2012 Volume 57 Issue 2 Pages 527-543
This study focused on the introduction of hidari-kote (left kote), one of the datotsu-bui in chudan-no-kamae of kendo, in shinai-kyogi, and its restriction in gakko-kendo after 1953, in order to elucidate the process of transition of the striking zone and the reasons for it.
The results obtained were as follows:
1. Datotsu-bui (particularly kote-bu) in chudan-no-kamae of shinai-kyogi were treated equally, regardless of whether the strike was directed at the opponent's left or right kote-bu in shinai-kyogi, as was decided from the perspective of sport. However, hidari-kote in gakko-kendo after 1953, which was practiced alongside shinai-kyogi as “sport kendo,” was restricted. This difference in the treatment of hidari-kote confirmed a discontinuity between shinai-kyogi and gakko-kendo.
2. In 1957, shinai-kyogi and gakko-kendo were amalgamated. A gakko-kendo instruction guide called “gakko-kendo-no shido” (1958) states two reasons why hidari-kote in chudan-no-kamae was prohibited in gakko-kendo. The first reason was that when fighting against an opponent using chudan-no-kamae, “attacking the opponent's dominant right hand increases the chance to win.” The second reason was that in chudan-no-kamae, “striking the opponent's left hand, a supporting hand in kendo, is dangerous because the point of the shinai (bamboo sword) tends to be thrust at the opponent's body and hard striking to the left hand from jodan (upper-guard position) in particular can cause injury.” In chudan-no-kamae, when striking hidari-kote, which is closer to the body than migi-kote (right kote), the point of the shinai tends to be thrust at the opponent's upper left arm area, which is not protected by bogu (protective equipment). In gakko-kendo, the striking instrument in question is a heavier and harder 4-slat bamboo shinai, instead of the 16-slat bamboo fukuro-shinai that is used in shinai-kyogi. In addition to the risk of the specific area being injured with the heavier and harder shinai, a fist of left hand, which is not the striking zone, is also struck because the tsuba (sword guard) does not protect it. Hence, striking the hidari-kote in chudan-no-kamae is prohibited in gakko-kendo.
