Day 571:
Today I’m back from being sick. My breath is shallow and my throat is still a little sore, causing coughing. Still, I need some exercise. I had a nice, quiet session of Iaido with three full sets.
I was tired after class but Sensei asked me to train a beginner early enough in his training to not practice with the class. Our other Sensei did not show up today, so I had to help out. No problem. I like being dependable. I took the student through basics of suri-ashi, men-ouchi, and kote-ouchi. I tried to mix things up by having him keep issoku-itto-no-maai with me in the two-man movement. He was exhausted after the session while I was just breathing a little heavier than usual. I wonder if it’s him not being used to the physical effort or if I’m just showing the years of effort I put into it. Still, I gave him encouragement to keep coming back to practice because repetition makes everything easier after a while.
Day 572:
No class today because of dangerous weather. There was a flash flood warning from the state.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 569-570
Day 569:
No class today. I’m recovering from influenza.
Day 570:
No class today. I’m recovering from influenza.
No class today. I’m recovering from influenza.
Day 570:
No class today. I’m recovering from influenza.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 567-568
Day 565:
Iaido class went swiftly. Three sets of kata plus a couple of iterations of the first and fifth kata to practice saya-biki.
In Kendo, the dojo became very hot and stuffy. One of the younger students asked that we close all of the windows, despite the heat. Sensei thought it was a good idea and we closed the windows.
We did endless repetitions of kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi, and kakari-geiko. Sensei told me during class that I was sighing right before I attack. I should not be doing that. If I must exhale, then I should kiai for advantage instead. Just sighing lowers my energy and shows weakness.
At the end of practice, I nearly felt dizzy and light-headed from the heat. After changing into my street clothes, I noticed that my face and forehead poured sweat since it was not covered by the tenugui.
Day 566:
No class today because of a blister on the bottom of my foot. I’m resting it to heal.
Iaido class went swiftly. Three sets of kata plus a couple of iterations of the first and fifth kata to practice saya-biki.
In Kendo, the dojo became very hot and stuffy. One of the younger students asked that we close all of the windows, despite the heat. Sensei thought it was a good idea and we closed the windows.
We did endless repetitions of kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi, and kakari-geiko. Sensei told me during class that I was sighing right before I attack. I should not be doing that. If I must exhale, then I should kiai for advantage instead. Just sighing lowers my energy and shows weakness.
At the end of practice, I nearly felt dizzy and light-headed from the heat. After changing into my street clothes, I noticed that my face and forehead poured sweat since it was not covered by the tenugui.
Day 566:
No class today because of a blister on the bottom of my foot. I’m resting it to heal.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 565-566
Day 565:
In Iaido class, I did the standard three sets of kata with time to spare. I practiced the fifth and twelfth katas to practice. I need to do more saya-biki. My iaito is scraping the saya as it comes out. I need to draw more slowly. At least I remembered to turn my right foot for the ninth kata.
In Kendo class, the instructor didn’t show up, so sensei asked me to teach the beginners. Over and over we practiced Kendo steps and men-ouchi. With the limited space available, we did our best. I tried to mix it up to avoid getting bored. I linked motions into a combo of forward/forward/back/back/right/right/left/left/men-ouchi-forward/men-ouchi-backward.
Day 566:
Did three sets of Iaido kata and practiced the fifth kata several times. My saya-biki is getting better.
In Kendo, after stretching and suburi, we put on men right away. We did a lot of waza training. Kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi, kakari-geiko, and ji-geiko. I was told by a student that I was hitting too hard. It gave me a flashback to when I had to tell a higher-ranking person to stop hitting me so hard. I have to keep my focus sharp to know who to hit hard and who to not hit hard.
Head Sensei showed up to teach the advanced class. He started talking about a new way to hold chudan. I have to get back into going home early to get my sleep each night well.
In Iaido class, I did the standard three sets of kata with time to spare. I practiced the fifth and twelfth katas to practice. I need to do more saya-biki. My iaito is scraping the saya as it comes out. I need to draw more slowly. At least I remembered to turn my right foot for the ninth kata.
In Kendo class, the instructor didn’t show up, so sensei asked me to teach the beginners. Over and over we practiced Kendo steps and men-ouchi. With the limited space available, we did our best. I tried to mix it up to avoid getting bored. I linked motions into a combo of forward/forward/back/back/right/right/left/left/men-ouchi-forward/men-ouchi-backward.
Day 566:
Did three sets of Iaido kata and practiced the fifth kata several times. My saya-biki is getting better.
In Kendo, after stretching and suburi, we put on men right away. We did a lot of waza training. Kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi, kakari-geiko, and ji-geiko. I was told by a student that I was hitting too hard. It gave me a flashback to when I had to tell a higher-ranking person to stop hitting me so hard. I have to keep my focus sharp to know who to hit hard and who to not hit hard.
Head Sensei showed up to teach the advanced class. He started talking about a new way to hold chudan. I have to get back into going home early to get my sleep each night well.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 563-564
Day 563:
Finally, I get back to Iaido class. I haven’t been drawing and cutting for months. When I started practicing, I made some mistakes. I forgot to turn my right foot during the ninth kata before the tsuki. I tried to do big chiburi like in the first kata during the fourth kata. At least I remembered to do the big chiburi the gentle way, like in the seventh kata.
In basic Kendo class, we did kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kkote-ouchi, doh-ouchi, and ji-geiko. I didn’t have to push myself towards exhaustion again. I could keep pace with the others. Three of the new students don’t even have uniforms, so I gave them double practice in waza to help them out.
Day 564:
No class today because of a family meeting.
Finally, I get back to Iaido class. I haven’t been drawing and cutting for months. When I started practicing, I made some mistakes. I forgot to turn my right foot during the ninth kata before the tsuki. I tried to do big chiburi like in the first kata during the fourth kata. At least I remembered to do the big chiburi the gentle way, like in the seventh kata.
In basic Kendo class, we did kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kkote-ouchi, doh-ouchi, and ji-geiko. I didn’t have to push myself towards exhaustion again. I could keep pace with the others. Three of the new students don’t even have uniforms, so I gave them double practice in waza to help them out.
Day 564:
No class today because of a family meeting.
Monday, March 31, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 549-562.5
Day 549-562:
These days sped by in a blur. I had a lot of practice to do. I had to sharpen my accuracy, increase my speed, promote my zanshin, and focus my center. I must have sweat my body weight over these days and kept going. Sometimes, I had sweat burning in my eyes and my belly muscles cramping all together, needing a short rest.
We went through all of the standard waza and some harder waza. Kiri-kaeshi, kote-kirikaeshi with tsuki, doh-kirikaeshi with tsuki, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi, kote-men-ouchi, kakarigeiko, and ji-geiko. We also got to practice kote-suriage-men, men-nuki-men, men-kaeshi-doh, ai-ouchi-men, and doh-uchiotoshi-men.
Several days practice was cancelled due to the weather. This wasn’t good but it can’t be helped. We just had to practice every minute possible.
Both of my shinais cracked in a single week. I had to perform some of the longest bamboo surgery over a weekend to try to save them. After replacing two different staves, one of the shinais became heavier. Slower to use but hits more firmly.
I got to practice my kata over and over again. Sensei stated that I was ready for the test, but the instructor had many little comments to make. I spent my time helping others prepare for their promotion exams.
I actually sprained my left leg two practices before the seminar. I chose to skip the last practice just to be careful. Pushing it would turn it into a major sprain. I already went through a promotional exam injured once. Not doing it again, thank you.
Day 562.5 Seminar/Promotional Exam:
This was a long day. Most of the day reminded me of the Iaido seminar. We stood around on a hard floor doing kata over and over. It was instructional. It was interesting. It was definitely not a waste of time. However, the hard floor and standing all day really took a toll on my back and ankles. I was in serious pain. I had to sit down during breaks or else I’d have to sit out. These are the kata exercises that mudansha will be tested on with their promotional exams. We’ll have to know them to teach them.
After lunch and finishing the kata, we broke into a short session of keiko. I got to keiko with two teachers, one I have fought before and one I have not fought before. The one I have fought before corrected me on my footwork. She said my left foot was passing my right foot. That was lazy of me. The one I have not fought before stopped me multiple times for several errors, such as not holding center and striking accurately.
However, I took in all of the advice and drilled my own mind with the proper way to do kendo. When it came time to do the exam, the waiting was hard. I could not get comfortable on the floor and had to eventually stand up. However, it came time to test. I resolved just to strike men, strike men again, maybe one kote, and then strike men again. I chased my opponents all over the floor, bating and striking. I remembered not to block at all, even once.
When the instructor called out the numbers called to perform kata, I smiled at my number being stated. I took my bokken and resolved to do my best, bringing my seme to the full. The shimpan-cho warned us to pause a lot in kata to avoid rushing. I did my best, showing good form as the shidachi. However, my footwork was awkward in the 7th kata. We were all asked to do the 7th kata again, making me nervous. I did it again, unfortunately rushing the doh cut.
At the end, we all gathered together. The sensei ripped into us for good keiko but not good kata. They said we didn’t seem to know the nuances of kata and they demonstrated a few cuts. It turns out that I was taught wrong about the 7th kata. The shidachi doh cut is not horizontal. It is downward diagonal and the sword is pulled by kneeling down, cutting the opponent in half.
They turned around the board to show the results of the kata. I was already planning to take the kata-only exam at our tournament out of shame. However, my number showed a pass. I quickly turned in my written answer and fee. I have now finished my path towards nidan. I feel very proud and very humble towards all of my teachers and dojo-mates.
These days sped by in a blur. I had a lot of practice to do. I had to sharpen my accuracy, increase my speed, promote my zanshin, and focus my center. I must have sweat my body weight over these days and kept going. Sometimes, I had sweat burning in my eyes and my belly muscles cramping all together, needing a short rest.
We went through all of the standard waza and some harder waza. Kiri-kaeshi, kote-kirikaeshi with tsuki, doh-kirikaeshi with tsuki, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi, kote-men-ouchi, kakarigeiko, and ji-geiko. We also got to practice kote-suriage-men, men-nuki-men, men-kaeshi-doh, ai-ouchi-men, and doh-uchiotoshi-men.
Several days practice was cancelled due to the weather. This wasn’t good but it can’t be helped. We just had to practice every minute possible.
Both of my shinais cracked in a single week. I had to perform some of the longest bamboo surgery over a weekend to try to save them. After replacing two different staves, one of the shinais became heavier. Slower to use but hits more firmly.
I got to practice my kata over and over again. Sensei stated that I was ready for the test, but the instructor had many little comments to make. I spent my time helping others prepare for their promotion exams.
I actually sprained my left leg two practices before the seminar. I chose to skip the last practice just to be careful. Pushing it would turn it into a major sprain. I already went through a promotional exam injured once. Not doing it again, thank you.
Day 562.5 Seminar/Promotional Exam:
This was a long day. Most of the day reminded me of the Iaido seminar. We stood around on a hard floor doing kata over and over. It was instructional. It was interesting. It was definitely not a waste of time. However, the hard floor and standing all day really took a toll on my back and ankles. I was in serious pain. I had to sit down during breaks or else I’d have to sit out. These are the kata exercises that mudansha will be tested on with their promotional exams. We’ll have to know them to teach them.
After lunch and finishing the kata, we broke into a short session of keiko. I got to keiko with two teachers, one I have fought before and one I have not fought before. The one I have fought before corrected me on my footwork. She said my left foot was passing my right foot. That was lazy of me. The one I have not fought before stopped me multiple times for several errors, such as not holding center and striking accurately.
However, I took in all of the advice and drilled my own mind with the proper way to do kendo. When it came time to do the exam, the waiting was hard. I could not get comfortable on the floor and had to eventually stand up. However, it came time to test. I resolved just to strike men, strike men again, maybe one kote, and then strike men again. I chased my opponents all over the floor, bating and striking. I remembered not to block at all, even once.
When the instructor called out the numbers called to perform kata, I smiled at my number being stated. I took my bokken and resolved to do my best, bringing my seme to the full. The shimpan-cho warned us to pause a lot in kata to avoid rushing. I did my best, showing good form as the shidachi. However, my footwork was awkward in the 7th kata. We were all asked to do the 7th kata again, making me nervous. I did it again, unfortunately rushing the doh cut.
At the end, we all gathered together. The sensei ripped into us for good keiko but not good kata. They said we didn’t seem to know the nuances of kata and they demonstrated a few cuts. It turns out that I was taught wrong about the 7th kata. The shidachi doh cut is not horizontal. It is downward diagonal and the sword is pulled by kneeling down, cutting the opponent in half.
They turned around the board to show the results of the kata. I was already planning to take the kata-only exam at our tournament out of shame. However, my number showed a pass. I quickly turned in my written answer and fee. I have now finished my path towards nidan. I feel very proud and very humble towards all of my teachers and dojo-mates.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 545-548
Day 545:
In Iaido, I got to finish two times the kata before the practice test. I got a time of 5:43. Booya and I’m ready for the test this weekend.
I skipped Kendo class because I wasn’t feeling well. No sense to push myself too hard and get sick before the test.
Day 546:
In Iaido, we were promised a full class of nothing but practice tests. Instead, the new student was there. We had the whole class of freeform with a single test. I did the kata twice and did the practice test. My time was 5:32, so I figure I should slow down. I got some advice to calm down and remember to use more saya-biki. Also, I had a hang-up during rei-hou with using a tight loop of obi.
We got an explanation of how the seminar goes. Sensei mentioned that it’s common that during the seminar, you’re expected to take notes between practice katas.
Day 546.5:
My first Iaido seminar, tournament, and testing. I show up early and get suited up. We go through a long lecture by the Head Sensei who comes from Japan. He speaks through a translator because he does not speak English. That’s okay. As long as I get the instruction somehow, then it’s worthwhile. We get together as a group and do a few practice cuts to warm up. After that, we separate into two groups, high-ranking and low-ranking. The Head Sensei asks his second-in-command to demonstrate the first two kata over and over to show us how they are supposed to be done properly. They are very well executed. We then alternate between groups to practice both katas several times while the others watch. It’s long and frustrating but educational. The second Sensei, despite having no personal translator, found a way to correct me a few times by demonstration. For example, he showed me that he doesn’t want me to reach when cutting. That’s against Kendo but this is Iaido. I should not reach with an Iaito. This lasted all day. The small of my back was aching badly at the end.
The next day was the tournament and the test. However, when I walk in early the situation was reversed! There wasn’t very much time before I was expected to line up for the test. I didn’t get time to practice anything, so I did the test cold. There were two chairs in each line. Each person in line after that must stand up and wait. When it was my turn, I just forgot all my nervousness and just emptied myself of everything except Iaido. I did the test exactly at my pace. The other three candidates in my group all blazed through their kata quickly. I was several seconds slower. Still, I wound up passing the exam and got a rank of sankyu. Good for me.
After the test was over, including one of my dojomates, there was an hour and a half of waiting. The people putting on the seminar ran around and tried to mark off the courts. After all of that time, they called for lunch. I had a big breakfast and I was up first for the tournament. I did not eat. I waited, did a practice set of kata, and waited some more. When we started, I had my turn. I did my part of the tournament just like my test. I was in the red court while my opponent was in the separate white court. After we were finished, the three shinpan voted in a hantei. I lost 3-0. Frustrating, but not unexpected. I never win by hantei. The rest of the several hours was done sitting, waiting, and walking around. The final division of yondan and above was compressed onto one court. We finished an hour and a half later than advertised. After some lecture and awards ceremony we left. It was time to drive back and eat at the same time. Ouch. Still, I accomplished what I set out to do.
Day 547:
I started back at advanced Kendo. The next event is my attempt at nidan. I went to class tired. Last night I had driven back from the Iaido seminar. We had a balanced class of waza. It was the effort and exercise that punished me. I guess I relaxed too much in training for Iaido.
We did kiri-kaeshi, kote-kiri-kaeshi with tsuki, doh-kiri-kaeshi with tsukim men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, and then ji-geiko using only men-ouchi. We then started up with kote-men-ouchi, men-debana-kote, and then ji-geiko.
We did hotseat for 20-second ji-geiko. That was fun because it was short, intense, and quick rotations.
We then finished with a huge drill. Kiri-kaeshi-men-kote-doh-men-hiki-men-men-hiki-kote-men-hiki-doh-kiri-kaeshi. Makes me tired just thinking about it.
Day 548:
Today we had visitors from our companion dojo over in the next state. Sensei wanted to work us hard. Kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, kote-men-ouchi, ai-ouchi-men, ai-ouchi-kote-men, men-hiki-men, kote-suriage-men and a couple of variations. Suddenly, we were doing the last seven sets of waza in one, long, continuous waza. My forehead began pouring rivers of sweat into my eyes. My eyes burned and became blurry. I was lucky I finished the waza when it happened.
I had to step out after my partner completed the waza. I had to stay out for a few minutes to drain the sweat from my eyes, including washing my eyeballs with water from the bathroom sink. After several minutes, I stepped in for a few rounds of ji-geiko with our visitors and one round of kiri-kaeshi.
After practice was over, I didn’t stick aroundf to ask the high-ranking visitor for advice in pursuit of my nidan exam. However, I really did not feel well. I think I overdid my effort. I was exhausted, hungry, dehydrated, and my eyes were still blurry and burning. If he comes back then I’ll ask his advice.
In Iaido, I got to finish two times the kata before the practice test. I got a time of 5:43. Booya and I’m ready for the test this weekend.
I skipped Kendo class because I wasn’t feeling well. No sense to push myself too hard and get sick before the test.
Day 546:
In Iaido, we were promised a full class of nothing but practice tests. Instead, the new student was there. We had the whole class of freeform with a single test. I did the kata twice and did the practice test. My time was 5:32, so I figure I should slow down. I got some advice to calm down and remember to use more saya-biki. Also, I had a hang-up during rei-hou with using a tight loop of obi.
We got an explanation of how the seminar goes. Sensei mentioned that it’s common that during the seminar, you’re expected to take notes between practice katas.
Day 546.5:
My first Iaido seminar, tournament, and testing. I show up early and get suited up. We go through a long lecture by the Head Sensei who comes from Japan. He speaks through a translator because he does not speak English. That’s okay. As long as I get the instruction somehow, then it’s worthwhile. We get together as a group and do a few practice cuts to warm up. After that, we separate into two groups, high-ranking and low-ranking. The Head Sensei asks his second-in-command to demonstrate the first two kata over and over to show us how they are supposed to be done properly. They are very well executed. We then alternate between groups to practice both katas several times while the others watch. It’s long and frustrating but educational. The second Sensei, despite having no personal translator, found a way to correct me a few times by demonstration. For example, he showed me that he doesn’t want me to reach when cutting. That’s against Kendo but this is Iaido. I should not reach with an Iaito. This lasted all day. The small of my back was aching badly at the end.
The next day was the tournament and the test. However, when I walk in early the situation was reversed! There wasn’t very much time before I was expected to line up for the test. I didn’t get time to practice anything, so I did the test cold. There were two chairs in each line. Each person in line after that must stand up and wait. When it was my turn, I just forgot all my nervousness and just emptied myself of everything except Iaido. I did the test exactly at my pace. The other three candidates in my group all blazed through their kata quickly. I was several seconds slower. Still, I wound up passing the exam and got a rank of sankyu. Good for me.
After the test was over, including one of my dojomates, there was an hour and a half of waiting. The people putting on the seminar ran around and tried to mark off the courts. After all of that time, they called for lunch. I had a big breakfast and I was up first for the tournament. I did not eat. I waited, did a practice set of kata, and waited some more. When we started, I had my turn. I did my part of the tournament just like my test. I was in the red court while my opponent was in the separate white court. After we were finished, the three shinpan voted in a hantei. I lost 3-0. Frustrating, but not unexpected. I never win by hantei. The rest of the several hours was done sitting, waiting, and walking around. The final division of yondan and above was compressed onto one court. We finished an hour and a half later than advertised. After some lecture and awards ceremony we left. It was time to drive back and eat at the same time. Ouch. Still, I accomplished what I set out to do.
Day 547:
I started back at advanced Kendo. The next event is my attempt at nidan. I went to class tired. Last night I had driven back from the Iaido seminar. We had a balanced class of waza. It was the effort and exercise that punished me. I guess I relaxed too much in training for Iaido.
We did kiri-kaeshi, kote-kiri-kaeshi with tsuki, doh-kiri-kaeshi with tsukim men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, and then ji-geiko using only men-ouchi. We then started up with kote-men-ouchi, men-debana-kote, and then ji-geiko.
We did hotseat for 20-second ji-geiko. That was fun because it was short, intense, and quick rotations.
We then finished with a huge drill. Kiri-kaeshi-men-kote-doh-men-hiki-men-men-hiki-kote-men-hiki-doh-kiri-kaeshi. Makes me tired just thinking about it.
Day 548:
Today we had visitors from our companion dojo over in the next state. Sensei wanted to work us hard. Kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, kote-men-ouchi, ai-ouchi-men, ai-ouchi-kote-men, men-hiki-men, kote-suriage-men and a couple of variations. Suddenly, we were doing the last seven sets of waza in one, long, continuous waza. My forehead began pouring rivers of sweat into my eyes. My eyes burned and became blurry. I was lucky I finished the waza when it happened.
I had to step out after my partner completed the waza. I had to stay out for a few minutes to drain the sweat from my eyes, including washing my eyeballs with water from the bathroom sink. After several minutes, I stepped in for a few rounds of ji-geiko with our visitors and one round of kiri-kaeshi.
After practice was over, I didn’t stick aroundf to ask the high-ranking visitor for advice in pursuit of my nidan exam. However, I really did not feel well. I think I overdid my effort. I was exhausted, hungry, dehydrated, and my eyes were still blurry and burning. If he comes back then I’ll ask his advice.
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