If any one cares-- I want one for my birthday :)
So I'm sitting here listening to Gregorian Chant music and trying to remember the day. The budokan in Kyoto was awesome. Hardly a surprise since Kyoto is listed most prominently as a city of traditional culture (other than the fact that Nintendo is located there, Mario is a tradition isn't it?). The food there is expensive, the temples are expansive and if culture and snobbery is your aim this is your place; the "dojo" was no exception, it was a complex of building that allowed for nearly every art you can think of. They had a sumo ring, a kyudo pitch (non-mounted archery), a formal wood-floor training hall for jo (short staff), iai (sword) and finally a modern gym for judo, and the other arts that require falls and rolls. I'm sure there was things missed too. The last and most impressive part of the demonstrations was that you could not be invited unless you were above a 5th degree blackbelt. That means no less than 15 years experience, but more like 20-30. As you'll see with the pictures most of the people in them are over 40 and it really showed.
It begins quietly- This is the head
of the All Japan Kendo Federation.
He demonstrated the kata that all
iaido students first learn before
learning the older teachings.
Jodoof the All Japan Kendo Federation.
He demonstrated the kata that all
iaido students first learn before
learning the older teachings.
As I mentioned there were many arts done that day. My goal was to see foremost iaido. Those picture will follow. My 2nd goal was to see naginata. Naginata for those that don't know is a kind of cross between a sword blade and a spear. It's a pole-arm that is perhaps 6' long and then tipped with a 2' blade. It is a slashing weapon unlike a spear which is mostly a
stabbing weapon. Sadly, I wasn't able to get there on time :( I did get to see some of the end of jodo (short staff). It might not show it, but I noticed that the more serene the face was proportional to how frightening it was when necessary. Jodo is a partner practice and I would like it if it weren't for the fact that it centers around Jo. I hate to be a snob but it seems like such a peasant weapon. Formidable, but still a peasant weapon. The most impressive part of Jo was how fast they moved. Imagine swinging a baseball bat full speed into your friend's chest then at the last possible second stopping short. If you didn't know better you'd think that they were actually hitting each other. That was a demonstration of skill and trust as I had never seen.Iaido
No real order to the pictures here. This first set is of a sensei from the neighborhood. I met him in the city at a practice. I don't know much about him other than what I have seen. He's a wee-little fellow barely 5'. I watched him teach my group that first time and wing his sword around like it was a butter knife. It wasn't until the end of the day I found out it was a real sword capable of cutting off real fingers just as easy as anything. It was hair raising to remember how casual he was with it. Casual only to a beginner's eyes I'm sure.
None of the following people I know. Another great thing about the day besides the incredibly high level was the variety of sword schools on display. Some of them I recognized others I had no idea. I really like some of the kenjitsu schools. The difference between a -do and a -jitsu is your aim. A -do is essentially a philosophical quest to improve the self (by default I study iai-do, which is more common since the need to kill someone with a sword isn't really necessary in this modern age). While a -jitsu tends to look more pragmatically on the subject (that subject being killing). Refining it to be efficient and useful and trimming away the formality and fluff (as in you've offended me somehow, you are dead now because of it). Regardless of the aim, once you get to a high enough level (like these people are at) it is all moot. Only a glance is enough to chill the blood and heaven help you if a their hand were to take flight upon the sword.
Thanks for stopping by...
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3 comments:
said...
BAd ass pictures, man. Except for that last one. He looks like an idiot.
Risk, beer, and burgers?
said...
Risk? why not othello, martinis, and spaetzle?
EvilDrGrignard said...
two reasons really easy like. Let me break you off a little bit of learning-
1.) Othello sucks.
2.) Who makes a meal out of martinis and spaetzle? Serious.
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PS. I saw that kick ass sensei from on of the pictures above actually cut his hand pretty slickly today at practice. Kind of a shock, especially since he never stopped using his sword like a normal person would respect a spork.