Comments for Datotsu to Hidari kote ( left Kote )

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Aug 27, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		I?m very happy that I made this thread
by: viany cin hiong

First of all, I want to thank you for posting the comments that provided a lot of knowledge and different point of view about this subject, especially to Sensei Hiro Imafuji for all of his research (I make you a hard time for this. Hehehe)

I think this will be a great thread if other kendoka get confused when we strike his/her hidari kote. This will raise awareness of other kendoka on this matter.

What do you say sensei Hiro?

Kendo-Guide.Com:  Thank you for your comment. We also have to be more aware of changes in the rule book, which is pretty hard to do. I am sure when the rule is changed it should be in Japanese kendo magazines. I will make sure that I will stay as a subscriber of this Japanese kendo magazine ;)
Aug 27, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Maybe Mune is the border
by: Raffa

Maybe I?m wrong but I remember that the hidari kote is considered a valid target if the corresponding forearm is the mune (chest) level or higher. For what I knew in chudan no kamae is not a valid target (if I remember correctly rules says "valid if not in chudan").

Kote below mune - Not valid

Kote above or at mune - Valid

In this interpretation gedan, kasumi and seigan are positions where hitting hidari kote is not valid.

Kendo-Guide.Com: Thank you for your comment.

The reason why I did not mention about hidari  kote  above the chest is that there is no such sentence in the rules shown at All Japan Kendo Federation website.

I also remember "above chest" rule but these rules are changed all the time. So we just cannot say what is valid and what is not. We have to check International Kendo Federation Rule book all the time.

For example, tsuki to the chest against jodan but it is not anymore. But we also remember that it does not mean you cannot execute tsuki to the chest.

After my research, I am almost positive to say that you can strike hidari kote if when your opponent is not in the normal basic chudan. That means it should be valid against gedan, kasumi and seigan.

Again, we should remember that it all depends on rules of a tournament you participate in.  Also it all depends on referees.

Now we should remember one thing. Even though a target is not considered to be valid in shiai, it does not mean you cannot strike that target.

In other words, you should not think it is OK to get hit on these targets because they are not valid. You do not want to show any opening!

When we start thinking that it is OK to get hit because it is not valid, kendo becomes a sport completely.
Aug 25, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Different Interpretation
by: Matt

If you take the statement literally, hidari kote is valid anytime someone leaves chudan no kamae.  However, the interpretation of that is left up to the judge or shinpan.

The practical implementation is that it?s useful against jodan or nito. However, if you have the opportunity to hit it in other cases, I am having a hard time coming up with one where it wouldn't be just as easy to hit men.

Kendo-Guide.Com: There were (maybe still are) people who take so called ?old style? kamae. There are many of them. If you happen to fight these people, hidari kote is added as a target.

Basically, if your opponent is not in chudan, then you can strike the left kote. I think it is a good thing to remember even when it is up to shinpan to be seen as a valid cut or not.

When in shiai, you probably do not want to try to strike the left kote too much because it is hard to get a "point" but it does not mean you should not strike the left kote in keiko.
Aug 19, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Different Kamae and Datotsu to Hidari kote
by: Santiago B. Tejada

Case in point: Jodan no Kamae,, Waki Gamae, Gedan no Kamae & Hasso no Kamae.

Kendo-Guide.Com: And some other weird kamae;)
Aug 19, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		thank you
by: viany cin hiong

Thank you once again for the best answer of yours. It's been very helpful for me since I found this site 2 weeks ago.... and I've recommended all my friends and students to visit this site for their knowledge and guide in their kendo life.

It?s been a great site of all....

Kendo-Guide.Com: Thank you for your kind words. I am very happy to hear that the site has been helpful.

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