Shidachi

Shidachi (受太刀) means "doing/receiving sword" and is one of the two roles in kata of budō and bujutsu, the other being uchidachi (打太刀).[1][2][3][4] In modern Kendo this is normally written Shidachi (仕太刀).[5]

This role which does a technique and is best described as an adolescent child (or disciple) whose goal is to eagerly acquire the skills presented by uchidachi's technique. Shidachi is led by uchidachi who provides a true attack; this allows shidachi to learn correct body displacement, combative distancing, proper spirit, and the perception of opportunity. Unfortunately, students often act as though they want to test their skills against those of the higher-ranked uchidachi. They consider this competition to be their practice. In fact, this leads to neither better technique, nor greater spiritual development, because the correct relationship between uchidachi and shidachi has been obscured.

Especially during the parts of a kata with identical movements or intensely linked movements, shidachi will move like a shadow of uchidachi, neither being ahead of the movement, nor lagging behind.

References
  1. Uchidachi & Shidachi by Nishioka Tsuneo.Koryu Books, 1999.
  2. (in Dutch) Kendo Kata by Kendovereniging Shinbukan.
  3. (in Japanese) Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu. The Origin of Samurai-Swordsmanship from KASHIMA SHRINE, The God of BUSHIDO KASHIMA - A Symbol of Justice by the Sword. by Masaru Iwasa. Japan, SAMURAI-BUSHIDO SOCIETY, 2005, hardcover. ISBN 4-900785-24-5.
  4. (in Japanese) Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage Ryū 鹿島神傳直心影流 by Yamada Jirōkichi 山田 次朗吉. Suishinsha, hardcover, 1927.
  5. 松延・山崎・野島[Matsunobu, Yamazaki & Nojima]「剣道」図解コーチ(27)[Seibido Sports Series 27: Kendo],成美堂出版 [seibido publishing], 1989, 東京 [tokyo], ISBN 4-415-00387-7
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