At the 65th All Japan Kendo Championship in November, 5th dan Hidehisa Nishimura won his 2nd title, beating three-time winner, 7th dan Ryoichi Uchimura, with 2 wrist-guard strikes, the preferred technique of both men. 7th dan kendoka Alex Bennett analyzes the intense battle of technique and temperament, and explains how Nishimura won. Alex also elucidates the basis of successful ippon attacks as well as the art of zanshin, a concept central to kendo philosophy.