By Deborah Klens-Bigman
Well, not to brag, but I just returned from U. of Guelph for Kim sama's
annual Japanese sword fest. In spite of a lower turnout than we had last
year, I had a great time. Actually, a lower turnout meant more attention
from all the teachers, which I tried to take full advantage of.
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At the kyudo workshop on Friday, we had perfect weather for outdoor
shooting-- Sunny/cloudy and not too warm or windy. Contrary to some
more crowded kyudo sessions, I was able to hold onto the same set of equipment,
and had the attention of not one, but TWO instructors, all day long.
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The Friday panel on spirituality in the martial arts created some lively
discussion with the audience, even beyond the endurance of the panel, who
started to feel real thirsty after awhile. Fortunately, we eventually
adjourned to Gryph's pub across the street for more, uh,
debate.
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I spent Sat. and Sun. with not one but two excellently qualified naginata
teachers, and I even got an hour or so to do some sword swinging on my
own, a rare occurrence.
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The Saturday demo was even more varied than usual, since it featured
some medieval European swordplay in addition to various iaido ryu, naginata,
etc., etc.
Click here for western mpg video 1, metal swords and armour, good hit to the side Click here for western mpg video 1, demonstrating some half sword work Click here for western mpg video 1, an exchange and re-measure |
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Click here for Shinto Hatakage-ryu video |
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Not to mention the naginata/kendo grudge match.....
Not to mention the rematch of same on Sunday afternoon. Click here for an mpg video of kendo vs naginata, an exchange of blows |
Thanks to my co-organizers, Kim Taylor and Ray Sosnowski, all the instructors, and all my panelists - Ray, Peter Boylan, Scott Brady and Lisa Brooks-- for a great weekend. We trained, we ate, we drank, we slept. Life should be like that all the time <sigh>.
Photos, Kim Taylor
