in Kendo, douchi is also considered a means of expressing politeness and spirituality.
How does body striking affect technical improvement?
Learning to do to-uchi has a direct impact on the improvement of a kendo practitioner’s technique.
By mastering this technique, kendo practitioners gain the ability to perform more precise and rapid strikes, which improves their overall fighting style.
Practicing tortoise strikes is also very helpful for kendo practitioners in learning body balance and coordination of movements.
These skills contribute to improving your overall kendo technique, as performing an effective tora-uchi requires full-body movement and mental focus.
Basic posture and how to use your legs for douchi
Correct posture and how to use your feet are essential for a successful torso hit.
The basic posture is the foundation for effective strikes in Kendo in general, and how you use your feet is important for moving quickly while maintaining that posture.
How to form correct posture
Correct posture for douchi is to keep your back straight and place your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
Lower your left leg slightly back and slightly bend your right leg forward to balance your weight.
By starting the strike from this position, you can efficiently transmit the power of your entire body.
Also, always keep your head in a position where you can look into the other person’s eyes, and keep your neck naturally extended and relaxed.
This makes it easier to react to your opponent’s movements while increasing your concentration.
How to move your legs and balance
Foot movement is extremely important in tortoise.
First, move forward by lightly kicking your front foot against the ground, then immediately pull your back foot towards it.
This action is called “Fumikomi” and is used to close the distance at an explosive speed.
Foot movements should always be smooth and it is important not to make too much noise against the ground.
This allows you to approach your opponent quickly and quietly, creating an opportunity for a body strike.
In addition, in order to maintain balance, it is necessary to keep the center of gravity of the body low even when striking, and to always firmly grip the ground with the entire sole of the foot.
This well-balanced use of the feet leads to powerful and accurate body strikes.
Basic techniques for hitting the body
Accurate striking technique is required to effectively perform body strikes.
This is a combination of several factors, from how to hold the shinai to how to strike it, and even how to time it.
How to hold and move a shinai for effective strikes
When holding a shinai, the right hand should grip the bottom of the shinai handle, and the left hand should be placed at the end of the handle.
Ideally, the grip should be neither too hard nor too soft, and should be strong enough to allow the bamboo sword to move back and forth naturally.
When performing a strike, the left hand is primarily used to swing the bamboo sword down. Use your right hand as a guide, and be careful not to use too much force.
It is important to perform the striking movement in a continuous flow, using not only your shoulders and arms, but also your entire body, including your lower back.
This allows for a powerful strike at once.
Timing of strikes and breathing techniques
Successful body strikes are highly dependent on timing. You need to predict your opponent’s movements, see the opening, and strike quickly.
In order to determine this timing, it is essential to always pay attention to your opponent’s movements and maintain mental concentration.
It is also important to breathe while striking. By exhaling at the moment of striking, you can release the maximum amount of power within your body and make a stronger strike.
The key is to breathe quietly and deeply, and exhale sharply when striking.
This improves the accuracy and power of the technique, resulting in a more effective torso strike.
Applied techniques and tactics
In order to more reliably succeed in hitting the body, it is necessary to have an understanding of applied techniques and tactics in addition to basic techniques.
This includes improving your ability to read your opponent’s movements and develop a tactical approach based on that.
Tactical approach to successful body strikes
A tactical approach to successful torso strikes involves understanding your opponent’s attack patterns and habits, and using that information to identify opportunities for strikes.
To do this effectively, you need to carefully observe your opponent’s movements during matches and practices, and memorize the patterns and characteristics you find.
It is also effective to use “show techniques,” in which you lure your opponent by changing your own movements and intentionally create an opening for them to attack.
This allows you to quickly counterattack with a body strike when your opponent does something unexpected.
Techniques to read your opponent’s movements and how to measure timing
The technique of accurately reading your opponent’s movements requires concentration and observation skills.
In Kendo, it is possible to predict what your opponent will do next by carefully observing the movements of their eyes, the slight movements of their shoulders and arms, and even the position of their feet and the movement of their center of gravity.
Through these observations, you can determine when your opponent will attack.
To measure your timing, it is important to pay attention to the moment before your opponent launches an attack, the so-called “mai”, and quickly perform a strike during that time.
Learning this technique requires a lot of practice and actual combat experience, and it is recommended that you actively test your distance with your opponent during matches and practice.
Practical body striking application version
In order to effectively use tokouchi in actual matches, it is important to understand the tactics and learn the applied techniques.
In this chapter, we will explain how to effectively use body strikes during a match, as well as technical tips for advanced players.
How to use body strikes effectively in actual matches
In order to successfully perform body strikes during a match, it is important to predict your opponent’s movements and determine the timing of your attack.
One effective tactic is the “kaeshi technique,” in which you aim for the moment when your opponent is about to attack.
Also effective is the “uchikomi technique,” in which you take advantage of the opening after your opponent has launched an attack and perform a body strike.
To use these techniques, you must maintain a high level of concentration to read your opponent’s attack intentions while always maintaining distance with your opponent.
Applied techniques and tips for tokouchi for advanced players
For advanced players to use tokouchi more effectively, they need to develop technical precision and tactical insight.
One applied technique is the “repeat technique”. This is a technique that breaks the opponent’s defense by repeatedly hitting the body in one attack.
Also effective are “guidance techniques,” in which you lure your opponent’s attack and counter with a body strike.
To make full use of these techniques, you need the ability to read the flow of the match and the judgment to instantly select the most suitable technique.
In order to use these techniques in actual matches, it is recommended that you practice them repeatedly during daily training and learn how to apply them to various situations.
Summary: How to master body striking
Torauchi is one of the core techniques of kendo, and mastering it is directly linked to your growth as a kendo practitioner.
Through this article, we have deepened our understanding of the basics of doudachi and applied techniques, and learned how to put this knowledge to use in practice.
Continuous practice and reflection points
Continuous practice is essential to mastering the technique of tortoise hitting.
It is important to master the basic movements through daily practice and gradually develop them into applied techniques.
In addition, the shortcut to progress is to reflect on your own movements and techniques after practice, and clarify areas to improve in the next practice.
This can be helped by actively seeking feedback from instructors and senior Kendo practitioners, and by conducting self-evaluation from an objective perspective.
The path to improving Kendo techniques and the role of douchi
Learning how to hit the body greatly contributes to improving the overall technique of Kendo.
This technique is extremely effective for not only executing accurate strikes, but also developing tactical thinking and the ability to read the opponent’s intentions.
Kendo is not just an athletic competition, but also a martial art that trains the mind and body.
Therefore, learning various techniques, including dōdachi, contributes not only to technical improvement but also to spiritual maturity.
It should be the goal of all Kendo practitioners to continue to deepen their doro-uchi techniques and aim for self-growth through Kendo.
