Rokudan

How to dominate the center.
What is the true Seme?

When I was preparing for Rokudan, I started thinking about how to dominate the center as I have explained in the previous book. This was also the time when I was frequently told by Sensei that I should have won with Seme first and then hit. I started thinking over what the Seme really was. I asked many Sensei about it. However, no one explained it explicitly.

I think that holding your own answer towards Seme will spur you to practice better. So, I would like to disclose the answer that I have for now. If you disagree with my answer and if you have your own, please tell me.

The true Seme is not what derives from the dynamic movement which is generally considered as Seme. The Seme is possible only when it is actually effective against an opponent. In other words, the specific actions taken in the course of Seme, such as dominating the center, brushing away the opponent's Shinai, and getting into Maai, are not really Seme. The Seme cannot be realized as being purely self-sufficient. It always requires having the sense of it by the opponent.

Let's take a simple example. Let's say, at a practice, your opponent moves his/her Shinai in order to dominate the center. So, you push the Shinai aside with yours to take the center back. Then, the opponent lowers the tip of the Shinai as if he/she aims at your Kote. So, you restrain it by holding his/her Shinai slightly with the tip of your Shinai. Here, your action is already rather reactive than spontaneous. That means that the opponent is in control of the situation, while you are just the subordinate. As long as you consider those actions as the basis of the Seme, you cannot help but accepting the opponent's Seme.

Now, let's say, the opponent tries to pressure your Shinai. What if you just ignore it and let him/her? The opponent will start to wonder. Then, if you move your Shinai as you want slowly, the opponent's Shinai will immediately start following yours . At this point, the tables are turned. From now, the opponent will be subordinate to your movement

I think that this is the basis of the Seme. The true Seme always lies not in the action but in its reflection in the opponent. I believe that such a Seme will be exchanged imperceptibly as you progress further.

written by Ryoichi Shimano

translated by Hiroyuki Otaki (Shidokan Kendo Club)