Sae - anyone?

Has anyone an idea about the way to develop sae? Do you feel sae is an important component of a kendo technique? Am I the only one to obsess about it?

First of all, what is sae? I checked the definition in the Japanese - English Dictionary of Kendo published by All Japan Kendo Federation. 

I quote word by word:

sae (n.)

The skilfullness of a waza, or the sharpness of its function of feeling. When striking, one moves the right and the left hands cooperatively, and tightens the te-no-uchi (way of gripping the shinai) instantaneously. This gives the striking sharpness known as sae in kendo,

By the definition itself,  it is immediately clear that it is not an easy concept to describe - but the presence of sae in any strike is one of the elements that make it a yuko-datotsu, although sae is not explicitly named in the definition of yuko-datotsu itself (valid strike) - referee's word!

Mmm, the plot thickens.

If i were to try a different description, surely I would retain the word SHARPNESS, but I would mention BRILLIANCE or SNAP or STING... 

In the Manga Way to Kendo (I hope someone already wrote that book...) sae is what makes an ippon sound like POK! instead than SPLAAAAK...

The AJKF's definition also gives a hint about the way to achieve sae: coordination between right and left hand - with the precise aim to increase the speed of the shinai tip, I would add. It seems an easy task, but we all know how difficult it is. Te-no-uchi evolves all along our Kendo career and we all recognise how clumsy it might be for a beginner to coordinate the action in order to achieve a correct, sharp strike.

In these lucky years, there are all sorts of aid - although nothing replaces constant, gruesome, repetitive, boring action (sorry, it has to be said....). One of the latest, I am certain everyone heard about it, is the Men-nari.

I tested it and I had it tested, too. There are two lengths available, the shorter one being the easier to master. But what is the Men-nari about? Below you might find the promotional video by Tozando:

Many friends of mine were immediately attracted by the possibility to practice suburi in a confined space, with an instrument shorter than a shinai: nothing better than training in the living room, without threatening lamps and other hanging decorations, and keeping marital bliss

The added bonus of Men-nari, though, is the SOUND: when the movement is performed correctly and the right sae is achieved, the reward is loud and clear.

The inner working of the tool is pretty simple, but rather addictive - actually, it is really daunting not to be able to achieve the right CLICK, if not after a good number of tries!

The longer version of the Men-nari is more challenging: the right acceleration has to be reached when the arms are being fully extended, or the the little sphere in the shaft will bounce about and the sound will be muffled and broken. It requires a certain amount of concentration - and it definitely makes sae more than a vague concept: it is actually a good tool to grasp it to the full.

I am still working to master all the secrets of this puzzling thing: for the time being I would advise to use it both as practice tool (for beginners and advanced kenshi) AND as dojo conversation piece!