--About Men and progress in Kendo, thoughts fed by the figure of Narazaki Hanshi and his writings and legacy for future generations-- ➡️"There are various techniques in kendo, but Men is the basis of all and is also the final technique. If you try to carry a Men for a long time, you have the possibility of progressing in kendo." ➡️"I exert a semé pressure on the opponent with the tip of the shinai. He notices then, his spirit is clouded and when this situation becomes untenable, he takes a step forward. Just as it is about to move, I strike Men, with all my spirit, having the feeling of detaching myself from life." ➡️"This Men technique represents for me the spirit of kendo and it is the one that attracts me the most. It has a first place in my practice and is the center of my solitary training." ➡️Launching a blow just at the moment when the opponent wants to attack, capturing this moment thanks to a well-trained reflex and foresight capabilities, isn't kendo's greatest interest here? ➡️"That is why it is necessary to know how to launch a Men attack with the determination to abandon life. You cannot make a valid Men if you cannot hit right in the center of the opponent's head from a fairly large distance, relying on the power and stability of the legs and hips." Masahiko Narasaki, 9th dan hanshi 🙇🌸