San-sen: three timings
San-sen names three timings in a fight. Sen-no-sen (先之先) strikes as the other person is about to move. Sen (先) takes the initiative outright. Go-no-sen (後之先) answers after they commit. From nidan upward, examiners look at which of these you chose, not only whether the shinai touched.
The three timings
Sen: you press and cut first, and they have to deal with it. Sen-no-sen: you see the hands start and your debana arrives with that start. Go-no-sen: you receive with suriage, kaeshi, nuki, or uchiotoshi and the return cut is the point. Oji-waza live mostly in the third.
- Sen — you open
- Sen-no-sen — you meet the start
- Go-no-sen — you answer
How keiko uses them
Agree the timing before you speed up. One drill is only sen. The next is only debana. Mixing all three in the first month of ji-geiko produces random cuts. Your motodachi has to offer a readable start, or sen-no-sen cannot be practised.
Why dan exams mention them
Ikkyu and shodan can be built on correct sen: a straight men with zanshin. Nidan and sandan are disappointed by a person who only waits, or only crashes. The written themes sometimes ask you to explain the words. Explain the feeling in keiko, and check the paper against the association notice.
HKKA exam note
This page follows widely published FIK and AJKF practice. Eligibility, which kata are set, the place, and the scoring in Hong Kong follow the current notice of the Kendo Association of Hong Kong, China.
A common mistake
Go-no-sen is not “being late”. If you move after they have already hit you, that is just being hit. The answer has to start as their cut becomes readable, not after you have lost the centre.
Frequently asked questions
- Which timing should beginners use?
- Straight sen, with zanshin. Add the other two when kihon is stable.
- Are the Japanese names required?
- Yes for keiko and for a written paper. The names are short and standard.