What is Debana Kote?

by Reyhan
(Bandung, Indonesia)

What is the meaning of "Debana Kote"? And when can we use this movement?

Answer: Debana means “a moment something/someone is just about to come out”. It is not a kendo term. I am sure most of the Japanese understand what debana is, or they are more familiar with “deru hana”.

Anyway, debana kote is a short for “Strike the right kote of your opponent when he/she is just about to come out to strike you”.

So as soon as you sense a subtle movement (physical and/or mental) of your opponent, (most of the time the movement is to come out to strike your men), you go forwards and strike the right kote of your opponent.

We also have a technique called “debana men”. That is, “Strike the men of your opponent when he/she is just about to come out to strike you”.

We do not have a technique called “debana do”. It is possible to strike do at a moment of your opponent comes out, but it is quite hard and unlikely to be succeeded. Why? It is too risky and you have to be darn quick.

Nuki-do is more common, which you let your opponent come forwards to strike your men, and you move to the right to avoid the men strike and strike your opponent’s do. This is a technique with go-no-sen, while the debana techniques are sen techniques.

Personally, I think nuki-do is very hard to do. So I suggest working on these debana techniques.