Kendo Maai

In kendo, spatial awareness, or maai, is critical. If you watch videos of kendo matches on Youtube, you will see that when some of the kenshi do hiki-waza (going backward attacks), they seem to know precisely where the boundaries of the ring are. Instead of going backwards, they suddenly veer off course to the right or left to continue their follow-through or zanshin. This is an example of how important spatial awareness is.

The term Maai is usually used to describe the distances you are from your opponent. There are three primary maai:

Issoku-ittou is the distance which most kendo matches take place in. This is where the tips of the shinai are barely crossing each other. This is the ideal distance to be in since it isn’t close enough to be in danger of being struck without being able to react, and it isn’t far away enough to be unable to initiate an attack of your own.

Tou-mai is the distance where both tips of the shinai are not crossing each other since the kendoists are too far away from each other. This distance isn’t used very much in standard matches since both sides are unable to attack.

Chikamai is the distance where both shinai are crossing anywhere along the monouchi, or the area above the nakayui (leather throng). This distance is commonly used in kendo matches to the great distress of kendo sensei everywhere. Choosing to be that close to your opponent is useful in that you can attack any time you like—but so can he. You will not see any high ranking sensei fighting each other that closely for good reason.

Because chikamai is so commonly used in tournaments/practice, and because it is wrong, we’d like to put a little section here on how to deal with it. If you’re shodan (1-dan or 1st degree black-belt) or higher, offend the tsuki or throat whenever the opponent enters chikamai. Or you can use other techniques, which we at kendokorner have dubbed intimidation techniques, such as gyaku-do or katate-tsuki with the intention of scoring, but without the expectation of scoring.

Forcing yourself into chikamai is asking to get your tsuki assaulted. Of course, when initiating an attack you will have to stick yourself in chikamai which is perfectly correct and is necessary. The only thing that we suggest you not do is fight for positioning IN chikamai. It is far too risky in match situations.