Turned out to be more like iceskating or gymnastics. 2 players would move through a set of routines (kata) while three older Japanese men would view and evaluate. In the end one would stand and scream something just terrifying (at least to me) then simultainiously a red or white flag would be raised to mark the winner from the looser. I managed two win one match out of two and was then elminated. Had I won the 2nd match I would have taken 3rd place. There were 10 people in my catagory so I think I was pretty lucky. On the one hand I feel a weight off my shoulders after it was finished, but on the other it is something I want to do again now. There were people there from kids age to master and it was a pretty cool event.
Saki from the iaido competition. She's in 6th grade from Tannabe
This is Ikedasan, one of many pad asses
This is Suma, Deven dated her for a bit. I wonder if he knew she was a nidan in iaido..doubtful.
I don't like the way this photo edited, but my back hurts.